The first model of Apple’s iPhone was launched in June 2007. Since then, many different smartphones have been introduced. The devices now influence our daily lives in many ways. One thing that has changed is that many people now use their phones to easily take pictures without the need for a camera. Not surprisingly, this change has caused major business problems for camera manufacturers.
Of course, the camera built into the first iPhone 15 years ago did not include a high-quality camera able to compete with separate camera models. But over the years, smartphone makers have invested heavily in research and development to change that. Today, many smartphones have high-quality cameras designed to produce better pictures. And most phone devices also offer powerful tools to improve the quality of the pictures we take.
Japan’s Camera &Tmaging Products Association (CIPA) said the digital camera market continually expanded starting in 1999. It experienced its first decrease in 2009 — and continued to fall thereafter. The biggest change appeared from 2010 to 2020, when worldwide camera shipments fell about 93 percent, CIPA reported. The decreases were mainly caused by drops in shipments of digital cameras that have built-in lenses.
However, camera makers have had more success selling digital cameras with interchangeable lenses. This is because these cameras are generally targeted at professional photographers who demand higher quality. Such cameras can produce “high image quality that distinguishes them from smartphones,” CIPA said.
But this does not mean that professional photographers never use smartphones to capture pictures. Brynn Anderson is based with the AP in Atlanta, Georgia. She said: “Sometimes being a photographer with a larger camera can be intimidating to the person being photographed. Using a phone makes it easier for me to get comfortable moments that might not happen otherwise.” Rodrigo Abd, an AP photographer in Buenos Aires, Argentina says using the iPhone makes it easier for him “to always be attentive” to everyday events when not covering a news story. Oded Balilty is based in Tel Aviv, Israel. “It is definitely an alternative tool,” he said of the iPhone. But he added: “It’s the photographer not the device, that determines the quality of a photo.”
1. What is the potential cause of the first decrease of digital cameras in 2009?| A．Less money was invested to improve digital cameras. |
| B．Cameras had been built into smartphones and improved. |
| C．Fewer digital cameras with built-in lenses were produced |
| D．The digital camera market stopped promoting new products. |
| A．They are more affordable. | B．They have superb shooting quality. |
| C．They offer the power to beautify photos. | D．They are specially designed for professionals. |
| A．Amusing. | B．Demanding. | C．Rewarding. | D．Scaring. |
| A．The level of the photographer depends on the iPhone. |
| B．The iPhone completely replaces his professional tool. |
| C．The professional skills of the photographer is crucial. |
| D．The iPhone enables him to work at any time and place. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】It’s never hard to identify pictures from Instagram: They’re usually bright-colored, shot with tasteful lighting, and the people and items are artfully arranged in the frames (画面). Instagram photos seem much similar to each other and to be effortlessly perfect.
Even though it has been here for less than a decade, Instagram — a photo and video-sharing platform started in 2010 in the US — has redefined fashion, travel, food, and even art, because almost everyone wants to make themselves and things look “effortless” and “perfect”.
But every trend has its sell-by date, including the so-called “Instagram aesthetic (审美)”. Once young people figured out that what appeared to be effortless was actually carefully staged, they lost interest immediately. To them, “trying too hard” is never cool.
This is why a new trend is growing on Instagram - one that wants to be “more authentic”, Lexie Carbone from social media marketing firm mentioned. For example, people have been posting “Instagram vs reality” photos to show the real side of themselves. One Instagram user, 22-year-old Reese Blutstein, has attracted over 238,000 followers since she began posting unfiltered photos of herself in strange outfits (装束). “For my generation, people are more willing to be who they are,” said Blutstein. “We are trying to show a real person doing cool things as a real person, not trying to create a persona (人设) that isn’t actually you.”
So perhaps the “Instagram aesthetic“ is not coming to an end after all. It’s just evolving — into a cooler and more honest version of itself.
1. What do the underlined words “sell-by date” in Paragraphs probably mean?| A．end. | B．direction. |
| C．stage. | D．fashion. |
| A．To express people now want to be more real on Instagram. |
| B．To explain the meaning of “Instagram vs reality”. |
| C．To indicate youngsters have lost interest in Instagram. |
| D．To show people are crazy about taking Instagram photos. |
| A．Posting pictures in bright colors. |
| B．Posting pictures of a person’s true self |
| C．Posting photos that are artfully arranged. |
| D．Posting photos that remind people of the old days. |
| A．Instagram Aesthetic in Change |
| B．Instagram Lifestyles of Youngsters |
| C．A Popular Sharing Platform |
| D．Reasons for the Popularity of Instagram |
【推荐2】Immersive Van Gogh
From the creators of the blockbuster show in Paris seen by over two million visitors and still wowing crowds in Toronto, the west coast premiere (首场) of the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit will bring the art of Vincent to life in Los Angeles.
Immersive art is not just a technical way to represent video and audio in huge spaces. The word immersive indicates a deep commitment of intentions which connect images and sounds in a way that the audience is able to experience a different way of the art.
True to its name, this exhibition transforms the iconic (偶像的) paintings of Vincent van Gogh into moving, wall-filling projections. “Immersive Van Gogh” promises half-a-million cubic feet of projections that pull from some of the post-impressionist’s most recognizable pieces, including The Bedroom, Sunflowers and, yes, The Starry Night.
You will experience art like never before—lose yourself in entrancing, moving images that highlight brushstrokes, detail, and color—truly illuminating (照亮) the mind of the genius.
LOCATION
The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is located at a secret place situated in the heart of Los Angeles. To be announced before the exhibit opens, existing ticket holders will receive an email with the place name and location once it is made public.
TICKET PRICES
| VIP TICKETS—$99.99 ●Priority access ●Van Gogh cushion (a gift for you) ●Limited edition poster | PREMIUM TICKETS—$59.99 ●Van Gogh cushion (rental) ●Limited edition poster |
| BASIC TICKETS—$54.99 ●Admission only | CHILD TICKETS—$29.99 ●Ages 6—16 (children 5 and under do not require a ticket) ●Admission only ●Child tickets are not subject to change of date fees |
Tickets are available online at www.vangoghla.com.
GIFT SHOP
Stop by our Exhibit Gift Shop to take the magic of Van Gogh home with you! From clothing and jewelry to home décor, children’s books, and so much more, you will find unique and thoughtful souvenirs at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit. Also be sure to check out at our online store!
Experience the organic landscapes of Van Gogh’s imagination, and journey through his brilliance and madness in a completely new and unforgettable way.
1. According to the passage, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit ________.| A．presents Van Gogh’s art in a modern way |
| B．begins a journey to Van Gogh’s hometown |
| C．displays Van Gogh’s paintings on moving walls |
| D．designs projects on Van Gogh’s learning experience |
| A．An email. | B．A website. |
| C．The ticket office. | D．The gift shop. |
| A．$109.98. | B．$154.98. |
| C．$159.98. | D．$199.98. |
【推荐3】The values of artistic works, according to cultural relativism, are simply reflections of local and economic conditions. Such a view, however, fails to explain the ability of some works of art to excite the human mind across cultures and through centuries.
History has witnessed the endless production of Shakespearean plays in every major language of the world. It is never rare to find that Mozart packs Japanese concert hall, as Japanese painter Hiroshige does Paris galleries. Unique works of this kind are different from today’s popular art, even if they began as works of popular art. They have set themselves apart in their timeless appeal and will probably be enjoyed for centuries into the future.
In a 1757 essay, the philosopher David Hume argued that because “the general principles of tastes are uniform(不变的) in human nature”, the value of some works of art might be essentially permanent. He observed that Homer was still admired 2000 years. Works of this type, he believed, spoke to deep and unvarying features of human nature and could continue to exist over centuries.
Now researchers are applying scientific methods to the study of the universality of art. For example, evolutionary psychology is being used by literary scholars to explain the long-lasting themes and plot devices in fiction. The structure of musical pieces are now open to experimental analysis as never before. Research findings seem to indicate that the creation by a great artist is as permanent an achievement as the discovery by a great scientist.
1. According to the passage, what do we know about cultural relativism?| A．It explains the history of artistic works. |
| B．It introduces different cultural values. |
| C．It relates artistic values to local conditions. |
| D．It excites the human mind throughout the world. |
| A．great arts start as popular arts |
| B．popular arts are hardly different from great arts |
| C．the charm of great arts is universal and lasting |
| D．great artists are skilled at combing various culture |
| A．they are results of scientific study |
| B．they establish general principles of art |
| C．they are created by the world’s greatest artists |
| D．they appeal to unchanging features of human nature |
| A．Are Popular Arts Universal? | B．Are Great Arts Permanent? |
| C．Is Human Nature Uniform? | D．Is Cultural Relativism Scientific? |
【推荐1】Does a happy person live longer? Many studies have convinced us that happiness brings good health, which has resulted in an increasing demand for speakers and products encouraging positive thinking. However, being happy does not promise that one is going to be healthy. There are other factors that influence one’s health and long life such as a person’s genes or even a person’s socio-economic condition.
Some research even suggests that positive thinking can be dangerous. Positive thinking, when taken to the extreme, can cause a person to be separated from reality. For example, a person who thinks that staying happy and positive can help him recover from an illness like cancer but later fails to recover from it, may blame himself for not being happy. In this case, positive thinking may potentially make the victim disregard other factors. Sometimes the pursuit of happiness is even associated with serious mental health problems such as depression.
All types of happiness are not good for us either. For example, pride, a pleasant feeling, can sometimes rob us of the ability to empathize with others or understand another’s viewpoint. This anti-social behavior can cause people around us to turn away from us, and this could, in turn, make us feel lonely and do harm to our mental and even physical health.
Moreover, unpleasant feelings can be beneficial to a person’s well-being. Researchers believe that unpleasant feelings can help us make sense of our challenges and experiences in a way that supports psychological well-being. For example, if I have behaved badly towards my good friend, the feelings of guilt and sadness might motivate me to apologize and ask for forgiveness. The rebuilding of a broken relationship can be a lift to one’s mental well-being.
In trying to experience happiness, we should remember that seeking for happiness as an end in itself can be self-defeating, and does not necessarily lead to better health. After all, one will surely experience setbacks and conflicts in life. Instead, learning to cope with negative emotions with a realistic positive attitude is key to a person’s good health.
1. What’s the writer’s opinion in this passage?| A．Negative thinking can be dangerous. |
| B．Staying happy can bring good health. |
| C．Unpleasant feelings cannot be beneficial. |
| D．Happiness cannot ensure one’s good health. |
| A．When we use it with a realistic attitude to solve problems. |
| B．When we focus on it as an only determinant of happy life. |
| C．When we think it one of the necessary factor for good health. |
| D．When we realize it may rob us of the ability to understand others. |
| A．They rebuild a broken relationship. |
| B．They lead to self-reflection and personal growth. |
| C．They help keep the problems and challenges away. |
| D．They prevent long-term negative effects on mental health. |
| A．An ultimate goal. | B．An individual plan. |
| C．A final decision. | D．A great start. |
【推荐2】What makes us happy?
There has long been an opinion that money buys happiness. However, although “we really, really tired that for a couple of generations, it didn’t work,” said Francine Jay, author of The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life.
Thanks to a travel- inspired revelation (启发), Jay has been happily living a simpler life for 12 years. “I always packed as lightly as possible, and found it exhilarating (令人高兴的) to get by with just a small carry-on bag,” she told CNN. “I thought if it feels this great to travel lightly, how amazing would it be to live this way? I wanted to have that same feeling of freedom in my everyday life.”
Jay decided to get rid of all her excess(额外的) possessions and live with just the essentials. “I wanted to spend my time and energy on experiences, rather than things.”
Jay is a follower of a movement called “minimalism(极简主义)”. Growing numbers of people have been attracted to this lifestyle all over the world. They share the same feeling of disappointment with modern life and a desire to live more simply. Minimalists are typically progressive and concerned about the environment, Leah Watkins, a lead researcher at Otago University in New Zealand, told Stuff magazine in March.
But many simply experienced unhappiness caused by owning too many possessions. Depression with the materialism of our world isn’t new. English romantic poet Willian Wordsworth summed up how dispiriting this was back in 1802, at the beginning of the industrial age, when he wrote: “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers”. His preference was to go back to nature. Closer to our own times, the hippies(嬉皮士)of the 1960s also sought to “drop out ”of modern life.
And for many minimalists, their key is to unload. Without objects, they “believe people are forced more and more into the present moment and that’s where life happens,” wrote Stuff. But does simplicity ever feel like a sacrifice?
“It’s eliminating the excess—unused items, unnecessary purchases—from your life. Well, I may have fewer possessions, but I have more space…Minimalism is making room for what matters most,” said Jay.
And “the real questions”, according to Duane Elgin, US social scientist, are “what do you care about?” and “What do you value?” He told CNN: “It is important for people to realize minimalism isn’t simply the amount of stuff we consume. It is about our families, our work, our connection with the larger world, our spiritual dimension. It is about how we touch the whole world. It is a way of life.”
1. What inspired Francine Jay to live a simple life？| A．A book she came across. |
| B．A follower of minimalism she met on a trip. |
| C．The pleasure she enjoyed from traveling lightly. |
| D．Her desire to keep up with modern life. |
a. be fed up with materialism
b. like saving and visiting nature often
c. be disappointed with his or her current life
d. be environmentally friendly and live with fewer things
| A．a, b | B．a, d | C．a, b ,c | D．b, c, d |
| A．removing | B．distinguishing | C．accepting | D．improving |
| A．Minimalism is a healthy lifestyle that is in conflict with modern life. |
| B．Minimalism means people have to sacrifice some pleasure to live simply. |
| C．Minimalism limits people's freedom to enjoy their lives to the fullest. |
| D．Minimalism enables people to reflect on what truly counts in their lives. |
| A．To argue whether money buys happiness. |
| B．To recommend one of Francine Jay's books. |
| C．To explore the trend of minimalism. |
| D．To give tips on how to lead a happy life. |
【推荐3】Having a microchip implanted in a man's brain may be common in sci-fi movie plots, but it may soon become an actual possibility.
Elon Musk -a US tech tycoon, founder of Space X- has been working on this technology. On Aug 28, Musk gave a display of the chip, which was implanted into the head of a pig named Gertrude.
The chip, developed by Musk's company Neuralink, is the size of a coin. But don't let its size fool you. The tiny chip has over 3,000 electrodes （电极）attached to flexible threads, which can monitor about 1,000 neurons （神经元）.It collects neural signals from an area of the brain, and then transmits those signals wirelessly to nearby computers, according to MSN. That enabled researchers to monitor Gertrude's brain activity while she was walking around in the display.
Though the technology is still in its early stage, it is encouraging for humans. This technology would solve a lot of brain injuries and is essentia] for Al symbiosis, which will allow the human brain to combine with an artificial intelligence.
When the device can be applied to humans, its main goal will be to help those who have mobility difficulties. Musk hopes this technology can also be used to help those with hearing and eyesight issues.
Although such a device could repair those problems, putting it into practice is by no means a piece of cake. Currently, the device can transmit signals from about 500 neurons in the pig's brain. Compared to 80 billion neurons in a human brain, this number is tiny. And to cover the whole human brain also means the electrodes have to be much smaller.
Also, implanting the chip into the brain poses a potential danger. There is a risk of the immune system attacking this foreign body.
Right now, the hope of controlling the brain via controlling a few neurons seems overly optimistic. "There are many technological challenges ... to overcome before Neuralink can put its devices to the purposes," Yuan Lanfeng, an associate professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, told China Daily.
1. What do we know about Elon Musk's microchip?| A．It was inspired by sci-fi movie plots. |
| B．It is able to collect wireless signals. |
| C．It is tiny in size but powerful in function. |
| D．It has been implanted into a human's brain. |
| A．The operation of the chip in Gertrude’s brain. |
| B．The attachment of electrodes to flexible threads. |
| C．The development of neurons inside Gertrude's brain. |
| D．The transmission of signals from a nearby computer |
| A．To monitor animals’ brain activity. |
| B．To help people with mobility issues. |
| C．To develop a cure for immune system problems. |
| D．To contribute to the research on Al technologies. |
| A．Worried. | B．Excited. | C．Optimistic. | D．Challenged. |
