1 . ＂Did you hear what happened to Adam last Friday?＂ Lindsey whispers to Tori.

With her eyes shining, Tori brags, ＂You bet I did. Sean told me two days ago.＂

Who are Lindsey and Tori talking about? It just happens to be yours truly, Adam Freedman. I can tell you that what they are saying is (a) not nice and (b) not even true. Still, Lindsey and Tori aren’t very different from most students here at Linton High School, including me. Many of our conversations are gossip(闲话). I have noticed three effects of gossip: it can hurt people, it can give gossipers a strange kind of satisfaction, and it can cause social pressures in a group.

An important negative effect of gossip is that it can hurt the person being talked about. Usually, gossip spreads information about a topic — breakups, trouble at home, even dropping out — that a person would rather keep secret. The more embarrassing or shameful the secret is, the juicier the gossip it makes. Probably the worst type of gossip is the absolute lie. People often think of gossipers as harmless, but cruel lies can cause pain.

If we know that gossip can be harmful, then why do so many of us do it? The answer lies in another effect of gossip: the satisfaction it gives us. Sharing the latest rumor(传言) can make a person feel important because he or she knows something that others don’t. Similarly, hearing the latest rumor can make a person feel like part of the ＂in group.＂ In other words, gossip is satisfying because it gives people a sense of belonging or even superiority(优越感).

Gossip also can have a third effect: it strengthens unwritten, unspoken rules about how people should act. Professor David Wilson explains that gossip is important in policing behaviors in a group. Translated into high school terms, this means that if everybody you hang around with is laughing at what John wore or what Jane said, then you can bet that wearing or saying something similar will get you the same kind of negative attention. The do’s and don’ts conveyed through gossip will never show up in any student handbook.

The effects of gossip vary depending on the situation. The next time you feel the urge to spread the latest news, think about why you want to gossip and what effects your ＂juicy story＂ might have.

1. The author uses a conversation at the beginning of the passage to __________.

A．introduce a topic	B．present an argument
C．describe the characters	D．clarify his writing purpose

2. An important negative effect of gossip is that it _________.

A．breaks up relationships	B．embarrasses the listener
C．spreads information around	D．causes unpleasant experiences

3. In the author’s opinion, many people like to gossip because it __________.

A．gives them a feeling of pleasure

B．helps them to make more friends

C．makes them better at telling stories

D．enables them to meet important people

4. Professor David Wilson thinks that gossip can ________.

A．provide students with written rules

B．help people watch their own behaviors

C．force schools to improve student handbooks

D．attract the police’s attention to group behaviors

5. What advice does the author give in the passage?

A．Never become a gossiper.	B．Stay away from gossipers.
C．Don’t let gossip turn into lies.	D．Think twice before you gossip.

2 . I got off the college shuttle bus and started walking. That's when I heard piano music and singing_______above the noise of the people and the traffic. I walked a little_______so I could find out where it was coming from. Through the crowd I saw a young lady sitting at a piano with a_______next to her.

She was singing songs about love, keeping on trying. The way she was singing_______me a bit. I stood there watching her_______for about fifteen minutes, thinking that it must take _______to perform on her own in the middle of a_______New York ferry terminal.

So I stood there listening. She must have felt my_______because she would_______look in my direction. Having enjoyed her music for several minutes, I walked over and put some money in her carriage and she said, “Thank you.”________continuing my way home, I said to her, “I have been going________a tough time lately, but you've made me hopeful again.”

“I'm happy that I could help,” she replied. “Why are you so sad?”

“Well, my mum told me she had got________from her job, and that made me sad. I'm not so sure what to do ...”

“You see, here’s the problem.” She explained. “When walking, your head was down. Don't look defeated, because________comes in different ways and if your head is down you might never see it. You should smile more ... lift your head up.”

I smiled weakly, amazed by________she was encouraging me. So, I asked her why she was playing the piano in the middle of a crowded place. She explained to me that she sees a lot of ________people in the world and she tries to________the pain and bring more positivity by sharing ________music. She told me that when she wasn't making music she studied________. So, that was how she knew some of the things she was telling me.

I smiled a little________because I knew that she was doing a good thing. After that we parted, my heart touched and________by a musical soul!

1.

A．lifting

B．rising

C．sounding

D．discovering

2.

A．faster

B．calmer

C．slower

D．easier

3.

A．cap

B．reference book

C．carriage

D．note

4.

A．informed

B．comforted

C．discouraged

D．cured

5.

A．play

B．sit

C．participate

D．concentrate

6.

A．time

B．kindness

C．fortune

D．courage

7.

A．big

B．brilliant

C．modern

D．crowded

8.

A．sense

B．presence

C．pleasure

D．fault

9.

A．rarely

B．occasionally

C．eventually

D．carefully

10.

A．Instead of

B．In spite of

C．In harmony with

D．On account of

11.

A．on

B．out

C．through

D．along

12.

A．stolen

B．employed

C．fired

D．lost

13.

A．opportunity

B．incident

C．music

D．friendship

14.

A．who

B．when

C．what

D．how

15.

A．negative

B．common

C．positive

D．extraordinary

16.

A．relieve

B．infect

C．devote

D．suffer

17.

A．light

B．motivational

C．depressing

D．reliable

18.

A．biology

B．psychology

C．biography

D．geography

19.

A．wider

B．longer

C．better

D．tenser

20.

A．shaken

B．intended

C．appreciated

D．lightened

3 . Let me explain a bit by telling you where the challenge came from. I have many things in common with my dad, like music taste and sense of humour, but sadly reading isn't one of them. I can happily spend a whole day curled up with a book but my dad can't read a book for longer than about 5 minutes. He reads emails, websites and documents for work, but not books. I think that sitting down to read for just 15 minutes a day is a good, way to relax. Giving yourself a goal or a challenge is a good way to change a habit or achieve something, so why not try to create a new habit of reading?

I know lots of people would rather relax on their computers or in front of the TV. Everyone is different and has their own interests, but I think there are lots of benefits from reading, which screen-based activities (games, films, TV) don't have.

One thing I personally love about reading, is being transported to another world. I often forget the time or thing that are going on around me! Reading is a great way to switch off before you go to bed, so you can truly relax. I know you can be transported to a different world in a film or a TV show, but I think books do it better. While watching a film, I often talk to my flatmates, send texts, or paint my nails. A book, on the other hand commands your full attention.

Reading gives you the chance to get to know hundreds of new people! It also teaches you to see things from other people's point of view, and understand other people's decisions or opinions. With a book, you can hear everything a character is thinking or feeling—you really can be inside someone else's head!

So give it a go! Take 15 minutes when you're waking up, going to bed, eating lunch, or having a coffee. If you read a lot, why not try 15 minutes of an English book, or pass the challenge on to someone else? Good luck, and happy reading.

1. What can we learn about the author's father from Paragraph 1?

A．He is kind-hearted.	B．He lacks humour.
C．He has a gift for singing.	D．He doesn't like reading.

2. Why is the author fond of reading?

A．Because she bears too much pressure.

B．Because it benefits her a lot.

C．Because it's the best way to kill time.

D．Because she hates to be in front of the TV or computers.

3. What is the difference between reading and watching TV according to the author?

A．Reading needs more attention than watching TV does.

B．Watching TV makes one more relaxed than reading does.

C．Reading can widen people's interest while watching TV can't.

D．Watching TV brings one to a different world while reading doesn't.

4. How does the author develop Paragraph 4?

A．By listing benefits of reading books.	B．By shown the urgency of reading books.
C．By analyzing various characters in books.	D．By stressing the convenience of reading.

5. What's the best title for the text?

A．Reading helps to relax	B．Is reading really challenging?
C．The 15 minute reading challenge	D．The gap between my father and me

4 . Old age may not sound exciting. But recent findings offer good news for older people and for people worried about getting older. Researchers found that people become happier and experience less worry after they reach the age of 50. In fact, they say by the age of 85, people are happier with their life than they were when they were 18 years old.

The findings came from a survey of more than 340,000 adults in the United States. The Gallup Organization questioned them by telephone in 2008. At that time, the people were between the ages of 18 and 85. The researchers asked questions about emotions like happiness, sadness and worry. They also asked about mental or emotional stress.

Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the study. His team found that levels of stress were highest among adults between the ages of 24 and 25. The findings showed that stress levels dropped sharply（突然地） after people reached their fifties.

The study also showed that men and women have similar feeling patterns as they grow older.

However, women at all ages reported more sadness, stress and worry than men.

Researchers say they do not know why happiness increases as people get older. One theory is that, as people grow older, they grow more thankful for what they have and have better control of their feelings. They so spend less time thinking about bad experiences.

Professor Stone says the emotional patterns could be connected to changes in how people see the world, or maybe even changes in brain chemistry.

The researchers also considered possible influences like having young children, being unemployed or being single. But they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well-being（幸福） related to age.

1. According to the survey of the Gallup Organization people are most likely to become happier.

A．when they are between the ages of 18 and 85

B．when they come to their old age

C．when they are in their twenties

D．when they are 18 years old

2. You may have the highest level of stress when you are at the age of ______.

A．20

B．25

C．35

D．40

3. According to Arthur Stone, old people may .

A．have a positive attitude towards their life

B．know how to spend money wisely

C．dream about good things every day

D．control their behaviors better

4. Who would probably show the greatest interest in the passage?

A．Those who are worried about getting old

B．Those who are single and unemployed

C．Those who feel unhappy all the time

D．Those who suffer from mental stress

5. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Women Are Easier to Be Happy in Life

B．The Young Are Happier Than the Old

C．Getting Older Means Getting Happier

D．The Younger, the Happier

5 . This March is a busy month in Shanghai. There's a lot to do. Here are the highlights.

Live Music - Late Night Jazz

Enjoy real American jazz from Herbie Davis, the famous trumpet player. He's coming with his new 7-piece band, Herbie' s Heroes.   Herbie is known to play well into the early hours, so don't expect to get much sleep. This is Herbie' s third visit to Shanghai. The first two were sold out, so get your tickets quickly.

PLACE: The Jazz Club DATES: 15-23 March PRICE: ￥80,120 TIME: 10:00p.m. till late! TEL: 6466-8736

Scottish dancing

Take your partners and get ready to dance till you drop. Scottish dancing is fun and easy to learn. Instructors will demonstrate the dances. The live band, Gordon Stroppie and the Weefrees, are also excellent.

PLACE: Jack Stein's DATES: every Monday PRICE: Y60 including one drink TIME: 7:00 - ~0:00 p.m. TEL: 6402-1877

Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum

There are 120,000 pieces on show here. You can see the whole of Chinese history under one roof. It' s always interesting to visit, but doubly so at the moment with the Egyptian Tombs exhibition. There are lots of mummies and more gold than you've ever seen before. Let us know if you see a mummy move!

PLACE: Shanghai Museum PRICE: ￥30 (￥ 15 for students) TEL: 6888-6888 DATES: daily TIME: Monday - Friday 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m., Weekends 9:00a.m. - 9:00p.m.

Dining - Sushi chef in town

Sushi is getting really big in Shanghai. In Japan, it' s become an art form. The most famous Sushi 'artist' is Yuki Kamura. She' s also one of the few female chefs in Japan. She' ll be at Sushi Scene all of this month.

PLACE: Sushi Scene in the Shanghai Hotel DATES: all month PRICE: ￥200 TIME: lunchtime TEL: 6690-3211

For a full listing of events, see our website.

1. Suppose you are going to attend an activity at 8: 00p.m. on Saturday, which one can you choose?

A．Live Music - Late Night Jazz	B．Scottish dancing
C．Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum	D．Dining - Sushi chef in town

2. Which of the following is true according to the advertisements?

A．Scottish dancing is so interesting and easy that it never tires you out.

B．The performance given by the American jazz band won't last long.

C．Sushi is not popular in Shanghai as it is a kind of Japanese traditional food.

D．It is more interesting to visit Shanghai Museum for the exhibits from Egypt.

3. From the text we may learn that Kamura is _______.

A．a cook	B．a waitress
C．an instructor	D．an artist

6 . The term “Iron Man” has many connotations(内涵), including references to a song, a comic book icon, even a movie. Yet only one definition of the term truly lives up to its name: the Ironman triathlon held annually in Hawaii, a picturesque(独特的)setting for a challenging race, which demands amazing physical prowess and the ability to swim, bike, and run a marathon, all in less than 12 hours with no break. Very few individuals are up to the task.

However, Gordon Haller is a notable exception. Growing up in the 1950s, Haller developed an interest in many sports categorized as endurance(耐性)athletics and welcomed their physical demands. As he pursued a degree in physics he drove a taxi to pay the bills, but competitive training proved his passion. So when he heard about the race in 1978, the first year it was held, he immediately signed up.

The race originated in a somewhat amusing way. The members of the two popular sports clubs, the Mid-Pacific Road Runners of Honolulu and the Waikiki Swim Club of Oahu, had a long-standing and good-natured debate going over who made better athletes: runners or swimmers. However, some local bikes thought both clubs were wrong, claiming that they, in fact, deserved the title. Wanting to settle the dispute (争论)once and for all, they decided to combine three separate races already held annually on the island into one massive test of endurance. Thus, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim of 2.4 miles, the Around-Oahu Bike race of 112 miles, and the Honolulu Marathon of 26.2 miles were all put together to form the Ironman Triathlon.

Haller was one of only fifteen competitors to show up that February morning to start the race. He quickly scanned the few pages of rules and instructions, and on the last page he discovered a sentence that would become the race’s famous slogan: “Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag(吹牛)for the rest of your life!” Haller took that to heart, and at the end of the day, he became the first Ironman champion in history. Haller’s physical strength enabled him to do what no one else in the past had accomplished.

In the approximately thirty years since that very first race, the Ironman has become a tradition in Hawaii and now boasts approximately 1500 entrants every year. The competitors who complete the race don’t have to be the first across the finish line to claim success: just finishing is a victory onto itself.

1. The “Iron Man”in the passage above refers to ____________.

A．a folk song	B．a movie character
C．a triathlon athlete	D．a sports event

2. What do we know about Gordon Haller from the passage?

A．He had a great interest in all kinds of sports.

B．He was a member of the Waikiki Swim Club of Oahu.

C．He became a taxi driver after he graduated from school.

D．He was the champion in the first Ironman Triathlon.

3. What does the underlined word “prowess” in the first paragraph mean?

A．muscles

B．skills

C．balance

D．reaction

4. The Ironman race was born due to the fact that__________.

A．The two clubs fought over who made better athletes.

B．Gordon Haller wanted to show his great endurance.

C．The combined race can help choose the most athletic.

D．Club members wanted to improve their physical abilities.

5. What can we infer from the passage about the first Ironman Triathlon?

A．Participants had to choose two from the three races in the first Ironman Triathlon.

B．Haller may not have known the rules of it before he showed up for the event.

C．No other competitors other than Haller finished the races in the end.

D．Sixteen competitors in total participated in it on February morning.

6. What does the last paragraph try to tell us?

A．It is the participation rather than victory that counts.

B．The current Ironman Triathlon is different from the original one.

C．The victors respond excitedly when crossing the finish line.

D．The event attracts many people because it creates good fortune.

7 . Assistant Professor, Musical Theatre Dance

Wichita State University seeks to hire a full-time, 9-month assistant professor, beginning in August. Applicants are required to have a degree in dance, teaching experience at the professional or college level, the ability to direct and teach stage movement. The salary depends on qualifications and experience.

For complete information see https://www.wichita.edu.

Associate/Full Professor in Theatre and Dance

The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of California, San Diego(http://www.theatre.uesd.edu)

is seeking an experienced theatre artist in lighting design. Professional experience is required.

A review of applications will start on June1. The application deadline: September 1.

Technical Director in Performing Arts

DeSales University’s Division of Performing Arts seeks a highly skilled, professional technical director. The position is a 10-month, staff position with the possibility of summer employment with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. BA degree or equivalent professional experience is required; MFA is preferred.

Please email materials to John. Bell@desales.edu.

Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Assistant Director of Media Resources Center

Maryland Institute College of Art is seeking an assistant director of Media Resources Center in the Office of Academic Affaira.

Position qualifications include a degree in Art History or a related field with knowledge of art and design history, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and familiarity with Photoshop and scanning.

A review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants may email a letter of interest to jobs@ mica.edu. The salary differs depending on your experience. Please include desired salary in your letter of interest.

Application

Interested persons should electronically submit a covering letter highlighting their experience and qualifications, and names of three professional references with phone and email contact information using the Apply Now link above.

1. Wichita State University offers_______________.

A．A part-time assistant professor job	B．A job where people can work for many years.
C．A flexible pay to the future assistant professor	D．Work that requires people to act on the stage

2. If you are good at communicating with others, you should apply to ____________.

A．DeSales University	B．Wichita State University
C．The University of California, San Diego	D．Maryland Institute College of Art

3. What do we know about pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival?

A．Applicants can apply for a position in it by sending an email.

B．The technical director has an opportunity to work for it.

C．It will last for 10 months in total in summer season.

D．DeSales University organizes this festival every year.

4. In which section of a newspaper can we probably find the passage?

A．Employment Information.	B．University Introduction
C．Internet Technology.	D．Commercial Advertisement.

8 . Spending over a year in the bleak (荒凉的) Antarctica might change your brain for the worse, according to new research out this month. It seems to show that polar explorers who lived for 14 months at an Antarctica research station experienced brain shrinkage, likely as a result of their loneliness and boredom.

The study’s authors used MRI (核磁共振) to scan the brains of eight members of a team before they began a long stay at the German-run research station. During their mission. the team periodically took tests of their cognition and memory and provided blood samples that allowed the study authors to measure their levels of a protein important for brain health called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). When they returned, they had their brains scanned again.

Finally, compared to themselves before the mission, the explorers' brains appeared to have less grey matter on average. The shrinkage was most apparent in the hippocampus, in area of the brain key to memory and cognition. Their average levels of BDNF also dropped during the trip and didn’t improve significantly even after one-and-a-half months back home.

The study's findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, aren't the first to suggest that long time of being separated can change the brain. But practically all of this work has involved animals, according to the researchers.

Of course, an eight-person study is small, so any of its conclusions should be taken with caution. Lead author Alexander C. Stahn, now a researcher at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said that the effects on the hippocampus are likely temporary, provided the scientists returned back to a life filled with social interaction and interesting things to see.

Still, since people will continue traveling to and from Antarctica for long periods of time, the findings are definitely worth keeping in mind and exploring further. They might even prove relevant for the rare few people who might travel as far as Mars in the future — perhaps the only similarly scientific, months-long mission that would be even more lonely.

1. What will do damage to the brain according to the first paragraph?

A．Doing research in brain shrinkage	B．Traveling to the Antarctica.
C．Working as a researcher in a station.	D．Being in a lonely place for a long time.

2. How did the scientists get the conclusion?

A．By comparing the scanned results.	B．By studying the previous figures.
C．By making a long-term program.	D．By scanning the participants’ brains.

3. What can we infer about the explorers when they returned?

A．They were no longer used to the civilized world.

B．They had some difficulty in remembering things.

C．They became normal after one-and-a-half months.

D．They published their findings in a medical magazine.

4. What can we learn about the study?

A．The scientists are provided with various social activities.

B．Long time of being separated can change the brain of all animals.

C．Other researches have the same findings as the study.

D．Its conclusion may be relevant for those who are fond of travelling.

5. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The importance of the finding.	B．The disadvantage of the finding.
C．The future development of the space.	D．The possibility of travelling to Mars.

9 . We were near the summit of the Himalaya when a rock got dislodged (松动). It crushed my lower leg and nearly severed(割断)my leg. My climbing partner got me off the_________and to a local hospital. The hospital was just_________and the next day I was flown to Delhi and then, when_________enough, back home.

After nine operations, my surgeon recommended an amputation(截肢)if I wanted to be able to_________properly again. I found the experience too_________for words and was determined to put off the_________for as long as possible. After leaving hospital, I was in a wheelchair for three months. Gradually I was able to_________ using crutches(拐杖).

I bought an exercise bike and, although I could_________put any weight on my leg, I use it for 30 minutes three times a week to_________ some circulation. Then, I could put more weight on it and even__________a proper bicycle outdoors. Four years after the__________, I was able to walk a few yards without crutches. I couldn’t bend my ankle and my foot was rigid but, with__________shoes, I seemed to be making progress.

I got a new job and started to__________the 13 miles to work. One day on the way home, I found I had a mechanical problem I couldn’t________and decided to jog to the bus stop. The bus was late so I__________jogging all the way home. I was__________,but I realized I could run again.

About a year later, I________a local marathon, determined to________the demons(魔鬼)within me and show the rest of the world I could still run, I won by two seconds. The headline in the local paper__________“Miracle Man Wins Marathon”. My son got hold of one of the billboards and I have it hung in my room to remind me of the power of__________over body.

1.

A．rock

B．leg

C．mountain

D．summit

2.

A．basic

B．modern

C．tough

D．complex

3.

A．aware

B．stable

C．positive

D．serious

4.

A．climb

B．talk

C．walk

D．read

5.

A．embarrassing

B．fascinating

C．thrilling

D．depressing

6.

A．decision

B．conclusion

C．training

D．finding

7.

A．climb over

B．ran away

C．get around

D．hang out

8.

A．actually

B．gradually

C．softly

D．barely

9.

A．maintain

B．balance

C．remove

D．spread

10.

A．pushed

B．dragged

C．rode

D．lifted

11.

A．admission

B．mission

C．accident

D．performance

12.

A．adapted

B．used

C．changed

D．repaired

13.

A．jog

B．run

C．drive

D．cycle

14.

A．imagine

B．hide

C．fix

D．recover

15.

A．gave up

B．devoted to

C．tired of

D．carried on

16.

A．put off

B．worn out

C．torn apart

D．turned down

17.

A．entered

B．watched

C．organized

D．sponsored

18.

A．forgive

B．take

C．accept

D．beat

19.

A．announced

B．read

C．commented

D．wrote

20.

A．luck

B．mind

C．knowledge

D．chance

10 . A remote control is seemingly capable of invisible magic to most of us. We just assume it should. And the longer a given technology exits, the more we take it for granted.

Consider for a moment a split screen showing modern remote control users versus the first remote control users: the original users would be carefully aiming the remote directly at the television, reading the names of the buttons to find the right one, and intentionally pressing the button with a force that adds nothing to the effectiveness of the device. The modern users would be leaning on a sofa, pointing the remote any which way instinctively（本能的）feeling for the button they desired,intuiting（凭直觉知道）its size,shape, and position on the remote.

Humans are known for being handy with tools, so it is no surprise that we get so comfortable with our technology. However, as we become increasingly comfortable with how to use new technologies, we become less aware of how they work. Most people who use modern technology know nothing of its underlying science. They have spent neither mental nor financial resources on its development. And yet, rather than be humbled（使谦逊）by its originality, we consumers often become unfairly demanding of what our technology Should do for us.

Many of the landmark inventions of the twentieth century followed predictable tracks: initial versions of each technology (television, video games, computers, cell phones, etc.) succeeded in impressing the general public. Then, these wonderful new inventions quickly became commonplace. Soon, the focus of consumer attitudes towards them changed from gratitude with respect to discriminating preference.

Televisions needed to be bigger and have a higher resolution. Video games needed to be more realistic. Computers needed to be more powerful yet smaller in size. Cell phones needed to be smaller yet capable of performing other tasks such as taking pictures, accessing the Internet, and even playing movies.

For children of the last twenty years born into this modern life,these technological marvels seem like elements of the periodic table: a given ingredient that is simply part of the universe. Younger generations don't even try to imagine life without modern conveniences. They do not appreciate theunprecedented（史无前例的）technology that is in their possession; rather, they complain about the ways in which it fails to live up to ideal expectations. “My digital video recorder at home doesn't allow me to program it from my computer at work.” “It's taking too long for this interactive map to display on my portable GPS”.

If it sounds as though we're never satisfied, we aren't. Of course, our complaints do actually motivate engineers to continually refine their products. After all. at the root of our tool-making instinct is the notion (观念）that “there must be a better way.” Thus, the shortcomings of any current version of technology are pinned on the limitations of its designers, and the expectation is that someone, somewhere is working on how to make the existing product even better.

1. The second paragraph is used to suggest that______________.

A．modern humans do not pay enough attention to instructions

B．remote controls have become far more effective over the years

C．consumer behavior toward new forms of technology changes over time

D．the first consumers of new technology used new devices with ease and comfort

2. The passage states that original users of remote controls likely__________.

A．have no instinctive feeling for sizes and shapes

B．press the buttons harder than it is necessary

C．don't trust on the effectiveness of remote control

D．have difficulty reading the names of the buttons

3. Which of the following can illustrate people's discriminating preference?

A．People take a given technology for granted.

B．Consumers expect more powerful computers.

C．Children lack patience with the shortcomings of technology.

D．Original users unfairly demand of what technology should do.

4. What does the underlined statement in paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Space exploration provides us with new technology.

B．Adults learn technology while they are doing household chores.

C．High expectation makes up for the limitation of technology designers.

D．Consumers regard many technological inventions as unremarkable

5. The writer thinks the way people consider technology____________.

A．encourage designers' creativity	B．limit humans’ productivity
C．raise consumers' expectation	D．guarantee users' satisfaction