1 . It is sometimes jokingly said that you may skip a meal a day without any adverse effect but skip using your WeChat for an hour and you will feel distinctly unwell. It is an acknowledgement of the fact that the app is no longer only a fun tool but an essential part of life for millions.

Launched in January 2011, this messaging, social media and mobile payment app today has more than 1 billion individual users. People use it for everything, from applying for a business license to booking a hospital appointment to keeping up with family and friends, shopping and paying bills—activities that are part and parcel of our everyday life.

When it was first introduced, WeChat was only an app supporting voice, video, picture and text messages between two persons or among a group. But today it has become ubiquitous.

In the past, people carried their wallet and keys with them wherever they went; today, a smart phone with WeChat installed is all they need in daily life. Its functions like Moments and mini programs and the official WeChat accounts of government agencies and companies have made communication and public services accessible and convenient like never before.

WeChat is also widely used by enterprises. Figures from Tencent show there are around 15 million WeChat official accounts, which enjoy 5 billion followers. Most businesses use their WeChat groups as a standard marketing kit. This has immensely reduced advertising, marketing and communication costs, and in the background of the novel coronavirus disease, made operations faster, contactless and safe.

However, there are concerns about the downsides of WeChat, such as addiction among primary school children. Equally serious is the misuse of WeChat for fraud or instigating crimes. However, it has to be kept in mind that these fallouts are not really the fault of WeChat, but due to the misuse of the app.

If we learn to temper our use of messaging apps with prudence and pragmatism, we could be looking forward to yet new conveniences and experience in this decade with the rapid development of 5G technology and artificial intelligence. Ultimately, the choice is ours, whether to use WeChat or any other new invention, wisely or wantonly.

1. We can conclude from the first paragraph that ___________.

A．we can easily skip a meal a day.

B．we will be ill by not using WeChat.

C．WeChat used to be meant for fun.

D．WeChat has become inseparable in daily life.

2. The underlined word “ubiquitous” in Paragraph 3 probably has the same meaning as ____________.

A．everywhere.

B．somewhere.

C．nowhere.

D．wherever.

3. For what reasons do the government agencies choose to use WeChat?

A．WeChat has a mobile payment function.

B．The agencies provide better service through WeChat.

C．Mini programs are convenient for the agencies.

D．People do not have to carry keys and cash with them.

4. What benefits does WeChat bring to the businesses?

A．It has brought more followers.

B．It has become a standard.

C．It has helped to cut down the costs.

D．It has made the businesses healthier.

5. What is to be remembered when we look at the downsides of WeChat?

A．WeChat should be held responsibly.

B．WeChat should be banned among primary school children.

C．The improper use of the app leads to many problems.

D．The 5G technology will bring new conveniences and experience.