1 . Have you ever heard a rumor spread around by students at your school? Rumors, like fake news, can often misinform individuals and lead them to believe false information.
In an attempt to settle this problem, the country of Singapore has passed a bill that bans companies and individuals from publishing false information online.
This law, known as The Protection From Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, has caused a public outcry (强烈的抗议), as the government has been given the power to remove content that it considers inaccurate or against the public’s interest.
Since Singapore’s citizens are part of different racial and religious groups, the government fears that rumors or fake news can increase tensions within an already small country.
With the new law coming into effect, Singapore’s government now has the authority to monitor news sites, social media platforms, and other databases of information to determine whether the content is falsified. The government can order for the removal of fake news, and publishers of this information can receive prison time and fines up to one million Singapore dollars!
Critics fear that the bill threatens their freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Since national issues and world news are generally discussed on online platforms, many are concerned that this new bill will prevent individuals from talking freely and having healthy conversations.
Several companies, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter, have offices situated in Singapore, meaning that the new law will affect their company operations. Social media companies in Singapore could face a decline in activity, as users may fear posting their opinions and being punished by the government.
Others are concerned that the law does not clearly state what a “false statement” is. Such an ambiguity might allow the government to misuse their power, even though the intention is to curtail the mow of false information and rumors throughout Singapore.
This law does give rise to several concerns related to freedom and privacy and it will be interesting to see what Singapore’s government will do to deal with this problem.
1. Why are some people against the bill?| A．They think the bill can’t get rid of fake news. |
| B．They belong to different racial and religious groups. |
| C．They think their freedom of speech may be harmed. |
| D．They don’t want to increase tensions in their country. |
| A．Punish publishers of fake news. |
| B．Monitor telephone conversations. |
| C．Prohibit certain people from going online. |
| D．Fine fake-news makers any amount of money. |
| A．Their users’ privacy may be disturbed. |
| B．Their income will increase very slowly. |
| C．Their illegal activities will come to light. |
| D．Their social media may become less active. |
| A．prove | B．accelerate |
| C．promote | D．decrease |
1. How many laws are introduced in the speech?
| A．Three. | B．Five. | C．Four. |
| A．Shopping. | B．Crossing the road. | C．Drinking. |
| A．Travelers to the country. | B．Women who travel with children. |
| C．Children under 16 years old. | |
| A．If you need help, please turn to your teachers. |
| B．People drive on the left in this country. |
| C．It is against the law for anyone to buy cigarettes or tobacco. |
3 . The sharing economy, represented by companies like Airbnb or Uber, is the latest fashion craze. But many supporters have overlooked the reality that this new business model is largely based on escaping regulations and breaking the law.
Airbnb is an internet-based service that allows people to rent out spare rooms to strangers for short stays. Uber is an internet taxi service that allows thousands of people to answer ride requests with their own cars. There are hundreds of other such services.
The good thing about the sharing economy is that it promotes the use of underused resources. Millions of people have houses or apartments with empty rooms, and Airbnb allows them to profit from these rooms while allowing guests a place to stay at prices that are often far less than those charged by hotels. Uber offers prices that are competitive with standard taxi prices and their drivers are often much quicker and more trustworthy.
But the downside of the sharing economy has gotten much less attention. Most cities and states both tax and regulate hotels, and the tourists who stay in hotels are usually an important source of tax income. But many of Airhnb’s customers are not paying the taxes required under the law.
Airbnb can also raise issues of safety for its customers and I trouble for hosts' neighbors. Hotels are regularly inspected(检查) to ensure that they are not fire traps and that they don't form other risks for visitors. Airbnb hosts face no such inspections.
Since Airbnb is allowing people to escape taxes and regulations, the company is simply promoting thefts. Others in the economy will lose by bearing an additional tax burden or being forced to live next to an apartment unit with a never-ending series of noisy visitors.
The same story may apply with Uber. Uber is currently in disputes over whether its cars meet the safety and insurance requirements imposed on standard taxis. Also, if Uber and related services flood the market, they could harm all taxi drivers' ability to earn a minimum wage.
This downside of the sharing needs to be taken seriously, but that doesn't mean the current tax and regulatory structure is perfect.
1. What is the positive thing about the sharing economy?| A．It makes use of spare resources. |
| B．It is beyond regulations. |
| C．It is a global trend. |
| D．It brings in modest profits. |
| A．They are not regularly inspected. |
| B．They may disturb hosts’ neighbours. |
| C．They are not allowed to escape taxes. |
| D．They are likely to commit thefts. |
| A．Whether it lowers customers' expenses. |
| B．Whether it provides reliable services. |
| C．Whether it guarantees customers' safety. |
| D．Whether it can compete with standard taxis. |
| A．Existing regulations and laws. |
| B．Necessary improvements of current laws. |
| C．Further development of Airbnb and Uber. |
| D．More downsides of Airbnb and Uber. |
4 . WASHINGTON—There are more than 222 million TVs in American homes. And it would make Frank Vespe very happy this week if every last one was turned off.
Vespe is the head of the TV-Turnoff Network, the Washington organization behind TV Turnoff Week. For TV Turnoff week, American children are encouraged to go one week without watching TV. This year, it runs from April 23~29. “Our real message here is to see what life is like without TV and then make watching TV a conscious(自觉的) decision,” said Vespe.
Vespe said that most of the children who go without television for a week go back to watching, but not so much. “They watch more selectively. They do more things as a family. It helps them put TV in its place.” One girl who is turning off her TV is Sarah Foote, 9, of Virginia. Sarah admits that it won’t be too hard to give up TV. She’s allowed to watch only educational television, and her favorite show from last year isn’t on any more.
Of course, there are plenty of things about TV: programs can be entertaining, even educational.
Even so, some experts aren’t sure TV Turnoff Week is the answer.
Susan Neuman, a university educator who studies children and reading, says the real problem is that parents do not keep track of what their children are watching. They don’t set limits on TV watching. Also, in some families, TV might be the only thing to do.
What message does Sarah have for other children?
“It’s a very good idea. I spent a whole week without TV. It also teaches you to enjoy time doing different things and not being sucked into something on TV, because you don’t want TV taking up all of your time.” Sarah said.
1. From the first two paragraphs we know that ________.| A．American TV companies will be turned off |
| B．American families have more TV sets than they need |
| C．Vespe has persuaded most people to turn off their TV sets |
| D．Vespe is an active person in the TV-Turnoff organization |
| A．forget to watch TV programmes | B．improve their habits of watching TV |
| C．place TV sets out of their bedrooms | D．have part-time jobs after school |
| A．parents should turn off TV for their children |
| B．parents should teach their children how to use TV |
| C．children should enjoy exciting programmes on TV |
| D．children should learn their lessons on TV |
| A．To advise us to turn off TV sets. | B．To warn parents of the danger of TV. |
| C．To report to us a piece of news about TV. | D．To praise Vespe and his organization. |
