新东方大学英语四级考试全国统一模拟冲刺试卷-阅读理解

45. According to Riikka Hofmann, the satellite schools of HEI are trying to implement the Finnish model in countries with different cultural and political backgrounds. Section C

Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some

questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.

Jeremy Darroch told a media and telecoms conference in London that video streaming services such as YouTube and Facebook should be forced to abide by the same content rules as broadcasters. He said that the social media industry is now “shaping how elections are fought and impacting the mental health of our children” and should not be given a “free pass”.

“It is illogical that if you watch something on your TV it is highly regulated, but if that video comes through YouTube or Facebook, our policy framework gives it a free pass. Social media and digital technology can deliver so much good, but we all now accept it has a dangerous dark side. It needs rules just as much as TV does, or financial services, or any other powerful part of our society,” said the chief executive of Sky plc.

His comments follow criticism from MPs of social media platforms, including the suggestion that the government should introduce a code of ethics which would legally bind them to remove “harmful content”. Although questions have been raised about what harmful content actually is, the government is set to introduce a white paper on the topic in the coming months. It will be the beginning of new laws which will see social media companies face a mandatory code of conduct, for which they could face fines in incidents of non-compliance.

Mr. Darroch also criticised the tax arrangements of large social media companies. He said: “The business models of the technology companies seem to allow them to trade without having the same kinds of obligations as most other companies—like paying tax that society expects and needs. When paying your taxes, employing people and complying with the law are competitive disadvantages, you know something has got to change.”

During his speech, Mr. Darroch also updated on the results of Sky’s ￡30bn takeover by US cable giant Comcast. He said Sky employees were “pleased to have the sale behind us”, and added the firms are “already seeing clear benefits flowing in both directions”. Comcast and Sky were sharing technology expertise, with Sky bringing Comcast’s voice

[在此处键入]

interface to Sky Q later this year. Comcast is also using Sky’s technology to power its new streaming service in the US next year.

46. According to Jeremy Darroch, what should social media websites be requested to do? A) Follow stricter rules for their content. B) Stay away from political elections. C) Provide more channels for young children. D) Lower feeds for video streaming services.

47. How does Jeremy Darroch think of digital technology? A) It is effectively regulated by authorities.

B) It is dishonest with its financial records. C) It falls into fierce competition with TV. D) It brings about some potential problems.

48. After issuing a white paper on social media platforms, what will the government do next? A) Urge related digital tech companies to take more social responsibilities. B) Set up roles rules for identifying harmful content on social media platforms. C) Pass relevant laws and regulations on social media websites’ operation. D) Raise moral standards for new employees in social media companies.

49. According to Jeremy Darroch, in which aspect should changes be implemented in social media companies?

A) Codes of employees’ conduct. B) The business model. C) The related tax policy. D) Codes of employees’ ethics.

50. In the eyes of Jeremy Darroch, in which aspect could Comcast benefit from its takeover of Sky?

A) Taking over many Sky employees. B) Expanding its streaming service. C) Gaining some competitive advantages. D) Getting rid of a powerful opponent.

[在此处键入]

Passage Two

Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.

Is Britain ready to go cashless? If you ask me, definitely not. But this question is being posed by the Access to Cash review, funded by Link.

The preliminary review made it clear that 25 million people in the UK would find it

problematic to live without cash and 17 percent would find it almost impossible. It also noted that 97 percent of us still carry cash; the average is ￡41. Some 18 percent of those surveyed

said they carried cash in the event IT systems go down.

Last year, the UK Finance Payments Market Report reported that in space of ten years, cash use had halved from six out of ten transactions to three out of ten. In 15 years, it predicted that cash transactions could reduce further to one in ten.

What will happen to those who rely on cash if the infrastructure is swept away? After FT Money covered the issue last week, some readers suggested older people could be given “digital training” to get online. But getting to grips with technology is only one part of the problem. Who will pay for those on low incomes to get a smartphone, tablet or broadband connection?

The recent reporting season shows us that the banks are saving a lot of money by closing branches. It’s estimated that a fifth of households now live more than three kilometers from a bank branch. Counter services at Post Office branches provide some back-up. However, some of these are also being closed because they are no longer profitable.

Natalie Ceeney, chair of the Access to Cash review, said: “Our research does show that if we fail to plan and prepare for a cashless society it would do significant harm to the millions of people who would be left behind.”

Another issue is the impact on charities. The preliminary review notes that 74 percent of us use cash for charitable donations. In December, the Big Issue announced that it was undertaking an eight-week trial using card readers to pay for the magazine. The machines cost about ￡30 and some buskers (街头艺人) and churches already use them.

51. What did the Access to Cash review find about cash using in Britain? A) Most people choose to carry cash for various reasons. B) Most people find it impossible to live without cash. C) Most young people prefer to pay with mobile phones. D) Most young people adapt to a cashless society.

[在此处键入]

52. According to the passage, what would be the use of cash in the UK in 15 years? A) Cash will be completely out of circulation in the market. B) Cash will be used in 30 percent of transactions. C) Cash will be used much less frequently than at present. D) Cash will no longer be used in transactions.

53. Why is it complicated for the UK to go cashless?

A) Because digital training is about to be offered to people in different age groups. B) Because great barriers have to be overcome for the sake of some social groups. C) Because media literacy needs to be much improved among the general public. D) Because more investment is of necessity in telecommunication and social media.

54. For what reason are some bank branches closing down? A) Because they can no longer gain enough profits.

B) Because they are firmly against online transactions. C) Because they focus exclusively on counter services. D) Because they are far from some households.

55. What is the problem with charities if the British society goes cashless?

A) Charity organizations don’t catch up with the development of modern technology.

B) Digital devices can help charity organizations to gain more financial support. C) Charities will gather much less money if the British society goes cashless. D) A considerable number of people would like to donate to charities in cash.

[在此处键入]