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Cell phone use and 
texting are increasingly common, especially among teens. And that could be a problem. Texting affects learning and performing on test, a new study finds. So a Montana teen, Colin decided to test that.
They asked 47 classmates to take part in a two-part experiment. The goal was to test how well these students understood written material. Each one had to read a paragraph or two about a certain topic, then answer questions about it.
In the first part, the participants had 15 minutes to understand and then answer questions about six readings. Throughout this test, they met no distractions.
During a new set of readings, the brothers sent messages to the participants’ cell phones every 90 seconds. In each message, there were questions that required a reply.
Participants should have scored better on the second test because it was easier. In fact, they scored worse when distracted by messages. Only a few students scored as well when replying to messages as they did when undistracted. But importantly, nobody performed better during the texting part.
The brothers presented details of their findings at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Boys and girls scored equally poorly while texting, the brothers noticed. Older participants didn’t do any better than younger ones. And it didn’t matter if a student thought he was good at multitasking. On average, the brothers found that even students who were confident of their abilities did just as poorly while texting. Surprisingly, even though the students remembered less of what they read while texting, most of them answered questions in messages perfectly.
“Our teachers are very happy to see these results,” says Coler. The teens’ new data strongly support their teachers’ opinion that texting while studying is a serious distraction.
1. What did Colter and Colin want to test?
A. Cell phone use and texting are more common.
B. Teens should avoid cell phone use and texting.
C. Texting affects students’ performance on test.
D. The effect of texting differs from person to person.
2.What can we learn from the two-part experiment?
A. The written material in the two parts was the same.
B. Participants in part 2 received more than one message.
C. The time of the test in two parts was the same.
D. All the participants were distracted by messages.
3.The brothers’ findings were related to participants’ ________.
A. reading performance B. quality
C. writing ability D. reading speed
4. From the results of the experiment, we can find _________.
A. boys were better at multitasking than girls
B. the easier the tests were, the more mistakes were made
C. nobody did good jobs in the two-part experiment
D. some students’ test results were not affected by texting
5.What’s Colter’s teachers’ attitude toward the results?
A. Surprised. B. Worried.
C. Satisfied. D. Serious.
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More and more problems appeared ________the increasing use of short messages sent by cell phones．
A．for B．to C．at D．with
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We're now living in an information 4ge, m that TV, cell 1.________
phones and the Web are wide used．It seems that many people 2.________
cannot enjoy them without them．However, if I had to give 3._______
up one of them, I will turn off the TV ratter than switch off 4.________
my ceil phone and cut off the Internet．I could do without TV 5._______
because few show take my fancy and there're too many commercials．6._______
Besides, most programs on the TV are also available elsewhere． 7._______
As for cell phones and the Web, they are more necessary to me． 8._______
I need a cell phone to keep touch with m> friends and family, and 9.________
almost all information can be gather on the Internet． 10._______
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Most cell phone companies design models especially for kids. But parents are usually the ones buying the phones, and paying the bill. According to a study, 56% of parents of children aged 8 to 12 have given their children a cell phone. According to a recent survey, 12 is the magic number. It is the most common age for kids to get their first cell phone. But 13% of children aged 6 to 10 already have one. That’s more than one out of every 10 kids.
Pro-cell phone people, including many parents, notice that cell phones help kids keep in touch with their friends and families. They believe that cell phones are an important tool in a dangerous situation. Kids can stay connected with their parents at all times, whether it’s to ask for a ride home from soccer practice or to receive a good – luck text message moments before a big game. Plus, some cell phone designed for kids can be controlled with settings that allow the phone to only be used in parent - approved ways. What’s the harm in that?
But other people are worried about the health and safety effects of kids’ cell phones. They believe that plugged - in kids could be missing out on other activities, such as playing outside or hanging out with friends, and that sending text messages or fielding phone calls while doing homework is bad for concentration. They say that kids are spending too much time texting instead of talking to each other. “Our brains evolved to communicate face to face,” says Gary Small, a professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, in California. “A lot of this is lost with texting.”
And some experts are also concerned about possible health risks. They worry that radiation or energy waves-released by cell phones could be harmful to young people. To be safe, many pediatricians advise limiting talk time.
1.The recent survey suggests that ________.
A. the number twelve can bring us good luck
B. most kids arc eager to have their own cell phones
C. many kids have their first cell phone at the age of 12
D. more than half of the parents can afford to buy cell phones
2.Pro – cell phone people probably refer to those who think that kids _________.
A. mustn’t own cell phone B. should have cell phones
C. had better make more friends D. may lose touch with others
3.What would be the main idea of Paragraph 3?
A. The disadvantages of cell phones. B. Cell phones designed for kids.
C. The kinds of cell phones. D. How to send text message.
4.The author’s attitudes toward the fact that kids have cell phones is _________.
A. supportive B. objective
C. negative D. optimistic
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Anna Schiferl hadn’t even got out of bed when she reached for her cell phone and typed a text to her mom, one recent Saturday. Mon was right downstairs in the kitchen. The text? Anna wanted an egg for breakfast. Soon after, Joanna Schiferl called, “If you want to talk to me, Anna, come downstairs and see me!” Anna laughs about it now. “I was kind of being lazy,” she admits.
These days, many people with cell phones prefer texting to a phone call. And that’s creating a communication divide, of sorts—the talkers vs. the texters. Some would argue that it’s no big deal. But many experts say the most successful communicators will, of course, have the competence to do both. And they fear that more of us are unable to have—or at least are avoiding—the traditional face–to–face conversations.
Many professors say it is not common to see students outside of class. “I sit in my office hours lonely now because if my students have a question, they email me, often late at night,” says Renee Houston, a professor at the University of Puget Sound in Washington state. “And they never call.”
As Anna sees it: “There are people you’ll text, but won’t call. It’s just a way to stay in touch with each other.” Some believe that scores of texts each day keep people more connected. “The problem is that the conversation isn’t very deep,” says Joseph Grenny, co-author of the book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High.
“The problem has been there since we’ve had telephones—probably since the time of a telegraph,” Grenny says. Texting is just the latest way to do that. Though they may not always be so good at deep conversations themselves, Grenny suggests that parents model the behavior for their children and put down their own cell phones. He says that they also should set limits, as Anna’s mom did when she made the “no texting to people in the same house” rule.
1.According to Paragraph 1, Joanna .
A. was very strict with her daughter
B. did not know how to use a cell phone
C. was angry that her daughter got up late
D. did not have any breakfast that morning
2.The underlined word “competence” in Paragraph 2 probably means “ ”.
A. chance B. ability C. courage D. patience
3.In Joseph Grenny’s opinion, .
A. cell phones make people lonelier
B. telephones help people communicate clearly
C. texting helps people have deeper conversations
D. talking should be encouraged instead of texting
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A. Why is communication important?
B. How does texting affect kids at school?
C. Is texting ruining the art of conversation?
D. How can we avoid one-sided conversations?
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Forest guards in western India are using cell phones with ringtones（手机铃声）of cows mooing, goats bleating and roosters crowing to attract leopards （豹）that have wandered into human settlements, officials said on Monday.
The wild cats in the state of Gujarat often get into villages near forests in search of food, say officials, adding that this results in attacks on people. But rather than use methods such as live bait（活诱饵）like goats tied to trees to lure (引诱) the leopards, which then fall into large pits dug by guards, officials say they have found a safer method to trap the cats.
“The moos of a cow, and bleating of a goat from the phone have proved effective to trap leopards,” said D. Vasani, a senior forest official in Gujarat. “This trick works.” Vasani said forest guards have downloaded the sounds of over a dozen animals as ringtones on their mobiles which they attach to speakers and fix behind a cage. They then play the ringtone continuously for up to two hours until the curious leopard appears and moves into the cage looking for its easy meal.
At least five leopards have so far been lured from villages since the new ringtone method was introduced three months ago. The cats have all been released （释放）back into forest areas.
Wildlife activists welcomed the new initiative (新方案) saying that previous methods of trapping the cats using pits often resulted in the animals getting injured.
1.What can be the best title of the passage?
A．Cell Phones to Hunt Animals B．Practical Uses of Cell Phones
C．Wildlife And New Technology D．Phone Ringtones to Catch Leopards
2.Forest guards in India try to catch leopards mainly because _______.
A．leopards attack villagers B．they want leopard fur
C．leopards attack animals D．they have new ringtones
3.According to the wildlife activists, the new method is _______.
A．appreciated because it benefits leopards B．not good because it may injure animals
C．effective because ringtones work D．not safer than the former one
4.We can learn from the passage except that _______.
A．forest guards don’t mean to hurt the leopards
B．forest guards no longer use pits to trap leopards
C．forest guards used goats to attract leopards
D．recorded animal sound are used to lure leopards
5.What will be needed to trap the leopards using the new method?
a. cell phones b. animals c. sounds of animals d. cages e. large pits
A．abcd B．bce C．ade D．acd
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(2014·南昌市高三第三次模拟测试)
Millions of people are using cell phones today.In many places it is actually considered unusual not to use one.In many countries，cell phones are very popular with young people.They find that the phones are more than a means of communication—having a mobile phone shows that they are cool and connected.
The explosions around the world in mobile phone use make some health professional worried.Some doctors are concerned that in the future many people may suffer health problems from the use of mobile phones.In England，there has been a serious debate about this issue.Mobile phone companies are worried about the negative publicity of such ideas.They say that there is no proof that mobile phones are bad for your health.
On the other hand，why do some medical studies show changes in the brain cells of some people who use mobile phones？Signs of change in the issues of the brain and head can be detected with modern scanning equipment.In one case，a traveling salesman had to retire at a young age because of serious memory loss.He couldn’t remember even simple tasks.He would often forget the name of his own son.This man used to talk on his mobile phone for about six hours a day，every day of his working week，for a couple of years.His family doctor blamed his mobile phone use，but his employer’s doctor didn’t agree.
What is it that makes mobile phones potentially harmful？The answer is radiation.Hightech machines can detect very small amounts of radiation from mobile phones.Mobile phone companies agree that there is some radiation.But they say the amount is too small to worry about.
As the discussion about their safety continues，it appears that it’s best to use mobile phones less often.Use your regular phone if you want to talk for a long time.Use your mobile phone only when you really need it.Mobile phones can be very useful and convenient，especially in emergencies.In the future，mobile phones may have a warning label that says they are bad for your health.So for now，it’s wise not to use your mobile phone too often.
1.People buy cell phones for the following reasons except that________.
A．they’re popular B．they’re convenient
C．they’re useful D．they’re cheap
2.The word “detected” in Paragraph 3 could be best replaced by________.
A．discovered B．removed
C．cured D．caused
3.The salesman retired young because________.
A．he disliked using mobile phones
B．he couldn’t remember simple tasks
C．he was tired of talking on his mobile phone
D．his employer’s doctor persuaded him to
4.On the safety issue of mobile phones，the manufacturing companies________.
A．deny the existence of mobile phone radiation
B．develop new technology to reduce mobile phone radiation
C．hold that the amount of radiation is too small to worry about
D．try to prove that mobile phones are not harmful to health
5.The writer’s purpose of writing this article is to advise people________.
A．to buy mobile phones
B．to use mobile phones less often
C．to update regular phones
D．to stop using mobile phones
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Cell phones are now widely used, _______possible for us to talk to anyone from almost anywhere.
A. make it B. to make it
C. making D. making it
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People have got faster at typing text messages on their phones. But how fast are we at using a smart phone compared to typing words on a traditional keyboard? A team of researchers carried out an experiment.
The researchers used an Internet-based system to test the typing speed of over 37,000 volunteers on their smart phones. The volunteers spent about six hours a day using their phones. Most of them used two thumbs to type. Both Android and iPhone users were tested. They were given 15 English sentences to type out on their phones as quickly and accurately as possible.
The research team found that people wrote about 36 words per minute. It is slower than the average rate for people using a computer keyboard. In a 2018 University of Cambridge study, the average speed for computer typists was 52 words per minute. Noting the narrowing of speed rates between smart phones and computers, the team said we have become slower at typing on keyboards over the years. 75 percent of those taking part in the study had typing speeds below 44 words per minute. But the fastest phone typists reached speeds of 80 words per minute. People using two thumbs typed 38 words per minute. Those using only one finger 29 words per minute.
According to the findings, Anna Feit, a researcher at ETH Zurich, said it makes sense that younger people have higher typing speeds because they spend a lot more time on their devices. It was found that a phone's automatic correct tool can be helpful. Users were able to type faster with it. “The given understanding is that techniques like word completion help people”, Feit said. “But we found the time spent thinking about the word suggestions often outweighs the time spent typing the letters, making you slower.”
The difference between typing on a smart phone and a keyboard is called “the typing gap". They say this gap will further narrow in future as people get less skilled with keyboards and as smart methods for typing on devices continue to improve.
1.What is the purpose of the experiment?
A.To prove typing on keyboards is the fastest way.
B.To track over 37,000 volunteers' typing habits.
C.To promote people's typing speed on smart phones.
D.To find out how faster people type on their phones.
2.Which of the following groups type the fastest according to the passage?
A.People using two thumbs in the research.
B.Those using only one finger in the research.
C.75 percent of the volunteers in the study.
D.Computer typists in the 2018 Cambridge study.
3.What can we know according to Anna Feit?
A.Automatic correct tool isn't useful. B.Word completion can't help much.
C.The aged need word suggestions. D.Typing won't be needed on phones
4.What does the author predict about “the typing gap"?
A.It will become smaller and smaller.
B.It will be replaced by word completion.
C.It will make people less skilled at typing.
D.It will slow the development of smart phones.
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Cheaters called “pirates” often use camcorders(便携式摄像机) and cell phones to make illegal copies of blockbusters(大片) in the local theater. These pirates then sell those recordings on the street or over the Internet for very low prices. Some share them for free.
“It’s unfair for people to pirate movies, ” says 15-year-old Hadaia Azad Ezzulddin. Movie piracy “takes money out of the pockets of thousands of people in the movie industry,” she notes. Victims include famous actors and directors as well as local theater owners and their employees.
Hadaia came up with an idea that could help stop movie piracy. Hadaia’s idea uses infrared(红外线的) light. This range of light is invisible to the human eye. It is visible, however, to many types of cameras. Theater owners could place small infrared lights on their movie screens. The lights would not disturb people watching the movie. It would, however, distort the recordings made by many types of cameras.
To test her idea, Hadaia built a box with a movie screen inside. Then, she projected images on that screen through a hole in the box. She took recordings of those images, using nine different types of cameras. These included the types found in cell phones as well as camcorders. During some tests, she also turned on light emitting diodes(发光二极管), or LEDs. The LEDs were embedded（植入的） in a certain place behind the movie screen. They gave out infrared light.
Sure enough, she showed, a pirated movie included odd stripes or spots if it had been recorded while the LEDs were on. It might be possible to use the LEDs to flash the date and time on the movie screen. The information would then appear in the illegal recordings. Theater owners or police might use the information to track down the pirates.
Cutting down on piracy might get more people into theaters to watch the real movie instead of an illegal copy. Six out of every ten films now produced aren’t profitable. They don’t make enough money to recover how much was spent to make and market them. Such a poor payback can discourage filmmakers from producing anything but the types expected to become blockbuster hits. It might also keep smaller theaters from showing a wider variety of movie types.
1. From what Hadaia says in Paragraph 2, we can infer that _______.
A. most people spend less money on pirates moves
B. the pirates don’t have to pay for the movie tickets
C. theater owners will increase the price of movie tickets
D. she strongly criticizes those who video movies in the theater
2. Infrared lights are put on the movie screens to _______.
A. adjust the brightness of the movie screens
B. make sure the images of movies are dark
C. protect the eyesight of viewers in the darkness
D. make illegal copies of movies unpleasant to see
3.What is the correct order of the steps in Hadaia’s test?
a. She projected pictures on the screen.
b. She used cameras to record the pictures.
c. She turned on the LEDs placed behind the screen.
d. She made a special box with a movie screen inside.
A. bacd B. dcab C. dbac D. bcad
4.According to the last paragraph, we can know that _______.
A. forty percent of movies now are profitable
B. small theaters often choose to show low-cost movies
C. more and more people go to theaters to fight movie piracy
D. filmmakers prefer to produce ordinary movies than blockbusters
texting are increasingly common, especially among teens. And that could be a problem. Texting affects learning and performing on test, a new study finds. So a Montana teen, Colin decided to test that.