三、英语阅读理解题 Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergence alert (警报) system using text messages delivered to cell phones. Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry's trade association, CTIA, estimates (估计) more than 48 billion text messages are sent each month. The plan comes from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires improvements to the nation's emergency alert system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies. "The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families before, and during, disasters and other emergencies," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan. Participation in the alert system by carriers — telecommunications companies is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry. The program would be optional for cell phone users. They also may not be charged for receiving alerts. There would be three different types of messages, according to the rules. The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve "approaching threats" which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction (绑架) emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts. The service could be in place by 2010.
1. What is the purpose of the approved plan? ______
A.To warn people of emergencies via messages
B.To popularize the use of cell phones
C.To estimate the monthly number of messages
D.To promote the wireless industry
A B C D
A
[解析] 目的意图题。由第一段“Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergence alert(警报)system using text messages delivered to cell phones."可知批准通过的一个新计划的内容就是研发一种通过手机短信形式发送警报的新系统。
2. The improvement to the present system is in the charge of ______.
A.CTIA
B.the Warning Alert and Response Network
C.FCC
D.federal regulators
A B C D
C
[解析] 细节理解题。由第三段最后一句话“The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.”可知FCC负责找到新的方法来提醒人们注意警报。
3. The carriers' participation in the system is determined by ______.
A.the US federal government
B.mobile phone users
C.the carriers themselves
D.the law of the United States
A B C D
C
[解析] 细节理解题。由第五段“Participation in the alert system by carriers—telecommunications companies is voluntary”,特别是其中的关键词“voluntary”(自愿的,自发的),可知手机使用者自愿决定是否参加这个新系统的实验。
4. Which of the following is true of cell phone users? ______
A.They must accept the alert service
B.They may enjoy the alert service for free
C.They must send the alerts to others
D.They may choose the types of messages
A B C D
B
[解析] 判断正误题。由第六段的内容描述,特别是关键句“They also may not be charged for receiving alerrs.”可判断出参与者可以免费获得警报信息服务。
5. An alert message will NOT be sent if ______.
A.a child loses his way.
B.a university shooting happens
C.a natural disaster happens
D.a terrorist attack occurs
A B C D
A
[解析] 细节理解题。由最后一段的“The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve 'approaching threats' which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction(绑架)emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.”对三种信息服务的描述可知A项不是所发信息内容,B、C、D三项都分别在原文中提到了。