Question

The home computer industry has been growing rapidly in the United States in the last ten years. Computers used to be large, expensive machines that were very difficult to use. But scientists and technicians have been making them smaller and cheaper while at the same time they have been made easier to use. As a result, their popularity has been increasing as more people have been buying computers for their homes and businesses.

Computers have been designed to store information and compute problems that are difficult for human beings to work out. Some have voices that speak to their operators. Stores use computers to keep records of their inventories and to send bills to their customers. Offices use computers to copy letters, record business and keep in touch with other offices. People also use computers in their homes to keep track of the money they spend.

    One important new use of computers is for entertainment. Many new games have been designed to be played on computers. People of all ages play these games. People also buy home computers to watch movies and listen to concerts at home. They have become very popular indeed.

1.Compared with those of today, computers used to ______.

A. work rapidly    B. be used for fun

C. be large and expensive      D. be easy to use

2.In recent years, computers have become ______.

A. more and more difficult to use       B. slower and slower

C. more and more expensive           D. smaller and smaller

3.Home computers can be used for ______.

A. doing business        B. writing letters

C. playing games       D. all of the above

4.Salesmen use computers mainly to ______.

A. talk with their friends

B. write letters

C. check the list of goods and send bills

D. play games for pleasure

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.D

4.C

【解析】

试题分析：文章讲述了近十年来家用电脑在美国的迅速发展。在过去，电脑体积庞大而且价格昂贵；而如今的电脑不仅体积小、价格便宜而且更容易操作。在用途方面，电脑不但可以用来储存信息、核对货物订单发送账单而且也可以用来进行娱乐活动。

1.C细节理解题。从文章第一段Computers used to be large, expensive machines可知过去的电脑体积大而且昂贵，故C选项正确。

2.D细节理解题。根据文章第一段But scientists and technicians have been making them smaller and cheaper，可知现在的电脑体积小了。所以D选项正确。

3.D细节理解题。从文章第二段Stores use computers to keep records of their inventories and to send bills to their customers. 和Offices use computers to copy letters以及第三段Many new games have been designed to be played on computers.可知D选项正确。

4.C细节理解题。从文章第二段Stores use computers to keep records of their inventories and to send bills to their customers.可知电脑可以在商业方面帮助人们，所以C选项正确。

考点：考查社会百科类短文阅读。