Question

Picture a library without books? Well, I can’t. Ever since I was little I would go to the library and take out numerous books. From picture books to beginning chapter books to YA books, books have always been a part of my life. Unlike many people today, I don't own a Kindle or a Nook or any type of e-reader. I prefer the old-fashioned book. There is something about holding a book and being able to turn the pages that I find comforting. In today's 21st century, books may become obsolete. For me that's something I find scary.

  I am a fan of the old TV science-fiction series Twilight Zone. One episode（一段情节）is about a librarian who has become obsolete. Though this episode aired in 1961, the writer of the series, Rod Serling was exactly on point when it came to predicting the future.

  In fact, in San Antonio, Texas the first-ever bookless library in the country opened. The library is full of iMacs, tablets and iPads which cost a huge $2. 3 million. The library offers around 10,000 e-books. So the question is, is this what the future will soon be? Mary Graham, vice president of South Carolina's Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce states, "This is the future…If you're going to be building new library facilities, this is what you need to be doing."

  It is our generation that will be the guinea pigs（试验品）of increasing technology like this. Is this a good or bad thing? Well, digital libraries may help the environment by not using paper; however, I feel like something will always be lacking with a digital book. A digital library is just the beginning.

  With all of this new technology, people seem to be more absorbed in their own world. One of my biggest complaints is when I am with my friends and they can't seem to get off their smart phone and talk to me. To make plans with a friend and then have them stuck on their phone the whole time is extremely rude. Not only is it disrespectful, but it reflects the direction of where human interactions are heading. Though social media is great, it also is addicting and has negative effects.

  Often when I go on Facebook it just makes me feel worse about myself. I'll see many of my 800 Facebook friends showing off their newest accomplishment or acceptance to college. Additionally, our society is becoming increasingly lazy. For instance, instead of doing mental math, people use their phone to solve 89 + 74. It is simple tasks like these that are allowing people to lack important educational and social skills.

  It is up to us to find a balance between technology and human values and interactions. With new technology being created every day, we need to learn how to use it alongside our great minds. After all, inventions are supposed to benefit society not harm it. In the day of technology, who knows what's next?

1.The underlined word "obsolete" （Paragraph l）is closest in meaning to      .

A. outdated        B. complex          C. expensive D. meaningless

2.What can we infer from the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2_______?

A. The episode still enjoys great popularity nowadays.

B. Rod Serling liked making predictions about the future.

C. The situation of books today is similar to what Rod Serling predicted in the episode.

D. The episode airing in 1961 was the most entertaining of the TV science-fiction series.

3.What can we learn about the library in San Antonio, Texas?

A. It is the first-ever library in America.

B. It is of no practical use although it costs so much.

C. It holds an exhibition of much electronic equipment.

D. People can read e-books there with the help of the new facilities.

4.Which of the following will the writer probably disagree with_______?

A. Great as social media is, it does have some negative effects.

B. With the increasing use of social media, something will actually be lost.

C. Through social media, people can develop educational and social skills around.

D. As a result of social media, people may communicate less with the people around.

5.The tone of the passage is best described as        .

A. Optimistic      B. Skeptical       C. Supportive      D. Objective

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.C

5.B

【解析】

试题分析：设想一个没有书籍的图书馆，这是让作者不能接受的。作者更喜欢纸质的书籍带来的舒适感。科技给我们的生活带来了巨大的变化，但科技并非是完美的，也会带来一些负面的影响。

1.I prefer the old-fashioned book. There is something about holding a book and being able to turn the pages that I find comforting.”可知，在21世纪，纸质书籍显得有点过时，但作者却更喜欢纸质的书籍，划线词与old-fashioned同义，故选A。

2.One episode（一段情节）is about a librarian who has become obsolete.”可知，电视剧里的一个情节--一家图书馆变得过时，由此可知，电视剧的作者预见到了当今书籍面临过时的现状，故选C。

3.in San Antonio, Texas the first-ever bookless library in the country opened ...The library offers around 10,000 e-books.”可知，San Antonio,和Texas的市民可以借助新的科技阅读电子书，故选D。

4.I feel like something will always be lacking with a digital book ...people seem to be more absorbed in their own world ...With new technology being created every day, we need to learn how to use it alongside our great minds.”可知，作者认为，科技并非完美，人们更多地沉浸在自己的世界里，我们应该学会使用科技，而不应该被科技改变自己的态度、价值观等，故选C。

5.根据第四段“Well, digital libraries may help the environment by not using paper; however, I feel like something will always be lacking with a digital book. A digital library is just the beginning.”和最后一段“After all, inventions are supposed to benefit society not harm it.”可知，作者不赞同用电子图书馆取代纸质书籍。作者认为，科技应该给社会带来益处而不是伤害。由此可见，就科技能否带来便利来说，作者是持怀疑态度的，故选B。

考点：社会类短文阅读