Question

In today’s world of cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one timetelling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500­year­old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function”. Many young adults agree — and use their cellphones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory business. And for many today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

“Complications” — features that go beyond simple timekeeping — are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a lot of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers, compasses, lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!

Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time.  It looks more like a futuristic (未来主义的) bracelet than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a “handless” watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.

Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget (小玩意儿) in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what's on their wrists.  Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!

1.Why aren't watches popular with young people as before?

A. Because watches cannot keep good time as cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players.

B. Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function.

C. Because watches are too expensive to afford.

D. Because watches don't have beautiful appearance as other modern time­telling tools.

2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?

A. Watch­making becomes the sunrise industry.

B. Watch­making is faced with the developing opportunity.

C. Watch­making is facing a survival crisis challenge.

D. Watch­making has a specific development target.

3.It can be implied that ________.

A. people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older

B. watchmakers scarcely change the development strategy for watches

C. today's watches are better than those in the past in quality

D. customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image

4.The following qualities can make a watch popular EXCEPT ________.

A. multifunction      B. accuracy

C. nice design        D. low price

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.D

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：随着越来越多的电子产品的出现，越来越少的年轻人喜欢戴手表了，因为他们觉得手表的功能有限，因此手表行业看起来好像正面临着生存的困境，不过有关人士分析，有过去的人们不同的是，现在的人带手表不是因为需要它报时，而是更看重它的款式，因为它是个性的体现，因此，也许将来手表会作为一种时尚再次回到年轻人。

1.1】细节理解题。根据第一段第四、五句话New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function”. Many young adults agree — and use their cellphones to tell time.可知，年轻人之所以不喜欢戴手表，主要是因为手表的功能过于单一，故B项正确。

2.2】句意猜测题。根据第一段内容可知，现在越来越少的年轻人使用手表，即手表制造产业面临着生存危机，即C项正确，其他几项均与原内容不符。

3.3】推理判断题。文章第二段第三句Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory business.提到，五十年前制造手表的厂家吹嘘他们手表时间的，而接下来的两句话告诉我们，现在生产的手表更注意手表的款式而不是他报，故D项正确。

4.4】细节理解题。通读全文可知A、B、C三项都有影响手表受欢迎的因素；而D项未提及。

考点：科教类阅读。