BEIJING—Apple Inc is one step closer to beginning sales of iPad3 tablet computers with cellular (手机) network compatibility (兼容) for the first time in the Chinese mainland, where the consumer-electronics giant is in the midst of an aggressive expansion.
According to China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, a device by Apple with third-generation high-speed wireless data capabilities was issued the network access license needed for the company to begin official sales in China. The device, listed under model number “A1396”, is compatible with the 3G standard WCDMA, and would work with the cellular network operated by Apple’s local iPhone partner, China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd.
China Unicom declined (谢绝) to comment.
Apple already offers the 3G iPad3 in Hong Kong through its partners, but currently only offers Wi-Fi versions of the device in the Chinese mainland. Still, consumers in China, which according to research firm IDC surpassed (超过) the US as the world’s largest PC market in the second quarter, have been purchasing 3G tablets through unofficial channels.
Separately, Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said Sept 6 that the company’s first Hong Kong store, set to open this quarter, will be located in the city’s central shopping and business district in the International Finance Center’s upscale (高档的) IFC mall, a commercial center and sightseeing spot along the city’s waterfront. Wu also said that Apple is planning a new store in Shanghai later this quarter, which will be its biggest store in China. She declined to give more details or to comment on the 3G iPad3.
Apple currently has four full-service Apple stores in the mainland, which receive the most traffic of any Apple stores in the world. The company otherwise relies on resellers to get its products into the market.
The new stores reflect Apple’s confidence in rising demand for its products such as smart phones and tablet computers. Sales in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan helped boost (增长) the company’s third-quarter results, newly appointed Chief Executive Tim Cook said in July. China revenue (收益) surged (激增) six-fold to about $3.8 billion during the three months ended June 25.
“This has been a substantial (重大) opportunity for Apple and I firmly believe that we’re just scratching the surface right now,” Cook said at the time, referring to strong sales in China. “I see an incredible opportunity for Apple there.”
From China Daily 2012
小题1:According to the news, which of the following statements is true?
A．WCDMA is not the only 3G standard in the world.
B．Apple Inc sells its products in the market of the Chinese mainland all by its own stores.
C．The consumers in China can only get iPad3 of Wi-Fi versions.
D．Chinese mainland is the second largest PC market in this year’s second quarter.小题2:Which one of the following phrases can replace the underlined word in paragraph 1?
A．in the interests of
B．in the front of
C．in the process of
D．in the case of小题3:How many full-service Apple stores in China?
A．4.
B．6.
C．8.
D．Unknown.小题4:What’s the probable meaning of “six-fold” in the last but one paragraph?
A．one-sixth
B．six times
C．60 percent
D．2
times小题5:45. By saying “we’re just scratching the surface right now”, Cook means ________.
A．they don’t know much about China’s market
B．they will sell more products and gain more profit in China
C．they need to obtain more permission from China’s government
D．they ignored the rural market in China
小题1:A
小题2:C
小题3:D
小题4:B
小题5:B
题目分析：本文讲述的是苹果公司在中国大陆市场上的销售增加，以及苹果公司的一些新的做法和计划等。
小题1:A 推理题。根据文章第二段The device, listed under model number “A1396”, is compatible with the 3G standard WCDMA, and would work with the cellular network operated by Apple’s local iPhone partner, China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd.可知WCDMA不仅仅是唯一的3G标准。故A正确。
小题2:C 推理题。根据本句where the consumer-electronics giant is in the midst of an aggressive expansion. 可知讲述的是苹果公司在中国的扩张正处于很重要的阶段。故C正确。
小题3:D 推理题。根据Apple currently has four full-service Apple stores in the mainland, which receive the most traffic of any Apple stores in the world.可知大陆有4家，但是香港和台湾没有算在内，故文章中没有明确提出具体的数字。故D正确。
小题4:B 推理题。根据本句. China revenue (收益) surged (激增) six-fold to about $3.8 billion during the three months ended June 25.是指在中国的利润增加了6倍，增加到$3.8 billion。故B正确。
小题5:B 推理题。根据本句“This has been a substantial (重大) opportunity for Apple and I firmly believe that we’re just scratching the surface right now,”可知Cook对于中国市场充满信心，认为早中国他们未来可以销售更多的产品。故B正确。
点评：本文讲述的是苹果公司在中国大陆市场上的销售增加，以及苹果公司的一些新的做法和计划等。测试考生在阅读基础上的逻辑推理能力，要求考生根据文章所述事件的逻辑关系，对未说明的趋势或结局作出合理的推断；或根据作者所阐述的观点理论，对文章未涉及的现象、事例给以解释。考生首先要仔细阅读短文，完整了解信息，准确把握作者观点。