It seems that all your friends’ names on MSN have added a little green “I’m” symbol overnight. If you ask what is going on, someone will tell you it’s a charity activity.
Though this charity program has not yet officially begun for Chinese users, this little green symbol has proven popular among Chinese Windows Live Messenger users.
Windows Live Messenger’s official blog announced on March 1 that Microsoft was beginning an “I’m” program in the United States. Every time someone starts a conversation using “I’m”, Microsoft shares a part of the program’s advertising income with nine organizations devoted to social causes. With every instant message a user sends, it helps deal with things one feels most interested in, including poverty, child protection, disease and worsening environment.
One only has to add a certain code next to one’s name for the organization one would like to support. “*red’u” is for the American Red Cross, “*bgca” is for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and “*unicef” stands for the American branch of UNICEF.
After a Chinese blogger named “hung” introduced this program on his blog on March 2, “I’m” entered the Internet in China with no actual support from Microsoft.
Beijing-based Youth Weekend reported that famous IT blogger Keso regarded this program’s rapid spread as a successful virus marketing case. He thinks that the success of the “I’m” program is because it’s spread by users without being a bother to others. This answers why “I’m” has spread so rapidly across the Internet like a virus with almost no advertisement.
However, Feng Jinhu from the press center for Microsoft China told Youth Weekend that the “I’m” project is only for Messenger users in the United States. Instant messages sent by Chinese users would not count.
This has not affected Chinese Messenger users’ interest in the little green symbol. These users hope their instant messages will actually contribute to charitable organizations someday.
小题1:What’s the main idea of the third paragraph?
A．The detail information about the “I’m” program.
B．Microsoft announced the beginning of the program.
C．The main purpose of the program.
D．How to take part in the program in China.小题2:What is the reason for the success of the “I’m” program according to Keso?
A．It doesn’t bring other users trouble.
B．It is popular with the poor people.
C．It is supported by Microsoft.
D．It is advertised through the Internet.小题3:The following descriptions about the “I’m” program are correct EXCEPT _________.
A．it became popular in China in a short time
B．Microsoft will support the charity activity for free
C．US MSN users who take part in the “I’m” program contribute to charity
D．it covers social problems such as poverty, child protection, etc.小题4:What should you do to take part in the “I’m” program?
A．Send an email to Microsoft.
B．Add a little green “I’m” symbol before your MSN name.
C．Add the code of the organization you support next to your MSN name.
D．Fill in an application form in advance.小题5:From the passage, we can come to a conclusion that _________.
A．“I’m” is a computer virus that will not be easily removed
B．Microsoft is active in advertising the program in China
C．modern technology is being used to raise money for charity
D．Chinese MSN users have no interest in the program
