阅读理解。
Without most people realizing it, there has been a revolution in office work over the last ten years.
Before that time, large computers were only used by large, rich companies that could afford the
investment. With the advancement of technology, small computers have come into the market, which
are capable of doing the work that used to be done by much larger and expensive computers, so now
most smaller companies can use them.
The main development in small computers has been in the field of word processors (处理器) , or
WPS as they are often called. 40% of British offices are now estimated to have a word processor and
this percentage is growing fast.
There are many advantages in using a word processor for both secretary and manager. The secretary
is freed from a lot of daily work, such as re-typing letters and storing papers. He or she can use this time
to do other more interesting work for the boss. From a manager's point of view, secretarial time is being
made better use of and money can be saved by doing daily jobs automatically outside office hours.
But is it all good? If a lot of daily secretarial work can be done automatically, surely this will mean that
fewer secretaries will be needed. Another worry is the increasing medical problems related to work with
visual display units (显示器). The case of a slow loss of sight among people using word processors
seems to have risen greatly. It is also feared that if a woman works at a VDU for long hours, the unborn
child in her body might be killed. Safety screens to put over a VDU have been invented but few
companies in England bother to buy them.
Whatever the arguments for and against word processors are, they are a key feature of this revolution
in office practice.
1. Ten years ago, smaller companies did not use large computers because ________.
A. these companies had not enough money to buy such expensive computers
B. these computers could not do the work that small computers can do today
C. these computers did not come into the market
D. these companies did not need to use this new technology
2. According to the writer, the main feature of the revolution in office work over the last ten years is_____.
A. the saving of time and money
B. the use of computers in small companies
C. the wide use of word processors
D. the decreasing number of secretaries
3. It is implied but not directly stated in the passage that with the use of word processors ________.
A. some secretaries will lose their jobs
B. daily jobs can be done automatically outside office hours
C. medical problems related to work with a VDU have increased greatly
D. the British companies will make less money
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. There are both advantages and disadvantages in using a word processor.
B. The British companies care much for the health of the people using word processors.
C. The technology in the field of computers has been greatly advanced over the last ten years.
D. Using word processors, secretaries can get more time to do more interesting work for their bosses.
5. It can be concluded from the passage that ________.
A. safety screens are of poor quality
B. working at a VDU for a long time is good for one's health
C. more and more British offices will use word processors
D. British companies will need fewer and fewer managers
