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Calling the future
When American inventor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it was a revolution
in communication. For the first time, people could talk to each other over great distances. Over the last
two decades a new means of spoken communication has appeared: the mobile phone.
The mobile phone is like a two-way radio. But the two-way radio is a limited means of
communication. As soon as the users move out of range of each other's broadcast area, the signal is lost
. In the 1940s, researchers experimented with the idea of using a number of radio masts (无线电杆) to
pick up signals from two-way radios. A caller would always be within range of one of the masts. When
he or she moved too far away from one mast, the next mast would pick up the signal. (Scientists referred
to each mast's reception area as being a "cell". This is why in many countries mobile phones are called
"cellphones".)
However, 1940s' technology was just at the beginning. The "mobile phones" were huge boxes. They
had to be moved by car.
The first real mobile telephone call was made in 1973 by Dr Martin Cooper. As soon as his invention
was complete, he tested it by calling a rival (竞争对手) scientist to announce his success. Within a
decade, mobile phones became available to the public.
They have changed the way we do a lot of things. One powerful feature is: the short message service
(SMS) or text message. It's the perfect communication method for the busy modern lifestyle. The text
message has changed the way we write in English. The language construction became more lax (松散
的). Traditional rules of grammar and spelling are much less important.
Over the last few years mobiles have become more and more advanced. We have seen the
introduction of cameras, global positioning system and Internet access.
Alexander Graham Bell would be surprised if he could see how far the science of the telephone has
developed in less than 150 years. If he were around today, he might say: '''That's gr8! But I'm v busy
rite now. Will call U 2nite.'
1. The article is intended to_______.
A. warn people of the possible risks in using mobile phones
B. predict the applications of mobile phones
C. convince people of the uses of mobile phones
D. inform readers of the history and benefits of mobile phones
2. What's the CORRECT time order about the development of communication?
a. the telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell
b. "mobile phones" with very large boxes
c. mobile telephone call made by Dr Martin Cooper
d. mobiles with cameras, GPS and Internet access
A. a, c, b, d
B. b, a,, c, d
C. a, b, c, d
D. a, c, d, b
3.The last sentence of the whole passage ''That's gr8! But I'm v busy rite now. Will call U 2nite."
May probably means________.
A. It's eight now. I'm very busy. (I) Will call you tonight
B. That's great! But I'm very busy right now. (I) Will call you tonight
C. That's great! But I'm busy writing now. (I) Will call you at two tonight
D. "8" is great! But I'm very busy right now. (I) Will call it "U" to night
4.What do you think of the author according to the last paragraph?
A. Worried.
B. Ironic.
C. Kind.
D. Humorous.
