We're all connected. You can send an e-mail message to a friend, and your friend can pass it on to one of his or her friends, and that friend can do the same, continuing the chain. Eventually, your message could reach just about anyone in the world, and it might take only five to seven e-mails for the message to get there.
Scientists recently tested that idea in a study involving 24,000 people. Participants had to try to get a message forwarded to one of 18 randomly chosen people. Each participant started by sending one e-mail to someone they knew. Recipients could then forward the e-mail once to someone they knew, and so on.
Targets, who were randomly assigned by researchers from Columbia University in New York, lived in 13 countries. They included an Australian police officer, a Norwegian veterinarian, and a college professor.
Out of 24,000 chains, only 384 reached their goal. The rest petered out, usually because one of the recipients was either too busy to forward the message or thought it was junk mail.
The links that reached their goal made it in an average of 4.05 e-mails. Based on the lengths of the failed chains, the researchers estimated that two strangers could generally make contact in five to seven e-mails.
The most successful chains relied on casual acquaintances rather than close friends. That's because your close friends know each other whereas your acquaintances tend to know people you don't know. The phenomenon, known as the strength of weak ties, explains why people tend to get jobs through people they know casually but aren't that close to.
So, start networking and instant messaging now. As they say in show business: It's all about who you know.
小題1: If you want to get into touch with a stranger in the world, how many e-mails might it take for the message to reach him/her?
A. 5 to 7
B. 18
C. 13
D. 384
小題2: Which of the following is Not true about the test?
A. 24,000 people took part in the study and sent e-mails to people they knew.
B. The 18 targets were chosen by chance.
C. About 98.4% of the mails didn’t reach their goal because some people were too busy or they mistook the message for junk mail.
D. The targets come from 13 countries, such as Australia, Norway and New York.
小題3: What does the word “estimate” mean in the passage?
A. make sure
B. suppose
C. think over
D. imagine
小題4: Why do people tend to get jobs more easily through casual acquaintances than close friends?
A. Because close friends don’t talk with each other so much.
B. Because casual acquaintances can help you know more people and make more friends.
C. Because close friends don’t spend so much time gathering together.
D. Because casual acquaintances are kinder and more willing to help others.
小題5:  In which part of a newspaper will readers read this passage?
A. Culture
B. Entertainment
C. Information and Technology
D. Health

小題1:A
小題2:D
小題3:B
小題4:B
小題5:C

本文主要講述電子郵件將人們的聯(lián)系拉近。
小題1: A 細節(jié)理解題。由第一段最后一句可知。
小題2: D 細節(jié)理解題。由第二段可知,A, B, C都正確;由第三段最后一句可知,D不正確。
小題3: B 詞義猜測題。estimate “估計”,與B選項suppose意思最接近。
小題4:  B 細節(jié)理解題。由第六段可知。
小題5: C 推理判斷題。因本文談的e-mail與電腦有關(guān),所以應(yīng)與“信息和技術(shù)”相關(guān)。
練習(xí)冊系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

The inventor of the world wide web,Tim Berners­Lee,has won an important award which comes with a prize bag of one million euros (£671,000).The “Father of the Web” was named as the first winner of the Millennium Technology Prize by the Finnish Technology Award Foundation.He said he had just been “in the right place at the right time” and did not want his photo taken.
In 1991,he came up with a system to organize,link and browse(瀏覽) Net pages which revolutionized the Internet.The British scientist was knighted(封爵) for his pioneering work in 2003.
Sir Tim created his program while he was at the particle physics institute,Cern,in Geneva.The computer code he came up with let scientists easily share research findings across a computer network.In the early 1990s,it was called the “world wide web,” and is still the basis of the web as we know it.
The famous man never went on to commercialize his work.Instead he worked on expanding the use of the Net as a channel for free expression and cooperation.
“The web is encouraging new types of social networks and opening up new ways for information management and business development.The web has significantly improved many people’s ability to obtain information central to their lives,”said Pekka Tarjanne,chairman of the Millennium Technology Prize award committee.
Just under 80 people from 22 countries were nominated(提名) for the prize for their work in the areas of health,communication,new materials and the environment.
The Millennium Technology Prize was set up by the Finnish Technology Award Foundation,an independent body backed by the public and private money which aims to recognize outstanding creations.
Sir Tim currently heads up the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston,where he is now based as an academic.
小題1:It can be learned from the first two paragraphs that ________.
A.it is Tim Berners­Lee that invented the Internet
B.no one was able to surf the Net before the world wide web was invented
C.the Internet can’t be used so widely without Tim Berners­Lee’s invention
D.the Millennium Technology Prize was set up for Tim Berners­Lee
小題2:After inventing the world wide web,Tim Berners­Lee ________.
A.became the first person to receive the Millennium Technology Prize
B.became the first person to be knighted by the Queen of England
C.began to cooperate with many scientists in other areas
D.was given over one million pounds for his great contribution
小題3:Which of the following best describes Tim Berners­Lee?
A.Optimistic. B.Modest.
C.Ambitious.D.Careful.
小題4:What would be the best title for the text?
A.The Millennium Technology Prize
B.Tim Berners­Lee
C.The World Wide Web
D.New Honor for the Web’s Inventor

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空

One day,while I was walking to work,I decided to bring some flowers that I had picked from my garden that morning.On the way,I ____ a stranger and presented the bunch to him with a smile card.____ by the sense of joy I felt from giving flowers to another person,and may be ____ his day,I wanted to do it again.
When I got to my office,I had the ____ of anonymously(匿名) leaving flowers around the workplace.The impersonal(無人情味的) ___ of the building where I work makes me ____.It just feels a little boring sometimes,____ it’s a nice building with great light.I __8__ lots of people might feel the same way,so why not put a little ___ there,and throw in an inspirational quote while I’m at it?____,who doesn’t like flowers?
So,for the past month,I’ve been ____ flowers in a little cup on the sink in the bathroom.Each week,I ____ the flowers and the quote.It always feels ____ for me to read quotes like Henry David Thoreau’s “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,he will meet with a ____ unexpected in common hours.” and Gandhi’s “The fragrance(香味) always ____ on the hand that gives the rose.” If anything,I figured,it at least makes me ____ each time I visit the bathroom.
Then today,when I walked in,I noticed ____ flowers in the cup,and a quote that someone else had written!It ____,“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”—Gandhi.
This little act ____ me that,at the end of the day,we’re all just people with hearts ____ the various roles and different hats we may wear in the workplace.
I did a little dance and I am smiling wide for the rest of the day!
小題1:
A.picked outB.came across
C.called upD.pointed at
小題2:
A.StruckB.Informed
C.SurprisedD.Honoured
小題3:
A.calmingB.determining
C.reflectingD.brightening
小題4:
A.beliefB.way
C.ideaD.a(chǎn)im
小題5:
A.designB.a(chǎn)tmosphere
C.decorationD.regulation
小題6:
A.uncomfortableB.impolite
C.impatientD.unconscious
小題7:
A.whenB.unless
C.becauseD.though
小題8:
A.concludedB.considered
C.doubtedD.expected
小題9:
A.mysteryB.a(chǎn)dventure
C.beautyD.courage
小題10:
A.More or lessB.After all
C.At mostD.In no case
小題11:
A.growingB.watering
C.puttingD.a(chǎn)rranging
小題12:
A.countB.checkC.cleanD.change
小題13:
A.refreshingB.interesting
C.satisfyingD.puzzling
小題14:
A.prizeB.truth
C.successD.miracle
小題15:
A.holds B.a(chǎn)ttaches
C.remainsD.focuses
小題16:
A.strongB.happy
C.excited D.shocked
小題17:
A.goodB.newC.smallD.special
小題18:
A.printedB.a(chǎn)sked
C.repliedD.said
小題19:
A.introducesB.warns
C.suggestsD.reminds
小題20:
A.regardless ofB.in terms of
C.in addition to D.instead of

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Heading overseas on a business trip or just for pleasure any time soon?If so,have you thought about what you are going to do about communication?You may need to arrange cab service or get directions to an attraction,not to mention you want to stay in touch with the folks back home.
Hope you aren’t counting_on your personal cell phone.Industry experts estimate that most American cell phones won’t work overseas due to compatibility (兼容性) issues.And even if yours did work,the roaming (漫游) charges would be too high.
So what are your choices?You could rent a phone with a local number in the country you’re traveling to,but that wouldn’t do you much good if you’re constantly on the go.A more cost­effective way would be to rent a satellite phone from a company like Global Cellular Rental.
The process is amazingly fast and simple.All you have to do is to log onto the company’s website,www.globalcellularrental.com,and place an order.The site will show you the countries you will be traveling to and ask you how long you will need the phone.The company then ships a cell phone directly to you anywhere in the world.The phone arrives with complete instructions.
The traveler also learns his overseas phone number well in advance,enabling him to inform all vital contacts of the number before he ever steps on a plane.
Roaming rates are usually 80 percent less than those charged by American service providers.Calls back to the US can be discounted 40 percent or more.The rentals cost is just $5 per day,and discount packages are available for long­term rentals of two months or more.
This cell phone solution is becoming so popular that Global Cellular Rental actually has relationships with hotel chains around the world to keep phones in stock for hotel guests.And for those whose journey really takes them off the beaten track,the company can also rent satellite phones to them.These phones work anywhere in the world as long as you are outside.
小題1:The underlined words in Paragraph 2 mean “________”.
A.throwing awayB.depending on
C.complaining aboutD.figuring out
小題2:Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.You must place an order on its website.
B.Discount packages need to be applied in advance.
C.The Global Cellular Rental is an American company.
D.The company doesn’t help those travelers to remote areas.
小題3:Which shows the cost­effective aspect of the satellite phone when an American user travels in Beijing?
A.The roaming rates are 20% discount compared to American local service.
B.Calls back to the US cost 60% less compared to American local service.
C.The rental cost is $150 per month if you rent for three months.
D.Forty percent or more discount is available when he calls back to the US.
小題4:How many ways of overseas communications by phone are mentioned in the passage?
A.2. B.3.
C.4. D.5.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Every day we are adding more and more vacation ideas,destinations,tours, and articles.As you explore our website,you will find there is an ever-growing collection of things that will help make your vacation easier and more affordable.
We change our featured destinations very frequently so be sure to keep coming back to see what new ideas we have for your family vacation.We feature a different state,park, and city destination on the front page of the website.These change frequently, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can be sure to keep up with all the new information.
Another great feature we are offering is Guest Articles.These may come from a travel professional,author, parent or child about their travel ideas or offers.These informative articles are great to read and are perfect for discovering valuable tips and tricks for malting travel less stressful.Plus,in many articles you will discover some hidden gems(珍品)that you probably miss if you did not know about them.
One of the best things about our website is our ability to get you discounted Tours and Attraction Passes to the places you want to go most.This is a fantastic way to plan ahead and have your tours and passes paid for and pick them up before you leave your home.Now that is a helpful way to go.These programs can save you over 50%of what you could expect to pay when you arrive.And,we are adding new tours and programs every week.Be sure to check it out.
You can be sure we are working hard for you so that you can relax on your vacation. Let us do all the leg work for you so you can simply enjoy your family vacation!
小題1:What does the writer want to do by writing this text?
A.To give people tips on family vacations.
B.To offer travelers featured destinations.
C.To attract readers to surf a tourist website.
D.To introduce hidden gems for traveling.
小題2:Why does the writer suggest surfing the website-frequemly?
A.Because the featured destinations are changeable.
B.Because the front page is quite unique
C.Because it can attract more advertisements.
D.Because it helps to sell more newsletters.
小題3:What can we learn from Guest Articles?
A.steps to sign up for the family vacation website.
B.Tips on kecping up with new travel infonmation.
C.Tips and tricks for a comfortable trip.
D.Tricks for enjoying a free family vacation.
小題4:Which isn’t the benefit that the website brings to us?
A.We can get discounted Tours and Attraction Passes
B.We can get some information of new tours and programs
C.We can have our Passes in hand when starting off.
D.We can enjoy a family vacation with leg work.
小題5:Which of the following shows the organization of the text?(P=Paragraph)

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here’s what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches!
The driver of the other car, who almost caused a big accident, started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was friendly. So, I said, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call “The Law of the Garbage Truck. ”
Many people are like garbage (rubbish) trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You’ll be happy with what you did.
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets? It was that day I said, “I’m not going to do anymore.”
Successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? If you let more garbage trucks pass you by, you’ll be happier. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don’t.
小題1:What happened one day when the author was taking a taxi?
A.The taxi almost hit another car.
B.The taxi driver was injured.
C.The author scolded the driver of the other car.
D.The author learned a lesson from the driver of the garbage truck.
小題2:How did the taxi driver respond to the behavior of the driver of the black car?
A.He yelled back at the driver.
B.He sent the driver to the hospital.
C.He was friendly towards the driver.
D.He dumped some garbage in front of his car.
小題3:What does the taxi driver think of people according to Paragraph 3?
A.Many people like to drive garbage trucks.
B.Many people dump garbage wherever they like.
C.Many people are warm-hearted to make others happy.
D.Many people tend to be very much depressed.
小題4:What can we infer from Paragraph 4?
A.The author used to have a lot of garbage trucks.
B.The author used to complain a lot.
C.The author used to have a lot of money.
D.The author used to be a good manager.
小題5:According to the passage, what should you do if people “dump garbage” on you?
A.Ignore them and go on with our own work.
B.Try our best to persuade them not to do that again.
C.Tell them to dump the garbage in the right place.
D.Take over their work and carry the garbage to somewhere else.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

To Friend or Not To Friend
We all love our parents and turn to them when we’re in need, but would you like them to hear the conversations you have with your friends on the school playground or lunch queue? Social networking sites have become extensions of the school hallways, so would you add your parents as “friends” and allow them to view your online activities and conversations with friends?
In the past the generation gap included a technology gap, where children were up to date with latest technology and parents were left behind, content to continue their day to day lives as they always had because they had no need to know more about technology. However, more and more parents are beginning to realize just how important social networks are in their lives. This realization has given many parents the motivation to education themselves about social networking sites.
These days many people are attracted to social networking sites because they can choose who they have around them; there’s also a certain amount of control over privacy that we don’t get in real life. Sometimes we feel that privacy is violated when we must accept a “friend” request from a parent or family member.
It’s a difficult choice whether or not to allow a parent to become a part of our online lives. On the one hand we don’t want to “reject” their request because that might hurt their feelings or make them feel you have something to hide. On the other hand if you do accept, then you could have a sense of being watched and no longer feel free to comment or communicate the way you did before.
A recent survey suggested that parents shouldn’t take it personally if their child ignores their request, “When a teen ignores a parent’s friend request, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are hiding something, but it could mean that this is one part of their life where they want to be independent.”
Perhaps talking with parents and giving explanations would help soften the blow if you do choose not to add them to your friends list.
小題1:From Paragraph 2, we learn that _______.
A.parents feel secure about their privacy online
B.social networks successfully fill the generation gap
C.parents have realized the importance of social networks
D.social networks offer a platform for parents to communicate
小題2:Teenagers may refuse a parent’s friend request because _______.
A.they hide something from their parents
B.they are unwilling to be watched by parents
C.their parents tend to fall behind in technology
D.their parents make negative comments on them
小題3:The passage is mainly about _______.
A.privacy onlineB.social networks
C.the generation gapD.parents’ friend requests
小題4:The passage is written mainly for _______.
A.parentsB.teenagersC.teachersD.researchers

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don’t know. If you are sitting at a table with people you don’t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without asking if it will trouble them.
At American restaurant and coffee shops you are usually served cold water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill(再裝滿).
Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.
Serving in restaurant is often large, too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everyone knows you’re taking the food for yourself. Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have “Sunday dinner”. This is an especially big noon meal.
Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% of the price of a meal is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.
小題1:If you are walking in New York, you will find that _____.
A.you can go to the bars any time you like
B.stores may be open for the customers a day
C.restaurants have some rules about foreigners
D.closing time is often decided by the managers
小題2:When you are taking a “doggie bag” on the street, we know that _____.
A.you have bought some food for your dogs
B.you are taking the rest of food for your dogs
C.you will take the food home and enjoy it later
D.you have put a dog in the bag and take it home
小題3:What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A.Tips belong to a part of the price of the meal.
B.Tips have become an essential part of the life.
C.Tips are important in the US for the restaurant.
D.You can provide the tips for the manager directly.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空

The purpose of a letter of application is to help you to “sell” yourself. It should state   __ __ the job you want, and should tell what your abilities are and what you have      . It should be simple, human, personal and brief without      out any necessary facts.
In writing a letter of application, keep in        that things a possible employer is most       to want to know about are your qualification, your achievements and your aims. The opening paragraph is perhaps the most important part.       the first few sentences fail to       the readers’ attention, the rest of the letter may not be        at all. Try to key your opening remarks to the needs or interests of the employer, not       your own needs or desires. For example, instead of beginning with “I saw your     in today’s newspaper”. You might say , “I have made a careful       of your advertising during the past six months” or “ I have made a survey in my neighborhood to find out how many housewives       your product and why they like it”.
Try to       generalities (籠統(tǒng)) . Be clear about the kind of job for which you are now   ___    . College graduates looking for their first positions often ask “What can I      ?” in a letter. Employers want experience---which, naturally, no      has. The answer is that everything you have ever done is      .
It is important to write a good strong closing remark for your letter.       a specific request for an interview or give the possible employer something definite to do or expect. An excellent    _ is to enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your letter. That makes it       for a possible employer to get in touch with you.
小題1:
A.clearly B.carefullyC.obviouslyD.easily
小題2:
A.foundB.doneC.knownD.heard
小題3:
A.sendingB.takingC.leaving D.picking
小題4:
A.brainB.sightC.orderD.mind
小題5:
A.probableB.possibleC.likely D.a(chǎn)ble
小題6:
A.While B.Although C.AsD.If
小題7:
A.payB.winC.showD.fix
小題8:
A.keptB.continued C.writtenD.read
小題9:
A.toB.forC.intoD.from
小題10:
A.a(chǎn)dvertisementB.reportC.a(chǎn)rticleD.introduction
小題11:
A.watchB.searchC.studyD.discussion
小題12:
A.changeB.makeC.sellD.use
小題13:
A.a(chǎn)voidB.remember C.protectD.gain
小題14:
A.losingB.a(chǎn)pplying C.preparing D.fitting
小題15:
A.offerB.supplyC.meanD.provide
小題16:
A.workerB.beginner C.ownerD.manager
小題17:
A.successB.development C.practiceD.experience
小題18:
A.MakeB.AskC.StateD.Get
小題19:
A.resultB.decision C.promiseD.idea
小題20:
A.happierB.easierC.cheaperD.safer

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊答案