单选题 Passage Three
Cyberspace, data superhighways, multimedia-for those who have seen the future, the linking of computers, television and telephones will change our lives for ever. Yet for all the talk of a forthcoming technological utopia(乌托邦) little attention has been given to the implications these developments for the poor. As with all new high technology, while the West concerns itself with the "how", the question of "for whom" is put aside once again.
Economists are only now realizing the full extent to which the communications revolution has affected the world economy. Information technology allows the extension of trade across geographical and industrial boundaries, and transnational corporations take full advantage of it. Terms of trade, exchange and interest rates and money movements are more important than the production of goods. The electronic economy made possible by information technology allows the haves to increase their control on global markets-with destructive impact on the have-nots.
For them the result is instability. Developing counties, which rely on the production of a small range of goods for export, are made to feel like small parts in the international economic machine. As future(期货) are traded on computer screens, developing countries simply have less and less control of their destinies.
So what are the options for regaining control? One alternative is for developing countries to buy in the latest computers and telecommunications themselves-so-called "development communications" modernization. Yet this leads to long-term dependency and perhaps permanent constraints on developing countries' economies.
Communications technology is generally exported from the U.S., Europe or Japan; the patents, skills and ability to manufacture remain in the hands of few industrialized countries. It is also expensive, and imported products and services must therefore be bought on credit—usually provided by the very countries whose companies stand to gain.
Furthermore, when new technology is introduced there is often too low a level of expertise to exploit it for native development. This means that while local elites, foreign communities and subsidiaries of transnational corporations may benefit, those whose lives depend on access to the information are denied it.
单选题 From the passage we know that the development of high technology is in the interests of ______.
  • A. the rich countries
  • B. scientific development
  • C. the elite
  • D. the world economy
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】纵观全文可知,作者着重论述了在信息技术迅猛发展的今天穷国的利益被忽略了,因此A项为正确答案。
单选题 It can be inferred from the passage that ______.
  • A. international trade should be expanded
  • B. the interests of the poor countries have not been given enough consideration
  • C. the exports of the poor countries should be increased
  • D. communications technology in the developing countries should be modernized
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】信息现代化使发展中国家失去了在全球经济中的地位。故选B项。
单选题 Why does the author say that the electronic economy may have a destructive impact on developing countries?
  • A. Because it enables the developed countries to control the international market.
  • B. Because it destroys the economic balance of the poor countries.
  • C. Because it violates the national boundaries of the poor countries.
  • D. Because it inhibits the industrial growth of developing countries.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】从文中第二段最后一句“The electronic economy…increase their control on global markets-with destructive impact on the have-nots.”可知,电子业的发展使很多发展中国家的市场都被富国占有了,所以选A项。
单选题 The development of modern communications technology in developing countries may ______.
  • A. hinder their industrial production
  • B. cause them to lose control of their trade
  • C. force them to reduce their share of exports
  • D. cost them their economic independence
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】从文中第四段最后一句可知,“this leads to long-term dependency…”,故选D项。
单选题 The author's attitude toward the communications revolution is ______.
  • A. positive
  • B. critical
  • C. indifferent
  • D. tolerant
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】通读全文可知,作者始终在批评对发展中国家利益的忽视,因此选B项。