单选题
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 ______.
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 ______.