阅读理解

Television—the most pervasive and persuasive of modern technologies, marked by rapid change and growth—is moving into a new era, an era of extraordinary sophistication and versatility, which promises to reshape our lives and our world. It is an electronic revolution of sorts, made possible by the marriage of television and computer technologies.

The word “television” , derived from its Greek (tele: distant) and latin (vision: sight) roots, can literally be interpreted as sight from a distance. Very simply put, it works in this way: through a sophisticated system of electronics, television provides the capability of converting an image(focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera) into electronic impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set) , can then be electronically reconstituted into that same image.

Television is more than just an electronic system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings.

The field of television can be divided into two categories determined by its means of transmission. First, there is broadcast television, which reaches the masses through broad-based airwave transmission of television signals. Second, there is non-broadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission techniques.

Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about thirty-seven years in a form similar to what exists today. During those years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major purveyors of news, information, and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not only television but our perception of it as well. We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer.

单选题 With which topic is the passage primarily concerned?
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】文章第一段第一句话就说明电视机是“modern technologies” ， 第三段又说电视新的角色是“more than just an electronic system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings. ” 所以整片文章讲的是如今电视机的角色。
单选题 What is the literal meaning of the word “television” ?
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】文章第二段第一句话“The word “television” , derived from its Greek (tele: distant) and latin (vision: sight) roots, can literally be interpreted as sight from a distance. ” 说明A是正确的， B， C， D都不符合题意。
单选题 Which of the following is not mentioned in the passage as a function of electronics in television transmissions?
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】文章第二段最后一句话“These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set) , can then be electronically reconstituted into that same image. ” 说明传输前和传输后的图片都是一样的， 并没有改变， 所以B不对。
单选题 What field of television is intended for specific groups?
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】文章第四段最后一句话“there is non-broadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups…” 说明答案是C。
单选题 Which of the following statements about the relationship between the television and its viewers can be inferred from the passage?
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】文章最后一段最后一句话“We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer. ” ， passive就是not active。