Directions: This task is the same as Task 1. The 5 questions or unfinished statements are numbered 41 through 45.

　　Broadband technology is seen as the key to the new digital economy.

　　In this rapidly changing world, media and technology information Can be sent via phone calls and downloads like music, graphics, business information or films.

　　The simpler the information, the smaller the package and the narrower the bandwidth needed to deliver it.

　　Broadband is used for high speed Internet connections at a fixed monthly rate. It turns an exciting telephone line into a high speed digital line capable of carrying data up to 40 times conventional modem speeds.

　　Any download is available at the click of a mouse-there is no dial-up as there is with standard Internet Service Providers.

　　For home owners and families there are many advantages. One of the most important is simultaneous (同时的)access to both telephone lines and the Internet. No queses and no delay.

　　For businesses, broadband can impove customer relations and provide direct access to corporate e-malls and databases. Entire operations can go online.

　　41. The function that broadband technology has on the new digital economy is ________.

　　A) further

　　B) critical

　　C) costly

　　D) global

　　42. How much does a user pay if he has broadband technology installed?

　　A) It depends On the length of time.

　　B) It depends on the times of dial-up.

　　C) He pays at a fixed monthly rate.

　　D) He pays a lot of money.

　　43. Compared with the modem speed the broadband technology can transmit data ________.

　　A) at up to forty times of ordinary speed

　　B) much more faster

　　C) at a high speed

　　D) within a second

　　44. Who can take advantage of the broadband technology according to the passage?

　　A) Family members.

　　B) College students.

　　C) Both home owners and businessmen.

　　D) Only businessmen and their partners.

　　45. With the broadband technology companies can have all their operations done

　　A) during the work days.

　　B) during the whole week

　　C) online

　　D) offline

　　答案及精解

　　41.【答案精解】B。推理题。从文中Broadband technology is seen as the key to the new digital economy.宽带技术被看作新数字经济的关键所在。可推断出宽带技术在新数字经济中发挥了至关重要的作用。

　　42.【答案精解】C。细节题。从文章第三段句首Broadband is used for high speed Internet connections at a fixed monthly rate可以得出，使用者每月所付宽带费是固定的，即at a fixed monthly rate。

　　43.【答案精解】A。细节题。从文章中...capable of carrying data up to 40 times conventional modem speeds得知新的传播方式是通常的四十倍。

　　44.【答案精解】C。推理题。文章倒数第二段介绍了宽带对家庭的好处，而文章倒数第一段介绍了宽带对商务的好处，从而可以推出宽带对家庭用户和商务用户都有利。

　　45.【答案精解】C。细节题。从文章最后一句Entire operations Can go online“整个操作都可在网上进行”一句即可得出答案。