A
I’m a reporter. Last month I was in Stockholm, Sweden.Now I’m in Frankfurt, Germany. Next month, who knows?
You certainly won’t believe that I can call you from my laptop, which is what I’m often doing these days using something called Skype.
Skype lets me call any phone number anywhere in the world for about 2 cents a minute, a little more to some places, such as the Middle East and Asia. My computer does the dialing, and the processing of incoming and outgoing voices. All you need is a broadband connection(宽带连接). With the basic version of Skype, all anyone needs to make or receive a call is to install the programme on his or her computer (and that includes personal digital assistants). All calls from PC to PC are free.
You don’t even need a pair of headphones, though headphones can be a good idea if you wish to be discreet. I use my laptop’s built-in microphone.
The paid service for calling regular telephones is called SkypeOut. The quality is completely clear, provided that there’s not too much traffic on the Internet. If there’s an echo, hang up and try again, and it usually gets better. There is one warning: on some computers, especially those running older versions of Windows, it doesn’t always work, or can sound like a confusing conversation. You can’t hear a thing.
Skype was invented chiefly by a Swede named Niklas Zennstrom along with a group of programmers in Estonia.
1. From the first two paragraphs we can learn the following things about the author EXCEPT that .
A. he has never communicated with others before using Skype
B. he often makes calls using Skype
C. he often has to go from place to place
D. he doesn’t know where he will be next month
解析：细节理解题。前两段叙述作者使用Skype打电话,经常出差,所以A项与作者的信息不符,故选A。
答案：A
2. What should you do if you want to make a Skype call?
A. Install the Skype programme.
B. Install the Skype programme and have a broadband connection.
C. Have a laptop.
D. Be a foreign reporter.
解析：细节理解题。从“All you need is a broadband connection. With the basic version of Skype, all anyone needs to make or receive a call is to install the programme on his or her computer (and that includes personal digital assistants).” 可知,需安装Skype和宽带连接,故选B。
答案：B
3. What does the underlined word “discreet” in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. Official. B. Careful.
C. Public. D. Informal.
解析：词义猜测题。上文提示:你不需要耳机,尽管需要谨慎(不泄露秘密)时有耳机不错。所以此处是指“小心谨慎的(不泄露秘密)”,故选B。
答案：B
