B
Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergency alert(警报) system using text messages delivered to cell phones.
Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry’s trade association, CTIA, estimates(估计) more than 48 billion text messages are sent each month.
The plan comes from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires improvement to the nation’s emergency alert system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.
“The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families before, and during, disasters and other emergencies,” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.
Participation in the alert system by carriers—telecommunications companies—is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.
The program would be optional for cell phone users. They also may not be charged for receiving alerts.
There would be three different types of messages, according to the rules.
The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve “approaching threats,” which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction(绑架) emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.
The service could be in place by 2010.
【文章大意】本文是一篇新闻类文章。美国联邦政府打算利用手机短信免费为公众进行信息警报，这非常是快捷、有效的方式，并即将成为可能。
61. What is the purpose of the approved plan?
   A. To warn people of emergencies via messages.
   B. To popularize the use of cell phones.
   C. To estimate the monthly number of messages.
   D. To promote the wireless industry.
【答案解析】答案为A。细节理解题。根据文章第一段to create a nationwide emergency alert(警报) system using text messages delivered to cell phones.一句可知。选项B、C、D属于与本题无关的信息。
【备考策略】利用关键词the purpose可以在文中找到以不定式做目的状语的相关内容。
62. The improvement to the present system is in the charge of ______.
   A. CTIA B. THE Warning Alert and Response Network
   C. FCC D. federal regulators
【答案解析】答案为C。细节理解题。根据文章第三段中The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)一句可知答案。其中task为动词，也是本题的关键词所在。
63. The carriers’ participation in the system is determined by ______.
   A. the US federal government
   B. mobile phone users

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