C

Picture a library without books? Well, I can’t. Ever since I was little I would go to the library and take out numerous books. From picture books to beginning chapter books to YA books, books have always been a part of my life. Unlike many people today, I don't own a Kindle or a Nook or any type of e-reader. I prefer the old-fashioned book. There is something about holding a book and being able to turn the pages that I find comforting. In today's 21st century, books may become obsolete. For me that's something I find scary.

    I am a fan of the old TV science-fiction series Twilight Zone. One episode（一段情节）is about a librarian who has become obsolete. Though this episode aired in 1961, the writer of the series, Rod Serling was exactly on point when it came to predicting the future. 

    In fact, in San Antonio, Texas the first-ever bookless library in the country opened. The library is full of iMacs, tablets and iPads which cost a huge $2.3 million. The library offers around 10,000 e-books. So the question is, is this what the future will soon be? Mary Graham, vice president of South Carolina's Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce states, "This is the future…If you're going to be building new library facilities, this is what you need to be doing."

    It is our generation that will be the guinea pigs（试验品）of increasing technology like this. Is this a good or bad thing? Well, digital libraries may help the environment by not using paper; however, I feel like something will always be lacking with a digital book. A digital library is just the beginning.

    With all of this new technology, people seem to be more absorbed in their own world. One of my biggest complaints is when I am with my friends and they can't seem to get off their smart phone and talk to me. To make plans with a friend and then have them stuck on their phone the whole time is extremely rude. Not only is it disrespectful, but it reflects the direction of where human interactions are heading. Though social media is great, it also is addicting and has negative effects.

    Often when I go on Facebook it just makes me feel worse about myself. I'll see many of my 800 Facebook friends showing off their newest accomplishment or acceptance to college. Additionally, our society is becoming increasingly lazy. For instance, instead of doing mental math, people use their phone to solve 89 + 74. It is simple tasks like these that are allowing people to lack important educational and social skills. 

    It is up to us to find a balance between technology and human values and interactions. With new technology being created every day, we need to learn how to use it alongside our great minds. After all, inventions are supposed to benefit society not harm it. In the day of technology, who knows what's next?

50. The underlined word "obsolete" (Paragraph l) is closest in meaning to           .

A. outdated        B. complex       C. expensive   D. meaningless

51. What can we infer from the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2?

A. The episode still enjoys great popularity nowadays.

B. Rod Serling liked making predictions about the future.

C. The situation of books today is similar to what Rod Serling predicted in the episode.

D. The episode airing in 1961 was the most entertaining of the TV science-fiction series.

52. What can we learn about the library in San Antonio, Texas?

A. It is the first-ever library in America.

B. It is of no practical use although it costs so much.

C. It holds an exhibition of much electronic equipment.

D. People can read e-books there with the help of the new facilities.

53. Which of the following will the writer probably disagree with?

A. Great as social media is, it does have some negative effects. 

B. With the increasing use of social media, something will actually be lost. 

C. Through social media, people can develop educational and social skills around. 

D. As a result of social media, people may communicate less with the people around. 

54．The tone of the passage is best described as           .

A. Optimistic      B. Skeptical       C. Supportive      D. Objective
英语学习  http://www.yggk.net/english/