READING COMPREHENSION (1 PT)READ THE PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE BEST AN...

2. READING COMPREHENSION (1 pt)

Read the passage and choose the best answer for each question below.

MOBILE PHONES: Are they about to transform our lives?

We love them so much that some of us sleep with them under the pillow, yet we are increasingly

concerned that we cannot escape their electronic reach. We use them to convey our most intimate

secrets, yet we worry that they are a threat to our privacy. We rely on them more than the Internet to

cope with modern life, yet many of us don’t believe advertisements saying we need more advanced

services.

Sweeping aside the doubts that many people feel about the benefits of new third generations

phones and fears over the health effects of phone masts, a recent report claims that the long-term

effects of new mobile technologies will be entirely positive so long as the public can be convinced

to make use of them. Research about users of mobile phones reveals that the mobile has already

moved beyond being a mere practical. communications tool to become the backbone of modern

social life, from love affairs to friendship to work.

The close relationship between user and phone is most pronounced among teenagers, the report

says, who regard their mobiles as an expression of their identity. This is partly because mobiles are

seen as being beyond the control of parents. But the researchers suggest that another reason may be

that mobiles, especially text messaging was seen as a way of overcoming shyness. The impact of

phones, however, has been local rather than global, supporting existing friendship and networks,

rather than opening users to a new broader community. Even the language of texting in one area can

be incomprehensible to anybody from another area.

Among the most important benefits of using mobiles phones, the report claims, will be a vastly

improved mobile infrastructure, providing gains throughout the economy, and the provision of a

more sophisticated location-based services for users. The report calls on government to put more

effort into the delivery of services by mobile phone, with suggestion including public transport and

traffic information and doctors’ text messages to remind patients of appointments. There are many

possibilities. At a recent trade fair in Sweden, a mobile navigation product was launched. When the

user enters a destination, a route is automatically downloaded to their mobile and presented by

voices, pictures and maps as they drive. In future, these devices will also be able to plan around

congestion and road works in real time. Third generation phones will also allow for remote

monitoring of patients by doctors. In Britain scientists are developing an asthma management

solution using mobiles to detect early signs of an attack.

Mobile phones can be used in education. A group of teachers in Britain use third generation

phones to provide fast internet service to children who live beyond the reach of terrestrial broadband

services and can have no access to online information. ‘As the new generation of mobile

technologies takes off, the social potential of the vastly increase,’ the report argues.