THE RISE OF E-BOOKSOVER THE PAST DECADE, E-BOOKS HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED...
BÀI 2: The Rise of E-Books
Over the past decade, e-books have revolutionized the way people consume written information.
It will probably come as no surprise that the total global sales number continues to rise each year.
There are several reasons why readers are buying more e-books. For starters, reading a lengthy e-book
in front of your computer isn't the most comfortable thing to do. But since tablet sales have exploded,
readers can now relax and read their favourite e-books in bed or on the beach. Many e-books are often
sold at lower prices than traditional books. Since there is almost zero cost for producing e-books, some
authors are offering their novels at lower prices.
Another factor is convenience. In the past, keeping a large book collection meant setting aside a lot of
extra space in one's home. With e-books, it is now possible for readers to carry a portable library,
which contains thousands of books. To really understand the e-book market, it is important to keep up
with national trends. Recent data suggests that the e-book markets in the US and the UK have matured.
In both of these countries, e-book sales
account for
roughly 20 percent of overall book sales. Although
that percentage continues to increase, it is going up at a slower rate than in the past. The popularity of
e-books has exploded in Russia. In one poll, 70 percent of Russians claim to have read at least one e-
book. However, publishers are not too pleased with this news because approximately 92 percent of
e-books in Russia are acquired illegally. In France, consumers don't appear to be too keen on e-books
at this time. Although in 2012, e-book sales comprised about 3 percent of the market, it is predicted
that this number will increase at a very slow pace. Some French people believe that reading e-books on
small screens is uncomfortable. Others say that the French are a cultural exception, as
they
like the
feeling of holding a dusty old physical book. This demonstrates that no matter how popular e-books get,
it is unlikely that traditional books will disappear any time soon.
Câu 1:
This year e-book sales in the US and the UK will probably _____.
A.
increase drastically
B.
keep going up
C.
stay the same
D.
start to decline
Câu 2:
Which of the following is NOT a reason why e-books became popular worldwide?
A.
People can now store more books easily.
B.
Reading e-books recently became more comfortable.
C.
Most popular novels are only offered as e-books.
D.
A new type of reading device was invented.
Câu 3:
The phrase "account for" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _____.
A.
know what has happened
B.
are the explanation for
C.
form the total of
D.
are a particular part of
Câu 4:
Why are publishers unhappy about the popularity of e-books in Russia?
A.
The quality of e-books is poor.
B.
Customers are not paying for them.
C.
More people are returning to traditional books.
D.
Only a small percentage of people read e-books.
Câu 5:
The word "they" in paragraph 5 refers to _____.
A.
total sales
B.
e-books
C.
French people
D.
traditional books
Câu 6:
All of the following are the reasons why the French are not fond of e-books very much
EXCEPT that _____.
A.
the French may want to keep their traditional reading habit
B.
the French are an exception, not using any mobile devices
C.
it is considered that reading e-books on small screens is not comfortable
D.
the French have a trend of reading traditional books
Câu 7:
What is the meaning of the last sentence of the passage?
A.
French people will change their minds about e-books.
B.
It is just a matter of time before e-books disappear.
C.
Some people will continue to read traditional books.
D.
E-books won't get popular in France until screens get bigger.