2015年6月大学英语四级阅读押题

Passage One （预测阅读话题：互联网时代受争议的热点）

California has a new program called the Digital Textbook Initiative. "Starting this fall with high school math and science, we will be the first state in the nation to provide schools with a state-approved list of digital textbooks." That was Governor in June, talking about his effort to get schools to use materials available free online. He listed reasons why he thinks digital textbooks make sense.

California approves traditional textbooks in six-year cycles. Digital ones can offer the latest information. They lighten the load of school bags. They save paper and trees, and make learning more fun and interactive. And above all, he said, they help schools with their finances.

The state has had to make severe cuts in school spending because of deep financial problems. More than six million students attend California public schools.

Earlier this year, California invited content developers to offer digital math and science materials for high schools. These had to meet at least 90% of the state's learning requirements. Specially trained teachers examined 16 textbooks and approved ten of them.

Six of the ten were published by the CK 12 Foundation, a non-profit group that had been developing digital science and math books for about two years. The foundation paid teachers and other education professionals to write and edit them. The money came from a group financed by the Khosla Family.

California cannot require schools to use the digital textbooks. Individual school districts will have to decide for themselves.

Susan Martimo, a California Department of Education official, says she does not expect widespread use right away. Her best guess is that some schools with a lot of technology will be the first to use them, but only in addition to their traditional books.

School administrators point out that the texts may be free online, but students need a way to access them. Not everyone has a computer or electronic reader. Schools could print out copies, but that would not help the environment. Also, there is the cost to train teachers to use digital textbooks effectively.

1. We learn from the passage that the Digital Textbook Initiative _______.
[A] will probably take effect in six years
[B] covers all the high school subjects
[C] has been approved by all states
[D] is advocated by California state governor

2. The main reason for promoting digital textbooks is to _______.
[A] help schools save money
[B] benefit the environment
[C] provide interesting materials
[D] reduce students' heavy burden

3. What does the author say about CK 12 Foundation?
[A] It approved and produced 16 digital textbooks.
[B] It paid teachers to write digital textbooks.
[C] It is financed by California state government.
[D] It makes money through developing digital textbooks.

4. According to Susan Martimo, digital textbooks _______.
[A] are not likely to have a widespread use
[B] will soon replace traditional ones
[C] will first be adopted by well-equipped schools
[D] are certain to be approved by school districts

5. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
[A] Schools are reluctant to print out copies.
[B] The use of digital textbooks is not really free.
[C] Students need to pay for computers.
[D] Training teachers to use the textbooks is not efficient.