Apple’s newest product, the iPad Mini, is a downsized brother of the 100-million selling iPad product line. I think if Steve Jobs were still around, this product wouldn’t exist (存在). He was strongly against a device (装置) this size. The technical details of the device may shake Apple’s fans, and leave Android fans pleased. Here are four reasons you should not buy this new piece of Apple hardware.

The Resolution (分辨率)

The iPad Mini is a thin, beautiful piece. Visit the official iPad Mini product page, and you’ll see it said to be “Every Inch An iPad.” Unfortunately the 7.9″ screen’s 1024 x 768 resolution is the same as the iPad 2 — a device now two generations (代) old. I find it funny that Apple is pushing their Retina technology, while at the same time producing an iPad Mini with a lower resolution. Newcomers to the iPad will not be impressed, and existing iPad owners probably will not choose to buy the iPad Mini as a second device.

The Price

Apple asks for $329 for an iPad Mini. However, Google’s Nexus 7 is priced at $249, and the search giant includes a $25 voucher (优惠券). It used to be enough for Apple to pull back the curtain on a new product to cause praise, but now the fierce competition has led to dirty marketing.

The Short Life Cycle

Apple has now proved they have no problem introducing a new revision (修订) of their products every six months. With the 4th generation iPad available (可以得到的) soon, it’s nothing less than a slap in the face to Apple fans. We should expect a similar treatment of the iPad Mini. By summer 2013, expect Apple to roll out an iPad Mini 2.

The A 5 Chip (芯片)

This is the same chip powering the iPad 2 — a device now two generations old — and the iPod Touch. Apple is a brilliant technology company. Some may call them a lifestyle company. The iPad is worth every bit of praise and success it has gained so far. But this time, Apple didn’t come up with a new and clever product.

53.What would happen if Steve Jobs were still alive?

A. Apple wouldn’t produce the iPad Mini.

B. He would make the iPad Mini more popular.

C. Android fans would be happy for the new product.

D. The technical details of the iPad Mini would be better.

54.Which of the follwing is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The resolution of the iPad Mini is high enough.

B. Using too many electronic devices is bad for health.

C. Google has similar products with a higher price.

D. The newest iPad Mini will go out of date very soon.

55. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The failure of Apple.

B. An introduction of an iPad Mini.

C. Reasons one shouldn’t buy an iPad Mini.

D. The advantages and disadvantages of an iPad Mini.

56.What can you infer about the author’s attitude?

A. The author admires Steve Jobs very much.

B. The author isn’t much of a fan of the iPad Mini.

C. The author thinks Apple isn’t as good as Google.

D. The author considers all Apple products useless.

Jay Kohl, an American student, posted an online advertisement two weeks ago searching for a Chinese family to stay with so that he can learn the language and culture.
“I’m a clean, non-smoking, and warm-hearted American man looking for a homestay in the Wudaokou area to improve my Chinese language skills,” he wrote. “I’m willing to offer help with English tutoring(家教) and even can help you with applying to foreign universities.”
He still hasn’t found a suitable home.
“Most of the families that contacted me seem to be interested in doing business instead of cultural exchange,” he said. “I think I might have to rent an apartment in the end.”
Kohl isn’t the only foreigner finding it difficult to find a homestay in Beijing. Michael Benson, who wants to come to Beijing in September, has also faced the same problems.
Why is finding a homestay family so difficult? Beijing Today consulted a Chinese teacher, Jessie Xi, who has been teaching foreign students at the University of International Business and Economics for more than six years.
Xi has accepted many homestays, and from her own experience and what she’s been told, she said there were four major problems visitors may meet when applying for homestays.
Problem 1: Having too high expectation for language improvement.
Problem 2: Considering oneself as a guest instead of a family member.
Problem 3: Not making clear what a family’s rules are beforehand.
Problem 4: Overly(过分) high demands for the living environment.
【小题1】Kohl wanted to look for a homestay in China because he ________.

An American writer, Mr Green once(曾经) said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” It is true that everybody talks about the weather. Many people begin their talks by saying, “Isn’t it a nice day?” “Do you think it will rain?” “I think it’s going to snow.”
Many people think they can tell what the weather is going to be like. But sometimes they don’t agree with each other. One man may say, “Do you see how cloudy it is in the east? It’s going to rain tomorrow.” Another man will say, “No, it’s going to be fine tomorrow.”
People often look for the weather they want. When a farmer needs water, he looks for something to tell him it’s going to rain, and he doesn’t look for anything else. When friends have a picnic, they hope the weather is going to be fine and they can sit eating their lunch under the blue sky.
Almost everyone listens to what the weatherman says. But he doesn’t always tell us what we want, and sometimes he makes a mistake. Still, he is right most of the time.
【小题1】People often begin their talk by ______.