The most common machine is the type used in residences. If you call a home where there is a telephone answering machine in operation you will hear several rings and then a recorded message that usually says something like this: “ Hello. We can't come to the phone right now. If you want us to call you back, please leave your name and number after the beep. ” Then you will hear a “ beep, ” which is a brief, high-pitched tone. After the beep, you can say who you are, whom you want to speak to, and what number the person should call to reach you, or you can leave a message. Some telephone answering machines record for only 20 or 30 seconds after the beep, so you must respond quickly.

Some large businesses and government agencies are using telephone answering machines to provide information on topics about which they receive a large volume of inquires. Using these systems requires you to have a touch-tone phone(a phone with buttons rather than a rotary dial). The voice on the machine will tell you to push a certain button on your telephone if you want information on Topic A, another button for Topic B, and so on. You listen until you hear the topic you want to learn about, and then you push the appropriate button. After making your selection, you will hear a recorded message on the topic.

48.In the passage, the writer elaborates on ______.

A. the problems of telephone answering machines

B. the beep of the telephone answering machines

C. touch-tone phones

D. how to use telephone answering machines

49. “ Beep ” is a brief, high-pitched tone used ______.

A. to urge the caller to speak more quickly

B. to urge the caller to respond quickly

C. as a signal to remind the caller of the time left

D. as a signal to remind the caller that he may leave a message

50.Which of the following would be the best title of this passage?

A. Directions of Telephone Answering Machines

B. Advantages of Telephone Answering Machines

C. Know-how of Telephone Answering Machines

D. Problems of Telephone Answering Machines

PART TWO   (30 POINTS)

Ⅳ .WORD FORMATIONS

Complete each of the following sentences with the proper form of the word in the brackets. Write your answers on the ANSWER SHEET.(10 points, 1 point each)

51.(short)      The drop in the birth rate 20 years ago has created a severe ______ of workers.

52.(strong)     Fresh evidence has greatly ______ the case against him.

53.(grow)      The US portion of the Internet is experiencing rapid ______ in the number of networks connected to it.

54.(courage)    I want to thank everyone who has ______ and supported me.

55.(increase)   As resources become______ scarce, choices have to be made and priorities set.