Question

We know a lot about the advantages and disadvantages of reading a hard-copy book vs reading electronically. The problem is, many of us refuse to listen.

Don’t get me wrong: Digital reading has some real advantages. Ask people what they like most about reading on digital screens, and you hear over and again about convenience. More points for digital reading: e-books tend to be cheaper. There’s also the environmental argument. Think of the trees!

Yet the soundness of this case is arguable. The earth metals to build e-readers are not just rare but highly poisonous. And think about all that energy needed to run servers and cooling fans. And remember, trees are a renewable resource.

Then, there’s the appeal of a hard copy. Many people prefer print when reading both for pleasure and for school or work. Drawing examples from my own research, some of the reasons arc aesthetic(美學(xué)的). Others involve a sense of accomplishment, ease of annotation (“I can write on the pages”), and navigation (“easy to locate where I was”). Meanwhile, I hear abundant complaints about eye strain(干澀) and headaches when using screens.

Much of what students liked about reading print involved their minds. They say “it’s easier to focus.” Some also acknowledged they took more time with printed text and read more carefully.

But what makes the failure of electronic reading is concentration. More than 92 percent of those I surveyed said they concentrate best when reading a hard copy. When a digital device has an Internet connection, it’s hard to resist the temptation(誘惑).

So if digital interruptions don’t threaten your enjoyment or understanding of a text, then medium may not matter. Casual reading like David Baldacci? If you break to check sports scores, little harm done. But just don’t expect to understand Joyce’s novels this way.

1.What is an advantage of reading a hard-copy book?

A. It is cheaper. B. It is easier to carry around.

C. It helps people think deeper. D. It provides instant information.

2.What's the biggest problem of reading digitally?

A. Environmental concern. B. Physical discomfort.

C. Concentration. D. Internet connection.

3.What’s the author’s attitude towards e-reading?

A. Supportive. B. Disapproving. C. Optimistic. D. Unconcerned.

4.How is the passage mainly developed?

A. By analyzing possible reasons. B. By providing typical examples.

C. By listing practical suggestions. D. By presenting direct comparisons.

Answer 1