An advance in electronic publishing could make the ebook you are reading seem as dated as a silent film. Publishers hope to explore the growing success of ebooks by releasing versions with added soundtracks and musical accompaniments.
The noises in the first multimedia books- released in Britain on Friday - include rain hitting a window in a Sherlock Holmes tale. When the plot of a book reaches the most exciting part, background scores will create tension. In America, works by Shakespeare and Jane Austen have already been released with music and background noise so that, for example, readers can hear tea cups clinking in Mr. Darcy's garden as they read Pride and Prejudice.
Supporters argue that sound effects are the next logical development for ebooks and will add excitement for younger readers. Critics, however, will argue that the noise will ruin the simple pleasure of having the imagination stimulated by reading.
Caroline Michel, chief executive of the literary agency, said the new generation of computer-literate readers was used to multiple sensory input. She said, “Young people have split computer screens where they may be watching television and replying to an email at the same time. If that's what the market wants then we should respond to the market.”
Booktrack's sound effects work by estimating the user's reading speed. Each time you “turn” a page, the software reassesses where you have reached in the text and times the sounds to switch on accordingly. If the soundtrack becomes out of synch(同步), a click on any word will re-set it.
Some authors fear that a soundtrack could destroy the peace and quiet of libraries and ruin the pleasure of reading. David Nicholls, author of One Day, the bestseller now released as a film, said, “This sounds like the opposite of reading. I have enough trouble reading an ebook because I’m constantly distracted by emails.”
Stuart MacBride, the crime writer whose novel Shatter the Bones was an ebook bestseller, sells 18% of his books as electronic downloads. He said, “If I’m reading, I will do the noise in my head. I don't need someone to tell me what tea cups clinking sounds like. That would irritate me.”
8. What's the passage mainly about?
A. Opinions about ebooks with soundtracks.
B. Response to the need of the book market.
C. Reasons for traditional ebooks becoming outdated.
D. Suggestions on encouraging readers' imagination.
9. What do publishers expect an ebook soundtrack to do?
A. Help to release an ebook as a film.
B. Help readers improve reading speed.
C. Add tension at a book's exciting point.
D. Get readers familiar with the background.
10. Who is in favour of added soundtracks for ebooks?
A. Mr. Darcy. B. Caroline Michel.
C. David Nicholls. D. Stuart MacBride.
11. What do we know about Stuart MacBride?
A. He was a person who was easy to get angry.
B. He knew a great deal about tea and tea culture.
C. Eighty-two percent of his books described crime.
D. He imagined sounds related to the story when reading.
【答案】8. A    9. C    10. B    11. D
【解析】
这是一篇议论文。文章说明了出版商希望通过发行带有附加音轨和音乐伴奏版本的电子书，支持者认为，声音效果是电子书的下一个合乎逻辑的发展，并将增加年轻读者的兴奋。然而，批评家会争辩说，噪音会破坏阅读所激发的想象的简单乐趣。文章介绍了不同的人对此的看法。
【8题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第三段Supporters argue that sound effects are the next logical development for ebooks and will add excitement for younger readers. Critics, however, will argue that the noise will ruin the simple pleasure of having the imagination stimulated by reading.可知支持者认为，声音效果是电子书的下一个合乎逻辑的发展，并将增加年轻读者的兴奋。然而，批评家会争辩说，噪音会破坏阅读所激发的想象的简单乐趣。结合文章说明了出版商希望通过发行带有附加音轨和音乐伴奏版本的电子书，支持者认为，声音效果是电子书的下一个合乎逻辑的发展，并将增加年轻读者的兴奋。然而，批评家会争辩说，噪音会破坏阅读所激发的想象的简单乐趣。文章介绍了不同的人对此的看法。由此可知，这篇文章主要讲了对带有配乐的电子书的看法。故选A。
【9题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中When the plot of a book reaches the most exciting part, background scores will create tension.可知当书的情节发展到最激动人心的部分时，背景的得分会制造紧张感。由此可知，出版商希望一个电子书原声带在书中令人兴奋的地方增加紧张感。故选C。
【10题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段中Caroline Michel, chief executive of the literary agency, said the new generation of computer-literate readers was used to multiple sensory input.可知这家文学机构的首席执行官Caroline Michel表示，新一代懂电脑的读者习惯于多重感官输入。以及If that's what the market wants then we should respond to the market.可知如果这是市场想要的，那么我们应该对市场作出反应。由此可推知，Caroline Michel支持为电子书添加配乐。故选B。
【11题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段中He said, “If I’m reading, I will do the noise in my head. I don't need someone to tell me what tea cups clinking sounds like. That would irritate me.”可知他说：“如果我在看书，我会在脑子里制造响声。我不需要有人告诉我茶杯叮当的声音是什么样的。那会激怒我的。”由此可知，Stuart MacBride在阅读时想象与故事有关的声音。故选D。