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Apple Unveil iCloud Service 苹果首次发表iCloud云端服务

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Apple Unveil iCloud Service     苹果首次发表iCloud云端服务

Apple Inc. made a breakthrough with its iCloud music storage service in early June, when the company announced it had signed deals with major record companies such as Warner Music Group Corp., Sony Music Entertainment, and EMI Group Ltd. The iCloud software will find music stored on a user’s hard drive and give the user instant access to a copy of that file stored on a remote server. The user will then be able to listen to that song on any compatible device, such as a smart phone or tablet PC, without having to transfer the file to the device manually. The service will also work with pictures, videos, and other digital files.

六月上旬，苹果公司在音乐储存的云端服务方面有了突破，同时宣布已和大型唱片公司签约，像是华纳音乐集团公司、索尼音乐娱乐及EMI百代集团有限公司。云端软件会搜寻用户硬盘上储存的音乐，并让用户立即有权使用储存于远程服务器上同一首歌的音乐档案，然后用户无需手动将该文件传输至相关装置，便能从任何兼容的装置聆听该首歌曲，例如智能型手机或平板计算机。这项服务未来也适用于图片、影片及其它数字档案。

The iCloud service differs from similar services offered by Google and Amazon, as they require users to manually upload their music libraries to the remote server. Services such as iCloud will likely change the way people access music for years to come.

iCloud云端服务和谷歌及亚马逊提供的类似性质服务不同的是，谷歌及亚马逊的使用者必需手动上传音乐数据库至远程服务器。而像iCloud这样的服务，很可能会改变未来几年内人们存取音乐的方式。

High-Speed Rail Line Threatened    台湾高铁危机

After less than four years in operation, Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) is already facing a threat that could render it unusable within a decade. The earth beneath the line has been found to be sinking, according to the Public Construction Commission. The reason behind this is that groundwater beneath one section of the line in Yunlin County is being drained for agriculture. Experts say that if the problem is not kept in check, the HSR could operate safely for ten more years at most.

在不到四年的营运之后，台湾高速铁路已经面临可能于十年内停驶的危机。行政院公共工程委员会发现铁路线之下的地层已开始下陷，造成此现象的原因是云林县内一区段的地下水因农作需要而被不断抽取。专家表示若此问题没加以控制，高铁顶多只能再安全营运十几年。

In mid-June, the government held a special meeting to discuss the problem and potential solutions. One option was imposing weight limits on one section of the line in Yunlin County to keep that part of the track from sinking even more. If it does continue to sink, trains may also have to slow down in certain areas.

六月中旬，政府召开了一个特别会议来讨论此问题及可能的解决方法。其中一个办法是，在云林县的路段施行重量管制，以防此路段的轨道下陷得更严重。如果轨道仍继续下陷，列车可能也需在某些特定地区减速。

－End

Vocabulary

单词发音

breakthrough [ˋbrek͵θru] n. 突破性進展

Inc.  incorporated [ɪnˋkɔrpə͵retɪd] adj. 法人（公司）组织的 

Corp. corporation n. 股份（有限）公司

Ltd. limited adj. （公司）有限的

access [ˋæksɛs] n. 使用

compatible [kəmˋpætəb!] adj.【電腦】相容的

render [ˋrɛndɚ] v. 使得，使成為

unusable [͵ʌnˋjuzəb!] adj. 不能再用的；廢舊不堪的

drain [dren] v. 排出（液體）；使流出

agriculture [ˋægrɪ͵kʌltʃɚ] n. 農業

keep in check 阻止; 抑制

at most 至多 no more than the amount mentioned

potential [pəˋtɛnʃəl] adj. 可能的

option [ˋɑpʃən] n. 選擇

impose [ɪmˋpoz] v. 加（負擔等）於

Reading Questions

Apple Unveil iCloud Service

1.   Which of the following is the best description of the iCloud service?

(A)  It is a new way to store music.

(B)  It is a computer program that allows musicians to make music.

(C)  It is a better way to listen to music.

(D)  It is a way for musicians to protect the copyright of their songs.

2.   How is the iCloud service different from the similar services offered by Google and Amazon?

(A)  iCloud doesn’t require users to put their songs on a server themselves.

(B)  iCloud much slower than the Amazon and Google services.

(C)  The fees for using iCloud are much higher.

(D)  The Amazon and Google services are easier to operate.

High-Speed Rail Line Threatened

1.    What is the main problem with the High Speed Rail Line?

(A)  Its tracks must be replaced after 10 years.

(B)  People living around it are protesting its operation.

(C)  it is currently carrying too many passengers per day.

(D)  Groundwater below it is being used too quickly.

2.    Which of these is NOT a possible solution to the HSR problem?

(A)  The government can hold several special meetings.

(B)  Farmers can use fewer natural resources.

(C)  The trains can drive more slowly in some areas.

(D)  Officials can impose weight controls on one section

Apple iCloud Complete Overview and Demo

Answer

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