Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, made his first public appearance since going on medical leave six weeks ago, taking the stage at a San Francisco media event to introduce the iPad 2, the second generation of the company's tablet computer. Thin but energetic, Mr. Jobs showed off a thinner iPad. " We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss this day," he said. His absence has concerned investors, especially since the group has given no details of his condition. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and had a liver transplant during almost six moths of medical leave in 2009. People close to him said last month his health had been changing. Apple's stock rose more than 2 percent in the minutes after Mr. Jobs began speaking, then gave up some of its gain as he detailed the iPad 2. The iPad 2 will go on sale in black and white versions in the US on March 11 and in 26 other countries, including the UK and Germany, on March 25. The table is Apple's biggest product launch since the iPhone three years ago, and is comparable to the iPhone as the most expected in Apple's history. Most of the improvements in the latest version had been expected, including front and rear-facing video, which allows video conferencing between iPads, Mac computers and the most recent iPhones and iPods, a larger speaker, a faster processor and other upgrades. The iPad 2 is one-third thinner than the original tablet and slightly lighter, with a 9.7-inch touchscreen. It can run movies, books, games and a complete range of applications. In the US it will work with AT&T and Verizon, the top two mobile carriers. The pricing will be the same to the 2010 iPad at its introduction, ranging from $499 to $829 in six models. But Apple dropped prices on the older iPad on Wednesday by $100 across the board. Apple has made the most of its year-long head start in tablets, selling 15,000,000 units of the older iPad last year and taking about 85 percent of the market. Forrester predicted that the iPad 2 would clain 80... Why are the investors of Apple worried according to the text? A) Apple's stock price changes a lot B) Steve Jobs' health condition is not stable C) The iPad 2 has some technical drawbacks D) Apple faces strong competition from other companies.
B
Tony Burke, Australia's environment minister, says he won't decide until next year whether the koala should be protected as an endangered species. He was expected to make his decision by the end of October. But that decision has been put off. Burke said he needed more time to go over the latest information about the koala's population. In September, an Australian Senate committee reported that there was no question the koala's population is on the decrease. "But they may not yet be eligible for listing as a threatened species," said Senator Doug Cameron. "To have such a significant Australian icon included on the threatened species list would be a national shame." The koala is found only in the eucalyptus forests of Australia. And its population is reported to have fallen sharply for many reasons, including the cutting down of forests to make way for human beings' development, their own illness, climate change and killings by other animals such as wild dogs. And every year many koalas are hit by cars as they are trying to cross the busy roads. Putting off the decision on protection for the koala "is really bad news," said Debbie Pointing, the president of the Koala Action Group. "We've worked tirelessly for many years to gather data on the populations," Pointing said. "That data should be enough to make a decision." However, Burke pointed out that the Australian government had spent at least $6.3 million on koala conservation efforts since 1996. senators listed efforts that are already underway in Queensland - the construction of special koala bridges as well as fences along roads, to keep the animals out of harm's way. Some people say that is not enough. "What we're doing at the moment is likely to drive this species to extinction," Queensland University zoologist Bill Ellis said. "Koalas are an iconic Australian animal," Burke told Australians. "They hold a special place in the hearts of Australians." But it is a fact that if more isn't done to protect the koala, they might soon hold a place only in... It can be learned from the text that Tony Burke _ . A) decided to construct more fences along roads B) called on Australians to take care of the koala C) thought the government has done much for koalas D) was optimistic about the koalas' future
C
(Q).
A husband-and-wife team from California reached the Pacific Ocean after a 4,900-mile cross-country walk, becoming the first to backpack the American Discovery Trail in one continuous walk. Marcia and Ken Powers,of Pleasanton,started the travel across 13 states,through 14 national parks and 16 national forests on Feb.27 from Cape Henlopen in Delaware.Nearly eight months later,the excited couple walked through water into the Pacific Ocean at Point Reyes,a day ahead of time. "We are a little sad that a great adventure is over.It was a fantastic adventure.And now we go home and just de housework.It's really sad."Marcia,who said she's in her 50s,and her 60-year-old husband _ cities,deserts,mountains and farmland before reaching the Pacific alone with arms around each other's backpacks. They overcame deep snow in the East,a quicksand in Utah,close lightning strikes in the Midwest and strong desert sandstorms in the West while averaging 22 miles a day and taking only four days off.But they enjoyed the French history of St Louis,the beauty of the Colorado Rockies and the kindness of strangers they met along the way. They particularly remember two brothers--a doctor and dentist--who put them up in their homes around Chester,Ill.,after terrible days,and a motorcyclist who gave them water after they failed to find any on Utah's lonely Wah Wah Desert. "Americans are truly warm-hearted and wonderful people."Marcia Powers said."We got to meet people that we would never meet in our daily living at home.We got to touch it with our feet and hands and smell all its scents and hear its wildlife.It's an amazing country,"she added. Which one of the following will be the best tide for the text? A) A couple finished a 4,900-mile walk across America B) A long and hard walk across America C) An old couple reached the Pacific Ocean D) An old couple enjoyed Americafor eight months
(A).
A