Microchip Research Center Created

　　A research center has been set up in this Far Eastern country to develop advanced micro-chip production technology. The center, which will start out with about US $14 million, will help the country develop its chip industry without always depending on imported technology.
　　The center will make use of its research skills and facilities to develop new technology for domestic chip plants. The advent of the center will possibly free the country from the situation that it is always buying almost-outdated technologies from other countries, said the country’s flagship chipmaker.1 Currently, chip plants in this country are in a passive situation because many foreign governments don’t allow them to import the most advanced technologies, fearing they will be used for military purposes. Moreover, the high licensing fees they have to pay to technology providers are also an important reason for their decision of self-reliance2.
　　As mainstream chip production technology shifts from one generation to the next every three to five years3,plants with new technology can make more powerful chips at lower costs, while4 plants with outdated equipment, which often cost billions of dollars to build, will be marginalized by the maker.
　　More than 10 chip plants are being built, each costing millions of US dollars.5 The majority of that money goes to overseas equipment vendors and technology owners — mainly from Japan and Singapore. Should the new center play a major role in improving the situation in the industry,6 the country admits the US $14 million investment is still rather small. This country is developing comprehensive technologies. Most of the investment will be spent on setting alliances with technology and intellectual property7 owners.
　　练习：
　　1．The country says that the investment of US $14 million is big enough for developing that country’s chip industry.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　2．That country gives top priorities to developing chips for military purposes.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　3．Although the licensing fees are not very high, that Far Eastern country cannot afford to pay.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　4．Many western countries ban the exporting of the most advanced chip-making technologies to that country to prevent them from being used for military purposes.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　5．Currently, almost all the flagship chipmakers in that country are owned by American investors.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　6．Mainstream chip production technology develop rapidly.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　7．More than 10 chip plants being built in that country are an example of self-reliance.
　　A　Right　　B　Wrong　　C　Not mentioned
　　答案与题解：
　　1．B　本题给出的信息是错误的。最后一段说到，如果新建的芯片中心能在改善该国在芯片行业的被动形势中起重要作用，该国认为：“... the US $14 million investment is still rather small”。
　　2．C　文章没有提供这方面的信息。
　　3．B　文章提到专利费较高，此句说较低，与原意不符。
　　4．A　本题给出的信息是正确的。第二段有这样一句话：Currently, chip plants in this country are in a passive situation because many foreign governments don’t allow them to import the most advanced technologies, fearing they will be used for military purposes.这就是选A的依据。
　　5．C　文章没有提供这方面的信息。
　　6．A　选A的依据是第三段第一句：... mainstream chip production technology shifts from one generation to the next every three to five years ...
　　7．B　本题给出的信息是错误的。第四段第二句说明，这些芯片工厂的技术主要是从日本和新加坡进口的。