D

Without most people realizing it, there has been revolution in office work over the last ten years. Before that time, large computers were only used by large rich companies that could afford the investment. With the advancement of technology, small computers have come onto the market which are capable of doing the work which used to be done by much larger and expensive computers, so now most smaller companies can use them.

 The main development in small computers has been in the field of word processor system, or WPS as they are often called. 40% of British offices are now estimated to have a word processor and this percentage is growing fast.

 There are many advantages in using a word processor for both secretary and manager. The secretary is freed from a lot of daily work, such as retyping letters and storing papers. He or she can use this time to do other more interesting work for the boss. From a manager's point of view, secretarial time is being made better use of and money can be saved by doing daily jobs automatically outside office hours. 

 But is it all good? If a lot of daily secretarial work can be done automatically, surely this will mean that fewer secretaries will be needed. Another worry is the increasing medical problems related to work with visual display units (显示器). The unease of a slow loss of sight among people using word processors seems to have risen greatly. It is also feared that if a woman works at a VDU for long hours, the unborn child in her body might be killed. Safety screens to put over a VDU have been invented but few companies in England bother to buy them. 

Whatever the arguments for and against word processors, they are a key feature of this revolution in office practice. 

43. Ten years ago, large computers were only used by large companies because _________.    

A. small companies did not have enough money to buy such expensive computers

B. large computers could not do the work that small companies can do today

C. large computers did not come onto the market

D. small companies did not need to use this new technology 

44. According to the writer, the main progress made in office work over the last ten years is ________.

A. the saving of time and money    B. the use of computers in big companies

C. the wide use of word processors    D. the decreasing number of secretaries 

45 We can infer from the passage that with the use of word processors, _________.

A. some secretaries will lose their jobs

B. all jobs can be done automatically outside office hours

C. medical problems related to work with a VDU must have increased

D. the British companies will make less money 

46. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. There are both advantages and disadvantages in using a word processor.

B. The British companies care much for the health of the people using word processors.

   C. The technology in the field of computers has been greatly advanced over the last ten years.

   D. Using word processors, secretaries can get more time to do more interesting work for their bosses. 
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