英语听力精选进阶版 7273（在线收听）

短信问世整整二十年了。1992年12月3日，一位工程师通过沃达丰的英国通信网从一台电脑上向一部手机成功地发出了“圣诞快乐”这一划时代的短信。如今，各种手机之间的短信往来已经司空见惯几乎人人都在使用。

When Neil Papworth sent the first text message from his computer to a colleague's mobile phone on the 3rd of December 20 years ago, he didn't wait for a response. In those days it wasn't possible to send a message from a phone.

But the spread of mobile technology, combined with the cheapness and brevity of texts, ensured that they became a global phenomenon, changing language in the process.

In the past year though, in a number of countries including the United States and Britain, the volume of text messages has fallen slightly for the first time. The SMS has been hit by the free messaging alternatives available on smartphones.

Quiz 听力测验

Who was the first person to send a text message 20 years ago?

Neil Papworth.

Why didn't he wait for a response?

Because in those days it wasn't possible to send a message from a phone.

What characterises general text messages?

Cheapness and brevity.

What challenge is SMS facing?

Free messaging alternatives available on smartphones.

Glossary 词汇表

spread 扩散

brevity 简洁

a global phenomenon 全球现象

volume （总）数量

messaging 信息发送

smartphones 智能手机