4．Though the Web is becoming increasingly popular，the TV never fails to attract people．Do you know which television network is the largest in America？It is not ABC，CBS，or Fox．Nor is it one of the cable networks such as CNN，which carries only news and news stories．It is not ESPN，the all-sports cable network，or even MTV，which is famous for its music videos．Rather it is PBS，Public Broadcasting System，a non-profit public broadcasting TV service．PBS has 349member television stations in the U．S．and some member stations by cable in Canada．
PBS only attracts a minority of all TV viewers，about 2percent．The industry leader，NBC，however，attracts 11percent of viewers．But the growth of public television in the past two decades has been dramatic．This is especially noteworthy（值得关注）when one considers that public television stations must often survive on very limited budgets，on viewers'donations，and on private foundations and some governmental funding．
The level of quality of PBS programs，whether in national and international news，entertainment，or education，is excellent．Almost a whole generation of children throughout the world is familiar with Sesame Street and the characters of The Muppet Show．PBS is especially well known for the quality of its many educational TV programs．Over 95percent of all public television stations have tale-courses．These courses are accepted and supported by more than 1，800colleges and universities throughout the US．Each year，over a quarter of a million students take courses this way．
56．According to this article，PBS received part of its funding fromA．
A．the audience
B．public schools
C．advertising agencies
D．other television stations
57．What is PBS most famous for？C
A．Cable services．
B．Generous donations．
C．Tale-courses．
D．Live news broadcasts．
58．Which of the following is TRUE about public television stations？D
A．The majority of their viewers are minority people．
B．Ninety-five percent of their programs are tale-courses．
C．They are shrinking in number because they make no profits．
D．Their courses are accepted by many universities in America．
59．Which of the following has the highest percentage of viewers？C
A．ABC． B．PBS． C．NBC． D．Fox．
分析 尽管互联网正在变得流行，但是电视的吸引力从未减弱．PBS最大的是美国公共电视网，它是一个非营利性的机构．它在美国有349个加盟电视台，另外，在加拿大还有一些加盟电视台．
解答 56．A 细节题．根据文章内容public television stations must often survive on very limited budgets，on viewers'donations，and on private foundations and some governmental funding"可知，公立电视台的预算有限，它们依靠观众的捐赠、私人基金和一些政府拨款得以生存，故选A．
57．C 细节题．根据文章第三段内容PBS is especially well known for the quality of its many educational TV programs．Over 95 percent of all public television stations have tele-courses．"可知，PBS的远程教育节目最有名，故选C．
58．D 细节题．根据文章第三段内容These courses are accepted and supported by more than 1，800 colleges and universities throughout the US．"可知，公立电视台的教育节目被1800多所大学认可和提供支持，由此可知，教育节目被很多大学认可，故选D．
59．C 细节题．The industry leader，NBC，however，attracts 11 percent of viewers．"可知，美国全国广播公司拥有最高的收视率，故选C．
点评 本文是新闻报道类阅读理解．做这类题材阅读理解时要求考生对文章通读一遍，做题时结合原文和题目有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析，结合选项选出正确答案．推理判断题也是要在抓住关键句子的基础上合理的分析才能得出正确答案，切忌胡乱猜测，一定要做到有理有据
