I live in Japan, where electronic items are a way of life, so it is no surprise that many students carry these little electronic dictionaries. Think of it. That huge, heavy paper dictionary that you used to see in your library looked like a building block in size and weight, yet someone has found a way to change all of that into a plastic box smaller than a video cassette tape.

E-dictionaries may be lighter and compacter(简洁的) than any paper dictionary. They may even contain more words and expressions. It depends on which one you buy. To me, these are pretty much the limits to their advantages.

I think e-dictionaries should be limited in their use in classrooms. Let's take a look at some reasons.

E-dictionaries are much more expensive. In Japan, they cost as little as 10,000 yen (US$100) or as much as 40,000 yen, depending on how many functions you want (or think you want) and depending on how fashionable you are. My trusty Random House paper dictionary is copyrighted in 1995, cost me a mere US$12.95 plus tax.

E-dictionaries are more fragile. Drop your paper dictionary. Go ahead. Hold it above your head and drop it. Now, try this with any lightweight plastic e-dictionary, and you'll be picking up the pieces.

E-dictionaries need batteries. Batteries are temperature sensitive. Batteries cost money, no, make that extra money.

E-dictionaries have keypads. Typing in the spelling of a word is harder and more time-consuming(耗时)than looking through pages and using the index at the top of each page.

Let me add a statement about one that really troubles me. Sound. Little devices beep(嘟嘟声)when you press the buttons, but it is very disturbing to some people in a classroom situation or library.

Finally, let's consider making corrections or additions. No dictionary is perfect, paper version or electronic. However, when you find something you'd like to change in the e-dictionary, you can't do anything about it. You can pencil in some notes with the paper type. Similarly, if you learn a word that isn't in the dictionary, a few notes of a pencil make it easy to increase its memory capacity. Not possible with a keypad model. And, for those students whose habit is to mark certain words with a highlight pen for case of future reference, again, the paper dictionary wins out.

9. What's the main idea of the text?

A. The advantages and disadvantages of e-dictionaries from the author's point of view.

B. Electronic items are a way of life in Japan.

C. It's fashionable to carry little e-dictionaries.

D. The bad effect of using e-dictionaries on students and teachers.

10. How many disadvantages does the author address in the text?

A. 4. B. 6. C. 8. D. 10.

11. What does the author hate most of all the disadvantages?

A. Not possible to make additions.

B. Wasting more time looking up words.

C. Too expensive to buy e-dictionaries and batteries.

D. Making sound when pressing the buttons.

12. What is the greatest advantage of the paper dictionary compared with the e-dictionary?

A. Containing more words and expressions.

B. More light and compact to carry.

C. Making corrections or additions for future reference.

D. Costing less money.