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Your computer has been playing music for years, one CD at a time. Now hundreds of songs can be stored in your PC if they're in the MP3 format (格式).

What is it?

MP3 compresses (壓縮) music into small computer-friendly files. You access MP3 music several ways. Tunes can be downloaded from websites that have converted (轉變) vast music libraries into MP3. Once MP3 music is on your PCs hard drive, you can play it through your computers speakers, “burn” it onto blank CDs or swap (交換) MP3 files with friends using email.

How Much?

Software needed to play and convert MP3 music is often free. It comes preinstalled (預先安裝) on most new computers or can be downloaded from many websites, including MP3.com. Some MP3 sites are free. Just type “MP3 sites” into any search engine. Compact portable MP3 players start around ＄50 and can hold hundreds of songs. A blank CD on which you can record music costs about a dollar.

Advantages

MP3 turns your home PC into a jukebox (自動唱機). Tiny MP3 players are the size of a deck (一副) of cards, making it easy to take hundreds of songs with you.

Disadvantages

You may find that music at many sites is limited. And some only allow you to listen rather than download offerings. Others let you download music that cant be copied to MP3 players. And a growing number of new CDs make it impossible to copy songs to a computer.

1. How can you get MP3 music?

A. By turning your home PC into a jukebox.

B. By taking your own music or songs with you.

C. By copying songs to a PC through the speakers.

D. By downloading from websites which have converted music libraries into MP3.

2. Which is NOT true to the passage?

A. Software needed to play and convert MP3 music is usually free of charge.

B. MP3 music can be “burned” onto blank CDs or swapped with friends by email.

C. MP3 music can be taken along while traveling.

D. A greater number of new CDs make it possible to copy songs to a computer.

3. How much will you pay for a MP3 player?

A. Free of charge.

B. Free downloading.

C .At least fifty dollars.

D. About a dollar.

（KEY：1.D 2.D 3.C）

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