Generally speaking, you have two new choices: Buy a new computer or update to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. If you’re not ready to make a change, there are things you should do if you’ll still be on XP over the next couple of months.

Firstly, make sure the software you have is as up-to-date as possible. That means having any security fixes you can’t get from Microsoft’s website and make sure that you’ve got some (non-Microsoft) antivirus software installed(安装) from other websites. Of course, if you want to keep really safe then you’d better stay off the web altogether, though for many users this won’t even be a choice. Another choice is to change from using an administrator account to a limited account for tasks, like checking your e-mail. This means that if a hacker attacks your computer, at least they won’t have administrator-level access.

However, we have to stress that these steps are just temporary(临时的) measures and aren’t enough to protect your computer in the long run. Whether you’re buying a new computer or simply updating your present operating system depends on yourself. You’ll have to choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Whichever you go for, you’ll need to check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for either system. For either Windows 7 or 8.1, you’ll need at least a computer with 1GB of RAM, 1GHz processor and 160GB of hard disk space. However, to run a better operating system, you’ll need a computer with over 4GB of RAM, a 2GHZ processor and 500GB of hard disk space. Buying a new computer with these functions, you may pay more than＄500.

If you’re still planning on updating, Microsoft offers some great guides on their own website, meaning that you can download your new operating system and copy all your old files without leaving your computer. Windows 7 is certainly better than Windows XP, but you should be aware that it is also an ‘old’ operating system. Microsoft Company will add more updates to Windows 8.1 over time, while Windows 7 will also come to an end before long — just like XP.

【1】‘Microsoft Windows XP support ends’ means that _________.

A. the operating system of Windows XP will stop working

B. Microsoft stops providing technical support for Windows XP

C. people must install other websites’ antivirus software for Windows 7.

D. people must buy a new computer and update to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1

【2】To prevent a hacker from attacking your computer, you’d better NOT_________.

A. update your computer

B. stay off the web altogether

C. use an administrator account

D. install some antivirus soft wares

【3】From the fourth paragraph, ___________is a better choice in the long run.

A. buying a new computer as Windows XP support ends

B. updating your present operating system to protect your computer

C. having a new computer with at least 1GB of RAM, 1GHz of hard disk space

D. choosing a new computer with over 4GB of RAM and 500GB of hard disk space

【4】From the passage we can conclude that __________.

A. hacker attacks will happen more often in the future

B. an operating system develops quickly as time goes by

C. a new computer will be more expensive than it used to be

D. people tend to use security fixes except Microsoft Company’s

【答案】

【1】B

【2】C

【3】D

【4】B

【解析】

试题分析：如果我们运行的是Windows XP系统的话，一般而言，有两个选择：购买一台新的电脑或更Windows 7或Windows 8.1。如果不准备做出改变，作者在文章中告诉了我们需要做的事情。

【1】B；考查细节理解。根据第一段，the company stops providing security-updates and technical support for Windows XP. 公司停止提供Windows XP的安全更新和技术支持，故选B。

【2】C；考查推理判断。根据第三段，Another choice is to change from using an administrator account to a limited account for tasks, like checking your e-mail.另一个选择是更改一个管理员帐户，不要使用一个特定的管理员账户来执行任务，如检查您的电子邮件，故选C。

【3】D；考查细节理解。根据第四段，However, to run a better operating system, you’ll need a computer with over 4GB of RAM, a 2GHZ processor and 500GB of hard disk space.然而，运行一个更好的操作系统，你需要一个拥有超过4GB的RAM，2GHz处理器和500GB的硬盘空间的计算机，故选D。

【4】B；考查推理判断。根据文章最后一段，我们知道Windows的操作系统更新换代很快，所以用户们要做好经常更新的准备，故选B。