A
Big Messaging Apps Abroad
While WeChat is China’s biggest mobile messaging app，there are many equivalent apps in other countries that offer similar features.
WhatsApp(U.S.)
Users：more than 600 million
Platforms：Android，iOS，Windows Phone，BlackBerry
Features：text chat，pushtotalk，file sharing，location sharing
With more than 600 million active users，WhatsApp is one of WeChat’s biggest competitors.Developed by two exYahoo employees in 2009，WhatsApp originally focused on text chat，but on Aug.6 it also started pushtotalk service.It’s noted for its accessibility，ease of use and the absence of adverts.The service is free for the first year，after which $ 0.99(6.06 yuan) is charged for a oneyear subscription.
KakaoTalk(South Korea)
Users：more than 100 million
Platforms：Android，iOS，Windows Phone，BlackBerry and Bada(an operating system developed by Samsung)
Features：text chat，group chat，pushtotalk，group calls，file sharing
With more than 100 million users in more than 230 countries，KakaoTalk is a multiplatform texting application that allows users to send and receive messages for free.With KakaoTalk，users can message each other oneonone or in group chats with unlimited numbers of friends.You can also choose from many animated emoticons and share them with friends.
Line(Japan)
Users：more than 600 million
Platforms：Android，iOS，Windows Phone，BlackBerry and PC
Features：text chat，group chat，pushtotalk，file sharing，location sharing，gaming，stickers
Line tops the list of the most downloaded free apps in 52 countries.Apart from text and voice messaging，Line provides its users with more than 250 original stickers and emoticons to buy from its own shop.In the first quarter of 2013 alone，it made $ 17 million just from stickers.The popular app also allows friends to battle each other in the LINE GAME.
【解题导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了美国、韩国和日本三个国家不同的手机信息应用程序。
1．Compared with the other two apps ，which of the following features makes Line stand out?
A．Group mobile games.
B．Free emoticons.
C．Free downloads of the app.
D．Text and group chat.
A 解析：细节理解题。通过这三个不同的手机应用的比较并根据最后一段的最后一句“The popular app also allows friends to battle each other in the LINE GAME.”可知，Line和另外两个应用的不同之处就是它可以允许朋友们一起玩游戏，故答案为A。
2．Which of the statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A．Users can always send and receive messages for free with WhatsApp.
B．Users can share files with any of the three apps.
C．KakaoTalk frees users from unwanted advertisements.
D．Line is the most popular one of the three apps.
B 解析：推理判断题。从三个手机应用的Features部分可以发现它们共同的特点是file sharing，故答案为B。
3．In which part of the newspaper may this article be found?
A．Advertisement.
B．Economy and Finance.
C．Entertainment.
D．Science and Technology.
D 解析：文章出处题。这三则信息都是关于手机应用的，介绍的是科技方面的内容，所以应选D。
