Google Books is a service provided by Google that catalogs books by scanning them and making them searchable online. The project kicked off in 2004 with the ambitious goal creating the largest body of human knowledge ever and making it available online. To date, Google Books has scanned over 30 million books into its catalog. By the end of the decade, its goal is to cover every book that is currently available.
Using Google Books is quite convenient, as it is integrated into Google’s search engine. When searching for a book that Google Books has in its catalog, users can access some contents of the books depending on its copyright status. If a work is considered to be in the public domain, as many old books are, they can read the entire thing. However, if a book is still under copyright, the searcher will often be able to preview a few pages. In some cases, when an author has not given permission to display their work, only a few random lines of text from the book will be displayed.
Although most book lovers and researchers are thrilled that Google has scanned so many books, several publishers are upset by the company’s actions. They believe that Google Books is hurting their business. In 2005, a group of publishers joined together to sue Google claiming massive copyright violations. In response, Google claimed that its procedures were in line with the concept of fair use, which specifies that it is legal to display parts of copyrighted works if it is for educational purposes.
1. What is the main purpose of Google Books?
A. To put every book available online B. To encourage people to read more often
C. To print millions of textbooks for free D. To help publishers earn more money
2. What will users see if an author does NOT give Google Books permission?
A. They can view the whole book. B. They will only see a few sentences.
C. They can read one or two chapters. D. They will not see anything at all.
3. The word “thrilled” in the passage is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
A. concerned B. worried C. excited D. bored
4. Why are publishers bothered with Google Books?
A. They think Google is hurting their work. B. The author’s names are listed on books
C. Most publishers are against e-book sales. D. They feel that Google costs a lot of money.
5. According to the passage, which of the following statement is TRUE?
A. Google Books has scanned over 30 billion books so far.
B. All publishers agree with Google’s actions.
C. It is quite convenient to use Google Books.
D. The project of Google Books started in 2005.
1. What is the main purpose of Google Books?
A. To put every book available online B. To encourage people to read more often
C. To print millions of textbooks for free D. To help publishers earn more money
2. What will users see if an author does NOT give Google Books permission?
A. They can view the whole book. B. They will only see a few sentences.
C. They can read one or two chapters. D. They will not see anything at all.
3. The word “thrilled” in the passage is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
A. concerned B. worried C. excited D. bored
4. Why are publishers bothered with Google Books?
A. They think Google is hurting their work. B. The author’s names are listed on books
C. Most publishers are against e-book sales. D. They feel that Google costs a lot of money.
5. According to the passage, which of the following statement is TRUE?
A. Google Books has scanned over 30 billion books so far.
B. All publishers agree with Google’s actions.
C. It is quite convenient to use Google Books.
D. The project of Google Books started in 2005.
