Samsung has announced that it is ending sales of its laptop computers in Europe. The move includes its Chromebook model, which had previously been one of the category’s best-sellers.

Samsung signaled it might consider similar action in other parts of the globe. “We quickly adapt to market needs and demands,” said the company in a statement. “In Europe, we will be discontinuing sales of laptops including Chromebooks for now. This is specific to the region - and is not necessarily reflective of conditions in other markets.”

Market analysis firm IDC has predicted that hand-held PC sales will grow by 5.6% this year in well-developed markets, partly offsetting a decline in 2013. It’s apparent that Samsung’s rivals have accounted for what growth there is.

Lenovo recently reported a 17% rise in revenue from notebook sales in its April-to-June quarter compared to the same period the previous year. It claimed that made it the most popular laptop brand in 15 European, Middle Eastern and African nations. Apple also posted a 13% year-on-year rise in Mac sales over the same three months.

“With Samsung you can clearly see the focus shifting towards the tablet and phablet space, and that’s clearly from a consumer’s view where the strength of its brand lies,” commented Windsor Holden from tech consultancy Juniper Research.

Samsung’s smartphones have also come under pressure in recent months. Surveys indicate sales of its phones have been overtaken in India and China by local firms Micromax and Xiaomi. However, in recent weeks its soon-to-be-released Galaxy Note 4 large-screened smartphone and add-on virtual reality headset have both attracted warm reviews.

“What I think you may be seeing from Samsung is a renewed focus on its mobile devices, especially what it is doing in the Android market,” said Rhoda Alexander from the IHS consultancy. “You have a lot of competition in that sector at the moment, and this might be an opportunity for it to concentrate its energies in that direction rather than spreading them all about.”

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1.Why does Samsung stop selling its laptop computers in Europe?

A Because its sales of laptop computers have remained low in Europe.

B Because its laptops are not fit for the well-developed market now.

C Because it had a sales decline in the year of 2013.

D Because there is much pressure from its rivals in the European marktet.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据文章第二段We quickly adapt to market needs and demands，结合文章第四段可知，三星公司之所以停止其在欧洲市场销售笔记本电脑，原因在于其逐渐失去了欧洲市场，根据增长数据分析，不如联想和苹果笔记本更受欢迎。

2.Which brand of laptop computer has the most customers in the European market?

A Lenovo.

B Apple.

C Chromebook.

D Micromax.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据文章第四段…made it the most popular laptop brand in 15 European, Middle Eastern and African nations可知，联想已经成为欧洲、中东和非洲国家最受欢迎的笔记本。

3.What is Samsung’s strength according to Juniper Research?

A Hand-held PC.

B Tablets and phablets.

C Virtual reality headsets.

D Smartphones.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据文章第五段…see the focus shifting towards the tablet and phablet space, and that’s …where the strength of its brand lies可知，目前三星将其重点转移到平板电脑和平板手机，而这正是其长处所在。故选B。

4.What can be implied in the passage?

A Samsung will continue to produce mobile devices.

B Samsung also faces competition from Lenovo and Apple in the Android market.

C Competition from the market gives Samsung an opportunity to change its policies.

D Galaxy Note 4 will enjoy great popularity in India and China.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段…competition in that sector at the moment, and this might be an opportunity …rather than spreading them all about判断，剧烈的市场竞争也是机遇，为其改变生产策略提供了条件。

5.What can be the best title of the passage?

A Samsung Was Defeated by Lenovo and Apple in Europe.

B Samsung Faced Strong Competition and Changed Its Focus.

C Samsung Stopped Sales of Laptop Computers in Europe.

D New Samsung Smartphone Received Good Reviews.

解析：选C。C 主旨大意题。文章第一段Samsung has announced that it is ending sales of its laptop computers in Europe为本文的主题句，概括了本文的主要内容：三星公司宣布其笔记本电脑撤出欧洲市场。