Look inside any family home in the evening, and you might see a typical enough scene: Mom and Dad, each on their own laptop or tablet, streaming movies, catching up on work or maybe answering emails on their smartphones. Meanwhile, one child is chatting online with one school friend while texting another. The other is playing a video game with a friend on the other side of the city at the same time. Each member of the family is totally absorbed in his or her own piece of technology.
According to some experts, the effect of technology on human relationships is worrying as technology becomes a substitute for face-to-face human relationships. It appears to be the case that many people would much rather spend time with their electronic gadgets(电子产品) than with one another. Young people say it is difficult to get their parents’ attention and they have to compete with smartphones, tablets and other technology.
However, a report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project offers a more helpful and encouraging view, suggesting that far from replacing human contact, technology can actually better family relationships. Just over half of the 2,253 people surveyed agreed that technology had enabled them to increase their contact with distant family members and 47 percent said it had improved the communication with the people they lived with. Moreover, even the closest members of families need time away from each other at some point to seek their own interests. Family members who might otherwise have sat in separate rooms can now be in the same one while still occupying a different mental space.
Look back at our typical family scene above. Is it any different from four people reading their own books? Or is it driving families apart? Where technology will lead us remains to be seen. Yet there is no need to worry. As a matter of fact how it affects our family relationships depends on our attitude toward technology.
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Over the past few years, there has been a big increase in the number of people sharing information online. In this article we will learn about some positive factors for people to share information online.
We often share information with our friends in the office or at home to educate, entertain or pleasantly surprise them. In this way we can connect with others. This is also true while sharing information online. If you look at the Facebook wall posts of your friends, you will realize that most of their updates are usually famous quotes, entertaining videos, inspirational images, funny jokes, etc. 94% of those who responded to a survey by the New York Times said they put a lot of thought into how the content they are sharing will be beneficial to others.
A lot of people share information online to represent their true self to the outside world. Some people, especially those who are shy and not comfortable talking about their areas of interest in the presence of others, find it extremely convenient to share that information online with like-minded individuals.
78% of the respondents in the study of The New York Times said they shared information online because it helps them develop better relationships. Today, a lot of people do not have the time to meet each other in person and the Internet has become a great substitute. A lot of people now “meet” each other online, rather than in conventional places like restaurants and pubs.
Lastly, when we share our thoughts online, we are actively engaging with the vast community of people who are a part of the World Wide Web. Sharing information will make a difference to the viewpoint of others, or add to their understanding about the world.
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The eight-year-old Carol lived with her father David, Mother May and elder brother Rob. The little family happily lived in a beautiful village surrounded with beautiful nature. The village was at the foot of a mountain, with beautiful views of the snowy mountain. The family survived on growing seasonal plants and trees. Their life is totally surrounded by nature and beauty.
While they lived a very happy life, Carol did not love the beautiful atmosphere of the village. She really wanted to move into the city and enjoy the city life. She wanted to shop, move around the city, watch movies, and eat in fantastic restaurants and cafes, etc.
However, there was hardly any chance that Carol’s family moved to the city as they had everything in the village.
One day, Carol fell asleep during the early noon and she had a sound sleep. Of course, she had a strange dream. She saw her grandmother in her dream as a fairy and her deceased grandmother granted her a wish. Carol requested her that she should love to enjoy the city life as she always desired.
Grandmother understood the desire of Carol, but still wanted to convince her that the peaceful village life is better than the city life.
She told Carol, “Baby, you cannot have access to fresh fruits and vegetables from plants as you have at your home. You cannot breathe fresh air. You cannot play with animals. You can hardly find any trees. You will not find peace as you see here! Do you still want to go to the city?”
Without hearing the concerns, Carol asked her grandmother to grant the wish. Grandmother granted her wish, but with a condition. Carol was told that she would only have 6 hours to spend in the city. Later, she would return to the village. Carol agreed.
注意:
1. 所续写短文的词数应为 150 左右；
2. 至少使用 5 个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Carol then found herself in the city with her friends.
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Paragraph 2:
Carol’s brother Rob was calling her for lunch and Carol woke up.
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