Question

Professor Barry Wellman of the University of Toronto in Canada has invented a term to describe the way many North Americans interact(互动)these days.The term is “networked individualism”.This concept is not easy to understand because the words seem to have opposite meanings.How can we be individuals(个体)and be networked at the same time?You need other people for networks.

Here is what Professor Wellman means.Before the invention of the Internet and e-mail,our social networks included live interactions with relatives,neighbors,and friends.Some of the interaction was by phone,but it was still voice to voice,person to person,in real time.

A recent research study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project showed that for a lot of people,electronic interaction through the computer has replaced this person-to-person interaction.However,a lot of people interviewed for the Pew study say that’s a good thing.Why?

In the past,many people were worried that the Internet isolated(孤立)us and caused us to spend too much time in the imaginary world of the computer.But the Pew study discovered that the opposite is true.The Internet connects us with more real people than expected—helpful people who can give advice on careers,medical problems,raising children,and choosing a school or college.About 60 million Americans told Pew that the Internet plays an important role in helping them make major life decisions.

Thanks to the computer,we are able to be alone and together with other people—at the same time!

1.The underlined phrase “networked individualism”probably means that by using computers people_______.

A.stick to their own ways no matter what other people say

B.have the rights and freedom to do things of their own interest

C.do things in their own ways and express opinions different from other people

D.are able to keep to themselves but at the same time reach out to other people

2.According to the Pew study,what do many people rely on to make major life decisions?

A.Networks.                             B.Friends.         

C.Phones.                               D.Parents.

3.It can be inferred from the Pew study that_______.

A.people have been separated from each other by using computers

B.the Internet makes people waste a lot of time and feel very lonely

C.the Internet has become a tool for a new kind of social communication

D.a lot of people regard the person-toperson communication as good thing

4.Which would be the best title for this passage?

A.We’re Alone on the Internet.

B.We’re Communicating on the Internet.

C.We’re Alone Together on the Internet.

D.We’re in the Imaginary World of the Internet.

Answer

1.D

解析:这是一道猜义题。根据短文的最后一句话“Thanks to the computer,we are able to be alone and together with other people—at the same time!”可判断出画线部分networked individualism的意思是“我们既可以独自一人待着又同时能与其他人保持着联系。

2.A

解析:这是一道细节题。根据倒数第二段中的“About 60 million Americans told Pew that the Internet plays an important role in helping them make major life decisions.”可判断出许多人依靠因特网作出决定。

3.C

解析:这是一道细节推断题。根据第二段中的“Before the invention of the Internet and e-mail,our social networks included live interactions with relatives,neighbors,and friends. Some of the interaction was by phone,but it was still voice to voice,person to person,in real time.”可判断出因特网已成为一种新的社会交流工具。

4.C

解析:这是一道标题选择题。这篇短文介绍了所创造的一个新概念networked individualism,这个概念揭示了当人们上网聊天时,既保持一个人独处的状态又可以同时与其他人保持联系,所以这篇短文最好的题目是:We’re Alone Together on the Internet。