试卷代号：1015 中央广播电视大学2008一2009学年度第一学期“开放本科”期未考试 高级时事英语试题 2009年1月 注意事项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校(（工作站)名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。监考人收完考卷和答题纸后才可离开考场。 二、仔细阅读题目的说明，并按题目要求和答题示例答题。答案一 定要写在答题纸指定的位置上，写在试卷上的答案无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 Information for the examinees: This examination consists of three sections.They are: Section I:Listening Test (30 points,20 minutes) Section II:Reading Test (50 points,40 minutes) Section II:Writing Test (20 points,30 minutes) The total marks for this examination are 100 points.Time allowed for completing this examination is 90 minutes. 92
试卷代号 :1015 中央广播电视大学2008-2009学年度第一学期“开放本科”期末考试 高级时事英语 试题 2009年 1月 注 意 事 项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校(工作站)名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。监考人收完考卷和答题纸后才可离开考场。 二、仔细阅读题 目的说明，并按题目要求和答题示例答题。答案一 定要写在答题纸指定的位置上，写在试卷上的答案无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 Information for the examinees: This examination consists of three sections. They are: Section j:Listening Test(30 points，20 minutes) Sectionl:Reading Test(50 points，40 minutes) Sectionm:Writing Test(20 points，30 minutes) The total marks for this examination are 100 points. Time allowed for completing this examination is 90 minutes. 92
Section I:Listening Test 30 points Instructions: ■ The Listening Test will take approximately 20 minutes. ■ There are two parts to the test and you will hear each part twice. There will be a pause of 30 seconds after each part to allow you to think about your answers. You can first write your answers on this test paper.You will have a few minutes at the end of the test to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. ALL ANSWERS MUST APPEAR ON THE ANSWER SHEET. Part 1:Questions 1-10 are based on this part.(10 points,1 point each) Listen to a conversation about the mass media.The following paragraph summarizes details talked about.Fill in the blanks in the following paragraph according to the information you hear. The first Chinese newspaper mentioned is 1 which covers international news,3,4 .,5,6 and son on.and costs 7 yuan per month. The only one TV station mentioned is 8.The second foreign newspaper mentioned is 9 published in 10 Part 2 Questions 11-20 are based on this part.(20 points,2 points each You are going to hear an interview on homelessness.After listening,mark the following statements as True (T)or False (F)according to the text. 11.John has been in London for five months. 12.When John's brother arrived John had to leave his friend's flat. 13.John couldn't pay rent because he had no job. 14.Many young people slept in the park during the summer. 15.John had his nineteenth birthday in the park. 16.John sleeps in King's Cross station now. 93
Section j:Listening Test 30 points Instructions The Listening Test will take approximately 20 minutes. There are two parts to the test and you will hear each part twice. : . There will be a pause of 30 seconds after each part to allow you to think about your an sw ers. . You can first write your answers on this test paper. You will have a few minutes at the end of the test to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. . ALL ANSWERS MUST APPEAR ON THE ANSWER SHEET. Part 1:Questions 1一 10 are based on this part. (10 points, 1 point each) Listen to a conversation about the mass media. The following paragraph summarizes details talked about. Fill in the blanks in the following paragraph according to the information you hear. The first Chinese newspaper mentioned is 1 ，which covers 2 international news， 3 ， 4 ， 5 ， 6 and son on. and costs 7 yuan per month. The only one TV station mentioned is 8 .The second foreign newspaper mentioned is 9 published in 10 Part 2:Questions 11一 20 are based on this part. (20 points, 2 points each) You are going to hear an interview on homelessness. After listening, mark the following statements as True (T) or False (F) according to the text. 11. John has been in London for five months. 12. When John’s brother arrived John had to leave his friend’s flat. 13.John couldn't pay rent because he had no job. 14.Many young people slept in the park during the summer. 15.John had his nineteenth birthday in the park. 16.John sleeps in King’s Cross station now. 93
17.Busking means playing music for money in the streets and tube stations. 18.John doesn't always eat well. 19.John is a famous musician now. 20.John may go home to South Wales in December. This is the end of the Listening Test.You will now have a few minutes to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. SectionⅡ：Reading Test50 points Instructions: There are three parts to the test,each including one reading passage. The test will take approximately 40 minutes. There will be NO extra time to transfer answers to the Answer Sheet;therefore,you should write ALL your answers on the Answer Sheet as you do each task. Part 1:Questions 21-30 are based on the following passage.(20 points,2 points each) Waste-to-Energy:A Controversial Solution to Garbage Control? 'Waste-to-Energy'incineration()is the latest phenomenon to sweep through the global waste management industry.The technology is more than 50 years old,but it's enjoyed a high degree of popularity in recent years in places like Japan and Scandinavia, thanks to a shortage of landfill space. In the United States,where space hasn't yet become a problem,waste-to-energy incinerators are slightly less popular.But 37 million Americans do send their garbage to plants like this one,in Lancaster,Pennsylvania,where the trash is burned at temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius and used to make steam,which in turn,generates electricity. "We're standing on the turbine deck.Right in front of us is a small,36-megawatt turbine.And right here on this floor we are generating all the electricity that's being produced.It's enough to power about 15,000 to 20,000 homes,and this is where it's all happening.” 94
17. Busking means playing music for money in the streets and tube stations. 18. John doesn't always eat well. 19. John is a famous musician now. 20. John may go home to South Wales in December. This is the end of the Listening Test. You will now have a few minutes to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. Section I:Reading Test 50 points Instructions . There are three parts to the test，each including one reading passage. . The test will take approximately 40 minutes. There w川 be NO extra time to transfer answers to the Answer Sheet; therefore, you should write ALL your answers on the Answer Sheet as you do each task. Part 1:Questions 21一 30 are based on the following passage. (20 points, 2 points each) Waste-to-Energy:A Controversial Solution to Garbage Control? `Waste-to-Energy' incineration(焚化)is the latest phenomenon to sweep through the global waste management industry. The technology is more than 50 years old, but it’s enjoyed a high degree of popularity in recent years in places like Japan and Scandinavia， thanks to a shortage of landfill space. In the United States, where space hasn't yet become a problem, waste-to-energy incinerators are slightly less popular. But 37 million Americans do send their garbage to plants like this one, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania，where the trash is burned at temperatures of more than 1，000 degrees Celsius and used to make steam, which in turn, generates electricity. "We’re standing on the turbine deck. Right in front of us is a small, 36-megawatt turbine. And right here on this floor we are generating all the electricity that’s being produced. It’s enough to power about 15，000 to 20，000 homes，and this is where it’s all happening.” 94
Gary Forster is the chief engineer at the Lancaster County Waste-to-Energy Incinerator, one of more than 100 such facilities in 31 states across the country.As he moves from the turbine deck,through the furnace room,and on to the ash recovery building,where all the chunks of metal that survived the burning process are removed,Mr.Forster says electricity generation isn't the only good thing about a waste-to-energy incinerator.He says the other benefit is that the volume of the garbage is reduced by 90 percent. We are now in the ash building.About 35 feet up is a rotating drum.All the ash is brought into this building.The rotating drum is actually a rotating magnet that's pulling out all the ferrous )metal in the ash.The metal is kept in its own storage location,and is eventually sent out throughout the month to recycling markets. The ash is sent to a nearby landfill,where it's mixed with dirt and used to bury garbage that's too toxic to be burned.On the surface,the most immediate environmental concern surrounding a waste-to-energy incinerator might seem to be the air,which gets loaded with dioxins any time anything is burned,whether it's organic or man-made.Dioxins have been linked to cancer and several types of auto-immune disorders. But thanks to federally mandated pollution control mechanisms,even environmentalists admit modern-day incinerators release fewer dioxins into the air than coal-fired or natural gas-powered electricity plants.While American environmentalists are still concerned about air quality,they're more concerned that the ash coming out of these facilities is often treated as if it's harmless.The fly ash is particularly,nasty,nasty stuff.And we have to wonder where that goes.Paul Connett is a chemist at St.Lawrence University in upstate New York. He's actively involved in an international campaign to stop the building of new incinerators, even ones that produce electricity. It's a move that was recently adopted by lawmakers in the Philippines and Costa Rica. Many European countries classify incinerator ash as hazardous,and bury it underground. But Mr.Connett says in the United States,the feeling is so long as the stuff isn't blowing 95
Gary Forster is the chief engineer at the Lancaster County Waste-to-Energy Incinerator, one of more than 100 such facilities in 31 states across the country. As he moves from the turbine deck，through the furnace room，and on to the ash recovery building, where all the chunks of metal that survived the burning process are removed, Mr. Forster says electricity generation isn't the only good thing about a waste-to-energy incinerator. He says the other benefit is that the volume of the garbage is reduced by 90 percent. Weare now in the ash building. About 35 feet up is a rotating drum. All the ash is brought into this building. The rotating drum is actually a rotating magnet that's pulling out all the ferrous(含铁的)metal in the ash. The metal is kept in its own storage location, and is eventually sent out throughout the month to recycling markets. The ash is sent to a nearby landfill, where it’s mixed with dirt and used to bury garbage that's too toxic to be burned. On the surface, the most immediate environmental concern surrounding a waste-to-energy incinerator might seem to be the air, which gets loaded with dioxins any time anything is burned, whether it’s organic or man-made. Dioxins have been linked to cancer and several types of auto-immune disorders. But thanks to federally mandated pollution control mechanisms, even environmentalists admit modern-day incinerators release fewer dioxins into the air than coal-fired or natural gas-powered electricity plants. While American environmentalists are still concerned about air quality, they're more concerned that the ash coming out of these facilities is often treated as if it's harmless. The fly ash is particularly，nasty，nasty stuff. And we have to wonder where that goes. Paul Connett is a chemist at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. He’s actively involved in an international campaign to stop the building of new incinerators, even ones that produce electricity. It's a move that was recently adopted by lawmakers in the Philippines and Costa Rica. Many European countries classify incinerator ash as hazardous，and bury it underground. But Mr. Connett says in the United States，the feeling is so long as the stuff isn’t blowing 95
out of a smokestack(烟窗)，it's safe. "Some of this material,which would have ended up in salt mines in Germany,in the United States is being used as landfill cover,or used in making concrete and road beds and stuff.It's absolutely Kafka-esquc.You pay a fortune to capture this stuff,and then turn around and spread it in the environment. Representatives of the waste-to-energy industry admit the ash probably could be disposed of in a better manner,though they deny that it's as dangerous as Mr.Connett suggests. Maria Zannes,president of the Integrated Waste Services Association,an industry group.She says environmentalists need to accept the fact that like it or not,garbage exists and something has to be done with it.Ms.Zannes says if you bury it in a landfill,it takes up space and adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.But if you burn it in a waste-to-energy facility,at least some good can come of it. "We,in this country,dispose of 30 million tons of trash a day in waste-to-energy facilities.And we generate enough electricity to meet the needs of about 2.5 million homes. Now I think that's a fabulous(难以置信的)thing.”But environmentalists like Paul Connett say it's a mistake to assume that garbage does,in fact,have to exist.It's estimated that as much as 70 percent of what's going into America's landfills and incinerators could be recycled or composted,and that's onc of the reasons environmentalists believe waste-to- energy is a step in the wrong direction.But industry representatives like Maria Zannes also have studies to point to.This one suggests that communities with waste-to-energy incinerators recycle about five percent more garbage than those without. Within the context of the passage,determine if the following statements are True or False.On the Answer Sheet,write"T"for True and "F"for False. 21.The technology of Waste-to-Energy'incineration is popular in Japan and Scandinavia because of lack of landfill space. 96
out of a smokestack(烟窗)，it's safe. "Some of this material，which would have ended up in salt mines in Germany，in the United States is being used as landfill cover, or used in making concrete and road beds and stuff. It's absolutely Kafka-esyuc. You pay a fortune to capture this stuff, and then turn around and spread it in the environment.” Representatives of the waste-to-energy industry admit the ash probably could be disposed of in a better manner, though they deny that it’s as dangerous as Mr. Connett suggests. Maria Zannes, president of the Integrated Waste Services Association, an industry group. She says environmentalists need to accept the fact that like it or not, garbage exists and something has to be done with it. Ms. Zannes says if you bury it in a landfill，it takes up space and adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. But if you burn it in a waste-to-energy facility, at least some good can come of it. "We,in this country, dispose of 30 million tons of trash a day in waste-to-energy facilities. And we generate enough electricity to meet the needs of about 2. 5 million homes. Now I think that's a fabulous(难以置信的)thing. " But environmentalists like Paul Connett say it’s a mistake to assume that garbage does，in fact，have to exist. It’s estimated that as much as 70 percent of what’s going into America’s landfills and incinerators could be recycled or composted, and that' s ore of the reasons environmentalists believe waste-toenergy is a step in the wrong direction. But industry representatives like Maria Zannes also have studies to point to. This one suggests that communities with waste-to-energy incinerators recycle about five percent more garbage than those without. Within the context of the passage, determine if the following statements are True or False. On the Answer Sheet, write"T" for True and "F" for False. 21.The technology of‘Waste-to-Energy’incineration is popular in Japan and Scandinavia because of lack of landfill space. 96
22.In the USA,there isn't much landfill space. 23.People in Lancaster,like to send their garbage to plants to be burned to generate the electricity to power about 15 thousand and 20 thousand homes. 24.According to Mr.Forster's view,a Waste-to-Energy incinerator seems the good thing because it can diminish 90%of the volume of the garbage. 25.There are near 100 Waste-to-Energy incinerators in 31 states throughout the country. 26.Dioxins are objects that can cause cancer or several types of auto-immune disorders. 27.Environmentalists are still more concerned about air quality,though incinerators release fewer dioxins into the air than coal-fired or natural gas-powered electricity plants. 28.The fly ash is toxic,harmful and nasty stuff. 29.All environmentalists think if you bury garbage in a landfill,it takes up space and adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.But if you burn it in a waste-to-energy facility,at least some good can come of it. 30.From this passage we can know that communities with waste-to-energy incinerators recycle about five percent more garbage than those without. Part 2:Questions 31-35 are based on this part.(10 points,2 points each) What kind of people are these construction workers? They drive into town in big cars,and live in furnished rooms,and drink whiskey with beer chasers,and chase women they will soon forget.They linger only a little while,only until they have built the bridge;then they are off again to another town,another bridge, linking everything but their lives. They possess none of the foundation of their bridges.They are part circus,part gypsy-graceful in the air,restless on the ground;it is as if the wide-open road below lacks for them the clear direction of an eight-inch beam stretching across the sky six hundred feet above the sea. When there are no bridges to be built,they will build skyscrapers,or highways,or power dams,or anything that promises a challenge-and overtime.They will go anywhere, will drive a thousand miles all day and night to be part of a new building boom.They find 97
22.In the USA，there isn't much landfill space. 23.People in Lancaster, like to send their garbage to plants to be burned to generate the electricity to power about 15 thousand and 20 thousand homes. 24. According to Mr. Forster’s view, a Waste-to-Energy incinerator seems the good thing because it can diminish 90% of the volume of the garbage. 25.There are near 100 Waste-to-Energy incinerators in 31 states throughout the country. 26.Dioxins are objects that can cause cancer or several types of auto-immune disorders. 27. Environmentalists are still more concerned about air quality, though incinerators release fewer dioxins into the air than coal-fired or natural gas-powered electricity plants. 28. The fly ash is toxic, harmful and nasty stuff. 29. All environmentalists think if you bury garbage in a landfill，it takes up space and adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. But if you burn it in a waste-to-energy facility, at least some good can come of it. 30.From this passage we can know that communities with waste-to-energy incinerators recycle about five percent more garbage than those without. Part 2:Questions 31一 35 are based on this part, (10 points, 2 points each) What kind of people are these construction workers? They drive into town in big cars, and live in furnished rooms, and drink whiskey with beer chasers，and chase women they will soon forget. They linger only a little while, only until they have built the bridge;then they are off again to another town, another bridge, linking everything but their lives. They possess none of the foundation of their bridges. They are part circus, part gypsy一 graceful in the air, restless on the ground; it is as if the wide-open road below lacks for them the clear direction of an eight-inch beam stretching across the sky six hundred feet above the sea. Whenthere are no bridges to be built，they will build skyscrapers, or highways，or power dams，or anything that prontises a challeng。一 and overtime. They will go anywhere, will drive a thousand miles all day and night to be part of a new building boom. They find 97
boom towns irresistible.That is why they are called"the boomers. In appearance,boomers usually are big men,or if not always big,always strong,and their skin is ruddy from all the sun and wind.Some who heat rivets have charred complexions;some who drive rivets are hard of hearing;some who catch rivets in small metal cones have blisters and body burns marking each miss;some who do welding see flashes at night while they sleep.Those who connect steel have deep scars along their shins from climbing columns.Many boomers have mangled hands and fingers sliced off by slipped steel.Most have taken falls and broken a limb or two.All have seen death. They are cocky men,men of great pride,and at night they brag and build bridges in bars,and sometimes when they are turning to leave,the bartender will yell after them, "Hey,you guys,how's about clearing some steel out of here?" Questions 31-35 Complete the following statements by choosing the best from the answers A,B,C or D.Write A,B,C or D on your Answer Sheet. 31.The purpose of this passage is to A.explain why construction work is rewarding career B.describe the physical appearance of construction workers C.suggest that construction workers are irresponsible D.show the personalities of construction workers 32.Why does the author use the phrase"part circus,part gypsy"?To A.explain why construction workers like to travel B.show how construction workers are similar to acrobats and roaming people C.contrast the differences between construction workers and entertainers D.show that construction workers are men of great pride 33.The construction workers are called the boomers because A.they are attracted to new building developments B.they have loud and boisterous personalities C.their rivets make an exploding sound D.they earn extra money working overtime 98
boom towns irresistible. That is why they are called"the boomers.” In appearance，boomers usually are big men, or if not always big, always strong, and their skin is ruddy from all the sun and wind. Some who heat rivets have charred complexions;some who drive rivets are hard of hearing;some who catch rivets in small metal cones have blisters and body burns marking each miss;some who do welding see flashes at night while they sleep. Those who connect steel have deep scars along their shins from climbing columns. Many boomers have mangled hands and fingers sliced off by slipped steel. Most have taken falls and broken a limb or two. All have seen death. They are cocky men, men of great pride, and at night they brag and build bridges in bars, and sometimes when they are turning to leave, the bartender will yell after them, "Hey, you guys，how's about clearing some steel out of here?" Questions 31一 35:Complete the following statements by choosing the best from the answers A, B, C or D. Write A, B，C or D on your Answer Sheet. 31. The purpose of this passage is to_ . A. explain why construction work is rewarding career B. describe the physical appearance of construction workers C. suggest that construction workers are irresponsible D. show the personalities of construction workers 32.Why does the author use the phrase"part circus，part gypsy"? To A. explain why construction workers like to travel B. show how construction workers are similar to acrobats and roaming people C. contrast the differences between construction workers and entertainers D. show that construction workers are men of great pride 33. The construction workers are called the boomers because A. they are attracted to new building developments B. they have loud and boisterous personalities C. their rivets make an exploding sound D. they earn extra money working overtime 98
34.You can infer from this excerpt that construction workers would be least likely to A.perform other kinds of physical labor B.settle down and lead a safe,easygoing life C.party wildly with friends at a bar D.seek out adventures and thrilling situations 35.If the construction workers had lived in the late nineteenth century,they would probably have A.built railroads B.raised cattle C.planted crops D.sold real estate Part 3:Questions 36-40 are based on this part.(20 points,4 points each) Five years age,I had no idea what friends were talking about when they mentioned 'E-mail'(even if they used the full term,electronic mail),'the Internet'and 'modern'but my computer now has a modem,and through this device,it is connected to the international network known as the Internet.As a result,I can now send and receive E-mail messages to and from friends and organizations around the world whose computers are also connected to the Internet.There is no time delay.It's possible to read messages in Beijing as they are being written in London or Hong Kong.I still shake my head in amazement at times.This is fantastic-instantaneous communication,cheaper than faxes and telephone calls and infinitely quicker than letters or even telegrams!This is,indeed,progress. I am aware that I still have a lot to learn.Most computer users have had the experience of losing their work as result of some sort of system failure or user error.For this reason, back-up copies of documents are essential.Why is it that I know this and yet still fail,at times,to make the necessary backups?I think the reason may simply be a result of the fact that I am still not a true child of the computer generation. Using a computer can still feel quite strange and alien because there is so much that I do not understand.Another rather irrational attitude I have detected in myself is my (lack of) faith in floppy disks.One advantage of computers and floppy disks that if frequently cited is 99
34. You Ca n infer from this excerpt thatconstruction workers would be least likelyto A. perform other kinds of physical labor B. settle down and lead a safe, easygoing life C. party wildly with friends at a bar D. seek out adventures and thrilling situations 35. If the construction workers had lived in the late nineteenth century, they would probably have A. built railroads B. raised cattle C. planted crops D. sold real estate Part 3:Questions 36一 40 are based on this part. (20 points,4 points each) Five years age, I had no idea what friends were talking about when they mentioned ‘E-mail' (even if they used the full term, electronic mail)，‘the Internet’and‘modern' but my computer now has a modem, and through this device，it is connected to the international network known as the Internet. As a result, I can now send and receive E-mail messages to and from friends and organizations around the world whose computers are also connected to the Internet. There is no time delay. It’s possible to read messages in Beijing as they are being written in London or Hong Kong. I still shake my head in amazement at times. This is fantastic一 instantaneous communication, cheaper than faxes and telephone calls and infinitely quicker than letters or even telegrams!This is, indeed, progress. Iam aware that I still have a lot to learn. Most computer users have had the experience of losing their work as result of some sort of system failure or user error. For this reason, back-up copies of documents are essential. Why is it that I know this and yet still fail，at times，to make the necessary backups? I think the reason may simply be a result of the fact that I am still not a true child of the computer generation. Using a computer can still feel quite strange and alien because there is so much that I do not understand. Another rather irrational attitude I have detected in myself is my(lack of) faith in floppy disks. One advantage of computers and floppy disks that if frequently cited is 99
the fact that large on one small,lightweight disk so that,instead of transporting vast amounts of paper,one can simply carry a disk or two.Intellectually,I understand this fact but I can identify an ongoing tendency to trust only pieces of paper!I am reluctant to depend only on disks and always want to have hard copies of documents as well.I would like to believe that my attitudes and behavior will change as I become a more experienced computer user. The extent of the importance compuers have taken on in my life is evidenced by the fact that I now travel with my computer!I can't even contemplate managing without a computer for a couple of weeks!Fortunately,it's a lap-top so it is relatively small and lightweight and therefore easy to carry.My troubles really begin when I have 'computer problems'.These are most often minor problems with software,and are occasionally caused by viruses those dreadful manmade computer diseases which can be spread through contaminated software from one machine to another.Hard disk problems are a different story!I had the experience last year of being told,by a computing expert:'I'm afraid your hard disk has gone,'I was tempted to ask,facetiously,'Gone where?'but I now know enough about the world of computing to realize that a whole range of specialized use of language has accompanied the computer boom.So,you don't 'stop using'a programme;you don't 'get' information from a computer,you 'access'it;when computers cease to function,they aren't simply‘not working',they are‘down';a hard disk doesn't‘break',it‘goes'.And my hard disk had gone.I felt as if I had lost my right arm!I was panic-stricken.How could I manage?I can't work these days without a computer and have difficulty writing letters or even short notes 'by hand 'The realization that 1 had become computer dependent was quite shocking! Even a decade ago,I had friends who wrote letters to me,using their computers word processors and each year,it seems,more and more of my personal correspondence has been printed rather than written.The resulting letters are,admittedly,easy to read but I miss people's handwriting!Hand-writing is so personal.A printed letter still looks rather formal to my eyes!And I have never quite lost the suspicion that printed letters may not have been written specifically for me!I know number of people who write one letter and then make 100
the fact that large on one small，lightweight disk so that，instead of transporting vast amounts of paper, one can simply carry a disk or two. Intellectually，I understand this fact but I can identify an ongoing tendency to trust only pieces of paper!I am reluctant to depend only nn disks and always want to have hard copies of documents as well. I would like to believe that my attitudes and behavior will change as 1 become a more experienced computer U ser. The extent of the importance computers have taken on in my life is evidenced by the fact that I now travel with my computer!I can’t even contemplate managing without a computer for a couple of weeks!Fortunately，it’s a lap-top so it is relatively small and lightweight and therefore easy to carry. My troubles really begin when I have‘computer problems’.These are most often minor problems with software, and are occasionally caused by viruses一 those dreadful manmade computer diseases which can be spread through contaminated software from one machine to another. Hard disk problems are a different story!I had the experience last year of being told，by a computing expert:‘I’m afraid your hard disk has gone，’I was tempted to ask, facetiously，‘Gone where?’but I now know enough about the world of computing to realize that a whole range of specialized use of language has accompanied the computer boom. So.you don't‘stop using' a programme;you don’t‘get’ information from a computer，you ‘access’it;when computers cease to function，they wren’t simply‘riot working’，they are‘down’;a hard disk doesn’t‘break’，It‘goes’.And my hard disk had gone. I felt as if I had lost my right arm!I was panic-stricken. How could 1 manage? 1 can’t w..o}r. k these days w lrit itu_^v.u..i .a covmiipuiitiecr an ' th_.a._v- eudcnrrrl: l},_Ultly Wiltng 拢Tiers or even short notes‘by hand’.The realization that 1 had become computer dependent was quite shocking! Even a decade ago，I had friends who wrote letters to me，using their computers word processors and each year, it seems, more and more of my personal correspondence has been printed rather than written. The resulting letters are，admittedly，easy to read but I miss people’s handwriting!Hand-writing is so personal. A printed letter still looks rather formal to my eyes!And I have never quite lost the suspicion that printed letters may not have been written specifically for me!I know number of people who write one letter and then make 100
several copies,simply changing 'Dear Fred'to 'Dear Jenny'Dear Keith'and so on. Naturally,I'm still happy to receive friends'news,even if they have sent exactly the same news to all their other friends but I think I'd prefer a more personalized hand-written communication!I do not make multiple copies of letters I write but I admit that I do now write even some personal letters on my computer. Inevitably,I did manage without a computer for a while when my hard disk had'gone' but I made a somewhat shocking discovery!I could not write anymore.Since I bought my first computer six years ago,I had slowly lost the ability to write neatly or even legibly.The only time I used a pen or pencil from choice is for quick notes for myself.During the period when I was without a computer everything I wrote looked as if it had been written by a person who was barely literate!I tried very hard to write a presentable letter to my bank manager but the result was so bad that I had to resort to visiting a friend and using his computer to produce a 'proper'letter.This experience has encouraged me NOT to run to the computer every time I want to write something.I do not enjoy being dependent on a machine!I force myself letters to my close friends and family members 'by hand'.I hope, with time and practice,my handwriting will improve.E-mail communications,as I have said,reach the recipient infinitely quicker than letters and this fact is clearly of relevance in situations where time is an important factor.To be frank,however,except in cases of urgency,it doesn't really to me whether I read my friend Kate's news the same day as she has written it.Reading after a week's gap is fine. Our lives in the mid nineties are often characterized by pressure,and resulting stress.It is wonderful that computers can help us to be more efficient and 'professional'but it is essential to keep a sense of proportion and to retain the ability to function comfortably in our daily lives without them.We do not nced to treat personal communication with the urgency with which we deal with professional and business.Computers enhance many aspects of life but we should guard against using them as a channel of communication personal relationships and against allowing ourselves to become dependent on them.Learning new skills should not make us lose our old ones.There are,it seems,negative as well as positive aspects of progress. 101
several copies，simply changing‘Dear Fred’to ‘Dear Jenny’‘Dear Keith’and so on. Naturally, I’m still happy to receive friends’news, even if they have sent exactly the same news to all their other friends but I think I’d prefer a more personalized hand-written communication! I do not make multiple copies of letters I write but I admit that I do now write even some personal letters on my computer. Inevitably, I did manage without a computer for a while when my hard disk had‘gone' but I made a somewhat shocking discovery! I could not write anymore. Since I bought my first computer six years ago，I had slowly lost the ability to write neatly or even legibly. The only time I used a pen or pencil from choice is for quick notes for myself. During the period when I was without a computer everything I wrote looked as if it had been written by a person who was barely literate!I tried very hard to write a presentable letter to my bank manager but the result was so bad that I had to resort to visiting a friend and using his computer to produce a‘proper' letter. This experience has encouraged me NOT to run to the computer every time I want to write something. I do not enjoy being dependent on a machine!I force myself letters to my close friends and family members‘by hand'. I hope, with time and practice，my handwriting will improve. E-mail communications，as I have said，reach the recipient infinitely quicker than letters and this fact is clearly of relevance in situations where time is an important factor. To be frank，however，except in cases of urgency, it doesn't really to me whether I read my friend Kate's news the same day as she has written it. Reading after a week's gap is fine. Our lives in the mid nineties are often characterized by pressure, and resulting stress. It is wonderful that computers can help us to be more efficient and ‘professional’but it is essential to keep a sense of proportion and to retain the ability to function comfortably in our daily lives Without tlieni. `i'c do not need t;; treat personal communication with the urgency with which we deal with professional and business. Computers enhance many aspects of life but we should guard against using them as a channel of communication personal relationships and against allowing ourselves to become dependent on them. Learning new skills should not make us lose our old ones. There are, it seems，negative as well as positive aspects of progress. 101