The Computer

We are in a computer age. You can see computers used in many places， such as in the school， in the office or at home. We can use them solve many complicated problems. The part played by computers is becoming even more important with each passing day.

More and cleverer computers will continue to appear. They will run faster，have more functions and work much more skillfully. They will take over more tasks from us， helping to change the face of our world. Some people even think that sooner or later computers will replace us.

However， I don't think that computers will replace us completely. Our tasks are too numerous1 and too complicated for them to take over2 completely.No matter how clever they may become， computers are none other than an extension３ of our human brains.

注釋

1. numerous adj. 許多，為數(shù)眾多的

2. take over v.phr． 替代

3. extension n. 延伸，擴大

Advantage and Disadvantatge of Surfing1 on the Internet

Now in the world， it is a common practice for people to go on the Internet. With its convenience and fast speed， one can get a lot of information from the Internet. In a minute one comes to the section2you want. What one needs to do is to press the button or type a few letters on the computers.

It is a good idea to go surfing on internet. Many people like surfing on Internet. They say it is a different world—another world.

On it you can do a lot of things. You know more about the world we are living in. You can learn a lot of knowledge in a particular field. Sometimes people can do shopping on the Internet. With Internet， the world is becoming smaller.

However， everything has its good points and bad points. Many people spend too much time on the Internet. They sit before a computer， playing computer games. It is bad to their health too. For us young students， it is important that we make wise use of the Internet. We should be aware of its limits， and its possible harm of surfing on the Internet. In fact， much of the knowledge we need has to be learned through books. We must not spend too much time on the Internet. Under the guidance3 of teachers and parents，we can have a try on it，but the purpose is to have more experience and knowledge.

注釋

1. surf vi. 沖浪

2. section n. 部分

3. guidance n. 指導

Computer Changes Traditional Classroom Teaching

A teacher pronounces an English word in front of the blackboard and the students read after him. Then they are asked to write the word out numerous times in their exercise books after class. As a result， the teacher shouts himself hoarse1 while the students are tired of repetitions.

This teaching method has continued in most Chinese classrooms for decades and has prevented the development of generations of students. However， in this new century，laptop computers2 and the Internet will bring great changes to the Chinese classrooms. In some major cities， some classes have been singled out3 for experiments. In these classes， everyone as equiped with a laptop computer. With a click of the mouse and several presses on the keyboard students can learn English through cartoons and games， do exercises， make notes， and most important of all，send ideas or questions to the teacher whenever they want.In the traditional classroom， this is unimaginable. The teacher has no time to ask each student to raise his question or express his view. Now with the help of the school computer network， everybody can talk on the school net at the same time and the teacher is able to give instruction to every member of the class.

So the computer is playing a great part in teaching and learning. And I hope the use of the computer will soon spread to the whole country.

注釋：

1. hoarse adj. 嘶啞的

2. laptop computer 筆記本電腦

3. single out v.phr. 選出；選拔