●   1   With the invention of the Internet several decades ago, do you feel that since then it has made
us human beings feel more connected to the world and one another, or has it isolated (使孤立) us and
made us feel more alone than ever before?
    What about you as an individual?
    ●    2   The Internet enables us to know what's happening in the world. We couldn't imagine talking to
people everywhere in the world twenty years ago.
     ●    3    It unites us because we talk to others from all around our country and the world, but the
Internet can be addicting, and keep us away from people for a while, There is an inherent (内在的) human need for direct human contact (e.g. touching, talking face to face, etc.) that the Internet has all taken away.
     ●     4     It has given me freedom beyond my imagination. I'm home-bound with many duties to attend
to. My life is a bit too crowded. Duties duties duties. I get lost many times not knowing who I really am!
This medium is my best friend. It just lets me BE!I can speak here without fear or favour.
     ●   5   Chatting online is completely different from hanging out with friends outside or hearing their
voice over the phone.I find that it's not just the Internet that has increased this sense of isolation, even iPods,MP3s, such devices kind of separate us, make us lose focus on the everyday happenings of life.       

A. I think that the Internet isolates as well as unites us.
B. I believe it unites us more than it isolates us.
C. Do you feel that the Internet unites us or isolates us?
D. What is happening in the world today?
E. The Internet is playing a more and more important role.
F. I think it has isolated us more.
G. I am truly grateful for this new technology.

     When I walked into the house after school, the first thing I noticed was a box with items I recognized
from my dad's office.  When he told me that he was laid off, I thought he was joking.  Then I noticed his
seriousness and realized he was telling the truth.  My father has always been a hard worker.  He has
prided himself on his career.    1   I guess I had taken his work for granted.  
      2   For starters, he was home all the time.  It meant my bed had to be made, my room cleaned up,
and my homework done right after school.  I would come home every day to find him at the computer
searching for jobs.   3   He seemed down, though he tried to be optimistic.  He asked my brother and me
to spend less.  I gave up my spending money, which wasn't much.  I also found a part-time job.  
      4   He explained that he never wanted to be laid off again, so he was going to start his own business.  Day by day, I watched him build it.  One evening I asked if he needed help.  "Only if it doesn't affect
school," he said.  I showed up at his office the next afternoon, and most afternoons after that for two
months.  
      5   The terrible experience for our family taught me how to deal with difficulties.  Now I know that
through creative problem-solving, I can always find Plan B.  I can ask for help and take risks.  What I
have learned from my dad's understanding of business and his work ethic(信条)are two of the most
important lessons I will ever learn.  And they will be my principles for success.  
    A.  Providing for our family has been his joy.  
    B.  I made every effort to solve his problems.  
    C.  I began to notice how losing his job had affected him.  
    D.  My father's unemployment created many changes in our lives.
    E.  After months of searching, my dad decided to go in a totally different direction.
    F.  His courage and determination helped him to become successful in his new career.  
    G.  I always knew he was a hard worker, but watching him in action influenced me a lot.

     Here are some ways to help you have a happier and more successful life:
      1  Instead of saying, "Why is this happening to me?" you say, "What can I learn from this?" Trust that
anything difficult in life is temporary. Then life will get better.  2  Without life's challenges, we would never
know what we are truly made of. Therfore, we become stronger and more confident in the process.
     3  It actually works! Don't say it doesn't work until you've tried it. We all have a blueprint for our lives
and making plans will help us realize it.
     Take care of people around you honestly.   4   If you truly care about your friends, family or someone
else, they'll stick with you through high and low because they know you care about them.
     Refuse to compare your progress with others. It will only serve to destroy your confidence. Everyone
is at different stages in their lives. If you understand that you're right where you're supposed to be, then it
won't matter what others are doing. You are unique with special qualities, talents, skills and so on.  5  
A. Pay attention to your imagination.
B. The power of making plans cannot be ignored.
C. Try to learn from the difficult situations you meet.
D. Everything you've experienced has been in preparation.
E. There is no one like you, so how can you compare yourself to others?
F. It is through the toughest times we learn what we're capable of doing.
G. People can see right through you and can feel whether you're honest or not.