Internet is a vast network of computers that connects many of the world's businesses, institutions, and individuals. The internet, which means interconnected network of networks, links tens of thousands of smaller computer networks. These networks transmit huge amounts of information in the form of words, images, and sounds.
The Internet was information on virtually every topic. Network users can search through sources ranging from vast databases to small electronic "bulletin boards", where users form discussion groups around common interests. Much of the Internet's traffic consists of messages sent from one computer user to another. These messages are called electronic mail or e-mail. Internet users have electronic addresses that allow them to send and receive e-mail. Other uses of the network include obtaining news, joining electronic debates, and playing electronic games. One feature of the Internet, known as the World Wide Web, provides graphics, audio, and video to enhance the information in its documents. These documents cover a vast number of topics.
People usually access the Internet with a device called a modem. Modems connect computers to the network through telephone lines. Much of the Internet operates through worldwide telephone networks of fiber optic cables. These cables contain hair thin strands of glass that carry data as pulses of light. They can transmit thousands of times more data than local phone lines, most of which consist of copper wires.
The history of the Internet began in the 1960s. At that time, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the United States Department of Defense developed a network of computers called ARPA net. Originally, ARPA net connected only military and government computer systems. Its purpose was to make these systems secure in the event of a disaster or war. Soon after the creation of ARPA net universities and other institutions developed their own computer networks. These networks eventually were merged with ARPA net to form the Intern met. By the 1990s, anyone with a computer, modem, and Internet software could link up to the Internet.
In the future, the Internet will probably grow more sophisticated as computer technology becomes more powerful. Many experts believe the Internet may become part of a larger network called the information superhighway. This network, still under development, would link computers with telephone companies, cable television stations, and other communication systems. People could bank, shop, watch TV, and perform many other activities through the network.
1. This passage is about the _________of the Internet.
A. future B. general introduction C. use D. history
2. Which of the following statements about the Internet is true
A. ARPA was the first net used by American universities and institutions.
B. The history of the Internet can be traced back to fifty years ago.
C. The purpose of the Internet is to protect the world in the event of war.
D. ARPA net formed the foundation of the Internet nowadays.
3. The Internet enables people to do all the following things EXCEPT_________
A. sending email B. obtaining news
C. exchanging modem D. internet related chat (IRC)
4. According to the last paragraph, in the future_______
A. it may be hard to predict the development of the Internet
B. the Internet will become an indispensable superhighway
C. the Internet will be applied more
D. the Internet will combine cable stations
核心词汇注释
interconnect vt．使互相连 接
debate v．争论，辩论 n．争论，辩论
graphics n．(作单数用)制图 法，制图学，图表算法，图形
pulse n．脉搏，脉冲
copper n．铜；警察
merge v.．合并，并入，结合；吞 没，融合
sophisticated adj．诡辩的，久经世故的；复杂的，精密的
superhighway n．超级高速公路
长难句剖析
Network users can search through sources ranging from vast databases to small electronic 'bulletin boards"，where users form discussion groups around common interests．
[结构分析]本句主干是Network users can search through sources。现在分词短语ranging from“bulletin boards”作后置定语修饰sources，where引导的非限定性定语从句用来修饰bulletin boards。
[参考译文]从大型数据库一直到小型的电子公告板，都可以成为互联网用户搜索信息的来源，用户们常常在电子公告板上围绕着某个共同兴趣形成讨论小组。
One feature of the Internet，known as the World Wide Web，provides graphics，audio，and video to enhance the information in its documents．
[结构分析]本句主干是one feature of the Internet，…provides graphics，audio，and video to…。过去分词短语known as the World Wide Web作Internet的后置定语，后面的不定式to enhance．．．作目的状语。
[参考译文]互联网—也称为万维网的一个特点是，它提供了图形、声音和视频以增强文档的信息。
They can transmit thousands of times more data than local phone lines，most of which consist of copper wires．
[结构分析]本句主干是They can transmit．．．datA..，句中还出现了倍数比较级thousands of times more…than．…which引导的非限定性定语从句修饰local phone lines。
[参考译文]这样的光缆就能够以比由铜线组成的电话线快数千倍的速度传递数据。
全文参考译文
互联网是一个巨大的计算机网络，它把世界上许多公司、机构团体和个人连接起来。互联网，即网络相互连接形成的网络，连接了数以万计的更小的计算机网络。这些网络以文字、图像和声音的形式传输大量的信息。
事实上，互联网上几乎有关于所有主题的信息。从大型数据库一直到小型的电子公告板，都可以成为互联网用户搜索信息的来源，网民们经常在电子公告板上围绕着某个共同兴趣形成讨论小组。互联网上大量的通信由从一台计算机送往另一台计算机的消息组成。这些消息被称为电子邮件。互联网用户有用来收发电子邮件的电子邮件地址。此外，网络功能还包括获取新闻、参与网上辩论、玩电子游戏等。互联网——也称为万维网的一个特点是，它提供了图形、声音和视频以增强文档的信息。这些文档涵盖了大量的主题。
通常人们使用调制解调器接入互联网。调制解调器通过电话线将计算机连接到网络。互联网通过全世界的光缆电话网络运转。这些光缆包含多股细如发丝的玻璃纤维，它能够以光脉冲的形式携带数据。这样的光缆能够以比由铜线组成的电话线快数千倍的速度传递数据。
互联网诞生于20世纪60年代。美国国防部ARPA(高级研究计划署)那时发展了名为ARPA net的计算机网络。ARPA net最初只用于连接军用和政府计算机系统。其目的是：若发生灾祸或者战争，ARPA net能够保证这些系统的安全。在创造ARPA net不久，很多大学和一些公共机构发展了自己的计算机网络。这些网络最终同ARPA net相融合形成了互联网。到20世纪90年代，任何人只要有计算机、调制解调器和互联网软件就能够连接到互联网上。
将来，随着计算机技术的发展，互联网或许会越来越成熟。很多专家相信，互联网可以成为被称为“信息高速公路”的更大的网络的一部分。信息高速公路尚在发展阶段，它能将计算机同电话公司、有线电视台以及其他信息系统连接起来。人们能够通过网络储蓄、购物、看电视，也可以进行其他的活动。
题目答案与解析
1．这篇文章是关于互联网的 _______。 [答案]B
A．未来 B．一般介绍 C. 用途 D．历史
[解析]综观全文，可以了解到什么是互联网，互联网的应用以及它的发展过程和未来的预期应用，因此B项是正确答案。
2．以下关于互联网的描述中，哪一项是正确的 [答案]D
A．ARPA是第一个被美国大学和研究所使用的网络。
B．互联网的历史可以追溯到50年以前。
C．互联网的目的是为了在战时保护世界。 D．ARPA构成了现代互联网的基础。
[解析]本题可以参照文章的第4段，即Internet的历史。从中可知A、B、C三项都和原文有悖，因此D项是正确答案。
3．除了_____ 之外，互联网能让人们做以下这些事。 [答案]C
A．发电子邮件 B．获取新闻 C．交换调制解调器 D．网络聊天
[解析]本题可参照文章的第2段。从中可知，互联网的应用包括电子公告板、大型数据库、电子邮件、游戏、获取新闻、参与网上辩论等有关功能，只有交换调制解调器没有被；提到，因此C项为正确答案。
4．根据文章的最后一段，未来 _________。 [答案]C
A．预测互联网的发展将会很困难 B．互联网将成为不可缺少的超级高速公路
C．互联网将得到更广泛的应用 D．互联网将和有线电视相连接
[解析]从最后一段可知，未来随着科学技术的发展，网络会变得愈加成熟，而且文中提到了网络还可以和电话公司、有线电视台和其他信息系统连接起来给人们提供更方便的服务，因此C项是正确答案。