【英语趣味课堂】网上阅读-Online Reading

Todd: So Monica, this week we’re going to talk about technology and how maybe technology changes patterns of how we read and how we write, so let’s talk about reading. Do you think you read fewer books now because of the Internet?

Monica: I don’t think I read fewer books now because of the Internet.

 

Todd: So you still read quite a bit?

 

Monica: Yeah, recently I’ve been reading quite a bit, but I think it’s more to do with how much spare time I have.

 

Todd: So you don’t think that the internet eats into reading time at all? At least for you?

 

Monica: I would have to say no because I use the internet for slightly different reasons. I use the internet to check my e-mail and communicate with my friends, but reading a book is something completely different that I do for relaxation¹. So yeah, I don’t think it has impacted² the amount that I read.

 

Todd: Yeah, you see, for me I think it’s the exact opposite, it’s pretty bad. I pretty much read everything online, magazines or newspapers, and occasionally³ I’ll still buy a newspaper but I’ve completely stopped reading books. I just do not read books anymore and I think I’m not alone...I’ve read online, ironically, of other people who say that they’ve stopped reading books because you’re so used to reading online now that the actual process of sitting down and reading a book just isn’t as enjoyable as it used to be.

 

Monica: Well, having said that it doesn’t affect how much I read, I have to say that I have stopped reading newspapers in hard copy form. I tend to check the news items on the websites so, yeah, in that regard, I do read less than I used to.

 

Todd: So you buy newspapers quite rarely?

 

Monica: Yeah, exactly. I’m also concerned about the environment so I sort of feel that if I can get the news from the Internet then it’s saving⁴ all the trees being cut down and printed into a newspaper form.

 

Todd: Yeah, that’s a good way to look at it.

 

重点词汇：

 

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson

eat into

 

 

The internet eats into reading time.

 

Here the phrase eats into‚ refers to taking time away from something. So if you do one thing, and because of it you do something less, then it eats into the things you do less. Notice the following:

 

I try not to watch TV too much because it eats into my study time.

I find social web sites eat into quality time I could spend with my family.

the exact opposite

 

 

For me it's the exact opposite, I prefer the internet to books.

 

When something is the exact opposite of something that means it is completely different and the counter part to something. For example, people who love getting up early are the exact opposite of people who love staying up late. Notice the following:

 

Playing defense⁵ in basketball is the exact opposite of playing offense⁶.

Teaching⁷ is the exact opposite of studying.

I am not alone

 

 

I do not read books anymore and I think I’'m not alone.

 

Here the phrase "I am not alone" means that there are other people who think like the speaker does, or has the same feelings about something. Here are a few examples:

 

I hate our new boss and I am not alone on that feeling.

Many people agree with you about the new proposal⁸. You are not alone.

having said that

 

 

The internet has not affected⁹ my reading habits. Having said that, I no longer buy newspapers.

 

The phrase "having said that" let's the listener know that speaker does not agree totally with what he or she said earlier. You use the phrase ‘"having said that"’ to show that what you will say next does not totally agree with what you said earlier.

 

I do not like to play tennis. Having said that, I do think it is an exciting game.

I do not think he is a good teacher. Having said that, I do think he knows his subject well.

That's a good way to look at it

 

 

We use the phrase "that's a good way to look at it" when we feel the speaker has a good attitude about a bad situation. Here are some examples:

 

Conversation 1:

A: I hate the traffic in the morning, but it allows me some      quite time to be alone.

B: That's a good way to look at it.

Conversation 2:

A: My English teachers speaks really fast, but it’s a good      chance to improve my listening.

B: That's a good way to look at it.

1 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

2 impacted   

压紧的，结实的； 冲击式

参考例句：

• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers. 战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。
• The ground had been impacted by many people walking across it. 因为走的人多，地面被踏得坚实了。

3 occasionally   

adv.偶然地；非经常地

参考例句：

• He went on talking,occasionally wiping at his face with a towel.他继续说着，偶尔用毛巾擦一下脸。
• I like playing football best,but occasionally I play table tennis,too.我最喜欢踢足球，偶尔也打打乒乓球。

4 saving   

n.节省，节约；[pl.]储蓄金，存款

参考例句：

• Energy saving is term strategic policy of our country.节约能源是我国长期的战略国策。
• Old-fashioned housewives were usually very saving.旧时的家庭主妇通常都很节俭。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

7 teaching   

n.教学，执教，任教，讲授；(复数)教诲

参考例句：

• We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
• He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。

8 proposal   

n.提议，建议；求婚

参考例句：

• I feel that we ought to accept his proposal.我觉得我们应该接受他的建议。
• They could not gain over anyone to support their proposal.他们无法争取到支持他们建议的人。

9 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。