新视野大学英语视听说 Unit 9-16

Task2: The Internet—A Small Town
The Internet is a global network, but in many ways it’s like a small town with similar services to offer. There are electronic post offices to send and receive e-mail, functioning somewhat¹ more efficiently² than the Post Office we know. There are libraries of information that stay open 24 hours a day with millions of books and documents to browse³ or search through on the World Wide Web or WWW. You can also enjoy real-time text-based communication, using written or printed material to communicate with others immediately and almost “face to face”. Local coffee shops are seen in the guise⁴ of chat room, with people dropping by at all hours of the day and night to socialize. Online education and training is available just as it is in a “bricks and mortar” university or school. Online banking⁵ offers you all the services available at your local bank, without fearing to be mugged at an ATM. You can buy almost anything, listen to your local radio station or do your grocery shopping. Indeed, the Internet is your town in a box!
 

1 somewhat   

pron.一些，某物；adv.多少，几分

参考例句：

• The cake we made was somewhat of a failure.我们做的蛋糕不大成功。
• The two office buildings are somewhat alike in appearance.这两座办公楼在外形上有点相似。

2 efficiently   

adv.高效率地，有能力地

参考例句：

• The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
• Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。

3 browse   

vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草

参考例句：

• I had a browse through the books on her shelf.我浏览了一下她书架上的书。
• It is a good idea to browse through it first.最好先通篇浏览一遍。

4 guise   

n.外表，伪装的姿态

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors.他们假装成视察员进了学校。
• The thief came into the house under the guise of a repairman.那小偷扮成个修理匠进了屋子。

5 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。