第四部分：合理選擇立場

　　With the increasing popularity of the Internet, someone says," The more friends you get on line, the fewer friends you will have around you." Write an essay (about 250 words) expressing your views on the statement.

　　立論寫法:

　　Recently, there has been heated discussion on the increasing popularity of the Internet. Some people emphasized that individuals are so indulged in Internet browse and surfing that they increasingly feel isolated from the reality. As someone says: “ the more friends one gets on line, the fewer he has around him.” The issue above is rather complex, for it involves a conflict between two divergent means of communication. The final judgment, I am afraid, rests upon a combination of three essential aspects.

　　To begin with, great changes have taken place in the scientific technology. As a result, Internet, the gem of the twentieth century, always provides people with the up-to-date information. With time goes by, it is natural that people, teenagers in particular, rely on computers for information rather than turning to their friends and relatives. What is more, the means of communication as a whole also undergoes certain dramatic transformation. Accordingly, the younger generation, with the aid of electric mailboxes, QQ or on-line chats, can successfully contact their parents or colleagues. Gradually, E-mails, the symbol of convenience, tends to replace such traditional means such as weekend dinners and celebrating parties Some observers might point out that the traditional means of communication will not fade away, and sooner or later people will be aware of their importance. Even so, the situation is not absolute, nor is it the most critical element. As a matter of fact, the distance between two locations, the time spent on transport vehicles as well as exhaustion from jobs will definitely compel people to choose more effective and convenient methods to keep contact with others.

　　To sum up, it is safe to conclude that along with the computer boom, a growing number of people will rely on Internet to communicate with others. However, while they are doing so, it is likely that they have fewer friends around them.

　　(310 words)

　　駁論寫法

　　Since the 1960s, debates have been fueled on the ideal means of communication. Some observers, free lancers and columnists in particular, often emphasize that the more friends one has on line, the fewer one has in his life. However, through decades of practice and observation, it turns out that their statement has many restrictions.

　　Admittedly, the idea held by those observers does contain an element of truth. For example, along with the computer boom, Internet, the gem of twentieth century scientific technology, is playing an increasingly important role in the means of communication. But these arguers tend to ignore two other essential aspects. First, they fail to take into account the possibility that a variety of technical devices are available. As a result, people can resort to telephones or faxes to maintain a more intimate human relationship. In this sense, the popularity of Internet is not always synonymous to the emotional isolations between people. Second, the arguers’ assertion doesn’t provide sufficient data to narrow down the exact number of computer users who seldom contact their parents or colleagues. Therefore, any further conclusion addressing the problem must be based on thorough investigation. As a matter of fact, dinner parties, celebrating parties as well as other social activities always successfully bring people together. In this respect, the upsurge of electric contact is not the sole hallmark of the decrease of closed friends. Given reasons above, the argument above, under a careful examination, turns out to be groundless in its hasty conclusion.

　　In conclusion, the arguers’ evidence lends little credible support to their claim. To persuade people that the more friends one has on line, the fewer friends one has in his life, the arguers would need to provide clear evidence, sufficient data and thorough cost-benefit analysis of alternatives.