国际互联网的出现使世界紧紧地联在一起，SARS的经历使我们，尤其是各地的学生对网络有了更深刻的认识和体会。下面第一篇文章就是有关网络这一重大主题。请注意本篇文章是以解释和说明图表的方式进行阐述的，各位考生一定要注意本篇文章中不同层次和内容的描写和叙述。2004年考研英语极有能出现以数字、曲线、柱形图、圆形图表示的主题图表，所以从这篇文章中我们既要有关网络的词语和短句，更要学会如何一个层次一个层次地表达图表所展示的内容并且学会解释具体现象的原因。第二篇文章阐述的是网络在学习和培训方面的作用。

　　1． Who’s getting hooked online? 谁上网干什么？

　　According to the Internet user survey by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences CASS, at least 25 per cent of urban adults in China have ventured online, and the majority of them said going online has improved their lives. This is one of the findings of a survey of 2,457 Internet users and 1,484 non-users between the ages of 17 and 60 in 12 cities in China. The study, titled “2003 China 12 Cities: Internet Use and Impact Survey Report,” has been recognized by some as one of the best guides to Internet use released in the country so far. The researchers found that while over 60 per cent of the surveyed Internet users said the Web helped them with their studies and jobs, 33.7 per cent said it made no difference. Only 4 per cent said their study and work habits deteriorated.

　　 Fifty-two per cent of respondents described the Internet as an important source of information, and over 40 per cent said they regard the Internet as a place for playing games, gathering and chatting. Surfing and browsing websites, reading news and dealing with e-mail are the three major online activities of Chinese Internet users followed by downloading and searching for music, chatting, playing games and downloading software.

　　 Besides geographic differences, factors like education, income, gender, age, careers and family are also influencing the use of the Internet. Not surprisingly, Internet use is highest among those aged between 17 and 34 years, who made up 81 per cent of the respondents. The 35-60 age group accounted for only 19 per cent. Ninety per cent for those with college degrees or higher go online, while only 20 per cent of those with less than a middle school diploma are Internet users. Home, Internet bars, the office and school occupy the first four places among the choices of the Internet access locations. Less than 7 per cent of users use the cell phone as one of their Internet accesses.

　　 Internet shopping remains at the bottom of the list of online activities. Only 17 per cent of users have done so. The types of products purchased online vary widely, ranging from books, computer equipment, sporting and entertainment goods, travel arrangements, food and cosmetics and electric appliances. The first three categories make up more than 10 per cent of such purchases. A wide variety of frequently cited reasons for not using the Internet include unavailability of goods and services on the Internet, inadequacy of current computer, fear of technology, concerns about privacy and security, and worries about viruses. (426 words)

　　2． E-learning and e-training 网络学习与网络培训

　　Advances in digital technology will benefit education, such as e-learning. “E-learning is one of the best ways to train a large population,” said Joel Mills, director and co-founder of the American Academy of Arts and a distance education specialist. E-education, with flexible schedules, customized content and hybrid teaching models, may speed up training for the next generation.

　　With the rapid development of technology and people’s demand for education mounting, so-called e-learning, or on-line long distance education, has become very popular and important in China. In some areas, e-learning has played a role traditional classroom education cannot accomplish.

　　 Approximately 90 per cent of the world’s new information is stored and retrieved in English. It is vital for China to use the Olympics as a catalyst to boost English acquisition to prepare itself or the digital revolution. To prepare for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, at least 6 million Chinese, including staff for the organizing committee, and in the service, retail, police, volunteer, technical and medical support sectors, reportedly need to improve their English language skills.

　　 E-learning breaks down the barriers of time and location, integrating education resources. When compared with traditional ways of teaching and learning, it is far more cost-effective for both the teachers and the students. (207 words)