阅读理解
The Internet will open up new vistas (前景), create the global village-you can make new friends all
around the world.That, at least, is what it promised us.The difficulty is that it did not take the human mind
into account.The reality is that we cannot keep relationships with more than a limited number of people.
No matter how hard the Internet tries to put you in communication, its best efforts will be defeated by
your mind.
The problem is twofold (双重的). First, there is a limit onthe number of people we can hold in mind
and have a meaningful relationship with.That number is about 150 and is set by the size of our brain
.Second, the quality of your relationships depends on the amount of time you invest (投入) in them.We
invest a lot in a small number of people and then distribute what's left among as many others as we can.
The problem is that if we invest little time in a person, ourengagementwith that person will decline (减弱)
until eventually it dies into "someone Ionce knew".
This is not, of course, to say that the Internet doesn't serve a socially valuable function.Of course it
does.But the question is not that it allows you to increase the size of your social circle to include the rest
of the world, but that you can keep your relationships with your existing friends going even though you
have to move to the other side of the world.
In one sense, that's a good thing.But it also has a disadvantage.If you continue to invest in your old
friends even though you can no longer see them, then certainly you aren't using your time to make new
friends where you now live.And I suspect that probably isn't the best use of your time.Meaningful
relationships are about being able to communicate with each other, face to face.The Internet will slow
down the rate with which relationships end, but it won't stop that happening eventually.

1. What is stressed in the first paragraph?

A. The present situation of the Internet.
B. The difficulty in communication on the Internet.
C. The socially valuable function of the Internet.
D. The role of the human mind in the Internet communication.

2. The underlined word "engagement" in the second paragraph probably means" ________ ".

A. appointment
B. connection
C. interview
D. agreement

3. According to the passage, the author holds the view that ______.

A. the Internet fails to play so valuable a role in communication as it promised
B. the Internet determines the quality of social relationships
C. the Internet greatly increases the size of social circles
D. the Internet communication is no less effective than the facetoface talk

4. What is the author's attitude towards the use of the Internet to strengthen relationships?

A. He is uncertain about it.
B. He is hopeful of it.
C. He approves of it.
D. He doubts it.

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