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1. Passage A Passage B Return to Menu

2. Passage A • Think About It • Read About It • Talk About It • Write About It

3. 1. Are you hesitant about revealing your identity when you chat on the Internet? Why? Reference: Yes. Because we’re worried that someone will cheat us after he or she knows our real identity.

4. 2. Do you think cyberspace poses dangers to us? Why or why not? Please give your reasons. Reference: No. Because the cyberspace itself is not dangerous. It is dangerous only when some of its users use it to deceive others.

5. 3. Can you list some positive and negative impacts of digital culture on society at large? Reference: Negative impacts of the digital culture: 1) Some people are easily addicted to the Internet. They spend much time chatting in the Internet while they ignore their study and work. 2) Some people can take advantage of the Internet to cheat other people and spread something bad such as porn and misleading information. It leads to people’s dishonesty. Positive impacts of the digital culture: There is lots of important information and life-changing opportunities on the Internet. It’s easier for people to communicate with each other.

6. Read About It • Language Points • Content Awareness • Language Focus

7. Why Digital Culture Is Good for You? The news media, along with social and behavioral scientists, have recently sent out a multitude of warnings about the many dangers that await us out there in cyberspace. The truth of the matter is that the Web is no more inherently dangerous than anything else in the world. It is not some amorphous entity capable of inflicting harmful outcomes on all who enter. In fact, in and of itself, the Web is fairly harmless. It has no special power to overtake its users and alter their very existence. Like the old tale that the vampire can not harm you

8. unless you invite it to cross your threshold, the Internet cannot corrupt without being invited. And, with the exception of children and the weak-willed, it cannot create what does not already exist. (1) Like alcohol, the Web simply magnifies what is already there: Experts are concerned that the masking that goes on online poses a danger for everyone who is a part of the Digital Culture. Before we know it, the experts tell us, we will all use fake identities, become fragmented, and will no longer be sure of just who we are. Wrong.

9. The only people who feel compelled to mask, and otherwise misrepresent themselves online are the same people who are mysterious and unfrank in “real life”...the Net just gives them one more tool to practice their deceit. As for the rest of us, getting taken in by these people is a low probability. We know who these folks are in the “real world”. The Internet does not “cause” people to disguise as something they are not. As for the Digital Culture getting cheated by these dishonest folks, well, there are just as many “cues” online to decipher deception as there are in the “real world”. The competent WebHead

10. can recognize many red flags given off by the online behavior of others. Oftentimes the intentions of fellow users is crystal clear, especially over time. When someone is trying to deceive us online, inconsistencies, the essence that they are trying “too hard” or are just plain unbelievable, often come through loud and clear. Likewise, just like in the “real world”, a host of other unacceptable tendencies can be readily recognized online. Narcissism (it’s all about “meeeee”), those people who have nothing but negativity or unpleasant things to say about others, and those who feel compelled to undermine others and who think they must blow out the other guys’ candles in order for their own to shine can be spotted a cybermile away.

11. (2) The Web can bring out the best in people: Gregarious, frank folks in “real life” usually carry these same traits over to their online life. Most are just as fun-loving online if not more so, as they are at a party, at work, or at the local bar. Though admittedly, some are not quite as much fun to be around without a stiff drink. Shy folks have a “safer” environment online than in the “real world” and can learn to express themselves more freely on the Net (you’ve never seen anyone stutter on e-mail, have you?) allowing them to gain confidence and communication skills that can eventually spill over into other aspects of their lives. Helpful people in “real life” are often just as willing to come to someone’s assistance online as anywhere else.

12. (3) People are judged differently on the Web: On the Internet people are judged by their personality, beliefs and online actions, NOT by their physical appearance. This is good. It not only gives ugly folks an aid, but causes beautiful People to have to say something worth listening to in order to get attention. (4) People open up more: Many people are opening up a whole lot more these days since they are not required to use their real name and provide their real identity in the Internet. (5) We’re connected: Members of the Digital Culture know full well that there is a wealth of important information and life-changing opportunities out there in cyberspace. The Web has opened doors for

13. many of us that otherwise would never have been an option. Research possibilities and networking are just two such opportunities. (6) We Learn the Power of Words and to be Better Listeners: With no facial expressions, body language, or physical appearance to distract us, members of the Digital Culture have learned the power of words ... both their own, and others’. We know very well how a simple string of words can harm, hurt and offend, or how they can offer humor, help, support and encouragement. Most experienced members of the online culture have learned to become wordsmiths, carefully crafting the words they use to convey exactly what they mean so as not to be misunderstood.

14. Many of us have also learned to become far better listeners thanks to the Internet. Not only do we choose our words more carefully but we (especially those who communicate via email as opposed to chat rooms) are forced to wait until the other person finishes before we can speak or respond. (846 words)

15. Vampire A vampire is a creature in legends and horror stories in Western culture. Vampires are said to come out of graves at night and suck the blood of living people.

16. Meeeee Its actually the word “me” with the sound “e” lengthened to produce an emphatic effect. In the passage “me” refers to Narcissism.

17. Why Digital Culture Is Good for You? digitala. — of or based on a system by which information is represented in the form of changing electrical signals • Examples • a digital switch, digital computer(数字计算机), • digital controller (数字控制器)

18. along with — together with • Examples • Along with the letters posing questions, there are answers written by people who are supposed to know how to solve such problems. • She was released from prison along with two other politicians.

19. awaitv. — wait for • Examples • There is a contract awaiting signature. • John spent three months in prison awaiting trial and was eventually found guilty of “forcibly obstructing business.”

20. The truth of the matter is that the Web is no more inherently dangerous than anything else in the world. inherently ad. — by its or one’s nature; intrinsically • Examples • The high speed and high power that are so essential for the successful operation of the military planes are inherently uneconomical. • It seems that human beings are inherently social animals. More to learn

21. The truth of the matter is that the Web is no more inherently dangerous than anything else in the world. Paraphrase In fact, the Web in itself is as safe as anything else in the world.

22. inflictv. — force somebody to experience (something very unpleasant) • Examples • These sufferings inflicted on the children by the blockade are terrible to see. • I wish you wouldn’t keep inflicting your view on others in the room.

23. alterv. — change or make sb or sth. change • Examples • These clothes are too large; they must be altered. • His appearance hasn’t altered a bit.

24. corruptv. — cause to become morally bad; change from good to bad • Examples • When she started her career she was an honest and decent girl but vanity corrupted her quickly. • Sex and violence on the television and film can corrupt young people.

25. exception n. — ( a case of ) excepting or being excepted; a situation that is unusual and varies greatly from the excepted norm • Examples • Snow was generally light or did not remain on the ground long after falling. There were few exceptions. • You must all take the examination. I can make no exceptions. More to learn

26. with the exception of — except; apart from • Examples • With the exception of Tom, everyone went to summer camp. • With the exception of a few spelling mistakes, it is a good composition. More to learn

27. without exception — including all, with no exclusion • Examples • You must all take the physical exam without exception. • All members, without exception, must fill out this form.

28. magnifyv. — make something larger than it really is; exaggerate • Examples • The glass magnified the object so that we saw it bigger than life-size. • She tends to magnify all her problems and complain incessantly.

29. posen. — a position in which someone stands, sits, etc., esp. in order to be photographed, painted • Examples • He nervously assumed a stiff pose next to the fireplace. • The children were photographed in amusing poses. More to learn

30. posev. — cause (esp. a problem or difficulty) • Examples • I’m glad they’re coming to stay but it does pose the problem of where they can all sleep. • The increase in student numbers poses many problems for the universities.

31. fakea. — made and intended to deceive • Examples • Nowadays fake name-brand articles flood the stalls along this lane. • He wore a fake moustache to the party. More to learn

32. fakev. — copy something so as to deceive • Examples • He faked her signature to get money from the bank. • Tom was arrested for faking some famous paintings.

33. compelv. — make (a person or a thing) do something by force, moral persuasion or orders that must be obeyed • Examples • He was compelled to give up his studies due to his illness. • We are often compelled to say things we don’t mean out of politeness.

34. misrepresentv. — give an intentionally untrue account or explanation of • Examples • The company misrepresented its products in the advertisement. • “The press are misrepresenting my views on this matter,” he claimed.

35. As for the rest of us, getting taken in by these people is a low probability. take inv. — understand fully • Examples • It took me a long time to take in the title of this novel. • The meaning of the sentence is too involved for the students to take in at once. More to learn

36. As for the rest of us, getting taken in by these people is a low probability. take inv. — deceive; cheat • Examples • He was quite taken in by her pretense of modesty. • We are completely taken in by his story and lent him the money at once. More to learn

37. As for the rest of us, getting taken in by these people is a low probability. Paraphrase The rest of us are far from likely to be cheated by these people online.

38. cuen. — hint or suggestion, a signal for someone to do something • Examples • When I turn around I saw that it was your cue to stop talking and exit the room. • They started collecting the dishes and washing up, so that was our cue to leave the party.

39. competenta. —having the ability or skill to do something • Examples • I wouldn’t say she was brilliant but she is competent at her job. • My secretary is perfectly competent, but she doesn’t have initiative.

40. When someone is trying to deceive us online, inconsistencies, the essence that they are trying “too hard” or are just plain unbelievable, often come through loud and clear. deceive v. — cause sb. to accept as true or good what is false or bad, esp. for dishonest purpose; cheat • Examples • They deceived children into stealing from supermarkets. • We are deceived by his uniform ─ we had assumed that he was a soldier. More to learn

41. When someone is trying to deceive us online, inconsistencies, the essence that they are trying “too hard” or are just plain unbelievable, often come through loud and clear. Paraphrase When someone is trying to deceive us online, you would discover very obvious contradictions in what they say. These would be unfailing proof that they are trying “too hard” or are simply not to be trusted.

42. likewisead. —in the same way; similarly • Examples • Just water these flowers once a week, and likewise the trees in the garden. • I became angry, and she reacted likewise.

43. tendencyn. —a likelihood to move in a certain direction or do sth; trend • Examples • There is a tendency for the unemployment to rise in this field. • There is a growing tendency for people to pursue lifelong education.

44. Narcissism (it’s all about “meeeee”) 2, those people who have nothing but negativity or unpleasant things to say about others, and those who feel compelled to undermine others and who think they must blow out the other guys’ candles in order for their own to shine can be spotted a cybermile away. undermine v. — weaken (esp. someone’s power or chance of success), often gradually • Examples • Drugs undermined his health. • He undermined my authority by allowing students to be absent from class. More to learn

45. Narcissism (it’s all about “meeeee”) 2, those people who have nothing but negativity or unpleasant things to say about others, and those who feel compelled to undermine others and who think they must blow out the other guys’ candles in order for their own to shine can be spotted a cybermile away. blow out v. — extinguish by blowing • Examples • She blew the oil lamp out. • The sudden wind blew out the candles . More to learn

46. Narcissism (it’s all about “meeeee”) 2, those people who have nothing but negativity or unpleasant things to say about others, and those who feel compelled to undermine others and who think they must blow out the other guys’ candles in order for their own to shine can be spotted a cybermile away. Paraphrase Self-centered people can be recognized from very far away online because they tend to criticize others or devalue others in an effort to win more attention and respect from others.

47. bring outv. —evoke, present • Examples • This kind of work brings out the best in him. • A crisis can bring out the best and the worst in people. More to learn

48. bring outv. —publish, produce • Examples • He still insisted that he bring out her book in the summer. • The company has brought out a new type of laptop computer.

49. open upv. — speak more freely • Examples • When she felt she could trust me she began to open up. • Usually after a few drinks he would open up.

50. option n. — choice; one thing which can be chosen from a set of possibilities • Examples • One option would be to reduce the scale of the construction project. • You have the option of manual or automatic transmission.