The History of the Internet

We are all busy talking about and using the Internet, but how many of us know the history of the Internet?

Many people are surprised when they find that the Internet was set up (建立) in the 1960s. At that time, computers were large and expensive. Computer networks (网络) didn't work well. If one computer in the network broke down, then the whole network stopped. So a new network system (系统) had to be set up. It should be good enough to be used by many different computers. If part of the network was not working, information could be sent through another part. In this way computer network system would keep on working all the time.

At first the Internet was only used by the government (政府), but in the early 1970s, universities, hospitals and banks were allowed to use it, too. However, computers were still very expensive and the Internet was difficult to use. By the start of 1990s, computers became cheaper and easier to use. Scientists had also developed software that made “surfing?the Internet easier.

Today it is easy to get on-line and it is said that millions of people use the Internet every day. Sending e-mails is more and more popular among young people.

The Internet has now become one of the most important parts of people’s life.

根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。

() 1.How long has the Internet been used?

A. For about 10 years. B. For about 20 years.

C. For about 40 years. D. For about 60 years.

() 2.What would happen when one computer in the network broke down after the new network system was set up?

A. The other computers would wait. B. The other computers would still work.

C. Some of the others still worked.D. The other computers wouldn't work.

() 3. Which of the following used the Internet first?

A. Hospitals. B. Universities. C. Banks. D. The government.

() 4. What is true about computers in the 1990s?

A. They became cheaper and easier to use.

B. They became larger and larger.

C. People couldn't buy them anywhere.

D. People could get information only from them.

() 5. What can we infer (推断) from the last sentence?

A. People will die without the Internet.

B. All people should set up (建立) their own network.

C. People live easily without the Internet.

D. People will more and more depend on (依赖) the Internet.

答案与分析

1.C。从Many people are surprised when they find that the Internet was set up in the 1960s.可知互联网建立的时间，那么直到现在它已使用了约四十年了，故选Ｃ。

2.Ｂ。短文中有这么一句话If part of the network was not working, information could be sent through another part. In this way computer network system would keep on working all the time.让我们确定Ｂ为正确答案。

3.Ｄ。根据At first the Internet was only used by the government…可知应选D。

4.Ａ。由By the start of 1990s, computers became cheaper and easier to use.可知，九十年代的电脑更便宜并且更容易使用了，故选Ａ。

5.Ｄ。分析四个选项，只有Ｄ项（人们将越来越依赖互联网）与最后一句意思相符，故选Ｄ。