The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.
Now that we are in a new millennium, we can assume there will be changes in the world. I predict that the changes will be in the areas of information dissemination, global alliances, and family structure.
既然我们已经进入了一个新的千年，我们可以假设世界将会发生变化。我预测这些变化将发生在信息传播、全球联盟和家庭结构等领域。
In the past decades, the computer was responsible for changing the way information was organized. Now, the computer plus the Internet is changing the way information is spread. Information will now be universally available to anyone with a computer. You will not have to go to libraries to do research; you will not have to travel to visit scholars; you will not have to go to a bookstore to buy a book. You can do all of this from your home on the computer.
在过去的几十年中，计算机负责改变信息的组织方式。现在，计算机加上互联网正在改变信息传播的方式。现在任何有电脑的人都可以普遍获得信息。你不必去图书馆做研究；你不必去访问学者；你不必去书店买书。所有这些都可以在家里用电脑完成。
In the past decades, the nations of the world aligned themselves with the United States, the former Soviet Union, or with one another in a loose alliance. In the future these alliances will be more fluid. Some countries will align politically with one country, but economically with another. Some countries will share technology and other information, but will not trade together. Some countries, which have long been enemies, will align militarily for regional security.
在过去的几十年里，世界各国都与美国、前苏联结盟，或者彼此结成松散的联盟。在未来，这些联盟将更加灵活。一些国家会在政治上与一个国家结盟，但在经济上与另一个国家结盟。一些国家将分享技术和其他信息，但不会一起进行贸易。一些长期以来一直是敌人的国家，为了地区安全，将在军事上结盟。
The family structure will not be based on a mother/father/child pattern. Single parent families will be more common and often the child will not be a biological child of the single parent, but will be adopted. Other family structures like domestic partnerships will become more accepted.
家庭结构将不会基于母亲/父亲/孩子的模式。单亲家庭将更加普遍，通常孩子不会是单亲家庭的亲生子女，而是会被收养。其他的家庭结构，如家庭伙伴关系，将会被更多的人所接受。
Whatever the changes may be, whether in the way we receive information, the way nations align with one another, or the way family units are defined, you can be sure that there will be more change. Change is a constant.
无论变化是什么，无论是在我们接收信息的方式，国家之间的相互协调方式，还是家庭单位的定义方式，你都可以确信会有更多的变化。变化是永恒的