Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Today more than at any time in the history of the world it is important to be able to read and write. This change has been brought about by the Internet which we use to communicate with one another, to get our news, and to sell our product.
今天比世界历史上任何时候都更重要的是能够读写。这一变化是由我们用来相互交流、获取新闻和销售产品的互联网带来的。
Millions of people communicate today through e-mail using the Internet. In the past people would have face-to–face meetings or call one another on the phone; today they use e-mail and chat rooms. It is obviously necessary to be able to read and write in order to participate in this technological revolution.
今天有数百万人通过电子邮件使用互联网进行交流。在过去，人们会面对面地开会或打电话；今天，他们使用电子邮件和聊天室。显然，要参与这场技术革命，必须具备读写能力。
Today, one can subscribe to news and information services on the Net. When you turn on your computer in the morning, you are given the headlines, financial news, sports scores, or social events that you requested. The news from television or radio—as many still do. Yet, getting your news from the Internet is more efficient since the news is tailored to your specific interests.
今天，人们可以在网上订阅新闻和信息服务。当你早上打开电脑时，你会得到你要求的标题、财经新闻、体育成绩或社交活动。来自电视或广播的新闻仍像许多人一样。然而，从互联网上获取新闻更为有效，因为新闻是根据您的特定兴趣量身定制的。
E-commerce also demands that people be able to write and read. Of course, the people who design web retail who sites, must be able to express themselves clearly in writing. The potential customers must be able to read the product descriptions. In the past, people would go into stores (as many still do) and point to objects that they would like to buy. This physical approach to shopping does not require any special language skills.
电子商务还要求人们能够读写。当然，那些设计网络零售网站的人，必须能够用文字表达清楚自己。潜在客户必须能够阅读产品说明。在过去，人们会走进商店（和现在一样），指着他们想买的东西。这种实体购物方式不需要任何特殊的语言技能。
The Internet will force us all to be literate not only in reading and writing, but also with computers. Today, we must be skilled readers and writers to be successful in the high tech world.
互联网将迫使我们不仅在阅读和写作方面，而且在计算机方面都有文化。今天，我们必须成为熟练的读者和作家才能在高科技世界取得成功