[课文内容]
STRONGER TOGETHER：HOW WE HAVE BEEN CHANGEDBY THE INTERNET
Much has been written about the wonders of the World Wide Web. There are countless articles telling us how the Internet has made our lives more convenient① 【1】. We no longer have to wait in line or carry cash② around when we go shopping. We can get the most updated③ information from large databases④. We can download software⑤， documents, and images whenever we need them. But the Internet has done much more for people than simply make life more convenient. People's lives have been changed by online communities and social networks⑥.
【1】句中的现在分词短语telling us how... more convenient作后置定语，修饰countless articles。
Jan Tchamani, an English teacher in Birmingham, UK, suddenly developed⑦ a serious illness and had to quit her job. At age 50, she found herself out of work and stuck⑧ at home with only her computer to keep her company⑨【2】. After a while, she discovered that surfing the Internet could help her feel less lonely and bored. She could listen to music, watch films, play games, and explore the world. She also joined an online group where she could talk about her problems and get support and advice from others. She realised that one of the greatest benefits of the Internet was its ability to remove the distance? that usually exists between people.【3】
【2】found herself... home为“find＋宾语＋宾补”结构，out of work和stuck at home作宾语补足语，说明herself的处境。with only... company为“with＋名词＋to do”结构，在句中作stuck的伴随状语。
【3】本句为复合句，realised后由that引导了一个宾语从句，宾语从句中one of the greatest benefits of the Internet是主语，its ability是表语，被不定式短语to remove the... people修饰，不定式短语中又包含了一个由that引导的定语从句，修饰先行词the distance。
She was so inspired? by the people she met online that she decided to start an IT club to teach older people how to use computers and the Internet. She and her friends now organise events and collect money to pay for private teachers. Many people have been helped by the club. A 59-year-old man learnt how to apply for work online and found a great job. Now that he works and can take care of himself 【4】， his daughter has time to study at university. A 61-year-old woman who was living alone has started a small online company together with two friends. She no longer feels lonely, and her company has become quite successful.
【4】此处为Now that引导的原因状语从句，now that意为“既然，由于”。
Jan has started taking online classes to learn more about how to use the Internet to make society better. She believes that it is highly important to bridge? the digital divide? and make sure that everyone has access? to the Internet and knows how to use new technology. 【5】 Her next goal is to start a charity? website to raise money for children in poor countries.
【5】本句为复合句，believes后由that引导了一个宾语从句，其中it是形式主语，真正的主语是不定式to bridge... technology，在作主语的不定式中又包含一个that引导的宾语从句。
Jan's life has been greatly improved by the Internet. “When you go through? tough? times, you meet others who are facing similar challenges，” Jan says. “Thinking about other people's situations inspired me to offer help.”
