Passage 1
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.
46.( )
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.