【题目】
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
【范文】The Effects of Television on Communication
There is no doubt that television has greatly changed people’s lives. After its invention, it became an almost indispensable part of most households within the space of just a few years. Nowadays, many families have two or even three television sets so that every member of the family can watch what he wants whenever he wants. In my opinion, this has significantly reduced the amount of time that family and friends spend communicating with each other.
Before the invention of television, people spent their leisure time in more active and social pursuits. They often played cards or other games, listened to the radio together or went out to see friends. But now television is widely available and it offers a variety of program choices that appeal to almost every interest. People no longer have to look to others for entertainment. Also, television can be like a sedative. Studies have shown that watching a great deal of television makes people more passive. Finally, people are simply watching increasing amounts of television. And with two or three TV sets in the house, there is no need for them to even watch it together.
Although television has reduced the amount of time that family and friends spend together, it doesn’t have to be this way. People can make the choice to turn off the TV and do something more active. Or, if they really want to watch TV, they can find a thought-provoking program that they would all like to watch and discuss afterwards.
【参考译文】电视对沟通的影响
电视已经大大地改变了人们的生活，这一点是毋庸置疑的。电视在其发明后的短短几年内几乎成为大多数家庭中不可或缺的一部分。现在许多家庭拥有两台甚至三台电视机，每个家庭成员随时可以看自己想看的节目。我认为这样已使得家人和朋友之间沟通的时间大为减少。
在电视发明之前，人们有空就会做一些比较积极的消遣，并进行社交活动。人们会经常玩扑克牌或其他游戏，一起听收音机或出去拜访朋友。但是现在电视很普及，有各式各样的节目可供选择，几乎能让每个人都很感兴趣，于是人们便不再寻求其他的娱乐。而且，电视就好像镇静剂一样。有研究指出，观看大量的电视节目会让人变得比较消极。最后，人们看电视的时间变得越来越多，而且有两台或三台电视机的家庭，其家人甚至都不在一起看电视。
虽然电视已使家人和朋友之间相聚的时间变少，但这并非是必然的结果。人们可以选择关上电视，去从事一些更积极的活动。或者如果真的想看电视，也可以找一个大家都想看的思考性节目，看完之后可以一起讨论。
【注释】
indispensable adj.不可或缺的 significantly adv.相当大地
pursuit n.工作;消遣 thought-provoking adj.发人深省的