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  3. A couple of years ago, the digital divide — generally defined as the schism

A couple of years ago, the digital divide — generally defined as the schism

游客2024-02-10  28
问题     A couple of years ago, the digital divide — generally defined as the schism between those with access to technology and those without — was a hot-button issue. It was almost fashionable for government officials and high-tech tycoons to voice their concerns about the plight of African Americans missing the boat to the New Economy, and trailing whites in every category from computer ownership to Internet use.
    In the past, the digital divide was largely thought to be an issue of access to relevant websites. Today, there is a realization that the focus needs to be on training, awareness, and helping African Americans make their lives more meaningful through the use of technology.
    But the buzz about providing access has quieted. One reason is that many tech companies are hurting. Since the Internet bubble burst, many firms no longer have the resources to focus on bridging the divide. Of course there are some exceptions. Some companies provide support for programs that teach minorities about computers and the Internet, while others donate computer equipment to low-income schools.
    So has the divide been bridged? Not quite. But recent statistics suggest that it is narrowing. According to a recent study, the number of black Web users surged 19% in the past year, while the overall Internet population only grew 14% during the same period. But experts fear those gains could be hampered by governmental budget cuts. And some technologists say an increase in the number of African American Web users doesn’t show the big picture. They maintain that focusing on the number of African Americans who own a computer, or who have ever logged on to the Internet, misses the point. The real question is what people do with their computers.
    Until more African Americans develop an aptitude for using their computers and the Internet to better their economic situations, the digital divide is as wide as an ocean. Many remain optimistic, though, believing that as more and more African Americans discover practical uses for the Internet, such as finding business and employment opportunities, the divide will be bridged. [br] It can be inferred from the passage that______.
选项 A、all Americans should have computers
B、companies should donate computers to schools
C、more effort should be made to help African Americans make good use of computers
D、it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that African Americans make use of technology
答案 C
解析 文章第4段第6句中的technologists say an increase in the number of African AmericanWeb users doesn’t show the big picture和末句中提到的The real question is what people dowith their computers以及第5段首句暗示美国黑人还不能充分利用他们的电脑，由此可知还需要有人帮助美国黑人好好利用电脑。A)过于绝对；B)是针对第3段末句设置的干扰项；D)在文中没有涉及。
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