1. What do people do online in their spare time?

Well, there5 s a ton of things to do in the internet. But when people have spare time, I think they usually just scroll through social media63. You know, it’s a pretty mindless64 activity that can kill several hours at a time. But some people like using their minds a little more, so they might check out online news sites. That way, they can stay up to date with what’s happening in the world65.

2. Do you think many people waste their time online?

Yeah, I guess it’s a big problem nowadays. With the development of technology, it’s easier than ever66 to access the internet and just waste hours online. A lot of people I know, including myself, waste time scrolling through social media67 It’s such a mindless activity 68that can waste several hours of your day. Some people like to play games online too, which can be pretty unproductive. It’s such a shame69.

3. Have you solved problems or found solutions on the internet?

Yeah, I’ve definitely solved problems by turning to the internet. There have been so many times where I wasn’t sure about something, so I googled70 it to find the answer. For example, I was having an argument with my friend over71 the name of a famous author. We were both sure we were right, but to double check, we looked it up online. It turns out I was right! The internet was a real life-saver72 that day.

4. Do people use the internet to learn knowledge?

Yes, I think lots of people use the internet to gain knowledge. For example, there are plenty of online courses you can take about a wide range of subjects. Last summer, my cousin took an online accounting course. It really helped him figure out his finances73. Plus, people can learn from the internet on a smaller scale74 too. It’s easy to find tutorial resources75 on the internet for any specific skill. There are tons of online articles about interesting things that are available to the public76. For example, I know a website that has taught lots of people how to shoot photos like a professional photographer.

5. Do you think the government should post information on the internet?

Well, I suppose it depends on the type of information. If they’re posting about new laws or other things that affect all citizens, then it’s great to put it online. That way, it’s easily accessible to everyone77 But if it’s private information that they’ve gained from ordinary people, they should definitely not post it somewhere where anyone could find it.78 So I think that within reason79, the government should post information online.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of students using the internet?

There are tons of advantages. Students can learn a ton of new things by going on the internet. They can also connect with friends and stay up to date on each other’s lives through social media80. But every rose has its thorn81. The internet can be a source of distraction that keeps students from reaching their full potential. Students can also be exposed to82 lots of dangerous or inappropriate materials by using the internet, like browsing content related to violence and pornography.

63 scroll through social media:浏览社交网站
64 mindless:机械不需要动脑筋的
65 stay up to date with what ’ s happening in the world: 了解到当前世界上发生什么，紧跟时代潮流
66 it’s easier than ever:比以前容易多了
67 scrolling through social media:浏览社交媒体，刷社交媒体
68 such a mindless activity:不费脑子的活动，无脑的活动
69 It’s such a shame:很惭愧
70 googled:这里google指的是搜索
71 having an argument with my friend over:和我朋友对关于…争吵，争论
72 a real life-saver：帮了大忙
73 figure out his finances:搞清楚，算明白他的财务状况
74 on a smaller scale:在小程度上，这里意为通过网络学一些小事
75 tutorial resources:教程、辅导你的资源
76 available to the public:对外公开
77 it’s easily accessible to everyone:对每个人都很容易接触到
78 post it somewhere where anyone could find it.:发在每个人都能找到的地方
79 within reason：在合乎情理之内
80 stay up to date on each other’s lives through social media ：通过社交媒体时刻了解彼此的生活
81 every rose has its thorn：凡事都有利弊
82 be exposed to：接触到，被暴露在…