Stronger Together: How We Have Been Changed by the Internet
团结起来力量大：互联网如何改变了我们
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 convenient. We no longer have to wait in line or carry cash around when we go shopping. We can get the most updated information from large databases. We can download software, 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 networks.
Much has been written about the wonders of the World Wide Web 使用了现在完成时的被动语态，表示"已经写了大量文章"，强调对现在的影响（这些文章仍然存在、可读）。
Much 作代词 = a lot of things，谓语用单数。
telling us how... 现在分词作后置定语
countless articles telling us how the Internet has made our lives more convenient 中 telling 是现在分词作后置定语修饰 articles，相当于定语从句 that tell us...。
how 引导宾语从句作 telling 的直接宾语。
more...than simply make 比较级+than
has done much more for people than simply make life more convenient 中 more...than 构成比较结构，than 后接动词原形 make（与前面 has done 平行）。
注意比较对象的一致性：互联网做的（much more）> 仅仅是让生活更方便（simply make life convenient）。
Jan Tchamani, an English teacher in Birmingham, UK, suddenly developed a serious illness and had to quit her job. At age 50, she found herself out of work and stuck at home with only her computer to keep her company. 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.
its ability to remove the distance 中不定式 to remove 作后置定语修饰 ability。
名词 + to do 是常见搭配：ability to do（做……的能力）、opportunity to do（做……的机会）、effort to do（做……的努力）。
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, 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.
She was so inspired by the people she met online that she decided to start an IT club 使用了 so...that... 结构，表示"如此……以至于……"。
so + adj./adv. + that 从句。区别 so...that（如此……以至于）与 so that（以便；因此）的用法。
so...that 与 such...that 的区别：so 修饰 adj./adv.，such 修饰名词。so beautiful that... / such a beautiful girl that...
疑问词+不定式 how to apply
how to apply for work online 是"疑问词+不定式"结构，作 learnt 的宾语。这种结构比宾语从句更简洁：how he could apply for work online。
常见疑问词：what/when/where/how/whether + to do。注意 why 不用于此结构。
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. Her next goal is to start a charity website to raise money for children in poor countries.
it is highly important to bridge the digital divide and make sure that... 中 it 是形式主语，真正主语是不定式短语 to bridge...and make sure...。
it 作形式主语替代不定式/动名词/从句是高频考点。如：It is necessary for us to learn English well. / It is no use crying over spilt milk.
文化拓展
digital divide（数字鸿沟）：指不同地区、阶层之间在互联网接入和使用能力上的差距。发达国家与发展中国家之间、城市与乡村之间、年轻人与老年人之间都可能存在数字鸿沟。消除数字鸿沟（bridge the digital divide）是当今社会公平的重要议题。
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."