Student Use of Computers
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic: Student Use of Computers. You should write at least 120 words, and base your composition on the chart and the outline given below:
Student Use of Computers
1． 上图所示为1990年、1995年、2000年某校大学生使用计算机的情况，请描述其变化；
2． 请说明发生这些变化的原因（可从计算机的用途、价格或社会发展等方面加以说明）；
3． 你认为目前大学生在计算机使用中有什么困难或问题。
【范文】
Student Use of Computers
Students tend to use computers more and more nowadays. Reading this chart, we can find that the average number of hours a student spends on the computer per week has increased sharply. In 1990, it had less than 2 hours, and in 1995, it increased to almost 4 hours, and in 2000, the number soared① to 20 hours.
Obviously computers are becoming more and more popular. There are several reasons for this. First, computers facilitate② us in more aspects of life. Also, the fast development of the Internet enlarges our demands for using computers. We can easily contact with friends in remote③ places through the Internet. Besides, the prices of computers are getting lower and lower, which enables more students to purchase them.
However, there still exist some problems, such as, poor quality, out-of-date④ designs and so on. And how to balance the time between using computers and studying is also a serious problem.
Anyhow⑤, we will benefit a lot from computers as long as we use them properly.
【注释】
①soar: 飞涨，暴涨
②facilitate: 使……变得容易；促进……
③remote: 遥远的；远方的
④out-of-date: 过时的
⑤anyhow：不管怎样；总之
【点评】
这是一篇根据中文提纲展开的图表式说明文。这种题型在近几年的大学英语四级考试中常常出现。
本文首先依照提示要求对已给出的数据进行分析得出：1990年到2000年学生平均每周花在计算机上的时间呈飞速上升趋势，然后分析该现象形成的原因是电脑方便了我们的生活，功能快捷、便于联系，及价格下跌。最后指出存在的一些问题。同时告诫学生要处理好使用计算机和课程学习的关系。
本文文字朴实，结构严密，语言简洁流畅。