Step by Step 3000 第3册 Unit7:New ways to communicate(2)

B. Keywords.

socializing, social networking website, digital community.
Vocabulary.

socialize, like-minded, upload, hook up, devotee, create a buzz, MySpace, Bebo, MSN Spaces, Artic Monkeys and Lily Allen.
B1. You're going to hear a news report introducing a website called MySpace.com, after that, you will hear 5 statements, decide whether they are true or false.
How do you meet new people, make new friends or find out about the latest bands?
Here in the UK, young people have traditionally done their socializing in bars, pubs and clubs.
However, there is a new generation growing up that finds it easier to manage the social lives on the net, using free websites like MySpace, Bebo or MSN Spaces.
Welcome to the social networking website, a place where you can present yourself to the digital community and meet other like-minded people.
The most successful social networking website in the UK is MySpace.com.
As of July 2006, MySpace is the world's fourth most popular English Language Website, attracting almost 3 million visitors per month.
MySpace claims to have 95 million members with 500,000 new members joining the community each week.
So how has it become so successful? Perhaps its secret is in its simplicity.
Each new member can build their own page simply, uploading photos, videos and mp3 files.
Then they describe themselves, listing their likes, dislikes, favourite bands, relationship status, etc.
It's an easy way to hook up with people who share your interest.
Briana Dougherty, a 25-year-old MySpace devotee, told us"It's a casual way to stay in contact without appearing weird."
It seems that many people do not feel comfortable giving out their phone number or personal e-mail address to new acquaintances, but are perfectly happy to trade MySpace profile.
While socializing is the key to MySpace's success, love of music is at the heart of the community.
Indeed most aspiring musicians in the UK upload their songs to the site
and with good reason, unsigned artists, Artic Monkeys and Lily Allen created such a buzz on the site that they were offered recording contracts and scored NO.1 hits.
Social network sites could be a great place to practice your English, why not give it a try?
You can tell us about your experience by filling in the new comments form at the top of the screen.
Statements.
1. Most young people in the UK make new friends at work.
2. Yahoo and Google are social networking sites.
3. MySpace is one of the top 5 English language websites.
4. New bands put their music on the web for people to listen to.
5. Users of social networks usually pay for the service.