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Thanks to smartphones, telling your partner “I love you” has never been easier. And, according to some new research, it’s probably making your relationship stronger, too.
There’s no denying technology’s impact on modern relationships, just as there’s no denying technology’s impact on modern, well, everything. Websites and apps such as Match.com, OkCupid and Tinder have changed the way Americans meet and date. A 2013 study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that more than one-third of all U.S. marriages now begin through online dating, which has grown into a $2 billion-a-year industry, according to IBISWorld. And, of course, they’ve changed how we communicate. Facebook, Twitter, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram have replaced the Phone.
For tech-savvy couples, the communication possibilities today are seemingly endless. Texting apps allow partners to communicate throughout the day regardless of where they are. And while there are some dangers that accompany regular texting with your partner, couples that exchange affectionate texts can actually enhance their relationships. A new report from the Pew Research Centre shows that 21 percent of people in committed relationships say they felt closer to their spouse or partner because of exchanges they had either online or via text message.
“People will text no matter what—it’s too convenient,” says Lori Schade, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist in Salk Lake City, Utah. “But if they use text messages purposefully to put money in the relationship bank, so to speak, by being positive, they might be developing resilience (韧性) to weather future storms.”
Meanwhile, several apps that are built specially for couples have begun appearing in app stores everywhere. Couple, an app that allows couples to communicate in their own, private channel, has been downloaded nearly 2.5 million times. The app lets you and your partner share messages and videos, build a private shared timeline recording your relationship, share to-do lists and even send “ThumbKisses” to one another.
Some dating sites are figuring out ways to stay involved in couples’ lives beyond the meeting period. HowAboutWe, which likes to call itself “The Online Dating Sites”, has a separate service for couples that offers pre-planned dates ranging from tickets to a Broadway show, to custom peanut butter sandwiches, to a robot-building workshop. The company launched a new couples app called “You & Me”, which allows partners to cooperate on playlists, share photos and exchange private messages.
So while there’s no substitution for actual face time in relationship, FaceTime is looking more and more like a good alternative to fill in the gaps
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74. “Tech-savvy couples” in Paragraph 3 may refer to couples who _____.
A. can save technology B. have a good command of technology
C. communicate endlessly D. work in the field of information technology
75. In Lori Schade’s opinion, texting can _____.
A. enable people to put money in the bank B. prevent partners being caught in storms
C. help people enhance their relationships D. expose people to more dangers
76. It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
A. actual face time is more important than online face time
B. actual face time will eventually give way to online face time
C. online face time makes relationships stronger than actual face time
D. online face time can make up for the disadvantages of actual face time
77. Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?
A. Modern technology: Bringing people closer
B. Modern technology: Recording relationships
C. Modern technology: Changing everyday life
D. Modern technology: Making communication easier
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