Changes in the 21st Century-21世紀的變化

　　In the last hundred years we have seen inventions that have not only greatly improved our lives but changed the way we live. While there is no way to predict exactly what our scientists and entrepreneurs will come up with in the 21st century, there are indications that advances will be made in certain areas.

　　First, advances will continue to be made in the field of medicine that will allow people to live longer and healthier lives. Biotechnology in the field of genetics may someday allow us to develop bodies that are stronger and free of inherited defects. Second, new technology has already brought people around the world closer. This trend will continue in the 21st century as communication becomes more efficient and affordable. Third, we can expect a growing population and demands for a higher standard of living to put increasing pressure on the earth’s resources. We have already seen some of the effects of this pressure in the form of pollution and global warming.

　　It is likely that these trends will also continue and that more damage to the environment will be done. On the other hand, perhaps we will find more efficient ways to make use of the available resources or develop alternative forms of energy. In that case, we may live in better harmony with nature.

　　生活在21世紀的優缺點-The Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in the 21st century

　　Living in the 21st century offers certain advantages,such as a higher standard of living, but it also has some disadvantages, such as a polluted environment.

　　To begin with, most people now have more money for less hard work. They earn higher salaries than before and enjoy better social security, such as social welfare for laid-off workers and disability insurance.

　　Secondly, because of the advance in medical technology which leads to better medical care and treatment, people's life expectancy is longer. Moreover, most people now can afford to buy foods of high nutrition and enjoy their leisure time.

　　Thirdly, modern conveniences such as radio, TV, internet, various vehicles and labour-saving machines in the home, all greatly facilitate human communication, transportation and housework as well.

　　Nevertheless, living in the 21st century also has its disadvantages. The most serious one is the increasingly polluted environment; air is filled with smog and water is contaminated by iehemicals from factories.Another main disadvantage is the personalization of human relattonships which mostly result from people's ever-increasing contact with machines and numbers. Still one more disadvantage is the weakening of spiritual values. An undeniable fact is that a large number of people are solely interested in materialistic culture,while neglecting spiritual civilization. Limited by space, we have to skip the examples.

　　In conclusion, although the 21st century has indeed given us a lot of advantages, it may not have made us wiser, because it has also made our earth dirtier, our people less humane, and our spirituali iife poorer, We shpuld continue to enjoy the benefits of technological advancement,however, we must

　　make a concerted effort to preserve our natural environment for future generations. Moreover, we should take the time now to make our lives more meaningful in anihcreasingly impersonal, computerized world.