Social networking (SN).

Social networking (SN).

   In the good old days, friends used to phone you or send you a birthday card on your birthday. These days, if you're a member of a social networking website, like Facebook, MySpace, Habbo, Bebo or Hi5, you probably receive messages on your 'wall' with a virtual 'gift'.

  SN sites appeared just before the beginning of the century and took the Internet, and the world, by storm. Just a few decades ago, people wrote letters or called each other regularly to keep in touch. Then e-mails came, and today SN sites allow users to communicate instantly with friends and family.

  In the past, people could play computer games with friends only when they were together. With SN sites, users can play online games with people that are next door or on the other side of the world. They can even play with 'virtual' friends they've never even met. And it seems it doesn't take time to make friends; it just takes a few clicks of the mouse.

  Until very recently, people used to put all their holiday photos in albums. Now SN users can display their photos online. Just click on your friend's album and enjoy!

  It's easy to keep in touch with friends online, and making virtual friends can be great fun. But when it comes to birthdays, real gifts are much better than virtual ones!

1. Answer the questions.

1 Who can receive messages on a ‘wall' and virtual ‘gifts’?

2. What is Habbo?

3. When did social networking websites appear?

4. What are ‘virtual’ friends?

5. Where did people use to keep their photos?

II. Look at the words in bold in the text and choose the correct meaning a or b.

1. regularly

    a. usually

    b. suddenly

2. instantly

    a. soon

    b. immediately

3. online

    a. on the phone

    b. on the Internet

4. display

    a. take

    b. show

III. Discuss.

Are you a member of a social networking website? Why? / Why not?

What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of having virtual friends are?

1V. Read the sentences below and match the phrases in bold with the definitions a-g.

1. I left university last year, but I try to keep in touch with people through e-mail.

2. Give me a call when you get home, OK?

3. I left a message for Dana, but she hasn’t returned my call.

4. I’m not sure what my cousin is up to. We’ve lost touch.

5. I’m sorry I haven’t written to you. I promise to drop you a line soon.

6. Can I have a word with you before the meeting starts?

7. I sent a letter to Joe, but I didn’t receive a reply.

a. phone someone because they phoned you

b. get an answer

c. continue to communicate

d. speak to someone for a short time

e. send a short letter or note

f. stop communicating

g. phone someone

Keys I.  1. Members of social networking websites.

             2. A social networking website.

             3. Just before the beginning of the century.

             4. People/Users you have never met.

             5. In albums

         II. 1a 2b 3b 4b

         IV. lc 2g 3a 4f 5e 6d 7b