Is Television a Blessing or a Curse
　　Now, it is generally accepted that television plays an important part in people's lives. But, there is an ongoing heated discussion as to whether television is a blessing or a curse.
　　As is often pointed out by some people, television keeps one better informed about current events, allows one to follow the latest developments in politics and science, and offers an endless series of programs which are both instructive and stimulating. The most distant countries, the strangest customs and the most attractive scenes of nature are brought right into one's room.
　　However, other people insist that television is a curse rather than a blessing. They argue that it has brought about many serious problems. The major one is its effects on young people. They are now used to getting their information, education and entertainment from television that their literacy as well as physical ability has been greatly weakened. Even worse than that, vulgar commercials and indecent programs may cultivate their bad tastes, distort their viewpoints towards human life to such a degree that their minds might be corrupted.
　　In summary, television has both advantages and disadvantages. Whatever effects it has, one thing is certain, television in itself is neither good nor bad. It is the uses to which it is put that determines its value to society.      (198 words)

结构剖析
　文章分为三段
　第一段引入话题点出激烈讨论的话题： 电视的利与弊。
　第二段展开话题举例详细论证电视的利与弊这两方面。
　第三段话题结论提出自己的看法，电视的使用方式决定其价值。

 


电视是福还是祸
　　如今，人们普遍认为电视在生活中发挥着重要的作用。但是，对于电视是福还是祸，是人们正激烈讨论的话题。
　　正如人们经常指出的那样，电视能使人们很好地掌握时事信息，使人们追踪政治和科学最新的发展，给人们提供无穷无尽的既有启发性又引人入胜的节目。最遥远的国度、最奇怪的习俗以及最吸引人的自然风景都被带入到人们的房间里。
　　然而，一些人坚持认为电视是祸不是福。他们认为电视带来许多严峻的问题。最主要的是它带给年轻人的影响。年轻人现在都习惯于通过电视获得信息、教育和娱乐，以至于他们的阅读能力和体能大大削弱了。比这更糟糕的是，恶俗的广告和粗鄙的节目可能会使他们养成坏的品味，将他们的人生观扭曲到心智可能被腐蚀的程度。
　　总而言之，电视既有好处也有坏处。不管它有什么影响，有一件事是确定的，电视自身无好坏，是使用方式决定它对社会的价值。

ongoing heated discussion 正在进行激烈的讨论
curse  n. 诅咒； 祸根
instructive adj. 有教育意义的
vulgar  adj. 粗俗的
indecent adj. 下流的， 不妥当的
distort v. 歪曲，扭曲

1. But, there is an ongoing heated discussion as to whether television is a blessing or a curse.  但是，对于电视是福还是祸，是人们正激烈讨论的话题。
2. However, other people insist that television is a curse rather than a blessing. They argue that it has brought about many serious problems. 然而，一些人坚持认为电视是祸不是福。他们认为电视带来许多严峻的问题。
3. Even worse than that, vulgar commercials and indecent programs may cultivate their bad tastes, distort their viewpoints towards human life to such a degree that their minds might be corrupted. 比这更糟糕的是，恶俗的广告和粗鄙的节目可能会使他们养成坏的品味，将他们的人生观扭曲到心智可能被腐蚀的程度。
4. One thing is certain, television in itself is neither good nor bad. It is the uses to which it is put that determines its value to society. 有一件事是确定的，电视自身无好坏，是使用方式决定它对社会的价值。