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Two thirds of the single people looking for love in Britain turned to the Internet last year, according to
figures made in public yesterday. Special sites offer introductions to people such as smokers, Roman
Catholics, tall people, beautiful people, frequent flyers and vegetarians. Technology has brought about a
great change in the dating (约会) games.
A survey by Parsnip, a Britain branch of Europe's largest dating service with more than 1.5 million
members, says that 65 percent of the 5.4 million Britons looking for a relationship used online dating
services last year.
A spokeswoman for Relate, the relationship advisor, confirmed that a figure of two thirds feel it all
right. "Doing it online allows people quite a lot of privacy, (隐私) because they can do a bit of quiet
research and look around from the comfort of their own home. You don't have to meet a matchmaker
(媒人) or go to an actual dating agency office, which takes a lot of courage." She said.
There are more than 100 independent online dating agencies in Britain. Parsnip says that 50 percent
of single people believe they will meet a suitable partner through the Internet, from 35 percent six months
ago.
Mary Balfour, the founder, says that the Internet has changed the dating industry completely. "It's like
a return to old-fashioned love letters," she said." You don't base your first judgment on how someone
looks or what his or her figure is like. You e-mail or talk before you actually see each other. Everybody
you know who is single these days has at least had a good look at a dating site, introduction agency or
personal ads. They have to, because all the old matchmaking institutions have gone. People work harder,
settle down later and live more isolated lives. They are much more likely to end the day with DVD and a
glass of beer than by going to a meeting place.
1. What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. British singles go online for love.
B. British singles like going online.
C. Going online for love is dangerous.
D. New ways of dating in Britain.
2. The following statements are false EXCEPT that singles ______.
A. don't have to do any research at all
B. needn't go to a matchmaker
C. need to actually meet each other
D. have to go to a gathering place
3. According to the text, about ______ Britons dated Online last year.
A. 3.5 million
B. 1.5million
C. 2.7million
D. 1.9million
4. From the passage, we can learn that ______.
A. old-fashioned love letters become popular again.
B. online dating services are out of date
C. half singles believe they can meet a suitable partner online
D. online dating needs a lot of courage
