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The chart above illustrates the trading volume and growth rate of online shopping in China from 2001 to 2008. During the eight-year period, the trading volume increased from 0.6 billion yuan in 2001 to 125 billion yuan in 2008. Meanwhile, the growth rate decreased from 200% to 110.4%, a decline of about 90%.

While online shopping is not without its risks, it is an excellent alternative to traditional shopping. The main reason that online shopping is so appealing and is developing so fast is its convenience. For prudent consumers with busy schedules, shopping online allows them to have the product they want in the comfort of their home.

It is obvious that online shopping is not only here to stay but will continue to increase. Traditional "bricks and mortar" shops should become "clicks and mortar" to increase their sales and to keep up with this trend.

上图说明了我国2001年至2008年的网购交易额和增长率。这八年期间，交易额从2001年的6亿元增至2008年的1,250亿元。同时，增长率从200%降至110.4%，下降了大约90%。

虽然网上购物并非零风险，但它是一种替代传统购物的极佳方式。网上购物如此吸引人、发展如此之快，主要原因就是其便捷性。对于忙碌的精明消费者来说，网上购物可以让他们舒舒服服地在家里就能买到他们想要的产品。

很明显，网上购物不仅成了一种风尚，而且会继续增长。采用传统商业模式的商店应该把传统商业模式和互联网商业模式结合起来，以增加销量并跟上这一趋势。

道长点评

国内英语考试的写作题已多次考查"网络"相关的话题：2007年英语专业四级的Is It Wise to Make Friends Online?(网上交友是否明智?)，2009年考研的"网络的'近'与'远'"，2011年6月四级的Online Shopping(网上购物)以及2012年6月六级的The Impact of the Internet on Interpersonal Communication(因特网对人际交流的影响)。

illustrate 说明

trading volume 交易额

growth rate 增长率

online shopping 网上购物

meanwhile 同时

decline 下降

risk 风险

alternative 可供选择的事物

appealing 吸引人的

convenience 方便

prudent 明智谨慎的

allow 允许

comfort 舒适

obvious 明显的

competitive 有竞争力的

sales 销量

1 An advantage of online shopping is that it allows people to find the cheapest price with a flick of the mouse.

网上购物的一个优势就是让人们只需轻按鼠标就能找到最便宜的价格。

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