In our society, we must communicate with people. A great deal of communicating is performe

d on a person-to- person【C1】______ by the simple means of speech. If we travel in buses, we are likely to have conversations【C2】______ we give information or opinions, and sometimes have our views【C3】______ by other members of society.

Face-to-face contact is by no means the【C4】______ form. of communication and during the last two hundred years the【C5】______ of mass communication has become one of the dominating factors of contemporary society. Two things,【C6】______ others, have caused the enormous growth of the communication 【C7】______ . Firstly, inventiveness has led to【C8】______ in printing, photography and so on. Secondly, speed has revolutionized the【C9】______ and reception of communications so that local news often takes a back【C10】______ to national news.

No longer is the possession of information【C11】______ to a privileged minority. Forty years ago people used to【C12】______ to the cinema, but now far more people sit at home and turn on the TV to watch a program that is being channeled to millions of homes.

Communication is no longer merely concerned【C13】______ the transmission of information. The modern communications industry influences the way people live in society and【C14】______ their horizons by allowing【C15】______ to information, education and entertainment. The printing, broadcasting and advertising industries are all【C16】______ with informing, educating and entertaining.

【C17】______ a great deal of the material communicated by the mass media is very【C18】______ to the individual and to the society of which he is a part, the vast modern network of communications is 【C19】______ to abuse. However, the mass media are with us for better, for worse, and there is no turning【C20】______ .

【C1】

A．basis

B．base

C．foundation

D．ground