DIRECTIONS: Chооse the best аnswer fоr eаch question. Being Reаlistic About Video Games [A] The debate about the effects of video games on children and teenagers will probably never come to an end. For every person who argues that video games are no different from movies, television, or other visual forms of entertainment, there is another who argues that video games are an especially negative force for young people at a crucial stage of their development. As a result of these polarized1 opinions, it is difficult for people to know what the truth is. However, according to the research of experts who study the effects of video games, both sides of the debate are partially right. It is clear that video games can have both positive and negative effects on the young people who play them.[B] In recent years, several studies within the field of psychology have demonstrated that video games are able to benefit young people if played in moderation. Video games are fun and stimulating and, in turn, are able to maintain a young person's concentration for a longer period of time than other media. As a result, if there is something to be learned through the gaming experience (for example, information about a new geographical location), the video game can facilitate the growth of a young person's knowledge.[C] Interestingly, researchers have also learned that video games can help children and teenagers develop several skills that can be transferred to other areas of their life, including education. Fast-moving video games have been shown to improve reaction speed, hand-eye coordination, as well as the ability to recognize patterns. Because they also involve puzzles and the need for strategy, video games have also been linked with improved problem-solving skills. Finally, although some have suggested that video gamers often exhibit signs of loneliness, research has demonstrated that modern online video games have helped develop social skills, including team building and cooperation. [D] Despite these many benefits, however, one cannot ignore the fact that video games can have a highly negative effect on some children and teenagers. This is typically the case for those young people who are addicted to video games and, thus, play them excessively. [E] The first major downside of excessive video game playing is the negative effect it has on academic achievement. Research has made it clear that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time a young person spends playing video games and their performance in school. Quite simply, those who play more tend to receive lower grades. In one study, for instance, it was demonstrated that almost 50 percent of heavy gamers received poor test scores. This was much worse than the 25 percent of light gamers who also did poorly on their tests.[F] Much like television and Internet addiction, young people who become dependent on video games are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems. While some children and teenagers become obese2 from a lack of exercise, others develop constant fatigue due to a lack of sleep.[G] Based on the pros and cons discussed in this article, it should be clear to parents and guardians that there is no black and white answer to the question of whether video games are a positive or negative force for young people. While video games can facilitate the development of important skills, too much time on the screen can lead to severe negative side effects and even cancel out the benefits. Consequently, parents and guardians ought to focus on finding the right balance between too much gaming and no gaming at all.1 If an issue is polarized, there are different groups holding opposite opinions about it.2 If someone is obese, they are overweight to an unhealthy level.According to the writer, why are video games able to improve problem-solving skills?
DIRECTIONS: Reаd the pаssаge. Cоmplete the chart with wоrds frоm the passage. Being Realistic About Video Games [A] The debate about the effects of video games on children and teenagers will probably never come to an end. For every person who argues that video games are no different from movies, television, or other visual forms of entertainment, there is another who argues that video games are an especially negative force for young people at a crucial stage of their development. As a result of these polarized1 opinions, it is difficult for people to know what the truth is. However, according to the research of experts who study the effects of video games, both sides of the debate are partially right. It is clear that video games can have both positive and negative effects on the young people who play them.[B] In recent years, several studies within the field of psychology have demonstrated that video games are able to benefit young people if played in moderation. Video games are fun and stimulating and, in turn, are able to maintain a young person's concentration for a longer period of time than other media. As a result, if there is something to be learned through the gaming experience (for example, information about a new geographical location), the video game can facilitate the growth of a young person's knowledge.[C] Interestingly, researchers have also learned that video games can help children and teenagers develop several skills that can be transferred to other areas of their life, including education. Fast-moving video games have been shown to improve reaction speed, hand-eye coordination, as well as the ability to recognize patterns. Because they also involve puzzles and the need for strategy, video games have also been linked with improved problem-solving skills. Finally, although some have suggested that video gamers often exhibit signs of loneliness, research has demonstrated that modern online video games have helped develop social skills, including team building and cooperation. [D] Despite these many benefits, however, one cannot ignore the fact that video games can have a highly negative effect on some children and teenagers. This is typically the case for those young people who are addicted to video games and, thus, play them excessively. [E] The first major downside of excessive video game playing is the negative effect it has on academic achievement. Research has made it clear that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time a young person spends playing video games and their performance in school. Quite simply, those who play more tend to receive lower grades. In one study, for instance, it was demonstrated that almost 50 percent of heavy gamers received poor test scores. This was much worse than the 25 percent of light gamers who also did poorly on their tests.[F] Much like television and Internet addiction, young people who become dependent on video games are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems. While some children and teenagers become obese2 from a lack of exercise, others develop constant fatigue due to a lack of sleep.[G] Based on the pros and cons discussed in this article, it should be clear to parents and guardians that there is no black and white answer to the question of whether video games are a positive or negative force for young people. While video games can facilitate the development of important skills, too much time on the screen can lead to severe negative side effects and even cancel out the benefits. Consequently, parents and guardians ought to focus on finding the right balance between too much gaming and no gaming at all.1 If an issue is polarized, there are different groups holding opposite opinions about it.2 If someone is obese, they are overweight to an unhealthy level. Positive Effects Negative Effects • helps to 1________ the growth of a young person's knowledge • fast-moving video games help to improve reaction speed, 2________ coordination, and pattern recognition • online games help to develop 3________ skills • young people who play more tend to get 4________ grades • some young people develop physical health problems, including obesity and 5________ (1) _________________
DIRECTIONS: Chооse the best аnswer fоr eаch question. Addicted to Distrаction [A] David Strayer never texts or talks on a phone when he is driving. Strayer is a cognitive psychologist at the University of Utah who specializes in attention. His research shows that, when driving, using a phone can be as dangerous as drinking alcohol. [B] Strayer and other scientists warn against multitasking. When we do many things at the same time, Strayer says, our brain becomes tired easily. We make mistakes and lose focus. Yet multitasking is increasingly common, especially on a phone or computer. Dr. Gloria Mark, a digital media researcher, has found that people in the United States switch tasks on their computers 566 times a day. This type of multitasking is especially common among teenagers. On average, a teenager spends between 7 and 11 hours a day in front of a screen - doing homework, texting, watching videos - often all at the same time.[C] Phones, tablets, and laptops are all useful tools, and we may feel more productive when we use them. However, when we spend hours on digital devices - constantly switching between activities - our overall productivity decreases. Why?[D] Many digital activities require high levels of concentration. When we text or email someone, for example, or even play games, we have to focus. When we do this, our brain uses energy. When we multitask - which is hard for the brain to do - we use even more energy. Excessive multitasking reduces our ability to think clearly and creatively, and to remember information. This, in turn, can result in stress. [E] What is the best cure for our overstressed minds? David Strayer says the answer is simple: Spend some time in nature.A Natural Remedy[F] Strayer and other scientists are studying nature's effect on our brains and bodies. When we are in natural environments, the prefrontal cortex (the brain's control center) relaxes. Studies show that when people can see trees and grass, they are calmer and do better in school. Indeed, people even relax when they look at photos of nature. Consequently, they do better on different cognitive tasks.[G] Other psychologists are also studying "nature therapy." In a study at Chiba University in Japan, 84 subjects went for a 15-minute walk in seven different forests. The same number of people walked around different city centers. Researchers then took blood from each person. The forest walkers had a 16 percent decrease in the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, they had a 2 percent drop in blood pressure and a 4 percent drop in heart rate. All did better than the city walkers. Lead researcher Yoshifumi Miyazaki has an explanation for these results. Our bodies relax in pleasant, natural surroundings, he says. Humans evolved in that environment, not in places with tall buildings and lots of traffic.[H] Psychologist Stephen Kaplan and his colleagues have done similar research. In one study, people took a 50-minute walk in a public garden. In a test conducted afterwards, their short-term memory improved. When the same people walked on a city street, it did not.[I] Kaplan says it is the visual details in nature - sunsets, streams, butterflies - that reduce stress and mental fatigue. We enjoy them without having to concentrate on them. This allows our brains to rest and recover from the stresses of modern life. "Imagine a therapy that was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost," Kaplan says. "It exists: it's called 'interacting with nature.'"Where would you be most likely to read this article?