Every other Saturday we are publishing a reading comprehension activity. We intend to present current, attention-grabbing articles to intermediate students while helping them improve their English.
At the same time, we want to expose them to authentic texts of the same type they might come across in the exam, and give them the opportunity to do reading comprehension activities similar to those they might have to do in the exam.
Today's article, Overload of screen time ‘causes depression in children’, revolves about the influence of TV and computer games on teenagers' low self-esteem.
It gives us a chance of practising a type of reading comprehension activity which actually hides a grammar and vocabulary test.
We have just posted the parts of the text that deal with the reading comprehension activity.
1 British children who spend (1) … time in front of televisions and computer screens have lower self-esteem and greater emotional problems
a) most of b) most c) the most of
2 excessive “screen time” (2) was responsible … limiting a child’s opportunity for social interaction and physical activity.
a) that b) of c) for
3 The greater the time spent in front of the screen, (3) … the negative impact on both behavioural and emotional issues relating to the child’s development.
a) much more (b) the greater c) the biggest
4 Professor Fenton said that too much screen time limited a child’s opportunities for physical activity and face-to-face social interaction with friends and family, (4) … are key factors in reducing childhood anxiety.
a) what b) that c) which
5 British children spend disproportionately large (5) … of time in front of screens, compared to counterparts in other Western European countries, the report observed.
a) quantities b) amounts c) numbers
6 each additional hour of viewing (6) …children’s likelihood of experiencing socio-emotional problems and lower self-esteem.
a) increases b) rises c) puts up
7 Higher levels of TV viewing are having a negative effect (7) … children’s well-being.
a) to b) in c) on
8 The study was based on (8) … conducted by the Children’s Society among 42,000 eight to 15 year olds, and on other data.
a) investigation b) research c) study
9 But the television industry last night (9) … the idea that it impacts negatively on children.
a) rejected b) denied c) turned around
10 She added that TV is “one of the main sources of learning (10) … exactly constitutes a healthy lifestyle."
a) what b) that c) which
11 ... being kind to class mates and attempting to resolve disputes, and children feeling liked by (11) … and that they have enough friends.
a) peers b) pairs c) partners
12 Eating breakfast compared to (12) … it has a positive impact on short-term cognition and memory.
a) jumping b) skipping c) sliding
You can correct the activity by reading Overload of screen time ‘causes depression in children’.
