Semester II Reading

A generation gap exists. Teenage children demand more freedom and pocket money, while their parents try to remain in control by not allowing them to do a lot of things they want. Studies show that the main reason for conflict is that parents and teenagers have different expectations. Surprisingly, it is not the teenagers’ need for more independence or financial demands which usually drives their parents mad, it’s their rooms.

One argument happens because parents and teenagers have a completely different definition of what ‘clean’ should mean. While most parents are reasonable enough not to make their teens tidy their room every day, perhaps, apart from making the bed, they insist on a regular cleaning schedule. In most cases, this should take place at least once a week. Their teenage children, however, often like to avoid this, or, at least, do the job as rarely and as quickly as possible.

The survey has also indicated that lots of parents find it hard to accept the way their teenagers’ rooms are decorated. Arguments may start even before a the teenager moves into his room over the choice of furniture or the colour of the walls. And it doesn’t get any easier for the parents later on. Most of them do not approve of the posters, which often show controversial images, not to mention such ideas as graffiti or hand-painted scenes on the walls or ceiling.

Parents and teenagers also disagree over privacy issues. It is true that most parents recognise the need for their teens to have some degree of privacy and, therefore, allow them to keep their room door closed. But they also admit that although they try to remember to knock on their child’s door, they often enter while still knocking which is almost the same as coming in with no warning at all. Not surprisingly, teenagers react to this with anger.

Text 1.

I parked the car in the hospital car park, grabbed the bag and walked into the hospital building. I quickly glanced at my watch to check the time, as I was in a hurry. But it was only a few minutes after 10 am. For a moment, I considered visiting the doctor and asking about John’s illness, but I gave up this idea. ‘Well, if he’s busy or in a bad mood, he doesn’t really have to talk to me at all’, I thought. I knew that the hospital staff did not want to discuss information about their patients to anyone except members of their closest family, and, despite being a relative, I couldn’t be counted among them.

1. The writer decides not to talk to the doctor because

Text 2.

Just a really quick line to say that the operation went well and everything is looking good. The doctors are pleased with me, so you mustn’t worry – although I know you will! I should be back on my feet in a few days and with luck I’ll be back home by the weekend. It’s been a painful couple of days since the accident but it was my own fault! Sorry I missed your call earlier. I’d left my phone in my bag. I’ll give you a ring after dinner this evening. I hope you’re feeling better too – you had a terrible cough last time we spoke. See you very soon.

2. The writer of the email wants

Text 3.

Doctors are very busy people these days and it isn’t always easy to get an appointment when you have a problem. For this reason some surgeries are asking their patients to email their doctor when they are worried about their health. This means that doctors can deal with more problems quickly and will be able to decide which patients need to come physically to the surgery. Of course, not everyone welcomes this way of diagnosing health issues but it seems a positive step forward in this technological age.

3. The article is about

I was really impressed by the TV documentary programme about monkeys and apes last night. Among other things, it showed monkeys 1. _ together to reach different goals. We also saw how they use tools to solve various problems and how they enjoy dangerous sports 2. _ diving into shallow pools from very high towers – just for fun! 3. _ I found really amazing was the story of one ape that had 4. _ up with both humans and other apes, and he had learned how to use a tablet computer to communicate. He could use nearly 500 symbols! We saw him order oranges, bananas and various other items on his tablet for a picnic. The programme left me with the feeling that monkeys and apes are far more intelligent than we think. In fact, I would say that there are a lot of things that humans can learn from them 5. _ than the opposite.

I was really impressed by the TV documentary programme about monkeys and apes last night. Among other things, it showed monkeys 1. _ together to reach different goals. We also saw how they use tools to solve various problems and how they enjoy dangerous sports 2. _ diving into shallow pools from very high towers – just for fun! 3. _ I found really amazing was the story of one ape that had 4. _ up with both humans and other apes, and he had learned how to use a tablet computer to communicate. He could use nearly 500 symbols! We saw him order oranges, bananas and various other items on his tablet for a picnic. The programme left me with the feeling that monkeys and apes are far more intelligent than we think. In fact, I would say that there are a lot of things that humans can learn from them 5. _ than the opposite.

I was really impressed by the TV documentary programme about monkeys and apes last night. Among other things, it showed monkeys 1. _ together to reach different goals. We also saw how they use tools to solve various problems and how they enjoy dangerous sports 2. _ diving into shallow pools from very high towers – just for fun! 3. _ I found really amazing was the story of one ape that had 4. _ up with both humans and other apes, and he had learned how to use a tablet computer to communicate. He could use nearly 500 symbols! We saw him order oranges, bananas and various other items on his tablet for a picnic. The programme left me with the feeling that monkeys and apes are far more intelligent than we think. In fact, I would say that there are a lot of things that humans can learn from them 5. _ than the opposite.

was really impressed by the TV documentary programme about monkeys and apes last night. Among other things, it showed monkeys 1. _ together to reach different goals. We also saw how they use tools to solve various problems and how they enjoy dangerous sports 2. _ diving into shallow pools from very high towers – just for fun! 3. _ I found really amazing was the story of one ape that had 4. _ up with both humans and other apes, and he had learned how to use a tablet computer to communicate. He could use nearly 500 symbols! We saw him order oranges, bananas and various other items on his tablet for a picnic. The programme left me with the feeling that monkeys and apes are far more intelligent than we think. In fact, I would say that there are a lot of things that humans can learn from them 5. _ than the opposite.

was really impressed by the TV documentary programme about monkeys and apes last night. Among other things, it showed monkeys 1. _ together to reach different goals. We also saw how they use tools to solve various problems and how they enjoy dangerous sports 2. _ diving into shallow pools from very high towers – just for fun! 3. _ I found really amazing was the story of one ape that had 4. _ up with both humans and other apes, and he had learned how to use a tablet computer to communicate. He could use nearly 500 symbols! We saw him order oranges, bananas and various other items on his tablet for a picnic. The programme left me with the feeling that monkeys and apes are far more intelligent than we think. In fact, I would say that there are a lot of things that humans can learn from them 5. _ than the opposite.