Wider World 2 6-A Reading Final 2022

Reading

I. For questions 1–7, read the text and decide if the statements about the article are TRUE or FALSE.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

1. Young people think that the internet is quite new.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

2. Most adults use the internet on mobiles or tablets.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

3. Young adults and teenagers use the internet for exactly the same reasons.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

4. 25- to 34-year-olds mainly use the internet for banking and business.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

5. Most people who don’t use the internet are pensioners.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

6. 20% more teenagers use the internet today than five years ago.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet

Most young people don’t realise that the internet is a modern invention – after all, they don’t remember a time without it. But it’s still quite a new technology.

These days, more than three quarters of British adults use the internet every day. A very high percentage of adults (about 70%) use portable devices like mobile phones and tablets to access the internet.

18- to 24-year-olds use the internet more than any other age group. The number one activity is social networking followed by downloading and playing games. Adults aged 25–34 use the internet more than other age groups to buy things on-line. In fact, about 90% of people in this age group do some of their shopping in this way. They also score most for doing other home-related activities like internet banking (70%), and for carrying out business activities like selling products or services online (36%).

Some people never use the internet. Just over half are aged 75 years and over.

And what about the youngest age groups? Well, school-age teenagers come second in the list of internet users after young adults. 93% of young teens use the internet regularly, which is an increase of 20% in only five years. They mainly use it for social networking and finding information for school.

And the most popular internet activity overall? Well, it’s the humble email! So it seems that we’re not worse at communicating with other people, we just do it in a different way!

7.  The internet makes people bad at communicating with others.

II. For questions 1-7, read the letters from an advice website for teenagers and choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

1 When did Henri’s parents go to bed?

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

2. Which of these things happened first?

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

3. Henri first went to sleep at

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

4. How much sleep do children need?

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

5. Polly says that 

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

6. Why should Henri talk to his friend?

Dear Polly

Last night I got into bed at 10 o’clock as usual. Then (as usual!) my best friend started messaging me to play this action game we both like online. I stopped four hours later, but I didn’t feel sleepy, so checked out my Facebook page for a bit. My parents went to bed at the same time as me so, of course, they were asleep. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 am! I feel tired all of the time except at night – it’s my best friend’s fault!

Henri, 15

Dear Henri

Adults usually need about eight hours sleep a night, which is one hour less than teenagers and four hours less than children. What this means is that you should be going to bed about one hour before your parents, not five hours after! Scientists think that teenagers are getting less sleep than before. Online gaming and social media are a big part of the problem.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that when you play the games, you get very excited. You are producing hormones in your body that you usually use for physical activities like sport. This means you don’t feel sleepy. Second, the light in the screen makes your brain think it’s daytime so you don’t produce the hormones you need to make you feel tired naturally.  

The easy way to sleep better, of course, is to stop playing these games altogether. But I know you enjoy them, so why give them up completely? It’s not just your friend’s fault, it’s yours too! Speak to him and explain that you want to get more sleep. Then agree a time when you can both play. But don’t do it just before bedtime, make it at least two hours before you usually go to bed, and play for an hour at the most. Oh, and leave your phone downstairs!

Polly

7. Polly says that Henri should