Reading Gateway B1 Unit 5

Read the article about children and television. The headings are missing from the article. Choose from the headings A–E the one which fits each gap.

1 ………………………

We all know that most children watch too much TV. Many years ago, there was usually only one television in each house and parents could control when their children watched TV. But in the last 30 years, this has changed. Now many children have televisions in their bedrooms and others can watch TV on their phones and computers. It’s difficult for parents to control how much they watch and the problem is getting worse.

2 ………………………

When there was only one television in the house, it was easier for parents to control what and how much their children watched. The parents could switch off the TV when they wanted to. In most countries, the TV companies were also responsible for what sort of programmes they broadcast when children were watching. For example, they didn’t put on shows which were frightening and they often put on programmes for children that were educational or informative.

3 ………………………

However, children often watch TV and their parents don’t know that the TV is on. A survey in the USA found that the majority of children (in some age groups this increases to 70%) have a TV in their bedrooms. Many of these children do less exercise and have more health problems compared to children who don’t. They also get lower marks in their school tests. As well as this, children are spending more time alone in their rooms instead of interacting with family and friends.

4 ………………………

It’s very difficult to take TV away from a child, but it is possible to control the time spent watching. Parents can take action with computers by using parental controls on websites like YouTube. There is also a gadget you can buy and programme to limit the number of hours a week a child can watch TV. This applies to all TVs in the house. When a child starts watching, he/she has to type in a special number. When they reach the limit, the TV won’t switch on!

5 ………………………

Television can be a good thing which can help children learn a lot. However, it’s important that parents know when a child is watching too much and it’s their responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.

A Children and TV today

B How can parents control what children watch?

C How TV watching habits have changed

D The solution: limit how much they watch

E Children and TV in the past

Read the article again and choose the best answers, A, B or C.

6 What is a problem for parents?

A They don’t have time to relax with their children.

B They can’t decide when to switch off the TV.

C Their children watch a lot of TV.

7 Why do children watch too much TV nowadays?

A They can watch it on phones and computers.

B The programmes are better than in the past.

C The parents don’t want to stop them.

8 What do TV companies do in many countries?

A put on frightening programmes for children

B put on special programmes for children

C decide what children watch

9 How many children in the USA have a TV in their bedroom?

A 70

B more than 50%

C less than half

10 Some children who watch TV in their rooms

A do badly in exams.

B also do sports.

C invite their friends to their rooms.

11 What does the special gadget do?

A It controls the TV in the child’s bedroom.

B It controls the programmes the child watches.

C It controls how long a child watches TV.

12 How does the writer feel about the problem?

A Television is always good for children.

B Children are responsible for what they watch.

C Parents are responsible for what their children watch.