SOLUTIONS
PRE-INTERMEDIATE
Unit 3: On screen
Reading: Video games
and health
I can understand a text about video
games and their health effects.
UNIT MAP
Vocabulary &
01 Word skills
Films and TV programmes,
adj to describe films, aspects
04 Reading
Video games and health
of films, collocations, social
activities
Grammar
02 Quantity
must, mustn’t and
needn’t / don’t have to
05 Speaking
Reaching an agreement
03 Listening
Advertising
06 Writing
An informal letter
Task 1. Look at the headlines. Do you think playing
computer games is bad for your health? Why/Why not?
VOCABULARY
• encourage (v) /ɪn : to give somebody support,
ˈkɜːrɪdʒ/ courage or hope
• cause (v) /kɔːz/ : to make something happen
• express (v) /ɪkˈspres/ : to show or make known a feeling, an opinion,
etc. by words, looks or actions
• provide (v) /prəˈvaɪd/ : to give something to somebody or make it
available for them to use
• take part in = join : to be involved in something
• effect (v) /ɪˈfekt/ : to make something happen
• combat (v) /ˈkɑːmbæt/ : to stop something unpleasant or harmful from
happening or from getting worse
• concern (v) /kənˈsɜːrn/ : to affect somebody/something; to involve
somebody/something
VOCABULARY
• evidence (n) /ˈevɪdəns/ : the facts, signs or objects that make you believe
that something is true
• mental (adj) /ˈmentl/ : connected with or happening in the mind; involving
the process of thinking
• dimension (n) /daɪ : a measurement in space, for example how high,
ˈmenʃn/ wide or long something is
• violent (adj) /ˈvaɪələnt/ : involving or caused by physical force that is
intended to hurt or kill somebody
• creativity (n) /ˌkriːeɪ : the use of skill and imagination to produce
ˈtɪvəti/ something new or to produce art
• prevent (v) /prɪˈvent/ : to stop somebody from doing something; to stop
something from happening
• benefit (n) /ˈbenɪfɪt/ : an advantage that something gives you
Task 2. Complete these verb + noun collocations
from the text using the words below.
cause do express get have
take
make provide use
part in
Collocation: verb + noun
1. ________
have a positive / negative effect
2. ________
express an opinion
3. ________
cause concern
4. ________
provide a benefit
5. ________
do research
6. ________
get (good) grades at school
7. ________
use a computer / smartphone
8. ____________
take part in online games
9. ________
make a decision
Task 3. Read the text. How many different video games does the writer
mention by name? What are they? Three games are mentioned.
Why video games are good for your health
Many people assume that video games have a negative effect on young people. A lot of time in front of a screen is bad for the
mind and the body, they believe. Newspaper headlines often express the same opinion – and combat games cause the most
concern because of the violence. But is there any evidence for this view? According to a reports in American Psychologist, the
truth is not so simple. Playing video games is sometimes good for children’s education, health and social skills.
Research shows that video games can actually improve certain mental skills. This is especially true for combat games. These
games teach players to think about objects in three dimensions and this makes them better at studying science, technology
engineering and maths. Other types of video game do not usually provide these benefits.
However, other types of video game can have other positive effects. In 2013, scientists did some research into the effect of role-
playing games (RPGs) on children. The research showed that when children spend a lot of time playing RPGs, they get better
grades at school than children who do not play them. Other research showed that playing any kind of video game, including
violent games, improves children’s creativity. But using a computer or smartphone for emails or other tasks does not provide this
benefit.
Quick and simple games like Angry Birds can improve player’ mood and prevent them from feeling anxious. This emotional
benefit is important, the report suggest. Feeling relaxed and happy is good for your health. The report also describes another
CREDITS: This presentation template was created by
emotional benefit of video games: they teach childrenincluding
Slidesgo, how to react
icons well to failure.
by Flaticon, andIn video games, players continually fail and try
again. This makes them emotionally strong in real life.
infographics & images by Freepik.
Video games can improve social skills too. The reports says. More than 70% o gamers play with a friend, not alone, and millions
of people take part in huge online games like Minecraft and Farmville. The players learn useful social skills: how to lead a group,
how to work together and how to make decisions. Overall, the report does not deny that some video games can have negative
effects; but it is important to think about the benefits too. And remember: you mustn't believe everything you read in the
newspapers!
Reading Strategy
When do you a multiple-choice task, decide whether
each question is about the whole text or a specific part.
If it is about a specific part, find the relevant sentences
and underline them.
Why video games are good for your health Task 4. Circle the
Many people assume that video games have a negative effect on young people. A lot of time in
front of a screen is bad for the mind and the body, they believe. Newspaper headlines often express correct answers.
the same opinion – and combat games cause the most concern because of the violence. But is there
1. Newspaper headlines about video
any evidence for this view? According to a reports in American Psychologist, the truth is not so
games
simple. Playing video games is sometimes good for children’s education, health and social skills.
Research shows that video games can actually improve certain mental skills. This is especially true a. only talk about violent games.
for combat games. These games teach players to think about objects in three dimensions and this b. always present the same view.
makes them better at studying science, technology engineering and maths. Other types of video c. do not tell the truth.
game do not usually provide these benefits. d. usually present a negative view.
However, other types of video game can have other positive effects. In 2013, scientists did some 2. You learn to think about things in
research into the effect of role-playing games (RPGs) on children. The research showed that when three dimensions when you:
children spend a lot of time playing RPGs, they get better grades at school than children who do not a. play combat games.
play them. Other research showed that playing any kind of video game, including violent games, b. play any kind of video game.
improves children’s creativity. But using a computer or smartphone for emails or other tasks does c. study engineering or maths.
not provide this benefit. d. do scientific studies.
Quick and simple games like Angry Birds can improve player’ mood and prevent them from feeling
3. Research shows that role-playing
anxious. This emotional benefit is important, the report suggest. Feeling relaxed and happy is good
games
for your health. The report also describes another emotional benefit of video games: they teach
children how to react well to failure. In video games,This
CREDITS: players continually
presentation fail andwas
template trycreated
again. This
by
a. are the only games that make
makes them emotionally strong in real life. Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and children more creative.
Video games can improve social skills too. The reportsinfographics
says. More &than
images by Freepik.
70% o gamers play with a b. do not provide as many benefits as
friend, not alone, and millions of people take part in huge online games like Minecraft and violent games.
Farmville. The players learn useful social skills: how to lead a group, how to work together and how c. help children to do well at school.
to make decisions. Overall, the report does not deny that some video games can have negative d. help children to learn how to use
effects; but it is important to think about the benefits too. And remember: you mustn't believe computers.
everything you read in the newspapers!
Why video games are good for your health Task 4. Circle the
Many people assume that video games have a negative effect on young people. A lot of time in
front of a screen is bad for the mind and the body, they believe. Newspaper headlines often express correct answers.
the same opinion – and combat games cause the most concern because of the violence. But is there
any evidence for this view? According to a reports in American Psychologist, the truth is not so
4. The report also suggests that
simple. Playing video games is sometimes good for children’s education, health and social skills. video games
Research shows that video games can actually improve certain mental skills. This is especially true a. spend a lot of time on their own
for combat games. These games teach players to think about objects in three dimensions and this b. learn some useful skills by
makes them better at studying science, technology engineering and maths. Other types of video playing with others.
game do not usually provide these benefits. c. usually fail in other areas of their
However, other types of video game can have other positive effects. In 2013, scientists did some
research into the effect of role-playing games (RPGs) on children. The research showed that when
lives.
children spend a lot of time playing RPGs, they get better grades at school than children who do not d. spend a lot of time feeling
play them. Other research showed that playing any kind of video game, including violent games, anxious.
improves children’s creativity. But using a computer or smartphone for emails or other tasks does 5. According to the report, the
not provide this benefit. effect of video games on children
Quick and simple games like Angry Birds can improve player’ mood and prevent them from feeling a. is mostly good.
anxious. This emotional benefit is important, the report suggest. Feeling relaxed and happy is good
for your health. The report also describes another emotional benefit of video games: they teach
b. is mostly bad.
children how to react well to failure. In video games,This
CREDITS: players continually
presentation fail andwas
template trycreated
again. This
by c. is not known.
makes them emotionally strong in real life. Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and d. is not very important.
Video games can improve social skills too. The reportsinfographics
says. More &than
images by Freepik.
70% o gamers play with a
friend, not alone, and millions of people take part in huge online games like Minecraft and
Farmville. The players learn useful social skills: how to lead a group, how to work together and how
to make decisions. Overall, the report does not deny that some video games can have negative
effects; but it is important to think about the benefits too. And remember: you mustn't believe
everything you read in the newspapers!
Task 5. Look back at the question in task 1. Has the text
changed your opinion at all? If so, how?
Task 1. Do you think playing computer games is bad for your health?
Why video games are good for your health Task 6. Answer the
Many people assume that video games have a negative effect on young people. A lot of time in
front of a screen is bad for the mind and the body, they believe. Newspaper headlines often express questions.
the same opinion – and combat games cause the most concern because of the violence. But is there 1. What do many people assume
any evidence for this view? According to a reports in American Psychologist, the truth is not so about the effects of video games
simple. Playing video games is sometimes good for children’s education, health and social skills. on young people?
Research shows that video games can actually improve certain mental skills. This is especially true
They think they are bad.
for combat games. These games teach players to think about objects in three dimensions and this
makes them better at studying science, technology engineering and maths. Other types of video 2. What kinds of skills can combat
game do not usually provide these benefits. games improve?
However, other types of video game can have other positive effects. In 2013, scientists did some mental skills, such as thinking
research into the effect of role-playing games (RPGs) on children. The research showed that when about objects in 3D
children spend a lot of time playing RPGs, they get better grades at school than children who do not 3. What can simple games like
play them. Other research showed that playing any kind of video game, including violent games,
Angry Birds prevent?
improves children’s creativity. But using a computer or smartphone for emails or other tasks does
not provide this benefit. They can prevent people from
Quick and simple games like Angry Birds can improve player’ mood and prevent them from feeling feeling anxious.
anxious. This emotional benefit is important, the report suggest. Feeling relaxed and happy is good 4. What kind of game helps
for your health. The report also describes another emotional benefit of video games: they teach children to get better grades at
children how to react well to failure. In video games,This
CREDITS: players continually
presentation fail andwas
template trycreated
again. This
by school, according to a 2013
makes them emotionally strong in real life. Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and
report?
Video games can improve social skills too. The reportsinfographics
says. More &than
images by Freepik.
70% o gamers play with a
friend, not alone, and millions of people take part in huge online games like Minecraft and role-playing games / RPGs
Farmville. The players learn useful social skills: how to lead a group, how to work together and how 5. What kind of game teaches
to make decisions. Overall, the report does not deny that some video games can have negative children how to work together?
effects; but it is important to think about the benefits too. And remember: you mustn't believe huge online games like Minecraft
everything you read in the newspapers! and Farmville
Task 7. Complete the questions
with How much or How many.
Then ask and answer.
1. How many different types of screen do you
__________
use regularly? (phone, computer, tablet, TV,
etc)
2. How much time do you spend watching TV
__________
or DVDs each day?
How many different video games do you
3. __________
play?
4. How many different people do you play
__________
video games with?
How many different tasks do you use a
5. __________
computer for? (games, emails, homework, etc)
6. How much time do you spend in total each
__________
week in front of a screen?
PANTADO
See you next time!
