B2.
5 Reading
Assessment
Student’s name: Final grade: .
Time limit: 40 minutes
Part 1
Instructions:Read the text and decide if the following sentences are true or false. Write T for true or F for false.
Look at the example (0).
Are communication gadgets good for us?
The enormous growth of portable technology over the past three years has sparked fears that people are
becoming either addicted or overwhelmed by gadgets and their applications. One interesting
consequence of this phenomenon has been an apparent erosion of the dividing line between private life
and work. With a handheld device, you can keep in touch with colleagues and clients 24 hours a day, and
finish off your messages and reports at any time and in any place—even while simultaneously having
dinner with your family or in front of the TV!
There is no doubt that it is possible to work more efficiently with 24-hour access to your contacts and
information, but experts believe that people's ability to follow processes to make good decisions is
becoming seriously impaired. Email facilitates spontaneous communication that occurs in real time.
Some experts are suggesting that this discourages people from thinking issues through and from
considering different possible outcomes and consequences. Messages and information can seem to fly
in from all directions and people inevitably attempt to deal with them as quickly as possible. As a result,
it can become very difficult to focus exclusively on a single matter that may require quality attention.
Experts suggest that multi-tasking is not a natural skill and that people need time for considered
consultation if they are to deal with complex activities effectively. Another argument levelled against
technology and communication aids such as texting and emails is that they reduce a person's ability to
have more important face-to-face conversations. For example, some studies show that today's
technology-literate children are developing increasingly poor speaking skills such as the interpretation of
facial gestures. Even more seriously, some children experience problems bonding with others, preferring
a more abstract social life online.
Other studies suggest that children are becoming less capable at deep processing of long and complex
texts, with reduced concentration spans compared to previous generations. A growing concern about
information and technology overload was highlighted at the LIFT 07 technology conference in Geneva.
Conference participants recognised that there was a high price to be paid for 'always-on' communication,
where the line between work and play has become blurred. Other evidence presented at the conference,
however, suggested that it is actually beneficial to be bombarded with information from all directions. For
example, some studies have shown that information overload enhances cognitive ability.
Addiction to portable gadgets is becoming a reality for some people. Scientific studies have shown that
a small amount of dopamine is released in the body each time one receives a text or email, creating a
sense of satisfaction and pleasure. Nevertheless, it can have all the negative effects of any addiction. If
you find yourself using your portable gadgets at meal times, in the cinema or in bed, then it's possible
you're addicted. As with any other addiction, if it consumes more of your time and energy than you spend
with friends or family, it is likely to be a problem. While our communication gadgets bring us enormous
benefits, each one of us has to take responsibility for stopping them taking over our lives.
Part 2
Instructions: Read the text and choose the correct options to complete the sentences. There is an example at
the beginning (0).
Christmas alone
Before I met my wife, Chelsea, I always used to spend Christmas by myself. My parents died when I was
quite young so, every year, I would spend Christmas with different relatives. I always used to dread it,
though, and by the time I got to the age of 20, I'd decided I'd had enough. I would always feel so anxious
about Christmas - deciding what presents to buy and how much to spend - and I was tired of everyone
taking pity on me because my mum and dad weren't around. So, instead, I decided I would spend
Christmas by myself, taking the opportunity to visit different and interesting places each year—to do
something out of the ordinary. I would allow myself one small present, which I always bought locally in the
place I was staying in; I considered the three- to four- day holiday to be my main present.
Over the years, I travelled to some great places and I never felt sad or lonely. I went to Cape Town,
Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Rio, Cairo, Tokyo, Beijing and various places in Majorca, which is one of my
favourite islands. Unbelievably, I always met other people and ended up having a really great time. One
time that really sticks in my mind was in Majorca when I was invited to join a family on Christmas day. We
had a toast on the balcony in their hotel room and opened Christmas presents together. What a great
idea—exchanging gifts in the warmth of the winter sun with a glass of Cava. The mother went first; her
present was three wooden camels—I'll never forget the expression on her face! When everybody in the
family had opened their presents, Brian, the father, handed me a present, too—I was really surprised and
felt a sense of overwhelming emotion! I had only met them the night before! I think they had quickly
wrapped a Spanish leather belt that they had obviously bought for someone else, but decided to give to
me as a Christmas present, so that I wouldn't feel left out. It was so kind of them. I still have it and, of
course, still keep in touch with the family.
The most amazing Christmas I ever had, though, was the following year, in Istanbul. On the Christmas
eve, as usual, I went out shopping for my Christmas present in the Kasbah. I was hoping for a small
Persian carpet, but couldn't see anything I liked, so I decided to stop for a drink in a nearby hotel. The
hotel had a rooftop bar, so I went up to admire the views of the city and there, I found my Christmas
present—the best Christmas present ever! She was sitting alone, engrossed in a book. Her name was, of
course, Chelsea. She looked so beautiful, so I took the risk and went over to her to say hello. It turned out
she was also escaping Christmas with her relatives and we ended up talking and laughing into the night.
We had so much fun. On Christmas day, Chelsea gave me a poem she had written. It was the best
Christmas present I had ever received. And well, the rest is history! Within 12 months, Chelsea and I were
married. That was the last Christmas I had by myself. These days, we always spend Christmas with
Chelsea's parents, but one day, we plan to go back to Istanbul to spend it in the place that brought us
together.
B2.5 Reading
Assessment
Student’s name: Final grade: .
Approximated time: 20 minutes
Part 1
1. One advantage of using gadgets is not having a line between private life and work. F
2. Technology abuse may affect your judgement.
3. The amount of information we receive at the same time helps us concentrate on what matters most.
4. Technology is proven to boost someone’s conversational skills.
5. Technology has made children prefer online relationships over face-to-face ones.
6. Children have improved their reading skills since technology makes them read more.
7. We are responsible for diminishing the effects of technology abuse.
Part 2
1. The writer used to spend Christmas with different relatives because...
a. he dreaded to be on his own.
b. his parents had died when he was younger.
c. he missed his late parents.
2. The writer decided to spend Christmas on his own because...
a. he didn’t like to spend a lot on presents for his relatives.
b. he wasn’t comfortable with how he felt among his relatives.
c. he was tired of spending Christmas time without his friends.
3. Every year at Christmas, the writer...
a. used to visit his favourite island and the nearby touristic places.
b. would visit a different place, occasionally returning to his favourite island.
c. went to a new city that he had never been to before.
4. He was struck in Majorca because...
a. he hadn’t expected to receive a present by one of his friends.
b. he was given an unexpectedly expensive present.
c. someone gave him a present despite not being old friends.
5. The writer met his wife...
a. in the Kasbah hotel’s rooftop bar next to a carpets shop.
b. in a nearby rooftop bar after a shopping trip in the Kasbah.
c. after buying himself a Persian carpet in the nearby market.
6. The couple found out...
a. they both loved reading the same books.
b. they both fancied each other immediately.
c. they were both there for the same reasons.
7. The couple now plan to...
a. spend Cristmas again where they met.
b. always spend Christmas with her parents.
c. avoid all their relatives at Christmas.
