Gateway B1 Unit 5 Test Standard Reading

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 televisionin each house and parents could control when their children watched TV. But in the last 30 years, this haschanged. Now many children have televisions in their bedrooms and others can watch TV on their phonesand 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 muchtheir children watched. The parents could switch off the TV when they wanted to. In most countries, theTV companies were also responsible for what sort of programmes they broadcast when children werewatching. For example, they didn’t put on shows which were frightening and they often put onprogrammes 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 USAfound 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 intheir 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. Parentscan take action with computers by using parental controls on websites like YouTube. There is also a gadgetyou can buy and programme to limit the number of hours a week a child can watch TV. This applies to allTVs in the house. When a child starts watching, he/she has to type in a special number. When they reachthe 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 parentsknow when a child is watching too much and it’s their responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Read the article again and choose the best answers, A, B or C.1 ………………………We all know that most children watch too much TV. Many years ago, there was usually only one televisionin each house and parents could control when their children watched TV. But in the last 30 years, this haschanged. Now many children have televisions in their bedrooms and others can watch TV on their phonesand 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 muchtheir children watched. The parents could switch off the TV when they wanted to. In most countries, theTV companies were also responsible for what sort of programmes they broadcast when children werewatching. For example, they didn’t put on shows which were frightening and they often put onprogrammes 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 USAfound 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 intheir 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. Parentscan take action with computers by using parental controls on websites like YouTube. There is also a gadgetyou can buy and programme to limit the number of hours a week a child can watch TV. This applies to allTVs in the house. When a child starts watching, he/she has to type in a special number. When they reachthe 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 parentsknow when a child is watching too much and it’s their responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.

1 What is a problem for parents?

2 Why do children watch too much TV nowadays?

What do TV companies do in many countries?

How many children in the USA have a TV in theirbedroom?

Some children who watch TV in their rooms

What does the special gadget do?

How does the writer feel about the problem?