Reading
1. What are the benefits of using computers or mobile phones for leisure activities? What are the harmful things it may bring us?
2. Read the text and choose the correct answer.
THE ‘NET GENERATION'
Quang is watering his garden and can't wait to pick the ripe fruit. He spends most of his spare time looking after the garden. Sounds great, doesn't it? But his garden is a virtual one!
In today's world, teenagers rely on technology more than in the past. This can be a problem because using computers too much may have harmful effects on both their minds and bodies. They prefer watching TV and playing computer games to reading books, perhaps because they don't have to think and imagine as much. They don't join clubs or have hobbies and they don't play sports. They sit in front of the computer all the time. They don't get out of the house, even for a walk. They are in a world that doesn't exist.
While Quang now knows the names of many plants, and his English seems to be improving as he chats with his ‘gaming friends' from all over the world, his parents are getting worried. They want him to get out more. They are even thinking of banning him from using the computer.
1. The text is about __________.
A. teenagers' leisure time in the past
B. teenagers' leisure time in the present
C. adults' leisure time in the present
2. The text discusses __________.
A. the positive side of using technology in your free time
B. the negative side of using technology in your free time
C. both A and B
3. Write the questions for the answers based on information from the text.
1. _________________________________________?
No, it isn't real. It is a computer game.
2. _________________________________________?
It can harm both the mind and the body.
3. _________________________________________?
They don't go out but just sit in front of the computer all the time.
4. _________________________________________?
Quang knows the names of many plants, and his English seems to be improving.
Speaking
Language notes
Giving an opinion: I think that...; In my opinion...
Asking for an opinion: What do you think? How do you feel about that?
Agreeing: I agree with you; That's so true; Exactly.
Disagreeing: I'm afraid I don't agree; I don't think so.
4. Quang and his parents are talking about how he should spend his free time. Decide which statements are from Quang and which are from his parents.
Go out and play a sport. It's good for you!
Sitting for too long in front of the computer makes your eyes tired.
My English is much better because I surf the net.
I think computer games train my mind and my memory.
I've made lots of friends from the game network.
You see your real friends less and less.
5. Role-play: WHAT'S THE SOLUTION? Quang, his parents, and his teacher are discussing the impacts of his using the computer. Play the following roles.
| You are Quang. You want to persuade your parents of the benefits of using the computer. |
| You are Quang's parents. You want to let Quang know that using the computer too much can be harmful. You are thinking of completely banning him from using it. |
| You are Quang's teacher. You see both the negative and positive sides of using the computer. You offer a solution that can make both Quang and his parents happy. |
