ULAB 6100

SEMESTER II, 2018/2019

CRITICAL READING TEST
AUTHOR’S PURPOSE & TONE
DUE DATE: 23rd DEC

Read the text and answer the questions below.

1 It often seems like many people are unsatisfied with their looks, and one way
people can try to change their appearance is by getting a tan. For many, the easiest
way to get a tan can be by visiting a tanning salon. However, in the Guardian
newspaper article “Children as Young as 11 Use Sunbed Salons”, Sam Jones points
out that children are now starting to use tanning beds. This article raises many
important issues: children should not be using tanning salons, the rules regulating
tanning salons have to be enforced, and the risk associated with sunbeds need to be
better publicized.

2 In his article, Sam Jones describes how young people were continuing to use
tanning salons despite the risks involved. Health advocates wanted to stop children
from going to tanning salons because of the large increase in the number of people
with skin cancer. If children use tanning salons, they risk developing skin cancer later
in life. A survey revealed that young people did not seem to know about the dangers.
They did not care about skin damage because they thought having a tan could help
clear skin problems. They also felt that a tan helped them look better and thinner. To
fight the abuse of tanning salons by young people, local governments began
enforcing the laws that did exist and started issuing warnings to salons that weren’t
obeying the laws. The article ends with the example of a young woman who was
addicted to tanning.

3 In the article, it appears that children were using tanning salons on a regular
basis. This is highly dangerous because children are too young to fully comprehend
the dangers of using tanning beds, and they will only see the short-term benefits
rather than the longer-term dangers. It appears that peer pressure cam also influence
children and increase their desire to get a tan. The best way to stop children from
using sunbeds is by restricting their access to tanning salons.
4 The article also mentions that local authorities began cracking down on
tanning salons that were not following the existing laws at the time of the survey. The
rules at the time of the article, such as the requirement to wear goggles, needed to be
better enforced. Better enforcement sends a strong message to tanning salon owners
that rule-breakers will be punished. Thus, when new rules are put in place, such as
the banning of children from tanning salons in 2011, there is a better chance that
businesses will follow this law.

5 Finally, the risks associated with using sunbeds have to be better publicized.
As mentioned in the article, many young people did not seem to realize the risks
associated with going to a tanning salon. As a result, Jones stated that some children
were tanning every day after school, and some young people were not using
protective eyewear. There have to be advertisements and public information
campaigns to let young people know the dangers, such as skin cancer, involved in
using tanning salons. Only then will fewer people seek artificial means to get that
sun-kissed look.

6
All in all, the article by Sam Jones highlights the issues surrounding children
and tanning salons such as children’s access to tanning salons, enforcement of the
laws connected to tanning salons, and the lack of public awareness of the dangers of
tanning salons. Children may think that they can improve how they look by tanning,
but there are too many dangers involved. Now that children are no longer permitted
to use tanning salons, the rules for tanning salons are better enforced, and the public
knows more about the risks. It is hoped that the numbers of people diagnosed with
skin cancer will start to go down.
 ULAB 6100
SEMESTER II, 2018/2019
CRITICAL READING TEST
ANSWER SHEET

NAME: DATE:

Read the text above and answer the following questions.

1. What is the thesis statement for this essay? Restate the thesis statement in your own
words.
Children should be given limited access to tanning salons by enforcing laws to
tanning salon operators and increase public awareness on the hazards of artificial
tanning, hoping this will reduce the number of cases of skin cancers.
(4 marks)
2. How would you evaluate the summary in this essay? Is it effective? Provide reasons
for your evaluation.
The summary was written in a very effective way. It gives a clear insight to
what the writer is trying to deliver. He succeeded in presenting the points clearly and
without distortion to the overall message of the essay.
(4 marks)
3. From Paragraph 3:
a. What is the writer’s point of view?
The writer thinks that children are too young to fully understood the health
impacts of skin tanning and one of the reasons that they are doing tanning is due to
peer pressure.
(2 marks)
b. What is the writer’s purpose/attitude?
To create awareness that children are too young to do skin tanning.
(1 mark)
c. What is the writer’s tone?
The tone used is serious as the writer is trying to emphasize how children are
exposing themselves to a long-term danger using tanning beds.
(1 mark)
4. From Paragraph 4:
 a. What is the writer’s point of view?
The writer thinks that the existing regulations are not strictly enforced. Thus,
some tanning salon owners are taking for granted and not obeying the law.
(2 marks)
b. What is the writer’s purpose/attitude?
To enforce strict laws on tanning salons.
(1 mark)
c. What is the writer’s tone?
Suggestive as the writer is giving suggestions on how strict enforcement can help to mitigate
the issue.
(1 mark)
5. From Paragraph 5:
a. What is the writer’s point of view?
The writer is of the opinion that the society lacks awareness on skin tanning and that there
should be more publicity done to educate the public on the risk of artificial skin
tanning.
(2 marks)
b. What is the writer’s purpose/attitude?
To raise awareness on the dangers of skin tanning.
(1 mark)
c. What is the writer’s tone?
The tone used is objective.
(1 mark)

TOTAL: __________/20MARKS