UNIT IV – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Lesson 4 – Video Games: A Boon or Bane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fu4vmiXxwc

READING PASSAGE

Modern technologies like televisions and computers provide

identifiable educational. Over-use of technology, though, especially
such gadgets as cell phones and video games, presents a whole
range of problems which may interfere with a student's ability to
learn and attend lessons.

Playing video games over an extensive period of time may cause social
withdrawal outside of the gaming real. Although this does not always
occur, it is possible if you do not occupy your time with other outdoor hobbies and
activities. On a positive note, playing video games online with gamers around the world will
allow you to socialize and communicate with various cultures with ease. You will have the
ability to meet new online gamers each day.

It is easy to become addicted to gaming. Some

students may attempt to do this in class, which
disrupts their learning. They might also sleep less,
which can slow down their thinking the next day.
Kids putting in long hours on their gadgets will give
less attention to assignments and may be irritable
when they are away from their gadgets. There is
circumstantial evidence linking a rise in Attention
Deficit Disorder with increased use of video games,
causing many scientists to worry about children
causing permanent harm to their brains by spending
too much time interacting with such gadgets.

Persistent use of high-tech gadgetry can lead to a slew of health problems for young and old
alike. Apart from the repetitive strain injuries, video gamers are likely to suffer from eye
problems caused by long exposure to the black-lit screens. A sedentary lifestyle - lack of
exercise - discourages exercise and encourages obesity. Taking breaks in between will
dramatically improve your health if you are not currently working your body out. Purchase
fitness games that allow you to track your body's progress over time - motivating you if you
can't seem to tear yourself away from the console.

Video games are definitely fun and entertaining and are also good for relieving tension.
However, too much indulgence can lead to addiction which, in turn, can have physical as
well as psychological effects on children.

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 UNIT IV – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Lesson 4 – Video Games: A Boon or Bane

I- READING:
A- Read the text and select the right choice:
 The text's type is: - argumentative - informative - descriptive
B- Read the text and identify the general idea:
C- Match the paragraphs with the most appropriate subtitles:
Paragraph Subtitles
Paragraph 2 a- Addiction and lower school performance
Paragraph 3 b- Putting video-gamers' health in jeopardy
Paragraph 4 c- The social effect: withdrawal vs. integration

D- Fill in the table with the different advantages and disadvantages of video games:
Advantages Disadvantages Suggested Solutions
- ….............................. - …………………… - ………………………
- …………………… - ………………………
- …………………….. - …………………… - ………………………
- …………………… - ………………………

 LEXICAL FOCUS: (IN PAIRS)

 Match the items from both columns with their equivalents in meaning:
Items Meaning
1- Withdrawal (§ 2) a- Alleviating and appeasing usu. some pain
2- Attention deficit disorder (§ 3) b- A huge number of
3- A slew of (§ 4) c- Motionless and idle
4- Sedentary (§ 5) d- The fact of satisfying /spoiling one's desires
5- Relieving (§ 6) e- A short attention span
6- Indulgence (§ 6) f- Isolation, detachment and solitude

 GRAMMAR FOCUS: (IN PAIRS)

1- Study both sentences and identify 2- Rephrase them using different tools:
what they share in common:
a- "Playing video games online with  Playing video games…………………
gamers around the world will allow ……………………………………………….
you to socialize and communicate."  Taking breaks……..………………….
b- "Taking breaks will dramatically
………………………………………………..
improve your health."

 Now you can draw your conclusions:

………………………………………  Expressing…………………………...
……………………………………… ……………………………………….

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E- What is the writer's attitude towards video games? Select the best choice:
 The writer upholds video games and encourages children to play them
 The writer is against video games for their innumerable hazards on gamers
 The writer is unbiased (neither for nor against)

II- SPEAKING: (ROLE PLAY)

A- Go through the questionnaire and tick under the right answer to identify whether
you are a video games addict or not:
Questions Never Sometimes Often
1- On an average weekday, I play V.G. 5 hours. ……….. ……….. ………..
2- I stay up late playing V.G. and hence tired the ……….. ……….. ………..
next morning. ……….. ……….. ………..
3- I play V.G. once my homework is completed
4- I put my lap-top on as soon as I get back home ……….. ……….. ………..
from school to play V.G.
5- I'd rather play V.G. than spend some time out ……….. ……….. ………..
with pals.
6- I lie to my parents about the amount of time ……….. ……….. ………..
spent playing V.G.
7- I'm an active participant in formal school ……….. ……….. ………..
activities or clubs
8- I spend all my pocket money buying new V.G. ……….. ……….. ………..
9- I get irritable/nervous when I can't access my
favorite V.G. ……….. ……….. ………..
10- I take my meals while playing V.G. ……….. ……….. ………..
11- I can't help playing V.G. even when I'm on
holidays ……….. ……….. ………..
12- I get headaches, sore fingers or wrist pains from
playing V.G. ……….. ……….. ………..
 0 – 4: Likelihood of V.G. Addiction: LOW
 4 – 8: Likelihood of V.G. Addiction: MODERATE
 8 – 12: Likelihood of V.G. Addiction: HIGH

A- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fu4vmiXxwc
You are a pediatric specialist and you've watched the documentary supporting
videogames which, as a matter of fact, you happen not to agree with. You've,
therefore, been invited for a radio-interview to warn parents about the bane video
gaming is likely to cause to their children; hence the drastic harmful effects of such
hi-tech on kids' health:

 You may follow the outline/hints below:

Student A (Journalist)
1- Welcomes the doctor to the show and
asks him to introduce himself.
2- Inquires about the reasons behind the
special attention to video games and
children.
3- Wonders about the possible dangers
posed by excessive exposure to video
games.
Student B (Pediatric specialist)
1- Expresses pleasure to be invited to the show
and introduces himself (director at Center
Media and Child's Health in Boston).
2- Expresses his concerns about the future of
his country and children are the ones on
whom the welfare of a nation depends.
3- Lists the numerous negative impacts of
video games on child's social life and

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 4- Asks about the possible ways to avoid
such hazards.
5- Thanks the doctor for attending the
interview and encourages listeners to
feel free to participate if they have
any inquiries.
mental and physical health.
4- Provides parents with advice and solutions
to help their kids cut down on video games.
5- Expresses willingness to answer the
viewers' questions

 HOMEWORK:
A- Supply the right tense or form of the words in brackets:
Currently malicious programing or unsafe use of robots may be the (big)…………danger.
Although industrial robots may be smaller and (little)……………….…powerful than other
industrial machines, they are just capable of inflicting severe injuries on humans. However,
since a robot can be (program)……………………to move in different trajectories
(depend)……………….……..on its task, its movement can be (not predict)
………………………for a person standing in its reach. Therefore, most industrial robots
operate inside a security fence which (separate)…………………them from human (work)
…………………… . Manual De Linda believes that it is dangerous to transfer cognitive
structures into our machines. Even without malicious programing, a robot, especially a
future mode moving (free)…………………in a human environment, is potentially
(danger)……………………because of its large moving masses and unpredictably complex
(behave)………………………. . Designing and programing robots to be safe is one of the
greatest (challenge)…………………………in robotics.

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