Reading Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

Cyber Seniors
I In the past, many older people did not use computers. Yet in recent years, an
increasing number of older people in the United States have begun to use computer
technology. In fact, seniors are one of the fastest-growing groups of Internet users in
that country. Many of these seniors are taking computer classes that are provided by
community centres around the USA.
II Some seniors are interested in learning about computers because they want to use e-
mail to keep in touch with their loved ones who live far away. Others wish to learn how
to shop online so that they can stay independent for longer.
III Yet mastering computer skills at a later stage of life is not always simple. Many seniors
are afraid of computers and think they are too old to learn. In addition, as people age
they often lose some of their ability to solve problems and to process new information.
This makes it much more difficult for them to learn new things. Finally, many seniors
have physical problems which make computer use more challenging.
IV Teachers of elderly students must be specially trained. They must be made aware of
seniors’ physical problems and taught to sympathise with them. Many training
programmes include “sensitivity training”, where students practise using computers
wearing dirty sunglasses, with cotton balls in their ears and with two of their fingers
taped together. Interestingly, many of the participants in these training programmes
are teenagers. These teens claim that they benefit tremendously from the experience.
They say that they get a lot of satisfaction from the real improvements they make in
the older people’s lives.
V And the teens are not the only ones who benefit. It appears that teenagers are
particularly good at teaching computer skills to the elderly and find it easy to motivate
their senior students. This may be because teens are very comfortable with computer
technology and enjoy using it. It may also simply be because teens and old people get
along well. Whatever the reason, it would seem that if we wish to help the older
generation master technology, it’s a good idea to get teenagers to do the job.

1 Choose the correct answer.

1. Seniors may have difficulty mastering computer technology because they ... .
a. do not believe they are capable of learning
b. don’t enjoy using it
c. don’t get along with their teachers
d. are no longer able to process information
2. Sensitivity training helps ... .
a. teenagers understand seniors’ emotional problems
b. elderly students to be more sensitive to the learning process
c. teenagers motivate their elderly students
d. teachers understand the difficulties experienced by elderly students

1
2 Decide if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F). Find evidence in the text to
justify your answers.
 1. Seniors could benefit greatly from learning computer skills.
...........................................................................................................................
 2. Teachers are automatically aware of seniors’ physical problems.
...........................................................................................................................
 3. Teenagers are proving to be successful teachers.
...........................................................................................................................
3 Complete the sentences.
1. Elderly people can stay in touch with their loved ones by .......................................`
................................................................................................................................. .
2. Seniors can stay independent longer if they ............................................................
................................................................................................................................. .
4 Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
1. growing (paragraph I) ……………………
2. difficult (paragraph III) ……………………
3. greatly (paragraph IV) ……………………
4. encourage (paragraph V) ……………………

Writing
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using computers as an essential part of
modern society (120-150 words).

REMEMBER TO:

1. Make a list of all the advantages and disadvantages you can think of.
2. Organise your ideas into paragraphs.
3. Go to Unit 5 on the platform if you need to see a sample and more information.
4. Use connectors of contrast to present your arguments.
5. Check your work for mistakes (grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling).

2
ANSWER KEY

Reading
1 1. A 2. D

2 1. T – “Some seniors are interested in learning about computers because they want to
use e-mail to keep in touch with their loved ones who live far away. Others wish to
learn how to shop online so that they can stay independent for longer.”
2. F – “They must be made aware of seniors’ physical problems and taught to
sympathise with them.”
3. T – . “It appears that teenagers are particularly good at teaching computer skills to
the elderly”.

3 1. using e-mail.
2. learn how to shop online.

4 1. increasing 3. tremendously
2. challenging 4. motivate