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Pusat Tuisyen Didikan Genius
Edubest Seconda
r
y English Programme
SE
1
Module
9
COMPREHENSION
A. (i) Reading
Read the passage below and answer the questions.
A Japanese professor has produced evidence to show that computer games can have a bad effect on children. Many parents and grandparents have been saying this for years, but they were largely ignored, being regarded as technophobes.
Parental worries about computer games often relate to their effect on their children's health and on their social skills. They feel that they should be outside getting exercise and enjoying the fresh air while playing with their friends. Since many of them usually play by themselves, they live rather isolated lives, with little opportunity to
interact with other people. As a result, they may be very poor at communication. Parents are also worried in case the violence of many of the games will cause their children to become more aggressive and violent themselves. This anxiety also applies to television, which often shows scenes of extreme brutality.
There are fears, too, that the popularity of computer games has added to the dumbing down of the information and material used by today's generation. Because children often choose to play computer games instead of reading or doing their homework, the games are thought to have a bad effect on their education. Parents are also worried that video games will prevent their children from developing their creativity, if they spend all their time in front of a screen instead of drawing, writing stories, and so forth.
Professor Ryuta Kawashima of Tohoku University shares parental concerns about the bad effects of computer games, but for different, and considerably more scientific, reasons. Using state-of-the art technology, he has conducted research which, he believes, shows that computer games may stunt the development of children's brains. He has been able to show, by means of brain scans, that playing computer games
stimulates activity in only part of the players' brains, the part associated with vision
and movement. The frontal lobes of their brains, associated with learning, memory,
emotion and self-control, are remaining underdeveloped.
If the children's ability to control their behaviour is being underdeveloped, then they are more likely to become violent. Unfortunately, Professor Kawashima's research appears to indicate that parental fears about computer games are justified.
A. (ii) Vocabulary Practice
a. Match each word in Column A with its meaning in Column B by writing the corresponding letter in the box next to the word.
Column A Column B
1. produced a. outcome
2. effect b. separate
3. isolated c. provided
4. interact d. actions
5. anxiety e. hold back
6. concerns f. worries
7. stunt g. concern
8. behaviour h. talk with
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b. Match each word in Column A with its opposite meaning in Column B by writing the corresponding letter in the box next to the word.
Column A Column B
1. often a. hopes
2. aggressive b. seldom
3. fears c. old
4. in front of d. overdeveloped 5. state-of-the-art e. less likely
6. believes f. behind
7. underdeveloped g. meek 8. more likely h. disbelieves
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c. Choose the most appropriate word for each of the blank.
ignored fresh popularity activity memory 1. Owing to its ___________________________, the book was quickly sold out. 2. The soccer team _______________________ the warning not to travel to the infected country and went ahead.
3. Older people tend to remember past events, but often forget what is in the short- term ________________________.
4. Many people go to the farmers' market as it sells ____________________ produce. 5. Tired out by the day's _______________________ , he had an early night.
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B. Comprehension
Answer these questions in full sentences based on the passage given. 1. In what way does playing computer games affect children’s health?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
2. How do computer games have a bad effect on children’s education?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
3. What are the frontal lobes of the brain associated with?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Discuss your answers with your classmates to the questions below. Then write out each of your answers in one or two sentences.
4. What do you like or dislike about playing computer games?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
5. Do you think that computer games can have a bad effect on children's social skills? Give a reason for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
6. Do you think that computer games can have a bad effect on children's health? Give a reason for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
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PHRASAL VERB
The Weather
Read the following passage. Can you guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs in bold?
The weather affects all our lives to some extent. The lives of some people, for example, farmers and sailors, depend on the weather to a very great extent. Farmers need fine weather to harvest their crops. Strong winds cause rough seas that can be dangerous for boats.
For this reason, people want to know in advance what the weather will be like. We need experts who can look ahead and tell us what the weather will do next. Tomorrow the sun may be shining brightly, or the rain may be pouring down. It may be warm enough to swim in the lake, or the lake may have frozen over. Information about the weather helps us to plan our activities. Sometimes it can even help to keep us safe.
People who study the weather are called meteorologists. People who tell us what the weather will do in the next few days are known as forecasters. They are not always right. Thanks to modern science, nowadays they are more often right than wrong.
A Closer Look at the Meaning
be known as
If you are known as something, you are called by that name.
beat down
When the sun beats down, it shines very strongly and is very hot.
blow down
When something blows down, or is blown down, a strong wind makes it fall.
brighten up
The weather or the day brightens up when it becomes sunnier.
cloud over
The sky clouds over when it becomes covered with clouds.
come out
The sun comes out when it is no longer covered by a cloud, but can be seen in the sky.
cool off
You cool off when you make yourself cooler after being hot.
depend on
Something depends on something else if it is controlled by it.
flood out
A place is flooded out when it becomes full of water.
freeze over
A lake or a pond freezes over when it becomes covered with a layer of ice.
go in
The sun goes in when a cloud covers it.
look ahead
You look ahead when you try to see what will happen in the future.
pour down
The rain pours down when it falls in large amounts.
rain off
An event is rained off if it cannot happen because of wet weather.
warm up
When something or someone warms up, they become warmer.
GRAMMAR
Prepositions
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to show the relation between objects or position or direction of objects.
Examples:
Parents often loiter along the corridor while waiting for their children. The little girl is afraid of monsters.
about around down off throughout without above at during to till
across before except on towards after behind for onto under against below from out underneath along beneath in outside until
amid beside into over up amidst between inside round upon among beyond near since with amongst by of through within
There are instances where prepositions are not needed yet unnecessarily inserted. Examples:
I live near the coast. (unnecessary: near to)
The police followed the mysterious figure. (unnecessary: followed after or behind)
They discussed the problem of land shortage. (unnecessary: discussed about or on)
The teacher elaborated his point clearly. (unnecessary: elaborated on)
Your story should emphasise the theme of social harmony.(unnecessary: emphasise on)
Different prepositions may alter the meaning of sentences. Examples:
Sheila was frightened by Tony's hideous mask.
(This means that Tony's hideous mask gave Sheila a fright.)
Sheila was frightened of Tony's hideous mask.
Exercise 1
Choose the most suitable answer for each blank.
1. He placed the bracelet gently ________________ its box and closed the lid.
(a) on (c) into
(b) over (d) at ( )
2. Malaysia is _________________ the north of Singapore.
(a) to (c) in
(b) on (d) at ( )
3. I was looking for my socks and found this old sweater _____ the pile of clothes in the storeroom.
(a) at (c) from
(b) among (d) to ( )
4. Owing to the brewing storm, the race will be held ____ the indoor stadium instead.
(a) at (c) on
(b) over (d) by ( )
5. The crying child barged _______ and demanded for his mother.
(a) into (c) at
(b) onto (d) in ( )
6. The vet finally concluded that the calf had died _________ lead poisoning.
(a) at (c) off
(b) of (d) by ( )
7. The chef sprinkled some salt ______ the mixture and started to toss it.
(a) above (c) over
(b) at (d) in ( )
8. Please ensure that you have addressed your letter _____ the right recipient.
(a) at (c) by
(b) to (d) for ( )
9. My father's shop is just ________ the corner.
(a) around (c) from
(b) off (d) of ( )
10. Dr Spencer often goes for evening walks his _________ dog.
(a) on (c) at
(b) with (d) to ( )
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Exercise 2
Choose the most suitable answer for each blank.
1. We were interrupted ______ the middle of our conversation by a phone call.
(a) by (c) at
(b) in (d) of ( )
2. Kim Seng paid _______ the home entertainment system with his own hard-earned money.
(a) at (c) for
(b) by (d) with ( )
3. While spending my vacation _______ Arizona, I came to fall in love with the cactus.
(a) in (c) on
(b) at (d) by ( )
4. We looked up and spotted a flock of birds flying ______ the treetops.
(a) up (c) at
(b) in (d) over ( )
5. The drunk driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed ____ the road divider.
(a) at (c) into
(b) onto (d) in ( )
6. Although we were exhausted, we rowed on _______ the determination to reach the shore by nightfall.
(a) on (c) by
(b) with (d) at ( )
7. I threw the ball ________ the room and it flew out through the open window.
(a) across (c) above
(b) at (d) up ( )
8. The control switches are located just _______ your head.
(a) across (c) above
(b) at (d) up ( )
9. The dolphins swam close enough to get a good look at us but kept ____ our reach.
(a) in (c) from
(b) at (d) beyond ( )
10. I can't wait to take a ride ______ his brand new Harley-Davidson bike.
(a) at (c) on
(b) in (d) with ( )
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Exercise 3
Choose the most suitable answer for each blank.
1. A little sparrow flew in ______ our bathroom window one morning.
(a) above (c) up
(b) through (d) with ( )
2. The ending scene of the movie featured the hero and heroine riding ___ the sunset.
(a) into (c) on
(b) from (d) across ( )
3. The miners worked under difficult circumstances to extract coal ____ the earth.
(a) at (c) from
(b) off (d) out ( )
4. Mum cut the advertisement ________ the newspaper and showed it to me.
(a) out (c) from
(b) off (d) of ( )
5. At the wedding, the best man proposed a toast _______ the bridal couple.
(a) on (c) for
(b) at (d) to ( )
6. Have you thought ________ what you'd like to have for dinner yet?
(a) on (c) of
(b) about (d) at ( )
7. There is a meeting tomorrow and I need you to be ____ to explain the organisation of the department.
(a) round (c) at
(b) on (d) around ( )
8. Mary shouted __________ his direction but he was too far away to hear her.
(a) at (c) from
(b) to (d) in ( )
9. Your story proposal is great. You just have to develop it ________ the same line and modify the characters a little.
(a) on (c) along
(b) in (d) over ( )
10. ________ the hustling and bustling of activities, we suddenly heard a loud crash.
(a) Amongst (c) Amidst
(b) At (d) On ( )
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Exercise 4
Choose the most suitable answer for each blank.
1. She took a large white cloth and draped it _______ the sculpture.
(a) onto (c) on
(b) under (d) over ( )
2. The latest sound system comes complete _____ wonderfully lifelike surround-sound features.
(a) with (c) by
(b) for (d) in ( )
3. The old man has lived _______ the little hut for the last fifty years.
(a) on (c) in
(b) at (d) above ( )
4. "Stop shouting _______ the room. This isn't a market," the new teacher reminded.
(a) over (c) into
(b) across (d) above ( )
5. The doctor poked stiffly ______ my wound and caused me to jump.
(a) on (c) at
(b) to (d) over ( )
6. I'm so glad that my weight lies ________ the healthy range. (a) between (c) within
(b) on (d) without ( )
7. Joshua absent-mindedly left the cup ______ the sink.
(a) in (c) into
(b) on (d) onto ( )
8. Mrs Yang has to take her daughter ________ school everyday.
(a) across (c) to
(b) into (d) at ( )
9. My friend told me that he would meet me at the coffee shop ______ the street.
(a) at (c) beyond
(b) across (d) in ( )
10. We often sit and admire the sunset, wondering what lies ______ the horizon.
(a) within (c) over
(b) across (d) beyond ( )
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Exercise 5
Underline a suitable preposition.
Siew Wah was seven years old when his parents were killed 1.(at/in/by) a motorcycle accident. 2.(On/At/In) thirteen, his grandfather was crippled in a construction site accident. Since then, Siew Wah had to quit school to work and support his grandfather and two younger brothers.
3.(On/At/In) the morning, he would deliver newspapers on his bicycle. During the day, he delivered parcels 4.(for/around/in) a courier company. 5.(In/At/On) night, he washed dishes in a restaurant. He worked hard to keep his family together. He knew his grandfather was afraid that the boys would be taken 6.(away/off/out) and placed in different children's homes.
One afternoon, while delivering a parcel 7.(for/around/to) an office building in town, Siew Wah met a woman who took notice 8.(of/at/about) him. She asked him why he was working 9.(of/from/at) such a young age. She also asked him about his family.
At first, Siew Wah did not want to say much. However, the woman appeared to be sincere and genuinely concerned. Finally, Siew Wah told her 10.(about/of/with) his family problems and began to cry. The woman listened to him attentively.
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Exercise 6
In the postcard, fill in each blank with a suitable preposition. You may use the answer more than once.
on to for about in with
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Listening and Speaking
Emergency Calls
An emergency is an unexpected and serious happening which calls for immediate action. Most countries provide emergency services, official organisations such as the police, which deal with fire, crime, accidents and injuries. These are on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Making an emergency call requires knowing the local emergency number. United States, Canada: 911. United Kingdom: 999.
Australia: 000. New Zealand: 111
With mobile phones, the number 112 works nearly all over the world.
When making the call:
1. You will have to explain the emergency.
road accident
home accident (e.g. a bad fall)
sudden illness (e.g. heart attack / stroke) dog bite / snakebite
fight or armed robbery fire or flood
2. The call will be routed to a specialised service. You then have to identify yourself and your location.
My name is . . .
. . . at the corner of . . . . . . at the entrance of . . .
. . . three kilometres south on road . . .
Give the coodinates if GPS (global positioning system) is available.
3. Next, give details of the state of emergency. What it is?
How many people are involved? Name and age of each person.
Urgency: How serious the injury or illness is?
4. If necessary the operator will guide you through emergency procedures such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation: mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compression)
Always try to keep calm during an emergency. Do not move the victim unless it is necessary or you are instructed to do so-the reason being that you might cause the person greater harm. Keep onlookers away from the victim. When the emergency personnel (police officers, firefighters, paramedics) arrive, give assistance if required.
Exercise: Study the video clip on how to make an emergency call.
WRITING
Information Reports
Information reports classify and describe our world. They are written about living things like plants and animals, as well as non-living things like thunder, DVDs and buildings.
Texts of this type include encyclopaedia entries, fact sheets, brochures, documentaries and sections of your school textbooks.
Sample Writing: An Information Report about Golden Orioles
► Grammar Focus: Linking verb ‘to be’
There is a kind of verb that does not look like a verb to many because it is clearly not an action word. This kind of verb is called a relational or linking verb. The most common are the verbs to be and to have.
The purpose of these verbs is simply to link two pieces of information: for instance, if you want to link the two facts 'Golden Orioles' and 'most active in the mornings and evenings', you can simply use the correct form of the verb to be - 'Golden Orioles are most active in the morning and evenings'.
► Vocabulary Corner: Useful vocabulary for classifying
Box 1
called sorted named identified described categorised catalogued classified as grouped
Box 2
compare judged matched with unlike different from put side by side evaluated measured against
Exercise
Exercise
Instructions: Write an essay about the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Language Arts – Idioms
A Closer Look at the Meaning
bad-mouth : say unkind, unflattering, embarrassing (and probably untrue)
things about someone.
A: "I don't believe what Bob said. Why is he bad-mouthing me?" B: "He's probably jealous of your success."
be a piece of cake : be very easy.
A: "Bob said the test was difficult, but I thought it was a piece of cake."
be all ears : be eager to hear what someone has to say.
A: "I just got an e-mail message from our old friend Sally." B: "Tell me what she said. I'm all ears!"
be broke : be without money.
"No, I can't lend you ten dollars. I'm completely broke until payday."
be fed up with (with someone or something): be out of patience (with someone or something); be very tired of someone or something.
"Bill, you're too careless with your work. I'm fed up with apologising for your mistakes!"
be in and out : be at and away from a place during a particular time.
"Could we postpone our meeting until tomorrow? I expect to be in and out of the office most of the day today."
be on the go : be very busy (going from one thing or project to another).
"I'm really tired. I've been on the go all week long."
be on the road : be travelling.
"You won't be able to contact me tomorrow because I'll be on the road."
be up and running: (for a technological process) be operational; be ready to use .
beat : exhausted; very tired (adj.).
"This has been a long day. I'm beat!"
beat around the bush: evade an issue; avoid giving a direct answer.
"Quit beating around the bush! If you don't want to go with me, just tell me!"
beat one's brains out: try very hard to understand or do something.
"Can you help me with this problem? I've been beating my brains out with it, but I just can't solve it."
beats me : I have no idea.
A: "What time's the party?" B: "Beats me!"
bent out of shape: needlessly worried about something.
"I know you're worried about your job interview, but don't get bent out of shape. You'll do just fine."
bite off more than one can chew: take responsibility for more than one can manage.
"I'm really behind with my project. Can you help me? I'm afraid I
bit off more than I could chew!"
blow one's top : become extremely angry.
A: "Was your father upset when you came home at 3.00a.m.?" B: "He was more than upset. He blew his top!"
the bottom line : the most essential information.
"The discussion lasted many hours. The bottom line was that the XYZ Company isn't for sale."
Break a leg! : Good luck!
"I understand you have a job interview tomorrow. Break a leg!"
break someone's heart: make someone feel very disappointed/discouraged/sad.
"Joe broke his mother's heart when he dropped out of school."
Exercise 1
Complete the sentence with another half of a complete idiom.
1. Next week is your piano examination. Break _____________________! 2. You look tired. You must have been __________________ all night.
3. Your husband will be with you, so don’t get bent _______________________. 4. Please tell me about the movie. I am ___________________.
5. Algebra is just a piece __________________ for a genius like Kenneth.
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Exercise 2
Choose the most suitable idiom.
1. My brother got a zero for his Mathematics test and this ___________________. A. beat his brains out B. broke his heart and everything C. was the bottom line D. blew my father’s top
2. You won't be able to see me for a week because I'll ____________. A. be on the road B. bend out of shape C. be in and out D. beat around the bush 3. Please lend me some cash. I am totally _______________ as usual.
A. broke B. beaten
C. at the bottom of my line D. all ears 4. John, you're too busybody. I’m _________________ you! A. blowing every top of B. fed up with C. beating my brain out of D. breaking
5. I'm not sure how to solve that matter. Can you help me? I'm afraid I ________! A. have a piece of cake B. bit off more than I could chew C. bend out of shape D. be up and running
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Glossary
aggressive adjective
1 ready to attack or to harm others.
2 being energetic, forceful and determined.
aggressionnoun
cruel and harsh behaviour or treatment.
brutaladjective
cruel and harsh.
communicationnoun
the exchange of information or the expression of ideas or feelings between people, for example, by speaking, letters, telephone, emails, sign language, etc.
creativitynoun
the ability to use the imagination to develop new unusual ideas, works of art, etc.
creativeadjective
having or showing creativity.
dumbing downnoun
causing to be easy to understand, and so often less intellectually challenging and less educationally useful.
dumb downverb
dumb adjective
(informal; especially American) stupid.
emotion noun
a strong feeling, such as love, hate, anger, fear, grief.
frontaladjective
(formal or technical) connected with the front of something.
interactverb
of people, to communicate with each other, to work or play with each other.
isolatedadjective
without much social contact with other people.
justify verb
to be, or to give, an acceptable reason for something.
justification noun
an acceptable reason for something.
lobe noun
a division of the brain; a division of some other parts of the body.
social skillsnoun plural
the skills involved in communicating and interacting with other people.
state-of-the-art adjective
using the most modern, advanced methods.
stimulateverb
to encourage the development of something.
stuntverb
to prevent or limit the growth or development of something.
technophobe noun
a person who is nervous of, and does not like using, things which are highly technical, especially things associated with computerisation.
video gamenoun
an electronic or computerised game in which buttons are pressed to move images on a screen
vision noun
the ability to see, eyesight
Pelan Lokasi
@
Pusat Tuisyen Didikan Genius
No.2-1, Jalan 4/109E, Desa Business Centre, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-7983 7650
