Inges Reading

Q Reading and Writing 3 Unit 10 Test
Name: ______________________________________ Read the article. Then choose the best response. Social Networking 1 It is hardly news that people are using the Internet for communicating with others more and more. The growth of Internet use comes in various forms, from email to IMs to social networking sites, like Facebook, MySpace, or Bebo. Some fear thatpeople will no longer have the need to talk to one another face-to-face. Some recent studies suggest that people communicate, or stay in touch, even more than they used to. Whichever side you fall on, what is clear and not debatable, is that human communication has changed in the 21st century. But results of recent scientific studies may have us reconsider just how much our new communication formshave changed our world. 2 In June 2008 a British psychiatrist, Himanshu Tyagi, warned that communicating on social networking sites could have a negative effect on the generation of people born after 1990. This is a group of people who have never known a world without the Internet. He warns that they use the Internet to communicate with others so much they may have trouble forming real relationshipswith people. It is of concern that people can start and end relationships over the Internet. As he described the Internet, “It’s a world where everything moves fast and changes all the time, where relationships are quickly disposed of at the click of a mouse.” 3 Despite all of these warnings, studies can be found that demonstrate the positive aspects of social networking sites. The results of onestudy show that using social networking sites has boosted the self-esteem of young adults. Another suggests that college students using these sites feel more “connected” with people when they use them. In addition to scientific studies, there are many who feel that the benefits of social networking sites far outweigh the possible negative aspects. Many people, especially those who spend a lot oftime at home, for various reasons, find the Internet a lifeline. They are able to communicate with many people using these sites. 4 Perhaps the key to this new communication style is moderation and common sense. If someone spends all of his time on the Internet, and never actually sees friends face-to-face, that seems like an unhealthy way to live. But if someone spends time on the Internet, someof which is spent arranging meetings for “real” time together, then it seems almost complementary. Moderation is the key to keeping communication alive and well in the 21st century. 1. What do recent studies suggest about communication today? A. People communicate more than they used to. B. People don’t talk to others face-to-face anymore. C. People use social networking sites more than they email.2. What is the main idea of the whole article? A. Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo are popular social networking sites. B. Social networking sites have changed human communication. C. Social networking sites make people feel more "connected" to others. 3. What is the main idea of Himanshu Tyagi’s warning in paragraph 2? A. People born after 1990 use the Internet to communicate with others. B. TheInternet moves fast and it changes all the time. C. Internet social networking can hurt younger generations. Date: _____________



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Q Reading and Writing 3 Unit 10 Test
Name: ______________________________________ Date: _____________

4. What is the main idea of paragraph 3? A. Social networking sites are alifeline for many people. B. Social networking sites can boost self-esteem. C. Social networking sites can have benefits. 5. What is the author’s opinion about social networking? A. People need to use social networking sites in moderation. B. Spending time on social networking sites is an unhealthy way to live. C. Many people use social networking sites to communicate with others.

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