English Reading B1 1 (1) - Gotovo

Reading: B1
Digital habits across generations

Read an article about how people at different ages use computers and smartphones to
practise and improve your reading skills.
Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.
Preparation task
Match the definitions (1–8) with the vocabulary (a–h).
Vocabulary Definitions
1. …d… to miss out on a. websites and apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
2. …e… addiction b. in a funny or strange way because it’s unexpected
3. …g… constantly c. different from
4. …h… to be cut off from d. to not get the benefits of
5. …c… unlike e. needing something too much or in an unhealthy way
6. …a… social media f. people who are the first to buy or use new technology
7. …b… ironically g. all the time without a break
8. …f… early adopters h. to have no access to
Reading text: Digital habits across generations

Today’s grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media, but the different
generations’ online habits couldn’t be more different. In the UK the over-55s are joining
Facebook in increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site’s second biggest
user group, with 3.5 million users aged 55–64 and 2.9 million over-65s.
Sheila, aged 59, says, ‘I joined to see what my grandchildren are doing, as my daughter posts
videos and photos of them. It’s a much better way to see what they’re doing than waiting for
letters and photos in the post. That’s how we did it when I was a child, but I think I’m lucky I
get to see so much more of their lives than my grandparents did.’
Ironically, Sheila’s grandchildren are less likely to use Facebook themselves. Children under
17 in the UK are leaving the site – only 2.2 million users are under 17 – but they’re not going
far from their smartphones. Chloe, aged 15, even sleeps with her phone. ‘It’s my alarm clock
so I have to,’ she says. ‘I look at it before I go to sleep and as soon as I wake up.’
Unlike her grandmother’s generation, Chloe’s age group is spending so much time on their
phones at home that they are missing out on spending time with their friends in real life.
Sheila, on the other hand, has made contact with old friends from school she hasn’t heard
© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

from in forty years. ‘We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the country,’ she says. ‘It’s
changed my social life completely.’
Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their smartphone and social media addiction
as their parents were the early adopters of the smartphone. Peter, 38 and father of two
teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or laptop constantly. ‘I was always
connected and I felt like I was always working,’ he says. ‘How could I tell my kids to get off
their phones if I was always in front of a screen myself?’ So, in the evenings and at weekends,
he takes his SIM card out of his smartphone and puts it into an old-style mobile phone that can
only make calls and send text messages. ‘I’m not completely cut off from the world in case of
emergencies, but the important thing is I’m setting a better example to my kids and spending
more quality time with them.’
Is it only a matter of time until the generation above and below Peter catches up with the new
trend for a less digital life?

Tasks
Task 1
Are the sentences true or false?
Answer
1. More people aged 55 or more use Facebook than people aged 65 or True False
more.
2. Grandparents typically use Facebook less than their grandchildren. True False
3. Sheila feels grateful to social media. True False
4. Peter found his own smartphone use affected how he felt about how True False
much his children used their phones.
5. Peter has changed how much he uses his phone during the working day. True False
6. Peter feels that the changes make him a better parent. True False
Task 2
Write the phrases in the correct group.
are returning to older like to keep their phones near

are less keen on Facebook
technology them
use social media to find old were the first generation to feel lucky to have the internet
friends get smartphones in their lives
Teens Grandparents Parents
L
ike to keep their phones near feel lucky to have the internetin were the first generation toget
them their lives smartphones
are less keen on Facebook use social media to find old are returning to older
friends technology
Discussion
Who uses their phone the most among your family or friends?

Complete the sentences (5 words minimum)
Because my coffee was too cold, …I had to drink it...
Although he was wealthy, …he felt as if he lacked something important in his life..
She returned the computer after …a week of using it...
Whenever prices go up, customers…complain as if it’s the shop assistants’ fault.
Because I had to catch the train, and as we were short on time, …I forgot to pack us lunch for the
picnic...
As she was bright and ambitious, she became…one of the top scientists in her field..
Wherever you go, you can always find …a lot of new opportunities to grow..
Evergreen trees are a symbol of fertility because they …don’t die in the winter..
Although it was very long, the movie was still …the most captivating movie I’ve ever seen…
You should take your car in for a service because …it sounds like something is wrong with it..
The actor was happy, he got a part in a movie …even though he wasn’t the lead actor…
After the tornado hit, there was …so much damage around the city...
The museum was very interesting, …but I liked the Ancient Greece exhibition the most..
Now that he's rich and famous, people …want to talk to him...
Even though he's thoroughly trained, he still …felt he wasn’t ready enough…
Since winter is coming, …we need to knit more scarves…
When she was younger, she…enjoyed reading different fairy tales…
I have to save this coupon in case …I need to use it someday in the future…
Let’s go back to Chez Nous because …it’s the most romantic place around here…
Although my friends begged me, I …didn’t go to the party…
As people change over time, …their minds become more developed…
I really didn’t like the movie even though…my favourite actor was the main character…
When he got a cream pie, …he ate it all in one go…
After being apart for years, he …couldn’t wait to see her again…
When I woke up, ……I was the hungriest person in the world…..
The ambulance arrived after …thirty minutes, and it wasn’t needed anymore….
If you like the cake, we can …buy another one for the celebration…
Before you go to bed, ……you should put your phone away…..
Even though it was raining, they …were happy walking around the park without an umbrella…
We would love to visit your family home, provided …the plane tickets aren’t too expensive.
They did not move until …the food was packed up for them...
My friend left the country because …he got the opportunity to study abroad…
I went along with the plan although…I didn’t really like it…
Since talking could not resolve the issue, there is no point…in trying to find a solution…
As I was crossing the road, …I helped a duck family cross it…

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Reading: B1

Digital habits across generations

Reading text: Digital habits across generations

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

are returning to older like to keep their phones near

Teens Grandparents Parents

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

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