Ejercicio Texto B - Preguntas 1-4 · Inglés PAU Asturias Ordinaria 2021

TEXTO B: Reading

When was the last time you read a book? Do your daily reading habits centre around tweets or Facebook updates? If you are one of those people who do not make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out: reading has a significant number of benefits. Everything you read fills your head with new bits of information and you never know when it might be useful. The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are to address any challenge you will ever face. If you find yourself in difficult circumstances, remember that although you might lose everything else —your job, your money, even your health— knowledge can never be taken from you. Reading contributes positively to vocabulary expansion. The more you read, the more words you gain exposure to, and they will make their way into your everyday vocabulary. Being articulate and well-spoken is of great help in any profession. Those who are well-read, well-spoken and knowledgeable on a variety of topics tend to get promotions more quickly and more often than those with smaller vocabularies and lack of awareness of scientific discoveries and global events. Reading also helps you focus your attention and improve your concentration. In our internet-crazed world, attention is drawn in a million different directions at once. In a single 5-minute period, the average person will divide their time between working on a task, checking email, chatting with people (via whatsapp, skype, etc.), keeping an eye on twitter and monitoring their smartphone. This type of behaviour causes stress levels to rise and lowers our productivity. When you read a book, your attention is focused on the story —the rest of the world just falls away and you can immerse yourself in every detail you are absorbing. There is a reading genre for everyone, and whether your tastes lie in poetry, fashion magazines, young adult books or self-help guides, there is something out there to capture your curiosity and imagination. Turn your computer off, open a book, and refill your soul for a little while.

QUESTIONS. Do not copy literally from the text.

1.

According to the text, what is the relationship between reading and knowledge?

2.

What are the linguistic and social benefits of reading?

3.

The text says: ‘In our internet-crazed world, attention is drawn in a million different directions at once.’ Why is this an unhealthy habit?

4.

Leaving aside the benefits of reading mentioned, how does the text invite you to take up reading as a good habit?