islcollective worksheets preintermediate a2 intermediate b1 high school reading speaking writing technology conversation 81205076254844440c662c4 49254638

Constantly looking down at an angle places enormous strain
on the spine and can result in permanent harm, according to
a new report
Are smartphones a pain in the neck? According to new
research carried out by a US doctor, they are far worse – “text
neck” is becoming an epidemic that could lead to permanent
damage.
The human head weighs about a dozen pounds. But
as the neck bends forward and down, the weight on
the cervical spine begins to increase. At a 15-degree
angle, this weight is about 27 pounds, at 30 degrees
it’s 40 pounds, at 45 degrees it’s 49 pounds, and at
60 degrees it’s 60 pounds.

The posture we adopt as we stare at our
phones, according to the surgeon,
increases the stress on the neck and can
cause excessive wear and tear that may
eventually require an operation to correct
it.
Dr Kenneth Hansraj says that although our heads weigh between
10lb and 12lb, as we angle them down to look at our phones, the
effective weight on our necks increases – at a 15-degree angle it is 1about 27lb rising to 60lb at 60 degrees.

Read the text carefully.
Say whether these statements are TRUE
or FALSE.

With smartphone users now spending an average of two to four a)

The excessive use of smartphones causes brain

Sammy Margo, from the UK’s Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, d)
says she thinks “text neck” is on the rise. “People carry out their
e)
lives by text, they get carried away and don’t realise they need a
break.”

Sammy alerts people for the bad consequences their

damage.
hours a day with their heads dropped down, this results in “700 to
b)
People use their smartphones over 4 hours a day.
1,400 hours a year of excess stresses seen about the cervical
c) “text neck” has been increasing.
spine”, according to the research.

This can cause “head pain, neck pain, arm pain and numbness,” she
g)
points out, because “a normal standing position is facing forward
and all the curves of your neck and spine are in correct alignment.
But when you drop your chin on to your chest for a long period you
are stretching the whole structure.”
“Eventually, in conjunction with a sedentary lifestyle, it could lead
to serious consequences.”

d)

She advises people to use voice
recognition and make phone calls instead,

and take regular breaks and alter their a)
texting positions to avoid problems. The
b)
NHS website’s Live Well section lists
helpful
exercises –
including
gently c)
lengthening your neck upwards as you d)
e)
tuck in your chin.
It is not the first time we have been warned about the dangers of
texting. In 2011 it was blamed for an increase in pedestrian deaths
in the US, with some towns considering the introduction of fines for 4people who text while walking. “Blackberry thumb” – repetitive
strain injury caused by texting – has been joined by “iPad hand”,
a)
aches and pains caused by swiping and typing on a tablet. The list
of ailments expands with every new piece of technology.
www.theguardian.com
November 24th, 2014

Word bank:

b)

wrong use of smartphones can have on their health.
Phone calls are less damaging than texting.
This is the first time we are warned about the
dangers of texting too much.
“BlackBerry thumb” is another good example of the

use of technology.

h) “iPad hand” is the newest device.
2- What do the underlined bold words
refer to in the text?

a)
she

they

b) it

c) their

e) who

3- Now answer these questions.
Which illnesses caused by technological devices are
mentioned in the text?
Do you know anyone with these problems? Who?
What should people do to avoid them?
Are you addicted to texting? How often do you text?
Why does texting cause health problems?
Do you have any health problem you associate with
the use of technological devices? Which one?

Fill the gaps with the expressions: text
neck / iPad hand / BlackBerry thumb / mobile
phone elbow / numbness

If you’re sending lots of text messages, you may
have one of
__________ .

the

trendiest

maladies

–

the

Chatting for extended periods of time can leave you
with a _____________ .

c)

ailment – disease, disorder, illness
/ a pain in the neck – annoying,
irritating
/
bend – move the top part of your body downwards
/ d)
numbness – insensibility, torpor / spine – row of bones down your back
/ strain – tension, pressure / stretch - become longer or bigger

e)

A neck injury may cause you to feel _________
anywhere along your arm or hand.
__________ is the term used to describe the injuries
and pain caused from looking down at wireless
devices for too long.
To avoid the ____________ injury you shouldn’t use
your iPad for long periods of time.