A computer game for the middle-aged

Why I dislike computers

0 Almost everyone says that computers are wonderful and that they are

00 changing our own lives for the better by making everything faster and

1 more reliable, but I’m not so much sure that this is the case.

2 The other day I was standing in a large department store until!

3 waiting to pay for a couple of films for my camera when the assistant

4 announced that the computer which controlled the till it had stopped

5 working. I didn’t think this was a big problem and I set myself off to

6 find another counter, but of course, all the machines are one part of

7 the same system. So there we were: a shop full of customers, money

8 at the ready, waiting to make our purchases, but it was quite clear that

9 none out of the assistants knew what to do. They weren’t allowed to

10 take our money and give to customers a written receipt, because the

11 sales wouldn’t then have been recorded on the computer system.

12 In the end, like with many other people, I left my shopping on the

13 counter and walked out. Don’t you think so that’s ridiculous? It would

14 never have happened before computers, and that, for me, is all the

15 problem: we are beginning to depend on these machines for so

16 completely that we simply can’t manage without them any more.

8. Role-play. Read an English joke and dramatise it with your groupmates.

A young writer sent a number of manuscripts to a celebrated newspaper columnist. The manuscripts came back with this curt note: “The only channel I can consciously recommend as the greatest outlet for articles of this type is the English Channel”.

— 9. Computers are so widespread nowadays that there is hardly a family without a computer at home. As a result, children are a bit obsessed with computer games, but what do you know about the middle-aged? Is it easy to learn dealing with computer when you are 30? Are computer games necessary for people of this age-group? Give examples from your own experience to support your point of view.

& 10. Read the text below to find out if computer games can be useful foe the middle-aged.

A computer game designed to improve middle-aged people's brains has been launched recently.

It is specifically aimed at improving the brains of the older market – defined as aged 35 upwards – through a series of number, logic and memory based exercises.

The game, from Nintendo, is called Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? It is the first of its kind and has already sold almost 1.8million copies since going on sale in Japan in 2007.

Two-thirds of those who have bought it are 25 or older.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training comprises a variety of activities which are aimed at giving the brain an intensive workout, ideally played in ten minutes bursts. Activities, including solving simple maths problems, remembering words, drawing pictures on the Nintendo Dual Screen - a handheld console costing £89.99 - and reading classic literature aloud.

Players are encouraged to answer the questions as quickly and accurately as possible. They are then given a brain age, reflecting their performance.

Over time, the brain age should get younger as skills - and scores - improve.

The challenging exercises are designed by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a Japanese neuroscientist. David Yarnton, Nintendo UK general manager, said: 'A lot of people go to the gym because they want to exercise on a regular basis. This is a bit like a treadmill for the mind. I'm a bit of a rugby fan andthe referee often says to the boys, "Use it or lose it", it's the same with thebrain.'

Meanwhile, studies have shown that keeping active, either physically or mentally, in middle age may help to prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University, in the U.S., found that those who played a musical instrument, did gardening, exercise or played board games were less likely to develop the disease.

11. Comprehension Check: Define if the statements are true or false.

ØA computer game was launched for kids.

ØThe game is aimed at improving self-esteem.

ØThe game was designed by a Chinese neuroscientists.

ØPeople don’t take any interest in the game.

ØThe game comprises a wide variety of activities.

ØActivities include three types of problems.

ØPlayers are not limited in time.

ØThe designer of the exercises compares computer activities with the gym exercises.

ØKeeping active either physically or mentally may prevent diseases.

ØResearchers from the US express fears that this game may be harmful.

12. Answer the questions.

1.What was launched in Japan?

2.What’s the name of the game?

3.What is the game aimed at?

4.How many copies has it already sold?

5.People of what age have bought it?

6.How long does it take to play the game?

7.What activities does it comprise?

8.What are players given after answering the questions?

9.What comparison is drawn between the computer game and physical exercises?

10.What groups of people are less likely to develop any disease?

13. Match the collocations from the text.

a.improving the brains of the old	A.to launch
b.a variety of activities	B.to improve
c.brains	C.to be aimed at
d.a computer game	D.to comprise
e.console	E.to encourage
f.for the mind	F.a handheld
g.disease	G.a treadmill
h.workout	H.to prevent
i.to answer as quickly as possible	I.intensive

14. Match the columns.

1.to improve brains 2.to launch a game 3.to go on sale 4.to comprise 5.intensive workout 6.to solve maths problems 7.a handheld console 8.challenging exercises 9.a treadmill 10.to keep active 11.Use it or lose it!

a.вести активний спосіб життя b.розв’язати математичне завдання c.одноманітна механічна праця d.виходити у продаж e.включати, складатися f.інтенсивна робота g.поліпшити розумові здібності h.складні завдання i.Пан або пропав! j.джойстик k.випустити гру

Дата добавления: 2014-11-29