Prime Time 5/6, Writing, Arbeitsheft

4 68 Assessment Where does a new paragraph start? Write this sign  to show that a new paragraph should begin there. How dangerous are computer games? Today almost every teenager plays computer games. They do it to relax or to learn something, to have fun or to experience the thrill of the game, to meet other players on the net or simply because they don’t want to get bored. However, there are a lot of adults who think computer games are not good for young people because they believe that playing on the computer means that people do not meet friends in real life. They are convinced that these adolescents might become isolated and lose their ability to communicate, which would influence their relationships, their family life and ultimately their well-being. In addition, there are a great number of computer games on the market which are violent and might change the behaviour of teenagers who play them, as only the most brutal player, the one who does not mind using violence, can win the game. And, after all, we play games to win. Surely, this is a very traditional way of looking at this issue. Computer games are like everything else in life. We can use them for good or for bad purposes. They can help train computer skills, they can improve your reaction, or they can help you to practise your language skills if you play a game in another language. Moreover, playing interactive games with players from other countries is another way of communicating. It is just different from what adults are used to. Forbidding problematic games, which is what a lot of adults would like to see, is not the best solution to the problem. One way to come to terms with the negative aspects of computer games and their influence on young people is to discuss them in school and to make pupils aware of the problems involved. This could be done in discussion groups or in groups where games are reviewed, so that young people develop a critical view of the games they play. Apart from all the other aspects involved, this would also be a way to communicate face to face in real life, not just in the virtual world. Dealing with topic sentences a) Sort the topic sentences below so that you get an outline for an essay on teenage education. All sections of society would benefit from a higher level of education among the young. Dealing with these problems must lead to changes in the present systems. Education for teenagers (especially girls) is a worldwide issue. The consequences for young people are very serious. The first steps ought to be taken immediately. There are many reasons why young people cannot go to school on a regular basis. b) Come up with ideas what the individual paragraphs will be about. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 58  59  Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv