Are mobile phones dangerous? - PAU inglés Andalucía 2013 resuelto

>Exámenes selectividad inglés resueltos Andalucía

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Are mobile phones dangerous to your health? It is difficult to know for sure. Some researchers suggest that heavy users of mobile phones are at a greater risk of developing brain tumours. Nevertheless, many other studies suggest there are no links between cancer and mobile phone use. Over three billion people use mobile phones on a daily basis, and many talk for more than an hour a day. Mobile phone antennas are similar to microwave ovens. While both rely on electromagnetic radiation, the radio waves in mobile phones are lower in radio frequency (RE). Microwave ovens have enough RE to cook food and are known to be dangerous to human tissues. However, the concern is that the lower frequency radio waves that mobile phones rely on may also be dangerous. Some researchers believe that other types of wireless technology may also be dangerous to human health, including laptops, cordless phones, and gaming consoles. They say that many cordless phones emit dangerous levels of Electromagnetic Radiation (ER) even when they are not in use. They even suggest keeping electronic devices, such as computers and alarm clocks, out of bedrooms, or at least 1.8 metres from your pillow. Besides, a growing number of health professionals recommend that children and teens, whose brains are still developing, use mobile phones only for emergencies. Concerned medical experts use the example of tobacco to illustrate the potential risks. Many years ago, people smoked freely and were not aware of the effects of cigarettes on their health. Today, people know that cigarettes cause lung cancer, though it is still unknown exactly how or why. Some doctors fear that the same thing will happen with devices such as mobiles.

RESPUESTAS

I. READING COMPREHENSION

ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-3 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TEXT. USE YOUR OWN WORDS. 

1. According to the article, do mobile phones lead to brain tumours? Explain. 

• Yes: "It is difficult to know for sure. Some researchers suggest that heavy users of mobile phones are at a greater risk of developing brain tumours. Nevertheless, many other studies suggest there are no links between cancer and mobile phone use". (Lines 1-3)

2. Are mobile phones the only devices that can damage our health? Explain 

• No: "Some researchers believe that other types of wireless technology may also be dangerous to human health, including laptops, cordless phones, and gaming consoles. They say that many cordless phones emit dangerous levels of Electromagnetic Radiation (ER) even when they are not in use. They even suggest keeping electronic devices, such as computers and alarm clocks, out of bedrooms, or at least 1.8 metres from your pillow". (Lines 8-11)

3. Why do some experts think that mobile phones can be harmful to the development of children's brains?

• "Besides, a growing number of health professionals recommend that children and teens, whose brains are still developing, use mobile phones only for emergencies". (LINES 11-13)

ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. 

4. Microwave ovens and mobile phones emit similar levels of RF. 

• FALSE: "Mobile phone antennas are similar to microwave ovens. While both rely on electromagnetic radiation, the radio waves in mobile phones are lower in radio frequency (RF)". (Lines 4-5)

5. In the past the negative effects of tobacco were unknown. 

• TRUE: "Many years ago, people smoked freely and were not aware of the effects of cigarettes on their health". (Lines 13-14)

 

II. USE OF ENGLISH

6. FIND IN THE TEXT A SYNONYM FOR "worry" (noun).

• concern (line 6)

7. GIVE AN ADJECTIVE WITH THE SAME ROOT AS "health" (noun). 

• healthy, unhealthy, healthful, unhealthful 

8. WHICH WORD IS NOT AN ADJECTIVE? 

• dangerous / risky / scare / unsafe. 

9. FIND IN THE TEXT ONE WORD WHICH HAS THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION: 

"A machine or piece of equipment which has been invented for a particular purpose." 

• Device (line 10 & 16)

10. GIVE A QUESTION FOR THE UNDERLINED WORDS: 

"Some health professionals point out that many cancers take at least ten years to develop". 

• What do some health professionals point out?

11. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE WITHOUT CHANGING ITS MEANING. BEGIN AS INDICATED: 

"Even though the car was very expensive, she bought it". 

• In spite of being very expensive, she bought the car. 
• In spite of the fact that the car was very expensive, she bought it.

12. FILL IN THE GAP WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS. 

• "George stopped smoking (smoke) two years ago.

13. TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO THE PASSIVE VOICE: 

Scientists believe that mobile phones are dangerous to our health. 

• It is believed by scientists that mobile phones are dangerous to our health. 
• Mobile phones are believed by scientists to be dangerous to our health.

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