"Why it matters that teens are reading less" Comprehension Check

Teenagers of 2016…

• spend more time with digital media than past teens, but balance it with other activities

• spend just as much time on digital media as the teens from the last decade

• spend more time staring at screens than previous generations of teens

• spend most of their time staring at a screen while in the classroom

Studies have shown that teenagers are…

• engaging in social activities with their friends less

• socializing more than ever, but rather online

• reading less because it's a solitary activity

• going to more movies with their friends than ever before.

What does the author report about teens' reading habits?

• They continue to read longform texts, but on their digital devices

• They aren't reading the necessary texts to perform well in school

• They read just as much as past teens, but the texts are short and simplified

• They report reading less longform texts by choice

What does the author suggest for the future?

• to take away teens' digital devices and force them to spend time doing other things

• to require teens to spend a minimum number of hours a day with a book

• to require teens to spend some of their time online reading longform articles

• to limit the time teens spend on digital devices to encourage other activities

Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?

• The time that teenagers spend with digital media negatively impacts their ability to make sense of longer and more complex written material.

• Teenagers are not developing the social skills they need to succeed in the world, as digital devices encourage them to spend time alone.

• Fast-paced games and constantly updating social media makes it difficult for teenagers to be entertained by paper media, such as books and magazines.

• The time that teenagers spend playing video games or on social media takes away from their commitment to their studies, negatively affecting their grades.

Which detail from the text best supports the answer to the previous question?

• "One out of 10 8th graders in 2016 spent 40 hours a week or more gaming -- the time commitment of a full-time job." (paragraph 6)

• "In another analysis, we that today's teens go out with their friends considerably less than previous generations did." (Paragraph 11)

• "Of course, teens are still reading. But they're reading short texts and Instagram captions, not longform articles that explore deep themes and require critical thinking and reflection."

• "Data connecting excessive digital media time to mental health issues suggests a limit of two hours a day of free time spent with screens..." (Paragraph 20)

Which of the following describes the author's main purpose in the text?

• to offer teenagers fun and engaging alternatives to spending time with digital media

• to emphasize the disadvantages of spending more time online and less time reading.

• to show how reading from digital devices is not as beneficial as reading from paper sources

• to speculate how teenagers will be impacted in the future if they continue to rely on digital devices.

What connection does the author draw between new digital media and movies?

• The author shows how digital media has negatively impacted teenagers' engagement in other activities, such as going to the movies.

• The author highlights the disadvantages of spending more time streaming movies alone, than going to the theater with friends.

• The author shows how new digital media and movies both discourage teenagers from reading for pleasure.

• The author discusses how new digital media doesn't require teenagers to engage in complex thought, as movies once did.