8th Grade Comprehension Questions

Whenever a wave of teenage violence strikes, many movies, TV shows, or video games often take the heat. Some adults assume that movies, TV, and video games are a bad influence on kids, and they blame these media for causing various problems. A variety of studies appear to support the link between media violence and bad behavior among kids.

Some adults blame bad behavior in kids on...

• movies, tv shows, and video games

• friends and peers

• books

• shopping

Whenever a wave of teenage violence strikes, many movies, TV shows, or video games often take the heat. Some adults assume that movies, TV, and video games are a bad influence on kids, and they blame these media for causing various problems. A variety of studies appear to support the link between media violence and bad behavior among kids.

Do studies suggest that violence in the media could affect the behavior of kids?

• no

• yes

Video games are innocent of most of the charges against them, James Gee says. The games might actually do a lot of good. Gee has written a book titled What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. A growing number of researchers agree with Gee. If used in the right way, video and computer games have the potential to inspire learning. And they can help players improve coordination and visual skills.

James Gee thinks that video games:

• can insight violence within the kids

• can help learning and coordination

• can help them make friends

• can help kids with homework

The captivating power of video games might lie in their interactive nature. Players don't just sit and watch. They get to participate in the action and solve problems. Some games even allow players to make changes in the game, allowing new possibilities.

Based on context clues, the word captivating most nearly means:

• cause continual trouble or distress to.

• say or do something to remove the doubts and fears of someone.

• causing irritation or annoyance.

• capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.

Video games can enhance reading skills, too. In the game Animal Crossing, for instance, players become characters who live in a town full of animals. Over the course of the game, you can buy a house, travel from town to town, go to museums, and do other ordinary things. All the while, you're writing notes to other players and talking to the animals. Because kids are interested in the game, they often end up reading at a level well above their grade, even if they say they don't like to read.

The result of playing certain video games is that:

• kids end up speaking with better vocabulary

• kids end up reading at a lower reading level

• kids end up reading at a higher reading level

• kids are able to fall asleep faster

Claudio Arrau was .....

He was famous for ....

When he was 5 years old, he gave his .....

His serious career began in .....

Claudio Arrau joined the Stern Conservatory in

• 1940

• 1924

• 1967

• 1950