Paying Attention and Multitasking

According to “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking,” what is a “high media multitasker”?

• a person who prefers texts and music to work tasks

• a person who easily moves between tweets and texts

• a person who performs better when switching between work, email, and music

• a person who studies the effects of media consumption on the health of the brain

What happened in the multitasking room during the study described in “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking”?

• Students sent emails while listening to music.

• Students performed tasks without digital distractions.

• Students played music while responding to texts or emails.

• Students listened to music and used devices while performing tasks.

According to “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking,” which of the following would classify a teenager as a high media multitasker? Choose two options.

• having trouble with short-term memory

• spending three hours a day multitasking

• performing poorly on most cognitive tests

• spending 20 to 30 minutes a day multitasking

• spending 50% of homework time multitasking

What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of classified in this excerpt from “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking”?

In the study, participants were classified as high, medium, or low media multitaskers, using a standardized test developed by researchers at Stanford University.

• advanced socially

• arranged by rank or group

• maintained through hard work

• limited or somehow incomplete

Which word is most similar to the meaning of competent in this excerpt from “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking”? Use context clues to help you.

The results are a surprise. Previous research generally has found that people who think they are competent multitaskers actually perform worse than others who try to focus on one thing at a time.

• forced

• skilled

• destructive

• well-matched

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of moderate in this sentence from “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking”?

Of the 403 total participants, 60 were classified in the high group, 50 in the low group, and the rest were moderate media multitaskers.

• lesser

• always

• extreme

• medium

Part A Answer: medium

Part B Which detail from the context best supports the answer to Part A?

• of the 403 … 60 were classified

• total participants

• high group … low group

• media multitaskers

In addition to the teens’ study, the author of “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking” mentions two other studies.

[A]n earlier study with 100 college-age students [found that] heavy media multitaskers were less effective than people doing one task at a time….

[A study] took brain scans of 75 adults [but] didn’t prove multitasking was responsible for … differences in brain structure….

How did the various studies described in “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking” most clearly differ?

• The studies tested subjects in different age groups.

• The studies looked at changes in different parts of the brain.

• Some studies examined multitasking ability in different species.

• Some studies examined memory, but others examined attention to tasks.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A According to “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking,” what main conclusion did the teen researchers draw from their work?

• Young people who have grown up with digital media may do better at multitasking.

• College students can train themselves to use media while working and studying.

• Adults are typically better at multitasking than teenagers are.

• No one is able to concentrate while bombarded by media.

Part A Answer: Young people who have grown up with digital media may do better at multitasking.

Part B Which of these excerpts from “Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking” best supports the answer to Part A?

• Previous research generally has found the people who think they are competent multitaskers actually perform worse….

• “What our research is suggesting is that maybe our brains as adolescents and digital natives have adapted to this media influence….”

• It isn’t clear if the findings would pertain to more demanding situations….

• …the study and subsequent work by other researchers haven’t been able to answer the question whether the act of heavy media multitasking affects attention….