Part A
Read Text 1 and answer questions 1-29 on pages 2-5 of the Question-Answer Book for Part A.
Text 1
The craze of selfie
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[1] We all know what it is like to have all sorts of selfies filling up our newsfeeds - it seems that the only way
to find peace is to deactivate our accounts. There is nothing inherently unacceptable about expressing oneself
through photos; after all, it is one of the many forms of communication. But it can be annoying constantly
seeing your friends’ selfies on social networking sites. Why are modern souls so absorbed by this self-
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conscious gimmick? Sociologist Nancy Lam speaks to Michael Kong about the social phenomenon of selfietaking.
Do you think people who constantly post their close-ups online are showing off themselves?
[2] Arguably, a good selfie makes an excellent tool for attracting people’s attention. However, that doesn’t
mean they are in any way related. People take photos of themselves for different purposes. Of course there are
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those who use selfies to reinforce their carefully built self-image, but very often people see selfies a way of
documenting the special moments in their lives. For some, selfies can be a confidence booster, as they might
be rewarded with hundreds of ‘likes' for their posts.
Can selfies in any way tell us something about one’s personality?
[3] Definitely. A friend of mine often posts her selfies to make sure people can keep track of what she is up to:
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sunbathing on Miami Beach, doing voluntary work in Cambodia, taking her family on a luxurious cruise,
enjoying a husky-sledding trip in Norway or simply having a lazy morning with her Persian cat at home. No
matter what she does in her selfies, her make-up and outfit being so perfectly matched each other on every
occasion actually tells us what kind of person she really is.
While people enjoy posting selfies on social networking sites, do you see any potential harm when more
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people choose to present themselves virtually?
[4] I think it is more an issue of ‘how’ than ‘where’. I guess most of us won’t mind seeing our friends’ selfies
in our newsfeeds and clicking the ‘like’ button to acknowledge them. However, you may also have noticed
some people have gone too far with photo-editing apps that others can hardly recognize them by their
pictures. If people get too carried away by such a false image of themselves, it can be a problem.
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[5] In the UK, a selfie-addicted boy with a habit of taking 200 shots every day tried to commit suicide after
failed attempts to take a perfect selfie. This may be an extreme case, but it is alarming to see how obsessed
people can become with taking selfies.
[6] Social networking sites have created contradiction between one’s virtual and real images, which can lead
to conflict within oneself.
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What do you mean by conflict within oneself, and how might it affect people’s behaviour?
[7] People may easily succumb to others’ judgement and get increasingly dissatisfied with their own
appearance.
[8] In Korea, there is the ‘Ulzzang’ trend, where people post their ‘best face’ or ‘good-looking’ pictures for an
online poll on a certain social platform. Some have got fame and managed to make money out of it through
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the support from the thousands of followers who worship their beauty and fashion styles.
[9] Many Koreans pursue beauty by going under the knife. What is worrying is that the age is going down.
More secondary school students are getting Botox, eyelid surgery and nose jobs. Could it be a mere
coincidence? While it’s difficult to prove a direct correlation between the two, those imaged-based online
platforms are forcing people to hold a microscope up to their photos and look at themselves more critically
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than ever before. The more obsessed they become with selfies, the more likely they would feel the urge to
bridge the gap between their virtual and real images. The selfie craze has apparently driven more young
people to seek plastic surgery.
Are there other things we should pay attention to this selfie craze?
[10] It is important to draw people’s attention to the behaviour of looking at others’ selfies, as people may be
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unconscious of comparing their not-as-glamorous lives with those shared by others. This may lead to a
decrease in self-esteem and life satisfaction in the viewers. We should all be aware that things on social media
are not necessarily real. People must also understand that we are often our own worst critic, and comparing
ourselves with the illusions projected by others will not fulfil us. Those who have their eyes glued to their
friends’ exciting status all the time are giving up the opportunity to enjoy their own lives, and trapping
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themselves in negative thoughts.
END OF PART A READING PASSAGE
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Part B1
Read Text 2 and answer questions 30-49 on pages 6-9 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B1.
Text 2
Lifestyle challenges
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[1] Research shows that a growing interest in computers, television and video games accounts for less
physical activity in children, which can lead to serious health issues such as obesity and diabetes. But is that
all that is to blame? Are outdoor activities a thing of the past? Are there any changes you have made to
improve your children’s lifestyle? Please share your comments and personal stories on our website.
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A.
[2] I have two children at home who enjoy playing video games. However, I limit the amount of time they’re
allowed to play because I don’t want them to spend all their free time in front of a TV screen. Besides, experts
recommend that children’s total screen time should not exceed one to two hours a day. Of course, my kids
whine when I tell them to stop playing, especially when they’re in the middle of a game, but rules are rules
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and I only want what’s best for them. During the rest of their free time, I usually set up a board game or an
arts and crafts project to keep them occupied.
H.L (Germany)
B.
[3] Many people are quick to blame video games and television for the rapid rise of obesity, but let’s not
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forget there’s another culprit: food. Children these days eat a large amount of fast food and frozen meals
because it’s readily available. Consuming fast food can be very harmful to their health because it has high
levels of sodium, oil, refined sugar and refined flour. Frozen meals are just as bad since they are doused in
preservatives and chemicals. Parents need to be more conscious about what their children eat and incorporate
more healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, into their diets. Of course, keeping a healthy diet is
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not enough. Exercise is also a key component in maintaining a healthy body and an active lifestyle.
A.S (Japan)
C.
[4] I blame the video game phenomenon for the inactive lifestyles that children of the 21st century lead.
Children are spending more and more time in front of a screen and in a virtual world than exercising or
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playing outdoors. Kids need to get off the sofa and do some physical activity. Parents and schools should take
action by encouraging kids to join after-school programmes or sports teams.
C.Y (Wales)
D.
[5] It’s sad that children aren’t playing outdoors as much as they used to. When I was growing up in the US, I
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used to play outdoor games such as hide-and-seek, hopscotch and baseball. Whenever I finished my
homework, I would run outside and play with the kids in my neighbourhood. I have such great memories and
have developed lasting friendships. Today’s children are so much more isolated because of their high-tech
games where the only socializing they do is with virtual characters. It’s no wonder that obesity in children is
more common than ever. Let’s try to get kids back in touch with their community by helping them discover
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activities that are fun and interactive.
B.K (Singapore)
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E.
[6] Frankly, I’m tired of hearing how harmful video games are to children. Research has shown there are
numerous videos and computer games that have educational value, for instance, simulation and adventure
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games, where players create or build communities and develop children’s strategic thinking and planning
skills. Also, there are multi-player video games that encourage movement and physical interaction. These
types of games let you try different sports like tennis, bowling and golf. There is also an exercise game that
lets you do activities such as yoga, strength training and aerobics. So instead of holding video games
responsible for our society’s overweight children, I would recommend people take a step back and look at
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what we’re feeding them.
D.W (Australia)
F.
[7] Honestly, I think parents are partly to blame for the rise of childhood obesity. If parents themselves live an
unhealthy lifestyle, then their kids are going to follow in their footsteps. I do understand that parents may
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have long working hours, but it’s important for them to spend quality time with their family. For example,
families can schedule a weekly physical activity, something that everyone can do together, like biking or
swimming. Or even do something as simple as walking to school together, which combines family time and
exercise. There’s really no excuse for parents not to lead by example.
J.C (Turkey)
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G.
[8] Don’t couch potatoes see how dangerous it is to live a sedentary lifestyle? I’m sure it’s been a topic
discussed on the TV shows they’ve watched. But I guess they’re just like smokers. There’s evidence that
smoking kills and yet people continue to light up. I just don’t get why people are so unaware of the risks
involved in being unhealthy. Unfortunately, some people require something extreme to happen in their lives
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before they realize that inactivity can kill.
W.M (Hong Kong)
H.
[9] I understand that kids benefit from playing outdoors, but as a worried mother, I don’t feel comfortable
letting my kids roam around the neighbourhood. Sadly, the world’s a dangerous place. I wish I could go with
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them, but I simply don’t have the time. The fact of the matter is that they’re safer indoors. Plus, they get
enough exercise during their physical education classes in school.
T.K (Brazil)
END OF PART B1 READING PASSAGE
END OF READING PASSAGES BOOKLET
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