Smartphones Blessings or Curse Reading Answers

Oct 25, 2024

Smartphones Blessings or Curse Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Smartphones - Blessings or Curse Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions set, you have to fill in the blanks with correct answers. In the next part you have to tell whether the statement is true, false or not given.

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the IELTS exam, designed to assess a candidate's ability to comprehend and analyze different types of passages. In this passage, you will engage with a series of IELTS reading practice questions that simulate real test scenarios. These questions are aimed at improving your skills in identifying key ideas, extracting specific information, and making inferences. Whether you are preparing for the Academic or General Training module, practicing these IELTS reading questions will help you become familiar with the format and boost your confidence for the actual test.

Section 1

SMARTPHONES - BLESSING OR CURSE?

The Difficulty of Living Without a Smartphone: In today's interconnected world, living without a smartphone can be quite the challenge. Our daily routines have grown to incorporate this compact device in almost all aspects. It has proven to be more than just a tool for making calls and sending text messages, having evolved into an almost indispensable all-in-one device. "The smartphone is no longer just a device that we use, it's become the place where we live,* * said Prof Daniel Miller, who led a team of anthropologists at UCL studying smartphone usage. Be it online shopping, booking

appointments, setting reminders, or even monitoring our health, the smartphone caters to all.

A significant proportion of services are now highly dependent on the use of smartphones. For instance, online banking has made financial transactions much more convenient and accessible than traditional methods. With just a few taps on the screen, you can transfer money, pay bills, or check your account balance right from the comfort of your home. Similarly, ride-hailing apps have revolutionized transport by providing quick, affordable and cashless travel options at our fingertips. Even food delivery platforms have capitalized on the smartphone trend by offering a wide variety of meals

from different restaurants delivered straight to your doorstep. Lacking a smartphone means being denied access to these time and effort saving services.

Navigating has also become markedly easier with GPS applications available at our fingertips. No longer do we need to carry around paper maps or ask for directions from strangers. With real-time updates on traffic conditions and turn-by-turn navigation assistance, getting lost is a thing of the past. Additionally, in the era of remote work and digital education brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphones have emerged as indispensable tools for communication and collaboration. They allow us to stay connected with our colleagues or classmates and access a wealth of information

online. Indeed, in this age of digital connectivity, it could be argued that a smartphone is not just a luxury but a necessity.

The Advantages of Disconnecting: However, with smartphones having become a source of constant information flow and notifications, this never-ending stream is sometimes overwhelming. According to the latest research, the choice to disconnect can not only be liberating but also significantly reduce stress levels. Individuals who opt out of using smartphones report feeling less anxious and more relaxed, as they are no longer bombarded with incessant notifications. Furthermore, it is now common practice for online platforms and app creators to employ strategies aimed at retaining user attention. These tactics could range from push notifications to reward systems designed to cultivate compulsive behaviour among users. Escaping the smartphone trap allows people to regain control over their time and attention, shielding them from these manipulative strategies.

Another of the key benefits of choosing to live without a smartphone is the increased opportunities for direct human interactions. Smartphones can lead to "the death of proximity", says Professor Miller, as "even when we are physically together, we can be socially, emotionally or professionally alone" Without the constant distraction of a smartphone, individuals tend to be more present in their interactions with others. This increased presence can lead to more meaningful connections and improved social relationships. People's Reactions to Someone Without a Smartphone: Admiration and respect are often given to those who choose to live without a smartphone, as they represent a small fraction of humankind resisting the encroachment of technology into every aspect of life. The advocates of this lifestyle value the return to simplicity - they enjoy the feel of turning book pages, revel in face-to-face conversations, and appreciate the unfiltered experience of their surroundings without any digital distractions. Their ability to unplug from the virtual world and engage more naturally with reality is seen as an act of personal strength and discipline, earning them a certain level of admiration.

On the other hand, some individuals view non-smartphone users with astonishment, finding it hard to comprehend how anyone can function without this fundamental tool in the 21st century. These people are often labeled as technophobic, presuming that their lack of a smartphone stems from a fear or disdain for modern technology. They are seen as out-of-step or even anti-social, failing to adapt to the 'norms' of contemporary communication. This dichotomy is representative of society's contradictory views on technology. We stand at crossroads where we both appreciate and fear technology's influence on our lives. We marvel at the convenience that smartphones provide - instant communication, endless information at our fingertips, and streamlined organization of our daily lives. Yet simultaneously, we have concerns over privacy issues, mental health impact and the potential overreach of technology.

Staying In Control: Some people have taken the decision to try to get by without a smartphone, a life choice which is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain in today's digitized world. Nonetheless. for the rest of us, the decision to own and use a smartphone should be tempered with an understanding of its potential negative impacts on our health and social relationships. *Technology improves the lives of people who can avoid being dominated by it and forced into debilitating addictions to it*, warns Frank Kaufman from Pew Research. While smartphones clearly offer numerous advantages enhancing our day-to-day life's efficiency and connectivity, it is essential to understand their pitfalls. By acknowledging the ways we can become

Questions 15-21

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

LIFE WITHOUT SMARTPHONES

THE DRAWBACKS

- A large number of 15……… depend on the customer having a

Greatly smartphone.

Answer: SERVICES

Supporting statement: “........A significant proportion of services are now highly dependent on the use of smartphones........”

Keywords: services, dependent

Keyword Location: para 2, line 1

Explanation: The passage highlights that many essential services, such as online banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery, rely heavily on smartphones.

- Online 16…….has made transferring and managing money much

easier.

Answer: BANKING

Supporting statement: “........For instance, online banking has made financial transactions much more convenient and accessible than traditional methods........”

Keywords: online, financial

Keyword Location: para 2, line 2

Explanation: The passage explains how online banking has improved financial transactions by offering easy, remote access to money management.

- Transportation has completely changed thanks to 17 ……… apps. work and

Answer: RIDE-HAILING

Supporting statement: “........Similarly, ride-hailing apps have revolutionized transport by providing quick, affordable, and cashless travel options at our fingertips........”

Keywords: transport, ride

Keyword Location: para 2, line 4

Explanation: Ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft have transformed how people access transportation services by offering convenience and flexibility.

- Nowadays, 18……… education are much more common.

Answer: REMOTE

Supporting statement: “........In the era of remote work and digital education brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphones have emerged as indispensable tools.........”

Keywords: remote, education

Keyword Location: para 3, line 6

Explanation: The text discusses the increased prevalence of remote education, especially during the pandemic, facilitated by smartphones.

THE BENEFITS

- Disconnecting from the virtual world can

result in lower levels of 19……- Many app developers aim to stimulate

Answer: STRESS

Supporting statement: “........According to the latest research, the choice to disconnect can not only be liberating but also significantly reduce stress levels.........”

Keywords: disconnect, reduce

Keyword Location: para 4, line 2

Explanation: Disconnecting from constant notifications and digital overload helps reduce stress, promoting mental well-being.

20…….. behaviour in the users.

Answer: COMPULSIVE

Supporting statement: “........These tactics could range from push notifications to reward systems designed to cultivate compulsive behaviour among users........”

Keywords: stimulate, compulsive

Keyword Location: para 4, line 5

Explanation: The text mentions that app developers employ strategies to foster compulsive use, keeping users engaged and attached to their devices.

- Without the distraction of smartphones

people have better 21 ……. With others.

Answer: INTERACTIONS

Supporting statement: “........Without the constant distraction of a smartphone, individuals tend to be more present in their interactions with others.........”

Keywords: distraction, interactions

Keyword Location: para 5, line 3

Explanation: The absence of smartphones allows people to engage more meaningfully with others, enhancing social interactions.

Questions 22-26

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the reading passage

Write: YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

No if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

22. People who do not use smartphones are admired for resisting the movement of technology into more areas in our lives.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “........Admiration and respect are often given to those who choose to live without a smartphone, as they represent a small fraction of humankind resisting the encroachment of technology........”

Keywords: admiration, resist

Keyword Location: para 6, line 1

Explanation: The passage suggests that those who avoid smartphones are admired for choosing simplicity and resisting technology's growing influence.

23. People who don't use smartphones have to look for ways to replace their

functions.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text does not provide any information about how people who avoid smartphones compensate for their absence.

24. People who refuse to use a smartphone are sometimes viewed as uncooperative.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “........These people are often labeled as technophobic, presuming that their lack of a smartphone stems from a fear or disdain for modern technology........”

Keywords: uncooperative, technophobic

Keyword Location: para 7, line 2

Explanation: The passage states that non-users are often labeled as technophobic, not uncooperative. They are perceived as disconnected from modern norms, but not necessarily unhelpful.

25. Modern society has a love hate relationship with technology.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “.........This dichotomy is representative of society's contradictory views on technology. We marvel at the convenience smartphones provide... Yet simultaneously, we have concerns over privacy issues, mental health impact, and the potential overreach of technology.......”

Keywords: hate, contradictory

Keyword Location: para 7, lines 5-7

Explanation: The passage explicitly describes society's conflicting attitude towards technology, highlighting both its benefits and concerns.

26. Smartphones have been linked to the slave trade.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “........While smartphones clearly offer numerous advantages enhancing our day-to-day life's efficiency and connectivity, it is essential to understand their pitfalls. By acknowledging the ways we can become........”

Keywords: efficiency, acknowledging

Keyword Location: para 8, line 6

Explanation: The text discusses the benefits and drawbacks of smartphones but makes no mention of any connection to the slave trade.

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