The Importance of Outdoor Activities for Kids Reading Answers

Oct 29, 2024

The Importance of Outdoor Activities for Kids Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Importance of Outdoor Activities for Kids Reading Answers has a total of 14 IELTS questions in total. In the questions set, you have to choose the correct passage for the given statements. 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

THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

A. Recent studies have shown that children spend far less time outdoors than they did in the past. In the UK, a poll found that three quarters of children now spend less time outdoors than even prison inmates. This is a worrying trend as research has shown that outdoor activities are crucial to children's mental health and development.

B. According to a study by the University of Queensland, spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety anc depression, and improve overall mental wellbeing. The study found that children who spent more time outdoors had higher levels of physical activity, better sleep quality, and were less likely to develop mental health problems. Another study found that spending time in nature can also improve cognitive function and academic performance. Researchers from the University of Michigan found that children who were exposed to green spaces had better attention spans and memory retention, and performed better in standardised tests. Whether it's the beautiful scenery, the invigorating fresh air, or simply the chance to disconnect from smartphones and tablets, there's clearly something about spending time outdoors that is beneficial.

C. Despite these apparent benefits, many children today are spending more time cooped up indoors than ever before Screen entertainment's gains in popularity have largely been at the expense of outdoor play so that children are now living increasingly sedentary lifestyles, watching TV, playing video games, and using social media far more than in the past. According to researchers in the UK, children now spend an average of six hours a day looking at screens, compared to just four minutes playing outdoors. This is a worrying trend, as screen time has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including obesity, poor sleep quality, and decreased social skills.

D. The question remains, what can parents really do to help their children develop a love of the outdoors in a world where the pull of electronics is ever present? Sir Ken Robinson, an educationalist who has worked as a government advisor in the UK, suggests parents do more to provide their kids with opportunities for outdoor play and exploration Activities such as gardening, bird watching, and nature walks can all help children connect with nature and develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Camping out with the family, going for a hike or bike ride or stargazing on a clear night, are all activities that can get the whole family out of the house and away from their screens.

E. The evidence for the importance of outdoor activities to children's mental health and development continues to build up and a clear pattern is emerging. Spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function and academic performance, and foster a sense of connection to the natural world. Parents and caregivers should be aware of the importance of fostering a love of the outdoors in their children and provide them with ample opportunities for outdoor play and exploration.

Questions 27-30

The reading passage contains 5 paragraphs A - E.

Which paragraph discusses the following information?

27. A survey concerning the time children spend indoors.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “........In the UK, a poll found that three-quarters of children now spend less time outdoors than even prison inmates........”

Keywords: poll, children

Keyword Location: para A, line 2

Explanation: This paragraph highlights the results of a UK poll comparing children’s outdoor time to prison inmates, underscoring how little time children spend outside. This clearly relates to the concept of a survey on indoor/outdoor time.

28. The increase in the use of electronic devices.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “........Screen entertainment's gains in popularity have largely been at the expense of outdoor play so that children are now living increasingly sedentary lifestyles........”

Keywords: entertainment, popularity

Keyword Location: para C, line 1

Explanation: Paragraph C discusses how children’s increasing use of electronic devices (screen entertainment) is reducing outdoor play, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. This directly addresses the rise of electronic devices.

29. Research concerning the links between mental health and the outdoors.

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “.......According to a study by the University of Queensland, spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall mental wellbeing.........”

Keywords: research, mental

Keyword Location: para B, line 1

Explanation: This paragraph summarizes research from the University of Queensland and others, showing that outdoor activities positively affect mental health, such as reducing stress and improving cognitive performance.

30. Activities families can do together outside.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “........Camping out with the family, going for a hike or bike ride, or stargazing on a clear night, are all activities that can get the whole family out of the house........”

Keywords: Family, outside

Keyword Location: para D, line 3

Explanation: This paragraph provides specific examples of outdoor activities families can enjoy together, such as camping, hiking, and stargazing. These suggestions aim to help families reconnect with nature.

Questions 31-34

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each.

The rise in (31)...........lifestyles and excessive

Answer: SEDENTARY

Supporting statement: “........Children are now living increasingly sedentary lifestyles, watching TV, playing video games, and using social media far more than in the past........”

Keywords: sedentary, lifestyles

Keyword Location: para C, line 2

Explanation: This sentence directly addresses the increase in sedentary lifestyles caused by the growing popularity of screen-based activities.

(32)....... time are preventing children from connecting with nature and the natural world.

Answer: SCREEN

Supporting statement: “........Children are spending more time with screens than they are playing outdoors, preventing them from connecting with nature.........”

Keywords: screen, time

Keyword Location: para C, line 4

Explanation: The text emphasizes how screen time hinders children’s engagement with the natural world by consuming most of their time.

Camping out with the family, going for a hike or (33).......... or (34)..............

Answer: BIKE RIDE

Keywords: ride, hike

Keyword Location: para D, line 3

Explanation: The passage suggests that outdoor activities like bike riding and hiking can help families bond and stay away from screens.

Answer: STARGAZING

Keywords: stargazing

Keyword Location: para D, line 3

Explanation: Stargazing is mentioned as a relaxing outdoor activity that families can do to enjoy nature and disconnect from screens.

on a clear night can help children to stay away from screens which is essential for their mental health and development.

Questions 35-36

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Spending time in (35)...... can reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function and Answer: NATURE

Supporting statement: “........Spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function and academic performance, and foster a sense of connection to the natural world.........”

Keywords: stress, nature

Keyword Location: para E, line 1

Explanation: The text highlights the benefits of spending time in nature, including stress reduction and cognitive improvements.

academic performance, and foster a sense of connection to nature. Parents need to encourage their kids to play (36)..... and exploration.

Answer: OUTDOOR

Supporting statement: “.......Parents and caregivers should provide children with ample opportunities for outdoor play and exploration..........”

Keywords: play, explore

Keyword Location: para E, line 3

Explanation: The text stresses the importance of outdoor activities for children’s development, urging parents to encourage their children to explore nature.

Questions 37-40

Do the following statements agree with what the writer says in the reading passage?

TRUE: if the statement agrees with what the writer says in the article

FALSE: if the statement contradicts what the writer says in the article

NOT GIVEN: if the writer does not mention this

37. Recent studies have shown that children spend more time outdoors than they did in the past.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “........Recent studies have shown that children spend far less time outdoors than they did in the past........”

Keywords: time, outdoors

Keyword Location: para A, line 1

Explanation: This statement contradicts the research findings, which indicate that children now spend significantly less time outdoors.

38. Spending time in nature can improve general mental health.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “........Spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall mental wellbeing........”

Keywords: health, nature

Keyword Location: para B, line 1

Explanation: The text explicitly states that outdoor activities positively affect children’s mental health, confirming the statement.

39. Modern children do not find outdoor activities enjoyable.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text does not discuss children’s opinions on outdoor activities.

40. Children now spend 6 hours a day outdoors.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “........Children now spend an average of six hours a day looking at screens, compared to just four minutes playing outdoors........”

Keywords: hours, screens

Keyword Location: para C, line 3

Explanation: The text clearly indicates that children spend six hours on screens, not outdoors, making this statement FALSE.

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