Reading Comprehension: A Generation of Couch Potatoes

Why are many British parents worried about their children?

• Because they study too many hours.

• Because they spend a lot of hours in front of the computer.

• Because they are not as fit and healthy as they used to be in the past.

According to the British Heart Foundation, what are the most common sedentary activities among 13 to 15 years olds?

• The most common sedentary activities among 13 to 15 years olds are watching TV or playing computer games.

• The most common sedentary activities among 13 to 15 years olds are reading books and surfing the Internet.

• The most common sedentary activities among 13 to 15 years olds are dancing and playing football.

According to the text, what is the 'couch potatoe generation'?

• It is a generation of very active people who spend a lot of time outdoors. This type of people really like to do physical exercise.

• It is a generation of yooung people sitting around home, growing up in their bedrooms without practising exercise. It is a generation in serious danger of heart disease as they get older.

• It is a generation of people who love technological devices, but they spend most of the time practising exercise at home. They hate staying at the sofa, but they do not like outdoors activities.

What effects does overprotection have on young people?

• Young people are more independent and get better academic results.

• Overprotection fosters healthy habits and critical thinking.

• Overprotection results in adolescents having less healthy habits, among other negative consequences.

How important is physical exercise in schools today?

• In most cases, less and less importance is given to physical activity in schools. Too many hours are devoted to other subjects. The reality is that some years ago sport was much more present in education that it is today.

• Nowadays, most of the time in schools is devoted to physical exercise. All pupils have at least 10 compulsory hours of Physical Education.

• Sport is currently not practised in schools. It is a subject that is not considered necessary, as no benefits have been observed after its implementation.

Taking into account the information provided in the text, why do technologies affect physical exercise? What solutions would you propose?

Why do parents restrict outdoor play or independent travel? What advice would you give to parents so that they are not so overprotective?