Page 31 - Young Wise

That night, Elara and Mira stayed The next morning, the sisters decided it
up far too late, and they couldn't was time for a change. They understood
that stopping screen addiction is not easy
stop looking at their phones. The The next morning, the sisters ACADEMIC CORNER
or fast. It takes time and hard work. First,
bright blue light from the screens decided it was time for a change.
they started to notice their habits. For
started to wear them out, making Leo came over to help them sort
example, they saw that they often picked
their eyes sting and their heads out their priorities for the week.
up their phone when they felt bored. They
ache. Mira realised she had not They all realised they were wasting
made small goals to slowly use screens less
learnt anything for her exams, hours of their lives on things that
each day. They also found new activities to
and Elara felt more behind on her did not matter. To fix this, they
do instead, like drawing or playing
a musical instrument. They made some
essay than ever. They were using created a ‘phone-free zone’ in the
changes at home too, such as keeping their
their devices to escape the pressure kitchen. Leo brought a small wooden
phone in the kitchen so it was not always
of their work. On the other hand, basket, and they all promised to put
close to them. Little by little, they started
the continuous scrolling was their devices inside for three hours
to enjoy real life more. They also worked
actually making them feel more every afternoon so they could focus on
together to plan their trip and decided
tired. There were lots of things they their real-life goals.
on a time to leave. They knew it would be
had to deal with. hard sometimes, but they did not want to
give up. 4
The next morning, the sisters
By the end of the week, everyone
decided it was time for a change. By the end of the week, everyone
felt much better. Elara completed her
felt much better. Elara finished her essay,
Leo came over to help them sort
and Mira felt confident
out their priorities for the week. essay, and Mira felt confident about
about her exams. Finally, they were
They all realised they were wasting her exams. Finally, they were enjoying
hours of their lives on things that enjoying the fresh air on their
the fresh air on their mountain trip.
did not matter. To fix this, they mountain trip. Elara realised that
Elara realised that technology is a great
created a ‘phone-free zone’ in the technology is a great tool, but only
tool, but only if she controls it instead
kitchen. Leo brought a small wooden if she controls it instead of letting
of letting it take over her life. Standing
basket, and they all promised to put it take over her life. Standing by a lake
their devices inside for three hours by a lake with Leo and Mira, she felt
with Leo and Mira, she felt
every afternoon so they could focus on present and truly happy to be away
present and truly happy to be away
their real-life goals. from the screens.
from the screens.
PHRASAL VERB DEFINITIONS 5
Let’s check the meanings of the phrasal verbs written in bold in the cartoon.
Pop up Come over to Fall through Go up
To appear suddenly or To visit someone’s house or To fail to happen or be To become higher in price,
unexpectedly on a screen (like location completed (often used for temperature, or amount
an advertisement, a notification, plans, deals, or software
or an error message) updates that didn’t finish)
Deal with Wear out Give up Take over
To take action to solve a To use something so much that To stop trying or doing To take control or responsibility
problem or handle a difficult it becomes thin, weak, or stops something because it is too for something that someone
situation (like fixing a bug or working properly (common for difficult or because you no else was doing (like managing
managing a full inbox) hardware like batteries or cables) longer believe you can succeed a project or a social media
account for a colleague)
1. I was trying to read the news, but too many advertisements 5. She found the course very hard, but she didn’t want to
started to ----------- on my screen. -----------.
A) take over B) pop up C) fall through D) wear out A) give up B) deal with C) fall through D) wear out
2. The deal to buy the new software ----------- because the 6. I’m overwhelmed with these emails! Could you ----------- my
company increased the price at the last second. inbox while I am in the meeting?
A) fell through B) gave up C) popped up D) dealt with A) pop up B) take over C) wear out D) fall through
3. My computer is running very slowly today. I need to ----------- 7. My best friend is going to ----------- to my flat this evening to
the settings to see what is wrong. watch a film together.
A) wear out B) fall through C) deal with D) take over A) go up B) come over C) take over D) deal with
4. If you use your laptop for ten hours every day without a 8. The number of people using the new learning platform has
break, you might ----------- the battery. ----------- by 50% since last year.
A) give up B) take over C) pop up D) wear out A) come over B) worn out C) gone up D) fallen through

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ANSWER KEY: 1) B 2) A 3) C 4) D 5) A 6) B 7) B 8) C