OPEN CLOZE TEST 1
What is a bucket list?
Collect experiences and not things. That is what we constantly (1) __________ from people who
have lived life to the (2) __________ and done it all. What do you think you will think about (3)
__________ your deathbed? The mistakes you made or what you (4) __________ you had
done, but you never did. It is often said that people near the end have the (5) ____________ to
regret the things that they never found time for or even had the courage to do. Most people
want to do typical things (6) ___________ travel or even buy a specific possession, but
everyone wants to experience something or other. (7) ___________, it might be a good idea to
make a bucket list. A bucket list is a type of list of experiences that you want to have or do (8)
__________ you die. It is a list of objectives or aims if you like. (9) __________ it is to skydive,
visit an important monument or have an extreme experience. I, for sure, am keen to not feel
remorse in my final hours of not doing something and for that reason I hope to give everything
a (10) __________. I will do everything that I feel I should do as long as it does not harm
anyone.
Technology
Advances in mobile technology and social networking websites (11) __________ we spend
more time online than ever before. If Facebook (12) __________ a country, it would be the third
largest in the world by population (The Economist, 2010). It is, (13) __________ not surprising
that so many psychologists, sociologists, and others are eager to give their thoughts on how this
is (14) __________ negatively on our society. The biggest criticism levelled at social networking
is that young people are losing their offline friends to online friends who are (15) __________ to
provide the same deep connection and emotional support. (16) __________, a lot of research
shows these criticisms are generally unfounded. Allen et al. (2010) discovered that it is socially
adjusted adolescents who are more likely to have a networking profile than (17) ___________
who are not. One study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (2009) found that people
are not (18) ______ friends with online companions but are using them to support their offline
relationships. The study also found that social networks (19) __________ us to have discussions
with a much more diverse set of people than in the real world, so we share knowledge with
people from a wide (30) ___________ of backgrounds.
The Frequency Effect
The Frequency Effect is the name denoted to a psychological phenomenon in which a person
seems to recognise something faster based on the frequency with which they are in contact
with this said thing. It is ever apparent in words and language learning as high frequency words
change the way the brain encodes information, thus, strengthening module connections. Have
you ever had the sensation that you seem to be hearing or viewing a certain word more often
than the norm? This is an occurence that comes about due to the frequency effect. Our brain
convinces us that we is figuratively being chased by this information as every time we happen to
hear it, we reinforce our own hypothesis. Another side effect of the frequency effect is the
complete opposite; information that has been consolidated into our memory can be brushed
over while reading or listening as our brain no longer feels the need to focus attention on it.
Though there have been criticisms of this theory, it is still a highly regarded phenomenon in the
teaching-learning process.
Stress – the silent killer
Health experts seem to have an endless list of factors that can (1) __________ to the decline in
a person's health, but one that seems to escape their mention is stress. We are led _____ (2)
believe that to suffer from stress or pressure at work _____ (3) endless deadlines is a normal
part of everyday life, but is this really a necessary part of an established society? Stress is
probably the single biggest killer known to man in recent years and the figures back it _____ (4)
with an increased rate of suicides, heart attacks and also accidents at work. Changing work
habits and financial issues have resulted in an increase in stress _____ (5) in this day and age.
These long working hours and other detrimental aspects on health do not mix well at all and
must _____ (6) be tackled by health professionals. Stress causes people to take (7) ______
unhealthy habits such as smoking, illegal stimulants or alcoholism. These choices combined with
bad eating habits and _____ (8) of sleep can have fatal consequences. The only obvious solution
would be to impose controls on private businesses or even invest in some sort of educational
media campaign to (9) ___________ healthier lifestyles. The findings of some recent studies are
extremely concerning and obviously some type of government intervention should be taken in
_____ (10) to ensure a better and brighter future for the working population.