THE DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA: A READING COMPREHENSION (WITH ANSWERS)

ANSWERS:

1. Vocabulary — Match the words with the pictures

1. b) Social media

2. d) Mental health

3. e) Negative comments

4. g) Influencer

5. c) Screen time

6. j) Privacy

7. a) Cyberbullying

8. i) FOMO (fear of missing out)

9. f) Online safety

10. h) Addiction

2. True or False?

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. False

6. True

7. True

8. False

9. True

10. False

3. Answer the questions

1. What are some positive aspects of social media?

It helps people stay in touch with friends, share photos and discover new interests.

2. What are some of the risks mentioned in the text?

Comparison, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, negative comments, cyberbullying and lack of sleep.

3. Why do you think people compare themselves to others online?

Because they see filtered photos and carefully edited videos.

4. How can social media affect your mental health?

It can cause anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

5. What can you do to stay safe online?

Protect my privacy and remember that what I see online is not always real.

6. Do you think social media is more positive or negative? Why?

I think it is more positive because it helps people communicate, but we must use it safely.

7. What advice would you give to someone who spends too much time on social media?

I would advise them to limit their screen time and spend more time with friends offline.

4. Match the beginnings and endings

1. Social media can → c) stay in touch with friends.

2. Comparing yourself → e) can damage your self-esteem.

3. Cyberbullying can → f) lead to serious mental health problems.

4. Too much screen time → b) affects sleep and concentration.

5. Influencers never have to → a) live a perfect life online.

6. It is important to → d) protect your personal information.

5. Your turn — Paragraph (5–8 sentences)

Social media can be positive if we use it carefully. We can stay in touch with friends and share photos. We should not compare ourselves to others because online photos are often edited. We must protect our personal information and never share our passwords. We should limit our screen time to sleep well. We must be kind to others and avoid cyberbullying. Finally, we should spend time with friends and family offline too.