Cover of the textbook Speakout Advanced - Students' Book

The key answer of exercise 1

The key to exercise solutions in chapter 5.2 - Truth or myth? for the textbook Speakout Advanced - Students' Book with authors Antonia Clare and J. J. Wilson from Pearson Education

Question

Work in pairs. Student A: read the myths below and answer the questions. Student B: turn to page 160.

Answer

Student A

  1. The myths are → 1 that sugar makes children hyperactive, 2 that you get a cold from getting cold; 3 that it damages your computer if you turn it off without shutting it down; 4 that reading in the dark ruins your eyesight.
  2. Experiments disproved 1, 2, and 3.
  3. 1 No studies have shown a link between levels of sugar in a child's diet and energy levels. 2 is partially true as getting a cold does make it more likely that you will develop a cold, provided that you already have the cold virus. In 3, although you won't damage your PC, you could lose data if you turn off when things are running. 4 Reading in the dark can make you tired but it won't damage your eyes.

Student B

  1. The myths are → 5 that picking up your food within five seconds means it will be safe to eat; 6 that it's safe to use a hands-free mobile while you're driving; 7 that goldfish have short memories; 8 that owls can turn their heads all the way round.
  2. Experiments disproved 5, 6 and 7, and science shows that 8 isn't logically possible.
  3. 5 Bacteria can survive for weeks on the floor and contaminate food within seconds. 6 Studies show that using a hands-free mobile is more dangerous than driving after drinking alcohol. 7 A study by a schoolboy showed that goldfish have longer memories. 8 is partially true as owls can turn their heads 270 degrees.