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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Steven Johnson, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Steven Johnson, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter”

Read “Watching TV Makes You Smarter” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question What long-held belief is Johnson debunking in his article?

1. What long-held belief is Johnson debunking in his article?

Watching television makes a person dumber.

Watching television will make people go blind.

Watching television makes people more violent.

None of the above.

Question What types of television programs does Johnson believe the public should watch?

2. What types of television programs does Johnson believe the public should watch?

sitcoms like Frasier

dramas like Lost

sports like Monday Night Football

All of the above.

Question Johnson references many sitcoms and television shows from the “Golden Era” of television compared to sitcoms today. What is Johnson suggesting about the Golden Era of TV?

3. Johnson references many sitcoms and television shows from the “Golden Era” of television compared to sitcoms today. What is Johnson suggesting about the Golden Era of TV?

The television of today is too sophisticated for most people to enjoy.

The television of today is more or less recycling the complicated twists and turns of the Golden Era.

While the Golden Era was the time of invention and innovation, the programming was overly simplistic.

None of the above.

Question Johnson uses a term: the Sleeper Curve. This can be explained as

4. Johnson uses a term: the Sleeper Curve. This can be explained as

people fall asleep much more quickly watching television than they used to.

people are becoming more acculturated to violence and don’t see issues with it on television.

the programming on television has been changed so as to add more focus on education and culture.

people now have to engage with television on multiple cognitive levels to evaluate most programming.

Question Johnson uses an excerpt of dialogue from E.R., the hit television series. The character Carter asks about a patient, “Why? What’s her blood type”? and the response he gets is “AB.” Johnson uses this bit of dialogue to illustrate a concept called

5. Johnson uses an excerpt of dialogue from E.R., the hit television series. The character Carter asks about a patient, “Why? What’s her blood type”? and the response he gets is “AB.” Johnson uses this bit of dialogue to illustrate a concept called

flashing arrow.

narrative thread.

hand-holding.

None of the above.

Question Critics often equate the growth of “reality television” with the growth of “bad television,” but Johnson argues that

6. Critics often equate the growth of “reality television” with the growth of “bad television,” but Johnson argues that

When comparing current reality television with past reality television, today’s shows are far more intellectually stimulating.

we cannot compare Joe Millionaire with critically acclaimed shows such as M.A.S.H.

today’s reality television creates suspense by changing the rules midway through the show, much like what happens in reality.

All of the above.

Question Why has the television industry opted to make television shows more complex?

7. Why has the television industry opted to make television shows more complex?

Television executives have realized that they need to make smarter television in order to ensure that people continue to learn.

Television executives see the profitability in increasing the complexity of the programs to increase DVD sales, syndication, etc.

Networks have seen that people prefer to watch television that is more aggressive and violent—the complexity is a mere byproduct.

None of the above.

Question What types of television shows and games does Johnson say parents should let their kids watch and play, if their kids need to watch or play violent shows or games?

8. What types of television shows and games does Johnson say parents should let their kids watch and play, if their kids need to watch or play violent shows or games?

Super Mario Cart and Friends

Sopranos and Grand Theft Auto

Quake and Law and Order

None of the above.