Christine Rosen, The Myth of Multitasking

The Myth of Multitasking

Christine Rosen 

READING COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Take the quiz below to check your comprehension of the reading selection:

Question 6.21

In 2005 the BBC reported a fall in what due to distraction by e-mail and phone calls?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct.
Incorrect. The answer is C.

Question 6.22

On average, how long does it take people to recover from interruptions?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct.
Incorrect. The answer is C.

Question 6.23

Jonathan B. Spira estimates that extreme multitasking costs the economy how much?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct.
Incorrect. The answer is D.

Question 6.24

Psychologist David Meyer found that multitasking results in all of the following except what?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct.
Incorrect. The answer is A.

Question 6.25

When speaking about multitasking, Rosen says, people are really talking about what?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct.
Incorrect. The answer is B.

READING SUMMARY

Question 6.26

Summarize “The Myth of Multitasking.” Be sure to put the summary in your own words and to avoid using the sentence structure of the reading selection. Remember that your summary should restate the author’s main idea (or thesis) and that it should include only the author’s most important supporting ideas.
Below is an example summary of this reading selection: Rosen discusses research regarding multitasking and the repercussions that come with it. Essentially, multitasking can affect IQ and short-term memory, along with the ability to pay attention. Your summary will differ from this one in the way it is written, but it should include roughly the same information.

VOCABULARY QUIZ

Explain the meaning of each of the following words as it is used in the reading:

Question 6.27

Undissipated (par. 1)
Undissipated means resolute or undivided.

Question 6.28

Agitation (par. 1)
Agitation means disturbance or commotion.

Question 6.29

Ethos (par. 4)
Ethos means culture or philosophy.