The listening game
A. A simple computer program that teaches children to distinguish between sounds can dramatically boost their listening skills. It can allow them to progress by the equivalent of 2 years in just a few weeks, the game's creator claims.
B. The game, called Phonomena, was devised by David Moore of the University of Oxford as an aid for children with language problems, but he says his latest trials also show that it can help any child. Other experts, however, are reserving judgement until independent tests are carried out.
C. Phonomena is designed to improve children's ability to distinguish between different phonemes, the basic sounds that form the building blocks of language. Up to a fifth of all children are thought to have problems hearing the differences between some sounds, says Moore, who heads the UK Medical Research Council's Institute of Hearing Research.
D. In the game, children have to distinguish between pairs of phonemes such as the "i" sound from the word "bit" and the "e" from "bet". They are played one phoneme followed by two more examples, and asked which one matches the first sound. As the game progresses the phonemes are gradually "morphed" to make them more and more similar, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between them. With 49 phonemes in English, there are potentially more than 1000 different pairs, but the game concentrates on just 22 pairs of the commonest and most similar-sounding phonemes.
E. In the latest trials, 18 children aged between 8 and 10 played the game three times a week for 3 weeks. Their language abilities were compared before and after exposure to the game using a standard listening test. The team found a dramatic improvement in their language abilities, with listening ages up by an average 2.4 years compared with 12 children who did not play the game. In earlier trials on children with learning difficulties, the speech and language therapists who tested the game reported similar improvements.
F. Tedd Wragg, however, an expert in education at the UK's University of Exeter, warns that such trials can produce misleading results. The improvements could be due to the efforts and attention of teachers and therapists, rather than the game itself. There is a history in education of people and companies making claims about learning products that do not stand up to scrutiny, he says.
G. Moore says independent tests will be done. But he is convinced that computer games such as Phonomena that are designed to teach key sensory skills could make a big difference in education. Even normal computer games have been shown to improve visual skills, he points out. "In the future, every child's dream of homework consisting of hours spent playing computer games may well become a reality."
H. It's a bit like teaching someone to catch a ball, Moore adds. "Sensory performance is no different from motor performance. As far as we know, the neural processes driving them both are the same." What is more, just as playing catch improves hand-eye coordination in other tasks, Moore thinks the phoneme training boosts children's general language skills. The advantage of using computers, he says, is each game can be tailored to a child's abilities.
I. An Oxford-based company called MindWeavers has been set up to commercialise the game. Similar computer-based language tools already exist, such as those developed by Scientific Learning of Oakland, California. But these are geared exclusively towards children with speech and language problems and involve intensive training. "We don't believe you need to do this draconian amount of training for it to do good," says Moore. He is also exploring the use of phoneme training as an aid to adults learning a foreign language.
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Question Focus: Detail question - asks what children have to choose between in the game
Correct Answer: A
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage clearly says children distinguish between pairs of phonemes like "bit" and "bet", which are vowel sounds with similar pronunciation. The key idea is choosing between sounds that are deliberately made very similar.
Passage Reference: In the game, children have to distinguish between pairs of phonemes such as the "i" sound from the word "bit" and the "e" from "bet". They are played one phoneme followed by two more examples, and asked which one matches the first sound. As the game progresses the phonemes are gradually "morphed" to make them more and more similar, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between them.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'distinguish between pairs of phonemes such as "bit" and "bet"' = Option: 'vowel sounds that have similar pronunciation'
Tips: Focus on exactly what children have to do in the game, not how many sounds exist in theory.
Why the other options are wrong:
- B: Students may choose this because the passage mentions more than 1000 different pairs. However, it also says the game concentrates on just 22 pairs, not thousands. This is a partial truth trap.
- C: This may sound academic because of the word phonemes, but the passage says these are the commonest and most similar-sounding phonemes used in real words. Saying they are not common changes the meaning. This is a contradiction trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- phoneme = basic sound in a language
- distinguish = tell the difference
Question Focus: Detail question - asks what was observed in the most recent tests
Correct Answer: A
Passage Reference: In the latest trials, 18 children aged between 8 and 10 played the game three times a week for 3 weeks. Their language abilities were compared before and after exposure to the game using a standard listening test. The team found a dramatic improvement in their language abilities, with listening ages up by an average 2.4 years compared with 12 children who did not play the game.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage clearly states there was a dramatic improvement in children aged between 8 and 10 during the latest trials. The wording in the option closely matches the passage.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'dramatic improvement in their language abilities' = Option: 'a dramatic improvement in the language ability'
Tips: Always check who the results apply to and whether the question says latest, earlier, or overall.
Why the other options are wrong:
- B: Students may pick this because children with learning difficulties are mentioned later. However, the question asks about the most recent tests, which were on children aged 8 to 10, not learning difficulties. This is a wrong section trap.
- C: This mixes two different pieces of information. The 2.4 years increase refers to the recent trial, but children with learning difficulties were mentioned in earlier trials without that figure. This is a context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- trial = test study
- dramatic = very strong or noticeable
Question Focus: Attitude question - asks how Tedd Wragg views the results
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: Tedd Wragg, however, an expert in education at the UK's University of Exeter, warns that such trials can produce misleading results. The improvements could be due to the efforts and attention of teachers and therapists, rather than the game itself. There is a history in education of people and companies making claims about learning products that do not stand up to scrutiny, he says.
Why this is correct: This is correct because Wragg warns that results can be misleading and may not stand up to scrutiny. This clearly shows he thinks the results should be treated with scepticism.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'produce misleading results' and 'do not stand up to scrutiny' = Option: 'should be viewed with a degree of scepticism'
Tips: For attitude questions, look for warning words like warn, doubt, or question.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: This sounds positive, but Wragg does not talk about future results being interesting. He focuses on problems with the current claims. This is a not given trap.
- C: Students may choose this because teachers and therapists are mentioned. However, Wragg says improvements could be due to them, not that the results are a credit to them. This is a paraphrase trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- scrutiny = careful examination
- misleading = giving a false impression
Question Focus: Inference question - asks what Moore thinks about the future role of computer games
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: Moore says independent tests will be done. But he is convinced that computer games such as Phonomena that are designed to teach key sensory skills could make a big difference in education. Even normal computer games have been shown to improve visual skills, he points out. "In the future, every child's dream of homework consisting of hours spent playing computer games may well become a reality."
Why this is correct: This is correct because Moore imagines a future where homework may involve hours spent playing computer games. This clearly suggests computer games could have a bigger role in children's homework.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'homework consisting of hours spent playing computer games' = Option: 'could play a bigger role in children's homework'
Tips: When an option sounds strong or negative, check if the passage really goes that far.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: Students may pick this because visual skills are mentioned. However, Moore says even normal games improve visual skills, not that this is their main educational use. This is a partial truth trap.
- C: The passage never says children will be forced to spend more time on computers. Moore describes this as a dream, not a requirement. This is an extreme language trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- convinced = strongly believes
- reality = something that actually happens
General Tips:
- MCQ questions follow passage order, so use the location of the last answer to find the next one faster.
- Always read all the options before choosing. The first one that sounds right may not be the best match.
- Watch out for answers that mix details from different parts of the passage.
- Be careful with strong words like force, only, or always. They often signal wrong answers.
- Use the passage, not real world knowledge, to decide your answer.
The rest of this explanation is for members. Sign in free to read why the other options are wrong, key words and tips.
Sign in to read the full explanation