We all know about the pleasure and fun that you can get from playing video games. There's the satisfaction of finally reaching the last level of a game after months of trying, or the thrill of beating your best friend in a game for the first time. But some experts now say that as well as offering fantastic entertainment, video games might also be good for you.

It seems that when you play video games, you might be acquiring some very important skills. For a start, games are great for your concentration. Being able to focus on a task for an extended period of time is definitely a skill you can use at school or later, in a job. Because you have to think incredibly quickly, video games can also stimulate your brain and improve the speed at which you react. Fitness games, which are very popular, allow you to practise sports techniques like balancing or hitting balls from the comfort of your living room. A lot of games also teach decision-making skills. For example, when you have to choose the best way to escape from a burning building in a game, you're learning how to solve problems and use your judgment quickly, and under pressure - skills that will be very useful later in life. Gaming teaches you about success and failure too. The fact that a lot of games are difficult, and you have to work hard to reach that top level, teaches you that in life you can succeed if you keep on trying. On the other hand, games teach you that if you fail, you don't give up - you have a break, and then try again!

29.Some psychologists believe that role-playing games are particularly valuable. In the virtual environment, young people can take on roles that are often not available to them in real life. You can become a leader, and have to deal with people who lie to you, hide things from you or want to destroy you. By dealing with these situations, you can develop social skills that might help you in the real world when you're older.

Gaming does have its downsides, of course. Playing for a while is great, but people who play for hours on end can have problems. Physically, it can stop you from getting enough exercise, which is unhealthy. Psychologically, there is evidence that some players can become addicted to their games and begin to prefer their 'virtual' lives, where they are always in control. It is sometimes claimed that very 32.violent games can have a negative effect on players and lead to violence in real life. Although there isn't much evidence to support this, it is an argument that will go on and on.

But overall, the message is that playing video games is not harmful, unless you spend too much time on them. And while you're building your city, looking after your farm, defeating your enemies or making your fortune in a game, you're also developing skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

(Adapted from "Prepare 6" by James Styring and Nicholas Tims)

Question 27.What does the passage mainly discuss?

       A.Video games: Benefits outweigh drawbacks       B.Video games as a source of entertainment

       C.Types and uses of video games                            D. Problems of video games and solutions

Question 28.The word "extended" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.

       A. constant                        B. fixed                          C. long                            D. brief

Question 29.According to some psychologists, role-playing games can _______.

       A. teach you how to be a good leader                     B. allow you to destroy things

       C. show you how to tell lies                                     D. help you improve your social skills

Question 30.The word "defeating" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to ______.

       A. striking                          B. beating                       C. struggling                   D. negotiating

Question 31.The word "they" in paragraph 4 refers to ______.

       A. gamers                          B. problems                    C. games                         D. 'virtual' lives

Question 32.Which of the following is NOT true, according to the passage?

       A.Players can feel excited when they win against their friends.

       B. Playing games for a long time can be dangerous.

       C. Video games can make you unfit.

       D.It is clearly proved that violent games cause bad effects on players.

Question 33.Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 2?

       A.Playing games can help your brain to work faster.

       B. Playing games can help you escape from your pressure.

       C.Fitness games can help you learn how to make decisions.

       D. Games can teach you that sometimes things can't be achieved however hard you try.