UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE - FHEL1012 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC STUDY

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2015/16
SEMESTER: MAY 2015

TUTORIAL 6
TASK 1:
You come across two articles which discuss a common theme video games and violence.
Use both of the passages to make a stand that There are contradicting views on the view
that video games cause violence. (You may use the stand as the topic sentence or create a
new one. MUST begin with a Topic Sentence)
Text 1
As was noted earlier, the majority of computer games produced today have violence as their
principal theme. Despite the growing concerns of parents and teachers in the past decade, it
would appear from my research that violence in computer games is becoming increasingly
realistic and explicit. We are thus faced with the familiar question: Does playing violent
computer games lead to aggressive behaviour in young people? This is clearly a highly complex
issue. Research conducted in the past decade has revealed that young people who regularly play
violent computer games have a tendency to be more aggressive than those who do not. Perhaps
not surprisingly, my findings tend to support this position (Walker, 2001).
Text 2
On the issue of violence, the modern media surrounds us with violence. Movies such as 'The
Matrix', television programs such as the news, newspaper reports of sports such as boxing, and
radio dramas often involve violence. It is difficult to watch TV for one evening without seeing an
explosion, car chase, death or violence. Children's programs are especially violent, as is shown
by Tom and Jerry. If young children are expected to realise that it is only a cartoon, teenagers
playing computer games can also recognise that it's only a game. In addition, many computer
games are non-violent, for example, 'The Sims' is a very popular game of social interaction, and
football playing and management games involve almost no violence (Smith, 2003).

Answer:

TASK 2:
Your paragraph should provide proof for your stand that video games are addictive.
Combine the two ideas below to support your stand. (You may use the stand as the topic
sentence or create a new one. MUST begin with a Topic Sentence)
Text 1
Clearly, one of the most serious problems associated with playing computer games is that they
are highly addictive. Parents often find that when their children start playing games they simply
cannot stop. There is some evidence that as a result of their compulsive involvement in computer
games, some young people tend to ignore more important activities such as homework and
reading. (Davies, 2003).
Text 2
Popular activities of any sort can be addictive. Some people are addicted to sport, and some to
television, for example. Both these examples, and many others, can be harmful to one's health
and social life if done too much. Computer games, if played too much, will eventually lead to
addiction. As a result, it is argued that teenagers solitary absorption in computer games prevents
them interacting with family and friends (Smith, 2003)

Answer:
2

TASK 3:
You need to get supporting data for your opinion that shopping centres are with only one
intention: For higher profits. You find the following two passages. Synthesize this
information into a paragraph which argues that malls are built just to gain higher profits.
(You may use the stand as the topic sentence or create a new one. MUST begin with a Topic
Sentence)
Text 1
Chairs and benches in rest areas and food courts are unpadded in the seat designed to be
uncomfortable if sat in too long. This is to prevent mall visitors from just sitting around in the
mall rather than shopping. (By George Lewis, 2002)
Text 2
One of the main purposes on why mall operators hire security guards is to discourage loiterers
and help to move foot traffic along. Loiterers are not going to contribute to the profit of the mall
and so, the operators perceive them as a factor of hampering business. (By James Farrell, 2012)
Answer: