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Joy English · Level C1 · Technology and societyjoy-english.com

Test 4: The economics of attention

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An advanced mixed test about digital media, data and distraction: collocation, comparatives, inversion and word formation.

Part 1: Multiple-choice gaps

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

  1. The sheer ___ of information online makes it hard to separate fact from rumour.
    • a) volume
    • b) length
    • c) density
    • d) height
  2. Users often scroll ___ without registering what they have seen.
    • a) careless
    • b) thoughtless
    • c) unwisely
    • d) mindlessly
  3. The company's profits are ___ on keeping people engaged for as long as possible.
    • a) predicted
    • b) predicated
    • c) predisposed
    • d) prejudiced
  4. The more time people spend online, ___ they are to feel fatigued.
    • a) the more likely
    • b) so more likely
    • c) more the likely
    • d) most likely
  5. Many apps ___ on the human need for approval.
    • a) profit
    • b) gain
    • c) benefit
    • d) capitalise
  6. Such ___ the pace of change that regulators struggle to keep up.
    • a) are
    • b) is
    • c) has
    • d) does
  7. Screen time is not harmful in itself; ___, it is the content that matters.
    • a) moreover
    • b) whereas
    • c) rather
    • d) namely
  8. The firm's apology did little to ___ users' fears about privacy.
    • a) allay
    • b) delay
    • c) relay
    • d) stay

Part 2: Open gaps

Type one word in each gap.

  1. Rarely ___ users read the terms and conditions before accepting them.
  2. ___ the reason, many people find it hard to log off.
  3. People are increasingly aware of the extent ___ which their data are collected.
  4. The more content we consume, ___ less we remember.
  5. I would rather you ___ not use your phone at the table.
  6. Be it a game ___ a news feed, the design aims to hold your gaze.
  7. Users are seldom ___ of how much data they hand over.
  8. Apps may be free, but we pay ___ our attention instead.

Part 3: Word formation

Use the word in CAPITALS at the end of each sentence to form a word that fits the gap. Type one word.

  1. Many users find the constant alerts ___. (INTRUDE)
  2. Excessive screen time can lead to a ___ of concentration. (DETERIORATE)
  3. The ___ of social media has changed how news spreads. (PREVALENT)
  4. Regulators have called for greater ___ about how algorithms work. (OPEN)
  5. The app is ___ addictive, according to its critics. (DELIBERATE)
  6. Many users make ___ choices about privacy settings because they never read the explanations. (INFORM)
  7. It offers a ___ honest account of digital life. (REFRESH)
  8. Her ___ to resist the pull of her phone, even for an hour, worried her family. (ABLE)

Answer key

Part 1: Multiple-choice gaps

  1. a) volumeThe sheer volume of something means the very large amount of it.
  2. d) mindlesslyMindlessly is an adverb meaning without thinking. Careless and thoughtless are adjectives, and unwisely describes a poor decision, not a lack of attention.
  3. b) predicatedBe predicated on means to be based on an idea or assumption.
  4. a) the more likelyThe more ... the more likely follows the pattern the + comparative, the + comparative.
  5. d) capitaliseCapitalise on means to take advantage of. We say profit from and benefit from, not on.
  6. b) isSuch + be at the start of a clause is a formal inversion: Such is the pace that.
  7. c) ratherRather corrects the first statement: not X, but Y.
  8. a) allayAllay fears means to make them less strong.

Part 2: Open gaps

  1. doA negative adverb at the start (rarely) requires inversion: do users read.
  2. whateverWhatever the reason means no matter what the reason is.
  3. toTo the extent that / the extent to which is a fixed phrase.
  4. theThe more ... the less shows two changes that go together.
  5. didWould rather + subject takes the past simple for a present or future preference.
  6. orBe it X or Y is a formal fixed pair meaning whether it is X or Y.
  7. aware / conscious / mindful / cognisant / cognizant / informed / sure / certainWe need an adjective that takes of: aware, conscious, mindful or cognisant; informed, sure and certain also fit.
  8. withPay with means to give something as payment.

Part 3: Word formation

  1. intrusiveWe need an adjective after find the alerts: intrusive.
  2. deteriorationAfter a we need a noun: deterioration.
  3. prevalenceThe noun from prevalent is prevalence.
  4. opennessAfter greater we need a noun: openness.
  5. deliberatelyWe need an adverb before the adjective addictive: deliberately.
  6. uninformedThe negative adjective uninformed describes choices made without proper knowledge.
  7. refreshinglyWe need an adverb to modify honest: refreshingly.
  8. inabilityThe context is worry, so we need the negative noun: inability.

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