EnglishNEB 2080
Read the following text and complete the tasks that follow : 15 It’s not cool to be fat, but that hasn’t stopped an epidemic from occurring among young Americans. Childhood obesity increased from 5%…
15Read the following text and complete the tasks that follow : 15 It’s not cool to be fat, but that hasn’t stopped an epidemic from occurring among young Americans. Childhood obesity increased from 5% in 1964 to about 13% in 1994. Today it is about 20%, and rising. Children, on average, spend five to six hours a day involved in sedentary activities like watching TV, using the computer, and playing video games, which is partly to blame for this rising rate. Maybe it would not matter if they were active enough at other times, but most of them are not. To make matters worse, children are bombarded with television advertisements for fast food chains and other providers of high-fat, high-sugar meals and snacks. These highly effective advertising campaigns, combined with a physically inactive lifestyle, have produced a generation of children who are at high risk for medical conditions associated with obesity. The main health threat is the early development of type 2 diabetes (adult onset), particularly in children with a family history of the disease. Doctors report an increase in the number of young adolescents developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, limb amputations, and blindness. People who develop diabetes in adolescence face a decreased quality of life and a shorter life expectancy, particularly if the disease progresses without treatment. It is a scary prospect for our children, but in many cases, obesity and diabetes are preventable. When kids spend most of their free time sitting in front of TVs and computers, they are not outside running, jumping, or participating in team sports that would keep their weight down. Parents should set limits on the time their children spend in passive activities. Pediatricians recommend restricting children to one or two hours a day in front of the TV and computer combined,
Answer
Model Answer: NEB Class 12 English (Eng) – 2080 (15 Marks)
Task 1: Answer the following questions based on the text. (5 × 2 = 10 marks)
a) What is the main cause of the increasing rate of childhood obesity in the USA?
The main causes of the rising rate of childhood obesity in the USA, as mentioned in the text, are:
- Excessive sedentary activities: Children spend an average of five to six hours a day engaged in passive activities such as watching TV, using computers, and playing video games. This lack of physical movement contributes significantly to weight gain.
- Unhealthy diet influenced by advertising: Children are constantly exposed to television advertisements promoting fast food, high-fat, and high-sugar meals. These advertisements are highly effective in influencing children’s food choices, leading to poor dietary habits.
- Lack of physical activity outside sedentary hours: Most children do not compensate for their sedentary lifestyle by engaging in sufficient physical activities like running, jumping, or participating in sports.
- Combination of poor diet and inactivity: The synergistic effect of consuming unhealthy foods and leading a sedentary lifestyle has created a generation of children at high risk for obesity-related health issues.
b) What are the health risks associated with childhood obesity?
The text highlights several severe health risks associated with childhood obesity, particularly the early development of type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes). These risks include:
- Type 2 Diabetes: An alarming increase in young adolescents developing type 2 diabetes, which was previously rare in children.
- Heart Disease: Obesity and diabetes significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Obese children are more likely to develop hypertension, which can lead to long-term health complications.
- Kidney Disease: Diabetes and obesity strain the kidneys, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease.
- Stroke: The combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity raises the likelihood of strokes.
- Limb Amputations: Severe cases of untreated diabetes can lead to nerve damage and poor circulation, necessitating amputations.
- Blindness: Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy, leading to vision loss or blindness.
- Reduced Quality of Life and Shorter Life Expectancy: Children who develop diabetes face a decreased quality of life and may have a shorter lifespan if the condition progresses without proper treatment.
c) What measures can parents take to prevent childhood obesity?
The text suggests the following preventive measures that parents can take to combat childhood obesity:
Limit Sedentary Screen Time:
- Restrict children to one or two hours a day combined for TV, computer, and video game use, as recommended by pediatricians.
- Encourage active play instead of passive entertainment.
Promote Physical Activity:
- Ensure children engage in outdoor activities such as running, jumping, and team sports.
- Enroll them in structured physical activities like swimming, basketball, or cycling.
Monitor Dietary Habits:
- Reduce exposure to unhealthy advertisements by limiting TV time or using ad-blockers.
- Encourage a balanced diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while minimizing fast food, sugary snacks, and processed foods.
Set a Good Example:
- Parents should demonstrate healthy lifestyle habits by eating nutritious meals and staying physically active.
- Avoid emotional eating or using food as a reward/punishment.
Educate Children About Healthy Choices:
- Teach children the long-term consequences of obesity and poor diet.
- Involve them in meal planning and grocery shopping to make them aware of healthier food options.
Regular Health Check-ups:
- Schedule routine medical check-ups to monitor weight, blood pressure, and early signs of diabetes.
- Consult pediatricians or nutritionists for personalized advice.
Task 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the words given in brackets. (3 × 1 = 3 marks)
a) Childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. (epidemic) → Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and is rising rapidly.
b) Children spend most of their free time watching TV. (sedentary) → Children engage in sedentary activities like watching TV for most of their free time.
c) Advertisements influence children to eat unhealthy food. (bombarded) → Children are bombarded with advertisements that encourage them to consume unhealthy food.
Task 3: Find the words from the text that match the following meanings. (2 × 1 = 2 marks)
a) A disease that affects the way the body uses blood sugar. (diabetes) → Diabetes
b) Not physically active; sitting for long periods. (sedentary) → Sedentary
Additional Notes for Full Marks:
- Language and Structure: The answers are concise, well-structured, and directly derived from the text without paraphrasing errors.
- Grammar and Vocabulary: Correct use of passive voice, connectors (e.g., "particularly," "combined with"), and technical terms (e.g., "type 2 diabetes," "sedentary activities").
- Relevance: Every point directly answers the question without unnecessary details.
- Formatting: Bullet points for lists, bold key terms, and clear subheadings improve readability.
End of Model Answer
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