Anyone who has tried
to concentrate on a difficult or boring piece of work will know how tough it
can be, but science has some counter-intuitive findings that could help”
By: Caroline Williams
Published: BBC, 25
September 2017, http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170925-the-surprising-tricks-to-help-you-focus-at-work
Level of Difficulty: **
BEFORE YOU READ
·
5 Tips to Improve
Concentration and Focus
·
3 Tips
To Instantly Improve Your Focus
QUESTIONS
1.
We understand from the introduction to the text
that many of the tips concerning how to concentrate are impractical /
unworkable / impossible /inapplicable. Mark as many as fit.
2.
What is ironical about these popular tips is
that ……………..
3.
Read the section titled “Zone out” and answer
the questions:
·
Why is “zoning out” not in fact “counter
intuitive”?
·
We understand from the text that mind wandering
enables the brain to have fun / go to sleep/ rest / refuel. This is
necessary because concentration is boring / tiring / energy efficient /
distracting
·
Deliberate daydreaming will be harmless if , for example, the
individual is knitting a jumper / repairing an electric circuit / performing
surgery/ polishing glasses
·
Daydreaming provides an additional bonus: it helps
with…
·
What is the function of the last sentence of the
section?
4.
Read the section titled “Muck About” and answer
the questions:
·
Creating a culture of fun in the office makes
sense for the workers and the company because people who are able to unwind occasionally....
·
What is the reason for the above?
5.
Read the section titled “Make It Harder” and
answer the questions:
·
Why is it unnecessary to get rid of all external
distractions to be able to concentrate?
·
There is one condition however, the distraction
must not be…..
·
What general conclusion can be drawn from the
information concerning distractions?
6.
Read the section titled “Stop Working” and
answer the questions:
·
Taking a break while working is beneficial
provided that one is able to determine…
·
Not everyone /Everyone needs micro breaks
but it should be …
·
Why do you think the Japanese fill their offices
with plants and indoor gardens?
·
Researchers have found that even young Buddhist
monks are capable of incredible concentration. This is probably because they
frequently….
7.
Read the section titled “Don’t Try so Hard” and
answer the questions:
·
Both the research studies described in this
section reached the conclusion that focusing continually was
counter-productive / thinking about something else was inevitable / spreading
the task over several days was advisable / it is not necessary to focus fully
all the time.
WRITING TASK
Write a paragraph or short essay describing how to improve
focus. Use the information in the text and the videos.
FIVE WAYS SCIENCE CAN
IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES
This is a text that
should appeal to students as it addresses an important issue: focus. It might
be a good idea to discuss students’ opinions first and see if there are any
overlaps with the text or videos. Students may also have some misconceptions
which could be addressed. The reading task should lead seamlessly into the
writing task.
1.
All four
2.
Many of these tips bear no relation to what
psychologists are discovering about the way the human mind works
3.
Because it is a key part of the system itself
that can help our brains function
Rest / Tiring
Knitting a jumper or polishing glasses
Problem solving and planning
It is the concluding statement
4.
Try longer and harder
Staying focused requires willpower
5.
There is a limit to how much information from
the outside world our brains can process at any one time
Overwhelming
The key is to give your mind enough to do
so that your brain doesn’t have the chance to look elsewhere for stimulation
6.
When to take a break, for how long and what to
do in the downtime
A total distraction
Spending time in nature has long been
suspected to improve people’s ability to focus
Meditate
7.
The first
