PAU Practice Examination (Murcia)
Video Game Treatment
You have just killed the monster and rescued (1) the princess, and now you are ready
for the next level of your video game. Many people play video games (also called “gaming”) for
fun (2), but an increasing number are now using these games as part of their treatment for
physical or emotional disorders.
Sometimes the content of the games is the important therapeutic factor. Gradual
exposure through video games is being used by psychiatric workers to help treat patients
suffering from phobias ranging from fear of flying to claustrophobia. Even the United States
Military is now trying gaming as treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Special
programs allow (3) war veterans to control simulated combat situations similar to those that
had caused *distress.
In other cases, game content is less important than the physical manipulation of the
keyboard and mouse. Patients requiring physical rehabilitation find small, repetitive
movements of the hands less boring (4) when these are part of a game. And the concentration
of children suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can be improved by gaming. Special
helmets containing sensors measure brain waves, which are relayed to a system that controls
the game. If there is a lapse in concentration, cars may crash or characters disappear.
As the cost of hardware such as sensors decreases, and the availability of suitable
software increases, the use of gaming as therapy will expand. Some professionals are
sceptical, claiming that there is insufficient research into the beneficial aspects of gaming, and
that ignoring traditional therapies could be harmful (5). Others, however, are enthusiastic
about such a fun treatment, but caution that therapy gaming sessions must be supervised by
qualified professionals.
Wouldn’t it be nice if, one day soon, a visit to the local doctor could produce a
prescription for a “dose” of computer games?
*distress: feeling of great worry or unhappiness
PREGUNTAS (NO RESPONDAN EN ESTA HOJA)
READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW
THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH QUESTION.
1. Link each of the words or expressions listed below with one word or expression in the
column (as numbered in the text) [1 mark]. Please copy the correct pair of words on your
answer sheet, e.g. 'rescued and …'
uninteresting entertainment saved enable dangerous
rescued (1) and …
fun (2) and …
allow (3) and …
boring (4) and …
harmful (5) and …
Photocopiable © Burlington Books 1/2
2. Reading comprehension
2.1 Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your
answer sheet.
- Playing video games is always called gaming when it is a form of therapy.
- Playing video games is a form of relaxation for an increasing number of people.
- Playing video games is used as therapy for some physical conditions.
- Playing video games is recommended as therapy by emotional people.
2.2 Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your
answer sheet.
- The United States Military has special programs to train soldiers in combat techniques.
- The United States Military uses gaming to help war veterans who experienced distress.
- The United States Military controls soldiers in combat through simulated programs.
- The United States Military is trying to cause distress through special video programs.
3. Complete the sentences using information from the text [2 marks]. It is important that
phrases from the text are not reproduced literally, unless this is unavoidable.
a) Some health workers caution that qualified professionals …
b) Psychiatric workers use video games to help treat patients who …
c) Sometimes the physical manipulation is …
d) Cars may crash if concentration …
4. Complete with one or more adequate words [1.5 marks]. Do not copy the complete text on
your sheet, only the letter – (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) – followed by the word or words that you
find suitable for the gap. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally.
My brother … (a) playing video games, and he spends a lot … (b) time in front of the
computer. My parents think that this is not healthy for him, … (c) he should spend more … (d)
outside. But he believes that gaming is not only … (e) but that it also … (f) his concentration.
5. How can brain waves be measured during gaming? (25-50 words) [2 marks]. You are
expected to draw information from the text, but please use your own words.
6. Young people spend too much time playing video games. (25-50 words) [2 marks]. Express
your own ideas by using your own words.
PAU Murcia – Video Game Treatment Photocopiable © Burlington Books 2/2
