SAT OwlQuestion bank / Cross-Text Connections
Text 1: Many parents worry that video games harm children's attention spans. They argue that the fast pace of games makes ordinary activities, such as reading, seem boring by comparison.
Text 2: Several studies have found that people who regularly play action video games do better on certain tests of visual attention, such as tracking several moving objects at once, than people who do not play. These players also respond faster without becoming less accurate.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the parents' concern in Text 1?
By agreeing that video games make reading seem boring
By noting that video games may improve some kinds of attention
By claiming that children should play video games instead of reading
By arguing that video games have no effect at all on players
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
The parents fear that games harm attention. Text 2 reports that action game players perform better on some attention tests. The author would point out that games may strengthen certain kinds of attention, choice B.
Choice D contradicts Text 2, which describes measurable effects on players' attention and reaction speed.
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