CPE Reading and Use of English Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
| 0 |
| B sweeping | C prevailing | D overarching |
The Case for Digital Minimalism
The philosophy of digital minimalism has emerged as a potent counter-culture to our 0 ubiquitous digital connectivity. It is not just about using technology less, but about conducting a deliberate cost-benefit 1 of each digital tool in our lives. Proponents argue that the default setting of modern life – constant notification, endless scrolling, and the 2 pressure to be perpetually available – comes with a hidden cognitive tax. This tax 3 itself as fractured attention, reduced capacity for deep work, and a lingering sense of being busy yet unproductive.
The core practice of digital minimalism is a periodic ‘digital declutter’. This involves 4 all optional technologies for a set period, then reintroducing only those that 5 a clearly defined and significant value to one’s goals and relationships. The intention is to break the cycle of compulsive use and reclaim 6 over one’s time and mental space. It is a conscious move from being a passive consumer of digital content to being an intentional curator of one’s informational diet.
Critics 7 that such practices are a form of privileged retreat, unavailable to those whose livelihoods depend on digital engagement. However, minimalists contend that the principle is about mindfulness, not outright rejection. Even within digitally-intensive roles, one can 8 boundaries – designating email-free hours or curating notification settings – to mitigate the fragmenting effects and protect stretches of focused thought. Ultimately, digital minimalism is less about technology itself and more about asserting human priorities in a designed environment that often profitably overlooks them.
For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary
