GCEEnglish LanguageSummary2020

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. The importance of reading cannot be overemphasised in today's world. Reading is one of the most powerful tools available to human beings for acquiring knowledge, developing critical thinking, and broadening one's perspective on life. When a person reads widely, he or she is exposed to ideas, cultures, and experiences far beyond what any single individual could encounter in a lifetime. This exposure builds empathy, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. In spite of its obvious benefits, reading culture has declined sharply in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. Several factors are responsible for this decline. The rise of social media and digital entertainment has captured the attention of young people, who now spend hours scrolling through short video clips and social media posts rather than engaging with books. The situation is compounded by the high cost of books, which puts them beyond the reach of many families, particularly those in low-income brackets. Furthermore, many schools do not actively promote reading beyond what is required for examinations, thereby failing to instil in students a love for books. The consequences of a poor reading culture are far-reaching. A society that does not read is one that is poorly informed, intellectually stagnant, and easily manipulated. Leaders who do not read make poor decisions because they lack the broad knowledge base that reading provides. Workers who do not read are less productive and less innovative. Students who do not read beyond their textbooks are ill-prepared for the demands of higher education and professional life. To reverse this troubling trend, concerted efforts must be made at all levels. Governments should subsidise the production and distribution of books to make them affordable. Schools should establish well-stocked libraries and create time in the school timetable for free reading. Parents should model good reading habits at home and encourage their children to read for pleasure. Publishers and authors also have a role to play by producing content that is relevant, engaging, and accessible to a wide audience. (a) In not more than 120 words, summarise the reasons for the decline in reading culture and its consequences as discussed in the passage. (b) In not more than 60 words, summarise the solutions proposed in the passage to reverse the decline in reading culture.

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