The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 1 THE EMPTY HOURS Global Review Booklet Vocabulary in Context • Reading • Guided Essay Writing Level: B1 | Teenage Learners Unit theme: How empty summer hours can lead to addiction — and how to take back control DAY 1 — Review & Read | DAY 2 — Recycle & Write
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 2 DAY ONE — Review and Read Activity 1 — Build the Collocations (Verb + Noun) Purpose: Reactivate the key verb + noun collocations of the unit. Instructions: Match each verb in Column A with the correct noun in Column B. Write your answers in the grid below. Column A — Verbs Column B — Nouns 1. kill a. drugs 2. waste b. control 3. develop c. time 4. break d. a problem 5. play e. video games 6. take f. an addiction 7. lose g. hours 8. ask for h. help 9. spend i. a bad habit 10. face j. free time Answer grid: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 3 Activity 2 — Build the Collocations (Adjective + Noun) Purpose: Reactivate the key adjective + noun collocations of the unit. Instructions: Match each adjective in Column A with the correct noun in Column B. Write your answers in the grid below. Column A — Adjectives Column B — Nouns 1. empty a. routine 2. addictive b. problem 3. dangerous c. hours 4. healthy d. scrolling 5. free e. lifestyle 6. daily f. days 7. serious g. games 8. endless h. activities 9. outdoor i. drugs 10. boring j. time Answer grid: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 4 Activity 3 — Drag and Drop: Linking Words + Collocations Purpose: Combine linking words (addition, contrast, cause, consequence, condition type 1) with the collocations from Activities 1 and 2 inside complex sentences. Instructions: Each sentence has THREE gaps: one linking word and two collocations. Take the words from the two banks below and drop them into the correct gaps. Use each linking word once. BANK 1 — Linking Words because • since • as a result • so • however • although • in addition • also • if • unless BANK 2 — Collocations waste hours • daily routine • free time • play video games • endless scrolling • develop an addiction • boring days • ask for help • break a bad habit • addictive games • outdoor activities • empty hours • take drugs • lose control • kill time • healthy lifestyle • face a problem • fill their empty hours 1. [CAUSE] Sara began to (1) __________________ online (2) ______________ her (3) __________________ disappeared in summer. 2. [CAUSE] (1) ______________ Karim had too much (2) __________________, he started to (3) __________________ all day and all night. 3. [CONSEQUENCE] Omar could not stop his (1) __________________ on social media; (2) ______________, he began to (3) __________________. 4. [CONSEQUENCE] Lina’s (1) __________________ made her feel sad and alone, (2) ______________ she decided to (3) __________________ from her family. 5. [CONTRAST] Yusuf tried hard to (1) __________________; (2) ______________, the (3) __________________ were always waiting on his phone. 6. [CONTRAST] (1) ______________ Nadia loved (2) __________________ like swimming and hiking, she sometimes wasted her (3) __________________ on her screen. 7. [ADDITION] Some teenagers (1) __________________ during the long holidays; (2) ______________, they slowly (3) __________________ of their lives.
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 5 8. [ADDITION] A (1) __________________ keeps your body strong. It (2) ______________ helps you (3) __________________ in a positive and useful way. 9. [CONDITION (TYPE 1)] (1) ______________ Ali continues to (2) __________________ in front of his screen, he will (3) __________________ when school starts again. 10. [CONDITION (TYPE 1)] Teenagers will (1) __________________ (2) ______________ they (3) __________________ with hobbies, sport, and friends.
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 6 Activity 4 — Reading Comprehension Test (IELTS Method, B1) Purpose: Read a longer text and answer easy IELTS-style questions under time pressure. Time allowed: 20 minutes | Questions: 1–20 Instructions: Read the passage in the LEFT column. Answer ALL 20 questions in the RIGHT column. Do not spend more than one minute on each question. When Summer Turns Dangerous Every year, when the school gates close in June, millions of teenagers suddenly have long, empty hours to fill. At first, the freedom feels wonderful. There is no homework, no daily routine, and no alarm clock. But after one or two weeks, many young people start to feel bored. Psychologist James Danckert, who studies boredom, explains that this feeling is not the real problem. He says boredom is simply “a call to action” — a signal that we need to do something meaningful. Sadly, many teenagers answer this call in the easiest way possible: they pick up a screen. They play video games for hours, or they lose themselves in endless scrolling. In the United States, government health data show that about half of teenagers spend four hours or more in front of a screen every single day. For most, it stays a bad habit. For some, however, it becomes something more serious. The World Health Organization now officially recognises “gaming disorder” as a health condition, because some players truly lose control: they cannot stop, even when gaming destroys their sleep, their studies, and their friendships. The story can turn darker. Health agencies such as SAMHSA, which supports people with addiction problems in the US, warn that free time without purpose is a risk factor. A bored teenager at a summer party may decide to try Part A — True / False / Not Given (Questions 1–7) Write TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN. 1. School holidays begin in June. → ________ 2. Teenagers feel bored on the first day of the holidays. → ________ 3. Danckert believes boredom is a signal, not the real problem. → ________ 4. About half of American teenagers spend four or more hours a day on screens. → ________ 5. The WHO says video games are always dangerous. → ________ 6. Gaming disorder can destroy sleep, studies, and friendships. → ________ 7. Most teenagers who play video games later take drugs. → ________ Part B — Complete the Sentences (Questions 8–13) Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text. 8. In summer, there is no homework, no daily routine, and no ______________. 9. Danckert says boredom is “a call to ______________”. 10. Teenagers lose themselves in endless ______________. 11. The WHO recognises “______________ disorder” as a health condition. 12. SAMHSA warns that free time without ______________ is a risk factor. 13. A bored teenager may try dangerous drugs “just ______________”.
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 7 dangerous drugs “just once”. Sixteen-year-old cases described by addiction counsellors often begin exactly like this: first the games, then the late nights, then the wrong friends, then the first cigarette or pill. The lesson is clear. Empty hours are not innocent. If we do not fill them, something else will. Sources: J. Danckert (interview, Profoundly Pointless podcast, 2022); CDC/NCHS Data Brief No. 513 (2024); WHO ICD-11; SAMHSA. Part C — Short Answers (Questions 14–17) Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. 14. What do many teenagers pick up when they feel bored? ______________ 15. Which agency supports people with addiction problems in the US? ______________ 16. Apart from sleep and studies, what can gaming disorder destroy? ______________ 17. According to the last line, what must we do with our empty hours? ______________ Part D — Circle the Correct Answer (Questions 18–20) 18. After one or two weeks, many young people start to feel: a) excited b) bored c) angry 19. Gaming becomes serious when players: a) lose control b) win games c) make friends 20. The text says the story can turn: a) funnier b) darker c) shorter
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 8 DAY TWO — Recycle and Write Activity 5 — Drag and Drop: Vocabulary in Context Purpose: Recycle the unit vocabulary and linking words in new sentences. Instructions: Each sentence has THREE gaps. For each gap, choose the correct option (a, b, or c) and drop it into place. Circle your choices. 1. (1) ________ Omar fills his (2) ________________ with sport, he will not (3) ________________. (1) a) If b) Unless c) However (2) a) empty hours b) serious problem c) dangerous drugs (3) a) ask for help b) develop an addiction c) break a bad habit 2. Sara wanted to (1) ________________; (2) ________, the (3) ________________ were always on her phone. (1) a) break a bad habit b) take drugs c) waste hours (2) a) so b) however c) because (3) a) outdoor activities b) addictive games c) boring days 3. (1) ________ Karim had nothing to do, he began to (2) ________________ online and forgot his (3) ________________. (1) a) Because b) If c) In addition (2) a) waste hours b) ask for help c) face a problem (3) a) healthy lifestyle b) daily routine c) endless scrolling 4. Lina loves (1) ________________; (2) ________________, she reads every day to (3) ________________ in a useful way. (1) a) dangerous drugs b) outdoor activities c) empty hours (2) a) in addition b) although c) unless (3) a) kill time b) lose control c) take drugs 5. (1) ________ Yusuf knew the danger, he continued to (2) ________________ all night; now he has a (3) ________________. (1) a) Although b) Because c) So (2) a) play video games b) break a bad habit c) ask for help (3) a) healthy lifestyle b) serious problem c) free time 6. Nadia stopped her (1) ________________; (2) ________________, she now has more (3) ________________ for her friends. (1) a) endless scrolling b) outdoor activities c) daily routine
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 9 (2) a) as a result b) unless c) although (3) a) dangerous drugs b) free time c) bad habits 7. Some teenagers (1) ________________ at parties (2) ________ they want to escape their (3) ________________. (1) a) kill time b) take drugs c) spend free time (2) a) however b) because c) if (3) a) boring days b) healthy lifestyle c) addictive games 8. (1) ________ Ali learns to control his screen time, he will (2) ________________ and (3) ________________ at school. (1) a) Since b) Unless c) Also (2) a) ask for help b) lose control c) kill time (3) a) break a bad habit b) waste hours c) face a problem 9. Omar finally decided to (1) ________________; (2) ________, his parents built a (3) ________________ with him. (1) a) take drugs b) waste hours c) ask for help (2) a) so b) although c) unless (3) a) serious problem b) healthy lifestyle c) endless scrolling 10. A (1) ________________ keeps you busy; it (2) ________ protects you from (3) ________________. (1) a) boring day b) daily routine c) dangerous drug (2) a) however b) also c) because (3) a) asking for help b) killing time c) developing an addiction
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 10 Activity 6 — Guided Essay Writing (Pick and Complete) Purpose: Write a four-paragraph essay about boredom and addiction by studying the colored model and choosing from the alternatives. Instructions: Step 1: Read the colored model. Step 2: For each colored part, look at the alternatives and pick ONE. Step 3: Write your full essay on the writing page. The Color Code ■ Hook (grabbing sentence) ■ Linking sentence ■ Thesis statement ■ Topic sentence ■ Supporting topic sentence ■ Argument / example ■ Conclusion: restating ■ Conclusion: recommendation Paragraph 1 — Introduction (MODEL) It is undeniable that boredom in summer is one of the most debated issues in the world. Experts agree that it has plenty of consequences. One of them is addiction. Pick and complete — Introduction Hook — choose ONE: ☐ It is undeniable that boredom in summer is one of the most debated issues in the world. ☐ It is incontestable that boredom is one of the most serious issues in summer. ☐ No one can deny that boredom is one of the most serious issues in summer. Linking sentence — choose ONE: ☐ Experts agree that it has plenty of consequences. ☐ Specialists believe that this problem affects millions of teenagers. ☐ Many studies show that it can change a teenager’s life. Thesis — choose ONE: ☐ One of them is addiction. ☐ The most serious one is addiction. ☐ Addiction is the biggest of these consequences.
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 11 Paragraph 2 — Development 1: Video Game Addiction (MODEL) Boredom causes video game addiction. When teenagers have long empty hours and no daily routine, video games become the easiest escape. For example, a bored teenager may start with one hour a day, but after a few weeks he wastes hours every night; as a result, he loses control of his sleep and his studies. Pick and complete — Development 1 Topic sentence — choose ONE: ☐ Boredom causes video game addiction. ☐ Video game addiction often starts with boredom. ☐ Empty hours push many teenagers into gaming addiction. Supporting topic sentence — choose ONE: ☐ When teenagers have long empty hours and no daily routine, video games become the easiest escape. ☐ Games are designed to be addictive, so it is very difficult to stop playing. ☐ With no plans and no activities, a screen is always the closest friend. Argument / example — choose ONE: ☐ For example, a bored teenager may start with one hour a day, but after a few weeks he wastes hours every night; as a result, he loses control of his sleep and his studies. ☐ For instance, the World Health Organization now recognises “gaming disorder” as a real health condition. ☐ Take the case of a player who cannot stop, even when gaming destroys his sleep and his friendships. Paragraph 3 — Development 2: Drug Addiction (MODEL) Boredom can also lead to drug addiction. Empty hours push some teenagers to spend time with the wrong friends, who invite them to try dangerous things. For instance, a teenager may smoke at a summer party just to kill time; if nobody helps him, he may develop an addiction to dangerous drugs. Pick and complete — Development 2 Topic sentence — choose ONE: ☐ Boredom can also lead to drug addiction. ☐ What is worse, boredom can open the door to drugs.
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 12 ☐ Drug addiction is another dangerous result of empty summers. Supporting topic sentence — choose ONE: ☐ Empty hours push some teenagers to spend time with the wrong friends, who invite them to try dangerous things. ☐ A bored mind says yes more easily, because it is looking for excitement. ☐ Without a plan, teenagers look for strong emotions in the wrong places. Argument / example — choose ONE: ☐ For instance, a teenager may smoke at a summer party just to kill time; if nobody helps him, he may develop an addiction to dangerous drugs. ☐ For example, health agencies warn that free time without purpose is a risk factor for addiction. ☐ Take the case of a teenager who tries a cigarette “just once” and cannot stop; unless he asks for help, the problem will grow. Paragraph 4 — Conclusion (MODEL) In conclusion, boredom causes video game addiction, and it can also lead to drug addiction. Therefore, we should fill our empty hours with outdoor activities, hobbies, and friends before boredom fills them for us. Pick and complete — Conclusion Restate the topic sentences — choose ONE: ☐ In conclusion, boredom causes video game addiction, and it can also lead to drug addiction. ☐ To sum up, empty summer hours can push teenagers into gaming addiction and even drug addiction. ☐ In short, summer boredom opens the door to two dangers: video game addiction and drug addiction. Recommendation — choose ONE: ☐ Therefore, we should fill our empty hours with outdoor activities, hobbies, and friends before boredom fills them for us. ☐ In my opinion, a healthy lifestyle is the best protection, so we should plan our summer before it plans us. ☐ Parents and teenagers should build a summer routine together, full of sport, reading, and real friends.
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 13 Now it is YOUR turn! Instructions: Write your own four-paragraph essay (120–150 words). Pick ONE alternative for each colored part, complete it with your own words, and connect your paragraphs. Use at least SIX collocations from this booklet. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________
HIGH UP ACADEMY for English and Leadership learn • live • lead The Empty Hours — Global Review Booklet | The FLEND Approach — Stage: __________ | Page 14 TEACHER PAGE — Answer Key Activity 1 (Verb + Noun) 1-c (kill time) 2-g (waste hours) 3-f (develop an addiction) 4-i (break a bad habit) 5-e (play video games) 6-a (take drugs) 7-b (lose control) 8-h (ask for help) 9-j (spend free time) 10-d (face a problem) Activity 2 (Adjective + Noun) 1-c (empty hours) 2-g (addictive games) 3-i (dangerous drugs) 4-e (healthy lifestyle) 5-j (free time) 6-a (daily routine) 7-b (serious problem) 8-d (endless scrolling) 9-h (outdoor activities) 10-f (boring days) Activity 3 (Linking words + collocations) 1. waste hours / because / daily routine 2. Since / free time / play video games 3. endless scrolling / as a result / develop an addiction 4. boring days / so / ask for help 5. break a bad habit / however / addictive games 6. Although / outdoor activities / empty hours (or free time) 7. take drugs / in addition / lose control 8. healthy lifestyle / also / kill time 9. If / waste hours / face a problem 10. develop an addiction / unless / fill their empty hours Activity 4 (Reading Test — 20 questions, 20 minutes) Part A: 1. TRUE 2. FALSE (after one or two weeks) 3. TRUE 4. TRUE 5. FALSE (only some players lose control) 6. TRUE 7. NOT GIVEN Part B: 8. alarm clock 9. action 10. scrolling 11. gaming 12. purpose 13. once Part C: 14. a screen 15. SAMHSA 16. their friendships 17. fill them Part D: 18. b (bored) 19. a (lose control) 20. b (darker) Activity 5 (Triple-gap drag and drop) 1. a / a / b 2. a / b / b 3. a / a / b 4. b / a / a 5. a / a / b 6. a / a / b 7. b / b / a 8. b / b / c 9. c / a / b 10. b / b / c Activity 6 (Essay) Any coherent combination of the alternatives is acceptable. Check: 4 paragraphs; intro = hook + linking sentence + thesis; each development = topic sentence + supporting topic sentence + argument; conclusion = restatement of both topic sentences + recommendation; at least six unit collocations. Sources for Activity 4: James Danckert, interview (Profoundly Pointless, 2022) and Out of My Skull (Harvard UP, 2020); CDC/NCHS Data Brief No. 513 (2024) on daily screen time among teenagers; WHO ICD-11 classification of gaming disorder; SAMHSA (samhsa.gov).