WHILE READING. GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text. Much has been __________ about how anti-social the Internet and mobile phones are

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

READING: Read and fill in the spaces.

Much __________________ how anti-social the Internet and mobile phones are. The truth is however, according to new research, communication technology __________________ closer together. A study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found family members were keeping in regular __________________ than ever before. And this _______________ e-mail, chat, our cellphones and SMS messaging. It makes sense. Years ago, it took a long time to write a letter, then find an envelope and go to the post office to buy a stamp and post it. Today we write mails _________________ our change in the convenience store and they’re sent in an instant. Having free Internet telephone calls also __________________ in touch more often and for longer. __________________, from five-year-olds to tech-savvy grandparents.

According to the Pew survey, technology __________________ effect on communication within families. Researchers asked 2,252 adults whether new technologies had __________________ of communication with their family. Fifty-three percent said it increased communication with family members __________________, two per cent said technology decreased this. Numbers were similar __________________ the same house as their family. The project director Lee Rainey said: "There's a new kind of connectedness __________________ of families with these technologies”. Survey co-author Barry Wellman agreed: "It used to be [that] husbands went off to work, wives went off to a different job or else stayed home…and the kids went off to school…and not until 5:30, 6 o'clock __________________ connect," he said.