Passage Two

　　In a world that relies on people who have smartphones, from work emails to cashless businesses, not developing an addiction to your device is becoming increasingly difficult. While some think it’s only a mental issue, a new study suggests that this constant usage physically affects your brain the same way drug addiction does.

　　According to a study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, regions in the brain known as grey matter showed changes in size and shape for people with social media addiction. Maybe it is time for us to take some action about this problem. Grey matter controls a person’s emotions, speech, sight, hearing, memory and self-control. Other studies have reported similar brain alterations due to drug usage.

　　“Given their widespread use and increasing popularity, the present study questions the harmlessness of smartphones, at least in individuals that may be at increased risk for developing smartphone-related addictive behaviors,” reads the study by researchers from Heidelberg University in Germany.

　　In the U.S., over 24% of kids from 8 to 12 years old have their own smartphone and 67% of their teenage counterparts do, with younger teenagers using an average of about six hours’ of entertainment media daily. The average American spends around four hours a day on their smartphone. Sadly, this phenomenon is also commonly seen in other countries around the world, with young students glued to phones, and using a mobile phone in different life situations.

　　Companies like Apple and Android provide features that help users manage their screen time, while other apps like Moment and Freedom help smartphone junkies block access to certain apps and websites.

　　Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　12. Why is it easy for people to get addicted to smartphones?

　　13. According to the study, what caused changes in certain regions of the brain?

　　14. What have researcher found about American teenagers?

　　15. What measures do companies like Apple and Android take to solve this problem？

　　12. A 13. B 14. A 15. C