Heavy backpacks

9/9/2022 3:13:00 PM
Are heavy school bags really harmful for your kids? - Times of India
Image: Times of India

Do you know?

  • People who carry large packs often aren't aware of how much space the packs take up and can hit others with them when turning around or moving through tight spaces.
  • Students also can be injured when they trip over large packs or the packs fall on them.

Let's explore more about this issue!

Let's learn some new words before you read the passage:

Listen and complete the passage.

alignment recommendation Apparently
strain strap accommodate


Do you carry a backpack to school each day? How heavy is the backpack? Some experts believe that the backpacks that students carry are too heavy. It isn’t because books are heavier these days. Rather, experts say that students are expected to carry more and more books in their backpacks. These books are heavy and cause a on the students’ backs.

Experts say that the backpack should not weigh more than 10–15% of a student’s body weight. Anything heavier than that can lead to back problems. The problems range from muscle strain to poor back . The number of people being treated for backpack strain has increased. Emergency rooms are noticing a rise in the problem.

Does carrying a backpack that is too heavy really cause a problem? it does. Some of the signs to watch for are if the student complains of back pain or if he or she walks bent over sideways to adjust for the weight. Another sign to watch for is if they complain of tingling in the arms or hands. To for the weight, experts recommend that students bring a backpack to school that has wheels. Another is a backpack with a waist . The strap helps to support the waist.

Read and answer the following questions.

Heavy Backpacks

The effect of heavy backpacks on children has been studied and debated for the last 15 years. Image: tafttribune.org

Do you carry a backpack to school each day? How heavy is the backpack? Some experts believe that the backpacks that students carry are too heavy. It isn’t because books are heavier these days. Rather, experts say that students are expected to carry more and more books in their backpacks. These books are heavy and cause a strain on the students’ backs.

Experts say that the backpack should not weigh more than 10–15% of a student’s body weight. Anything heavier than that can lead to back problems. The problems range from muscle strain to poor back alignment. The number of people being treated for backpack strain has increased. Emergency rooms are noticing a rise in the problem.

Does carrying a backpack that is too heavy really cause a problem? Apparently it does. Some of the signs to watch for are if the student complains of back pain or if he or she walks bent over sideways to adjust for the weight. Another sign to watch for is if they complain of tingling in the arms or hands. To accommodate for the weight, experts recommend that students bring a backpack to school that has wheels. Another recommendation is a backpack with a waist strap. The strap helps to support the waist.

Source: Daily Warm-ups Reading Grade 4

According to the passage, what is NOT a consequence of carrying a heavy backpack?

  • It leads to muscular tension.
  • It causes improper back alignment.
  • It results in a lack of emergency rooms.

According to experts, if a student weighs 30 kilograms, the backpack should NOT weigh ______.

  • 5 kilograms
  • 4 kilograms
  • 3.5 kilograms

Why are the backpacks that students carry heavier these days?

  • Because they are assigned more homework these days.
  • Because they are expected to bring more books to school.
  • Because they prefer to buy backpacks with more accessories.

According to the passage, a student who _____ might be having a problem caused by heavy backpacks.

  • adjusts weight without being in an upright posture
  • cannot feel anything with their hands or arms
  • uses a backpack with wheels and a waist strap

The main purpose of this passage is to _____.

  • provide tips to use backpacks correctly by bringing fewer books
  • give advice on how to reduce muscle and back problems
  • raise awareness of the problems caused by overweight backpacks

Build your vocabulary by learning these intensive phrases/idioms

Steve always manages to ______ me with his racist jokes.

  • cut no ice with
  • knock some sense into
  • get a rise out of
  • make the most of

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word in a bracket. You must use between THREE and FIVE words, including the word given. Do not change the word given.

He was very determined to quit his job even though he was making a lot of money. (BENT)

=> Although he was making a lot of money, he was .

After becoming a successful writer, Jim _____ on all the people he used to know back home.

  • covered his back
  • got off his back
  • turned his back
  • put his back up