The best years of your
life, so everybody says…. But are they ?
Some of the problems young
people have at home are caused by sheer lack of dialogue--- children don’t
talk, parents
don’t talk and conflicts explode when you least expect them…
Clothes seem to be one of
the causes of these quarrels. Either you want to buy too expensive ones, or you
look like a tramp - parents want you to dress smartly and very rarely
appreciate your style.
Some other times it’s more
your behaviour that upsets your parents.
In Britain today, more and
more young people want to be independent and leave home between the ages of 16
and 20. Some are students; others run away to escape from their homes which are
overcrowded and unhappy. They go in search of work or of a more exciting life.
We asked Phil
Tillinghurst (17 years old) to examine his life, the good and the bad
things about being his age.
PHIL: “ I don’t know
whether this is the best time of my life because I still have got the rest of
it to go, but so far it’s been good. Having said that, it’s also one of the
most difficult times because you already have to take important decisions about
what you are going to do, what subjects you want to specialise in, what degree
you are going to get, what career…That’s why this is the time for trying out
the different things that you think you may like, so that you can find out what
you are best at for the future. So you should try all sorts of sports, hobbies
and activities and see what really fits in with you.
You also have the chance
of being almost an adult but still getting away with being young. Your parents
don’t treat you like a child, they trust you more…I know that parents are only
concerned about what’s happening to you, but sometimes they really worry too
much… I get on OK with my parents. A lot of people think that boys have more
freedom than girls, but in fact I know some girls that have more freedom than I
do. But I have no major problems, though money is always a problem. Everyone is
always running out of money these days, but that’s about it.
I have many Portuguese
friends and their parents are stricter than mine. They have to be back at a
certain time and there’s no “ but…” about it.” (…)
Comprehension:
1-Are
these statements TRUE or FALSE ?
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Not
mentioned
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True
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False
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1-if
parents and teenagers talked to each other, they would have more conflicts.
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2-teenagers
only fight because of clothes.
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3-the
majority of the young people want to buy brand clothes.
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4-teenagers
refuse to eat unless they can watch TV .
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5-Young
people never leave home without their parents’ permission.
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6-
Phil says that young people should only stay at home when they can’t find
anywhere to live
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7-Although
Phil and his parents have a row from time to time, they get on OK.
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8-Nowadays
it’s quite common for girls to have more freedom than boys.
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9-Phil
gets an allowance but he can never buy all the things he wants.
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10-Portuguese
parents are more authoritative than his parents.
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2-
Fill in this table in NOTE-FORM :
Frequent
causes for
quarrels between teens and their parents
|
Teens have to take
important decisions about
|
Frequent
problems teens
complain about
|
1.
2.
3.
|
1.
2.
3.
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1.
2.
3.
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3 - Find
equivalents of these phrases ( lines 2 to 9 ) :
1- happen
= …………………………………………………….
2- rows =
………………………………………
3- neat
and formal = …………………………………………..
4- annoys
= ………………………………………..
5-
miserable = ………………………………………………………
4 - Find
equivalents of these phrases ( lines 12 to 27 ) :
1- up
until now = ………………………………………….….
2-
testing and using = …………………………………………
3-
opportunity = ………………………………………………
4-
worried = …………………………………………………..
5-
more severe = …………………………………………….
5 - Find
antonyms of these between lines 2 and 9 :
1- are
solved = ………………………………………….….
2-
consequences = …………………………………………
3- a
good-looking person = …………………………………
4- casual
= …………………………………………………..
5- calmer
= …………………………………………………
6- Find
antonyms of these between lines 12 and 25 :
1- worst =
…………………………………………………….
2-isn’t
suitable for you = ………………………………………
3-are
suspicious of = …………………………………………..
4-don’t
care enough = ………………………………………..
5-less = ………………………………………………………
7 - Complete
according to what you have just read ,but in your own words:
1-Being a
teenager is sometimes difficult because ………………………………………………..
2-Phil
thinks that some parents …………………………………………………………………..
8 - Answer
these questions now in your own words:
1-Why do
so many teenagers have problems with their parents?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
2- Take
this situation :
You are going to visit some friends of your parents.
You want to wear your old but comfortable T-shirt, loose jeans and a pair of
oversized
Adidas .
Your mother tells you to change and dress smartly.
How would
you handle a situation like this: refuse to change , stay home instead, throw
a tantrum, obey mum, or….what ?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
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