Having a teenager at home can be a real headache. Many teenagers smoke, drink and even fight. They often do something dangerous.
Earlier studies have shown that teenagers are more likely (可能) to make irrational decisions than people from any other age group, including children and adults. Is it that teenagers are too young to tell right from wrong? Not really. So what’s the reason?
According to Laurence, a teacher from a US university, the reason is that teenagers care a lot about how their peers (同龄人) view them—that is “peer influence”.
As children enter their teenage years, they spend more time with their friends and classmates, and also they care more about what they think of them. This makes teenagers make decisions without thinking about the costs.
In a test, a group of teenagers were asked to play a video driving game. When they played with their friends watching around them, they took more chances and drove more carelessly because that would increase their possibility of winning. But when they played alone, they drove more safely.
Why do peers have such a big influence on teens’ behavior?
As Laurence sees it, a teenager’s brain is like a car with a good accelerator (油门) but a weak brake (刹车). The “accelerator” is fully developed by teenage years while the “brake” is still not fully developed. When teenagers are watched by their peers, they usually push hard on the accelerator. With their weak brake, it is likely that they are going to end up in an accident.
But the good news is that a violent (暴力的)teenager doesn’t necessarily become a violent adult. About two-thirds to three-quarters of violent youth grow out of it. “They get more self-controlled.”
1. What does the underlined word “irrational” in the 2nd paragraph mean?
A. Quick. B. Crazy. C. Careful.
2. Why are teenagers likely to make wrong decisions according to the text?
A. They like difficult tasks.
B. They don’t care about costs.
C. They care a lot about what their peers think of them.
3. How does Laurence explain the influence of peer pressure on teens’ behavior?
A. By comparing it with how a car works.
B. By comparing it with an accident.
C. By showing research findings.
4. What can we learn from the text?
A. Teenagers are easy to have traffic accidents.
B. Peer influence is bad on teenagers.
C. Most of the teenagers become less violent when they grow up.
1B 2C 3A 4C
‘USA? Britain? Which country is better to study in?’ We often hear such discussions. As China opens its door, it is a dream for many Chinese students to study abroad. They want to learn about the outside world.
It’s true that studying abroad can help students develop themselves. Their foreign language skills will be improved and it may be easier to find jobs.
But there are problems that should be considered. Language is the first. Students must spend a lot of time learning another language.
Students must also learn to live without parents’ care and deal with all kinds of things they haven’t had to do before, like looking after themselves. There are reports about Chinese students abroad running into an ocean of difficulties and giving up finally. When they have to take care of themselves, it is hard for students to study well.
Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden（负担）to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad is very high. But is it worth it?
We know that there are many famous people who have achieved success through their hard work in China. Liu Xiang is a good example. Once an American teacher invited him there, but he refused. He kept training hard with his Chinese teacher. He surprised the world when he won a gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games. So when you wonder which country is better to study in, think again.
| Title: Studying at 56 or abroad | |
| Phenomenon（现象） | Studying abroad has become a 57 for Chinese students. |
| Advantages | ◆ It is helpful to the future 58 of Chinese students. |
| ◆ It helps to 59 foreign language skills. | |
| ◆ It enables Chinese students to find jobs more 60 . | |
| 61 | ◆ It 62 Chinese students too much time to learn a fo language. |
| ◆ It’s hard for Chinese students to get used to the life abroad 63 parents’ care. | |
| ◆ Parents may be under pressure（压力）because the cost of studying abroad is very 64 . | |
| Purpose: To tell us studying abroad is not the only way to be 65 by describing Liu Xiang’s example. | |
Choose one you’ve never played before. If you find you like it, you’ll have a hobby for life.
40. Which of the following statements is True according to the passage?
ked at them. “This is your last chance,” he said. “Does anyone else want to leave?” All the students there stayed in their seats and took out their pencils.
ir seats B. students leaving the classroom
ethods. If the teacher is called “killer” by the last grade, many students will give up choosing him. Because this kind of teacher will leave too much homework, too many exams and give too low grades.