Teenagers are more likely to become victims of violent

crime than older people. And they are victims of other teens.
Violence in media encourages bullying. The more violence a
young person consumes on television, or in movies or video
games, the more violent he can become.
Youth violence includes a range of activities such as bullying, threatening remarks,
physical fights, assaults with or without weapons, gang violence, and suicide. Many teens
continue to harm others. But there are also those teens that harm themselves. Suicide is the third
leading cause of death among teenagers. Many young people develop depression symptoms after
suffer from bullying attacks. The term used to describe this type of teen suicide is “bullycide”, a
suicide caused from the effects of bullying.
Brandon Swartwood was one of many bullies’ victims. He developed Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression after being harassed, tormented,
isolated, assaulted and brutally beaten in school. On December 5, 2000, Brandon
put a loaded gun to his head, pulled the trigger and ended with his pain.
In the recent years, many schools boards create anti-bullying programs
which include training for teachers and students. The programs usually include manuals with
helpful advice and some form of meditation to resolve disputes. Other different approach is
photojournalism as way of diverting kids who are having troubles in school. The program raises
the self-esteem of teens.
Vocabulary
Find the meanings or the synonymous of the following words:
inclined to (1st paragraph) ________________
bad or unacceptable behaviour (1st paragraph) _______________
incites (1st paragraph) ________________
a variety of (2nd paragraph) _______________
hurt (2nd paragraph) ______________
hit (3rd paragraph) ____________
suffering (3rd paragraph) _____________

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conflicts (4th paragraph) _______________

Who/ What do the following words refer to?

They __________________________________________________________________________________
He ____________________________________________________________________________________
Others ________________________________________________________________________________
He ____________________________________________________________________________________
Which ________________________________________________________________________________
Who _________________________________________________________________________________

Find evidence in the text for the following sentences:

1. The exposure to media violence may incite bullying.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Schools created measures to stop the increase of bullying.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Answer the following questions:

1. Who are the main victims of violent crime?
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Can a teenager be influenced by violent media programs? Explain.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Is suicide one of the biggest causes of death in the USA?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is “bullycide”?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why did Brandon Swartwood die?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. What measures have been taken to stop bullying in schools?

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_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Explain by your own words:
“Many teens continue to harm others.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Write the following sentences in the passive voice:

1. Violence in media encourages bullying.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. The little boy suffered violent attacks last week.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Last year they published ten books about bullying.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Write the following sentences in the Active Voice:

1. Some measures have been taken by schools to stop bullying.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. A suicide note was left by Brandon to his mother.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Put the following sentences in the conditional form:

1. Brandon killed himself because he suffered bullying attacks.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. A teen become violent because he watches many violent programs.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Governments create measures to stop violent attacks at schools.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Many teens develop depressions because they are harassed and tormented by other teens.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Put the following sentences in the reported speech:

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 1. “All these years I watched my son die a slow and painful death.”
Brandon’s mother said _______________________________________________________________
2. 'When will bullying attacks be stop?'
He asked ___________________________________________________________________________
3. “How much are you planning to spend on advertising announces against violence?”
They asked _________________________________________________________________________
3. “Why has it taken so long to develop measures against violence in schools?
She asked __________________________________________________________________________
4. "Jill wants to sing in honour of the bullying victims next week."
Peter told ___________________________________________________________________________
5. “My little boy suffered violent attacks last week.”
Brandon’s mother said________________________________________________________________
6. “All the students have regretted Brandon’s death.”
The principal said ___________________________________________________________________

Rewrite the sentences using although, in spite of, or despite.

1. Brandon’s mother efforts weren’t enough to safe her son from death.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Brandon left a suicide note to his mother but she didn’t accept his death.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Complete the table:

Infinitive Simple Past Past Participle
go
broke
taken
speak
write
said
watch