The final task you are expected to complete is to write a for and against essay on teens and family

relationships.
Activities A and B will provide you with input for Activity C.
Activity A
1. Explain briefly what the picture shows and what it means. Write about 30 words.
1

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Complete the following text with ten words/expressions from the box. Use each word only once.
2
as if take on the most influential factor the breakdown of cutting off ties
attempts by shif the result of mapping values and beliefs
Parent relationships are not necessarily undermined by peer relationships- During adolescence, teens become
increasingly autonomous and 1)___________________ adult roles. They also develop their own ideas and
start 2)___________________ their own lives. They begin to spend more time with and value their friends
more than they used to. Thus, it might seem 3)___________________ they are starting to reject their
parents’ ideals. In fact, rather than 4)___________________, teens are just renegotiating the parent-child
relationship. As teens become more mature, the type of relationship they have with their parents naturally
begin to 5)___________________.
While it seems that teens are influenced by their peers, parents continue to be 6)___________________
in their lives. Despite fears parents have about their teens rejecting their 7)___________________, parents
continue to be of significant influence. Positive relationships between parents and teens also equip youth
to have healthy relationships with friends. Typically, conflicts are 8)___________________ relationship
negotiation and continuing 9)___________________ parents to socialize their adolescents, and do not
signal 10)____________________ parent-adolescent relations.
9
3. Complete the following sentences. Use your own words.
Healthy friendships provide youth with social support for dealing with some a)________________________ of
adolescence. Many teens report having lived some of the happiest and funniest moments with their peers, likely due
to b)_______________________ as well close relationships. However, peer friendships are dynamic. While teens can
have friendships that are long term, they ofen c)_______________________ one clique to another.
Activity B
Read the text and accomplish the following tasks.

Teens’ friendships and relationships with peers are the most important thing
in their lives. Everyone needs to belong, to feel connected with others. People
choose friends who accept and like them and see them in a favorable light.
While many families help teens in feeling proud and confident of their unique
traits, backgrounds, and abilities, the influence of peers is of critical
importance. Peers are more accepting of their feelings, thoughts, and actions.
They feel both connected and independent as they break away from their parents' images of them and
develop their self-reliance. §1

The ability to develop peer relationships depends on a teen’s self-respect and self- reliance. Peer influence
can mobilize teens’ energy, motivate for success, and encourage them to conform to appropriate behavior.
They often listen to, accept, and understand the frustrations, challenges, and concerns associated with being
a teenager. Teens who feel isolated or rejected by their peers — or in their family — are more likely to
engage in risky behaviors in order to fit in. §2

The need for acceptance and belonging is vital during the teen years. Some teens will risk being grounded,
losing their parents’ trust, just to fit in or feel they have a group of friends they can identify with and who
accept them. Sometimes, teens will change the way they dress, give up their values or create new ones,
depending on the people they hang around with. Being genuinely interested in teens’ activities allows
parents to know their teen's friends and to monitor behavior, which is crucial in keeping teens out of trouble.
In addition, parents should support positive peer relationships as it is very important to encourage
friendships among teens. §3

No matter what kind of peer influence your teen faces, he or she must learn how to balance the value of
going along with the crowd against the importance of making principle-based decisions. Parents who,
together with their children, set firm boundaries and high expectations may find that their children's abilities
to live up to those expectations grow. We all want our children to stay away from persons who will engage
in harmful activities. Once influenced, teens may continue the slide into problems. §4
http://www.focusas.org/
1. Read the text and give it a title. Justify your choice. Write about 30 words.
1
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2. Find evidence in the text for the following statements. 1
2.1. Being with others who share attitudes, interests, and circumstances that resemble their own helps teens
in their search for self-identity.
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2.2. Friends can be positive role models for teens.
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3. Complete the following sentences according to the text. Use your own words as far as possible. 2

3.1. As friends play such an important role in teens’ lives, ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
3.2. If parents raise confident teens, they _____________________________________________________
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4. Reread paragraph 3 and find synonyms/antonyms for the following words/expressions. 1

Given word/expression Synonym Antonym

1. reliance 1. *************************
5. 2
2. feel rejected ************************* 2.
3. standards of behaviour 3. *************************
4. moreover 4 *************************
Rewrite these sentences, using the word(s) in brackets. You cannot change their meaning.

5.1. Teens’ relationships shape their self-esteem. (Teens’ self-esteem)

_____________________________________________________________________________________
5.2. Role models may influence teens’ behaviour. (Teens’ behaviour )
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5.3. Some teens don’t follow bad examples as their parents have a strong relationship with them. (if)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5.4. Kate compared herself with media images and so it affected how she felt about herself. (if)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5.5. Although parents know that friendships foster their children’s social skills, they worry that they may fall
under negative peer pressure. (despite)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5.6. Some teens speak to their parents in a rational and calm voice because they want them to listen to their
message. (so that)
_______________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY C 1
1. In note form, list up five items that should belong to the parents’ guide to surviving the teen years.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Now write a 200-220 word for and against essay on the following topic: 6

It's understandable that teen years are a time of confusion and upheaval for many families.

Choose one of the following topics and write about 100-120 words on it.

1. Adolescence is experienced in many different ways. What’s your opinion about adolescence? Make
a comment on the following sentences, bearing in mind all the problems and joys young people
may have in their teenage years.

2.
“You’re figuring out who you are, what you believe, what you are good at, what your responsibilities are, and what
your place in the world is going to be”.

“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant that I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when
I was 21, I was astonished at how much he has learned in seven years.” (Mark Twain)

3. Many young people are worried about their future. What about you? What would you like to do
when you are older? What job would you like to have? How do you imagine your future life? Write
about your school performance, your interests and preferences, your ambitions, dreams, hopes and
plans for the future.
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Key
Activity A
1. Personal answer
2.
1) take on 2)mapping 3)as if 4) cutting off ties 5) shift 6) the most influential factor 7) values and beliefs
8) the result of 9) attempts by 10) the breakdown of
3.
a) the challenges b) shared interests c)move from
Activity B
1. Personal answer
2. B.
2.1. “Peers are more accepting of their feelings, thoughts, and actions. They feel both connected and
independent as they break away from their parents' images of them and develop their self-reliance.”
2.2. “…peer influence can mobilize teens’ energy, motivate for success, and encourage them to conform to
appropriate behavior. ”
3. 1. they may display a negative behaviour while trying to imitate them.
2. will be better equipped to react to peer pressure.
4.
1. trust 2. fit in 3. values 4. In addition
5. 5.1. Teens’ self-esteem is shaped by their relationships
5.2. Teens’ behaviour may be influenced by role models.
5.2. Their kids had been instituted a lot of rules.
5.3. Some teens would follow bad examples if their parents didn’t have a strong relationship with them.
5.4. If Kate hadn’t compared herself with media images, it wouldn’t have affected how she felt about
herself.
5.5. Despite knowing that friendships foster their children’s social skills, parents worry that they may fall
under negative peer pressure.
5.6. Some teens speak to their parents in a rational and calm voice so that they may listen to their message.

ACTIVITY C
1. 1. Spend time together/ Share challenging experiences
2. make them thought-provoking, open-ended questions about life and decisions
3. Listen more /Stop lecturing
4. Establish boundaries
5. Understand how important their friends are to them