The Teen’s World

The end task you are expected to do is to write a short interesting (creative?!) text about a
topic related to adolescence. Activities A and B will provide with input for Activity C.

Activity A
1. Read the following vocabulary attentively and group the words into four groups of related
meaning (use each word only once).

kid adolescence child puberty juvenile adult teenager children

adulthood youth childhood adolescent teen preadolescent changes grown-up

2. Read the following definition of adolescence and fill in the blanks with some words from the
box in the previous exercise.

Adolescence (Latin adolescentia, from adolescere, to grow up) is a transitional stage of human
development that generally occurs between …………………………….. and …………………………….. This
transition involves biological, social and psychological …………………………….. , though the
biological or psychological ones are the easiest to measure objectively.
The ages of …………………………….. vary by culture. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines
adolescence as the period between 10 and 19 years of age. In contrast, in the United States,
adolescence is generally considered to begin somewhere between the ages of 12 and 14, and
end at 19 or 20. As distinct from the varied interpretations of who is considered an
……………………………..is more easily defined: it describes a person who is 13 to 19 years of age.
www.wikipedia.com (abridged and adapted)

3. Think about the main changes that characterise teenage years and complete the following
mind-map.

……………………………………..
……………………………………..
Teenage Years
……..……………………………………..
…………………………………………..
Changes
………………………………………
………………………………………

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Activity B

1. Read the text 1 to 5 carefully and fill in the following chart.

Text type People involved Major topic(s)

Text 1
Text 2
Text 3
Text 4
Text 5

2. Choose the best option according to the texts.

“Let’s talk about it” – How are they towards “Let’s talk about it” – The topic depicted in
each other? the text is:
a. hostile a. not realistic
b. friendly b. very strange
c. caring c. a current one
d. loving but resentful d. a bit outdated

The coolest kid in class: Being an example of Urban Tribes:

a. very often makes a fool of himself. a. Punks show social concerns.
b. is always also the most irresponsible one. b. Punks’ ideals are mostly British.
c. does not resist to peer pressure. c. Punks are not very much related to music.
d. has more power to influence others. d. Punks’ looks are dark and heavy.

Text 1 Text 4
Being a volunteer helped me bridge the gap Let’s Talk About It
between being a child, with no responsibilities by Ulrich Schaffer
and being an adult, which is really what
adolescence is about: maturity.
I know
Text 2 That you think
“Come on! All of us are cutting
Maths. Who wants to go take that You know
quiz? We’re going to take a walk What’s good for me
and get lunch instead! Let’s go!”
But
Says the coolest kid in class.
I also think
Text 3 That I know
Urban Tribes: Punks What is good for me
This movement was created in Great Britain
I know
in the 70s by the band Sex Pistols. Their
songs conveyed political and anti-social You mean well
messages. The members belonging to this For myself,
movement can be recognised by their spiky And in the end
hair, black clothes, chains, piercings and dark
I have to live my life
make-up.

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Can we talk about it

And come up with something better
Than either your or my opinion?

Text 5
Body Piercing
Body piercing has become very popular and trendy. It varies greatly with multiple hoops up,
around, and inside the ear, or studs and rings sticking out of the tongue, eyebrow, nostril, belly
button and lips.
While parents shout “Yuck” or “Gross” and teachers ask “Why?”, teens continue to gravitate
toward body piercing. If you’re like many teens who have thought about piercing, you
probably see it as a personal fashion statement, a form of body art, and a chance to establish
your individuality.
Piercings may be considered cool, but there are things you need to know before you get it
done. Piercings are susceptible to infection during the healing period. It is extremely important
to take care of your new piercing in order to promote healing and prevent infection. So, do not
forget: before you decide, make sure you are well informed about it.
www.coolnurse.com/piercing.htm (abridged and adapted)

3. PUNKS and Body Piercing:

3.1. Complete the sentences using your own words as far as possible.
a) You can have piercings …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) Before having a piercing done ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

3.2. Explain the meaning of the following sentences (text 5; paragraph 2).
a) “Yuck” or “Gross”……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) “Why?”…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3.3. Find synonymous for the following words/ sentences (text 5).
Fashionable ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Something to be wanted/ admired ……………………………………………………………………………………………
Help …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

4. What text did you like the most? Why?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Activity C
1. Match the phrases below so as to have complete sentences.
1. Going through teenage years a. important for teens.
2. As time goes by, teenagers b. go after happiness.
3. Teenagers sometimes feel the need to c. go away from home.
4. Teenagers often wonder about d. school has been going down.
5. My parents say I should e. what’s going on in their lives.
6. Dress codes are f. teenagers will go on.
7. Teenagers normally go along with g. is not easy!
8. Misunderstandings between parents and h. go ahead with my plans.
9. As a teenager I decided to i. everything their peers decided.
10. He’s not to be trusted: j. don’t go by his advice.
11. The rate of teenagers giving up k. become more confident.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

2. Write two sentences of your own beginning as suggested.

If teenagers………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
If parents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Tattoos and piercings are a form of art… Are they? – Imagine you want to have one of these
“cool ways to express your individuality”. What would your parents say? How would they
react? – Well just tell the story!
Activities A and B may help you in this end task. Write between 100-120 words.

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