Task 5. Writing about differences.

1. Study the four different sentence structures that the writer of this text used to write about the differences between the peer group and other socializing agents:

1 X is different from Y (in _____ )

However, the peer group is very different from the family and the school. (par. 1)

2 Whereas X does ______________, Y does ______________

Whereas parents and teachers have more power than children and students, the peer group is made up of equals. (par. 1)

3 There is a difference between X and Y

There may be a considerable difference between these interests, behaviors, and values and those of their parents and teachers. (par. 3)

4 X differ(s) from Y (in ____ )

Adolescent peer groups frequently differ from parents and teachers in what they value. (par. 4)

2. Read the paragraph below that describes one difference between adolescents and adults. Find examples of the four sentence structures in the paragraph and circle them.

Adolescents and adults are different in many ways. Teenagers differ from adults, for example, in the way they handle finances. Teenagers are likely to spend all their money as soon as they receive it, whereas most adults try to save some of their money for future expenses. There is also a difference in what adults and adolescents spend their money on. Young people tend to spend their money on the things they want - music, movies, going out - whereas older people are more likely to spend it on the things they need - clothes, food, housing.

3. Write a paragraph describing another area of difference between adolescents and adults (for example, clothes, friendships, interests). Use the sentence patterns above and vary the way you refer to the two groups.

Task 6. Complete the dialogue between two parents using the vocabulary from the text. More than one answer can be correct.

- Good morning, Mrs. Williams. How are you doing?

- Morning, Mrs. James. Fine, thanks. Can I ask you a question?

- Sure, go ahead.

- You know, my son Derek, who’s a close friend of your son Dave, has become deeply (1)______________ his peer group. And he tends to (2)______________ their values, like ignoring (3)______________, (4)______________ authorities and adults and making fun of (5) ______________. I’m afraid one day I’ll know that he’s broken (6) ______________.

- Yes, it’s true that (7)______________ frequently differ from parents in what they value. But we must remember that a peer group teaches not only negative but also (8)______________, such as (9)______________ skills (how to get along with other people), the values of (10)______________ among equals and being independent from (11)______________. We must be aware of the fact that there may be a considerable difference between (12)______________ of a peer group and those of their parents and teachers. However, this period ends when they grow into (13)______________. It’s then when their involvement with peers (14)______________. So, no worries. Sooner or later, Derek will begin to adopt (15)______________. Meanwhile, be patient and ever ready to give advice on (16)______________ he might seek from you.

- Oh, thank you so much, Mrs. James. I’m much relieved to hear it.

 

Task 7. Paraphrase the underlined vocabulary units in the text in the written form. Make up 5 fresh-context sentences with the word combinations you like most.

 

Task 8. Write a summary of the text “Peer Group Pressure”.

 

 

9   LISTENING

RESPONDING TO GROUP PRESSURE

Task 1. Read the questions about "group pressure" situations below. In small groups, discuss what you would do in these situations.

1. You have been invited to the wedding of a family member you don't like. Everyone else in your family is going. Would you go to the wedding?
2. Your friends are planning to see a popular movie this weekend and have asked you to go with them. You have read reviews that say it is a really bad movie. Would you go with your friends anyway?
3. All your friends have started to wear a new style of shoes. When you first see the shoes, you think they look ugly. Would you consider buying them anyway?

4. Your parents have been invited to their friend's house in the country for the weekend. They want you to go with them. You are in college and need to study. Would you go away with your parents for the weekend?

 

Task 2. Listen to two college students - Rebecca and Jim. What do they say they would do in these situations? Take notes about their answers. Discuss whether any of Rebecca's or Jim's reasons for their answers surprise you.

Situation	Rebecca's response	Jim's response
1 Going to a relative's wedding
2 Going to a movie
3 Buying new shoes
4 Going away for the weekend

9   LISTENING

FAMILY vs. PEERS

In this section you will hear three Americans discuss one type of group pressure - peer pressure - among young people. You will hear Henry's perspective as the father of two boys. Then you will hear two young people, Victor and Samira, talk about the influence of their peers.

 

Task 1. Henry is an American father of two teenage boys. Read the behaviours in the chart. Decide which ones you think he would let his sons do.

	Would let them do it	Would not let them do it
1 Wear baggy pants 2 Dye their hair 3 Talk on the phone for a long time 4 Smoke cigarettes 5 Take drugs 6 Drink alcohol 7 Play video games	      	      

 

Task 2. Work in a small group. Make a chart like the one below. Fill in the chart with activities that your own parents or caregivers allowed or did not allow you to do.

Discuss the reasons you were or were not allowed to do them.

Name of group member	Activities that were allowed	Activities that were not allowed