.Reading.

Read the following texts about teenagers and relationships and answer the
5questions. 2 points. +0.5 bonus if all are answered correctly.

Teenagers in a relationship are 'more likely to be depressed and drink than their single
friends'
 Study found many young couples had issues with their mental wellbeing
 10 16-year-olds in relationship more likely to be depressed than older couples
 Emotional strains of relationships linked to withdrawal and aggression

Most people will remember their first love as an emotional rollercoaster - and now
scientists say it's with good reason.

15Teenagers in love are more prone to psychological problems like depression and alcohol
abuse than those who avoid romance, a study has found.

Adolescents in relationships had more mental well-being issues than their single
counterparts and those who were a few years older and in a relationship.

The emotional strains of a relationship at a young age have been linked to social
20withdrawal and aggression, scientists claim.

But more important than age was the quality of the relationship, researchers at the
University of Denver found.  

They followed 200 teenagers, aged 16, for nine years to assess whether adolescent
romances were equally risky and if all young adult romantic relationships were equally
25protective.    

Participants were asked to complete questionnaires about their romantic relationships and
if they were ever anxious, depressed or felt socially withdrawn.

They were also quizzed on their drug and alcohol use and their overall satisfaction with
their relationship.

30Researchers examined the support mechanisms in place in the relationship - such as

Lead author Charlene Collibee said: 'We found relationships that were more supportive
and satisfying, and those that had fewer negative interactions were associated with better
psychosocial adjustment, above and beyond the effects of simply being in a relationship.'

35The study looked at how the quality of romantic relationships and mental health changed
as the youngsters grew into adulthood. 

Professor Wyndol Furman, co-author of the study published in Child Development, said
the findings showed that the quality of the relationship was key.
 'Our findings highlight the importance of romantic characteristics across development and
40tell us we should be concerned not just with whether an adolescent or young adult has a
romantic relationship but also with the quality of that relationship,' he said. 

'They also suggest promoting high-quality romantic relationships in adolescence - and

45He said adolescents and young adults should be encouraged to look at whether they are in
supportive and satisfying relationships because of the important impact it had on their
health and well-being. 

Article by Kate Pickles, published on The Daily Mail. 18 August 2015

50 Teens dealing with jealous boyfriends –Thebump.com

When first dating, teens are only beginning to understand what entails a healthy
relationship, so it's all too easy for your daughter to get caught up with a boyfriend who
is jealous and controlling. If you notice her relationship often revolves around
55explaining her actions, apologizing for spending time with others or trying to soothe her
boyfriend's feelings, talk to her about what constitutes a healthy relationship. While it
might seem benign, jealousy can lead to riskier behavior.

Relationship Inexperience
60Teen relationships are usually immature because your teen -- and her beau -- are only
just beginning to learn how to maintain a healthy relationship. Your teen's boyfriend
might not yet understand how to deal with feelings of jealousy, warns the National
Institute of Justice. This can lead to overreaction and isolation. What's more, he might
have peers who gossip or pressure him into feeling jealous -- even if he's not a jealous
65person by nature. The result becomes an atmosphere that is controlling and apologetic,
rather than healthy and mutually beneficial.
Risky Behavior
What might seem cute as first -- "Aw, he was jealous when he saw me with another
boy!" -- can quickly evolve into something that is restrictive for your teen. It might
70come with comments such as "Billy doesn't like it when I talk to my best friend." That
jealousy can also evolve into more risky behavior, including violence. A 2005 study at
Pennsylvania State University found that feelings of jealousy were also linked to
aggression and low self-esteem, and a deep need to protect relationships. What started
as cute puppy love could become a dangerous relationship for your teen.
75Talking to Your Teen

Your teen probably already knows that her jealous boyfriend is getting out of control,
but she still might be defensive when you try to broach the subject. Be respectful and
sensitive as you let her know what you like about her boyfriend, but also voice your
concerns with specific examples. Try, "I really like Billy and he seems nice, but I've
80noticed that you spend much less time with your other friends. I'd hate for your
 relationship to affect your friendships." This can help your teen think about what
pandering to her jealous boyfriend is really costing her.
Healthy Relationhips
Talk to your teen about what constitutes a healthy relationship, even in her early teen
85years. She can then evaluate her current relationship and decide if it's something she
wants to continue. A healthy relationship is built upon a high degree or mutual trust and
respect. When someone is jealous, it a sign he doesn't trust his partner. Relationships
should never be isolating or make you feel as though you need to apologize for your
normal behavior. KidsHealth.org points out that it OK to feel a little jealous -- jealousy
90is natural. But jealousy so extreme that it changes the way your teen feels about herself
or changes her behavior could be the sign of a serious problem.

Useful vocabulary:

--strains (lin 20): pressure on somebody

95--withdrawn (lin 28): very shy, quiet

--foster (lin 44): encourage, motivate

--beau (lin 60): a woman’s lover

--apologetic (lin 65): feeling or showing that you are sorry for doing something wrong
or for causing a problem

100--evolve (lin 69): change gradually

--broach (lin 76): discuss a difficult, embarrassing topic

6.1.True, false or doesn’t say? Answer the questions underlining the evidence in
the text with the statement’s right number. 0.25 each.

1. The chance to have a relationship by the time one’s a teen, no matter how good
105 or bad it can be, will have always positive effects on the teen’s future maturity
and mental health:
2. Those teenagers that try not to get involved in relationships are more likely to
end up into alcohol or have more mental issues that those who don’t avoid them,
since they might feel sadder and more depressed:
110 3. Jealousy is always a positive sign, since it proves your partner loves you:
4. Pennsylvania State University’s study shows that teenagers involved in
unhealthy relationships are more likely to suffer from poor levels of mental
health and alcohol addiction when they become adults:
5. Parents had better not deal the issue of jealous, possessive boyfriends with their
115 daughters in a very direct way:
 6.2. Find a synonym in the text for the following words. 0.2 each.

--likely to suffer from something or to do something bad (lin 15-30)

120--questioned, asked for information (lin 15-30)

-- information that is discovered as the result of research into something (lin 35-50)

-- make somebody who is anxious, upset, etc. feel calmer (lin 50-65):

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140
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155

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