Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

It�s not easy being a teenager� nor is it easy being the parent of a teenager. You can make your child feel angry, hurt, or misunderstood by what you say without realizing it yourself. It is important to give your child the space he needs to grow while gently letting him know that you�ll still be there for him when he needs you.
Expect a lot from your child, just not everything. Except for health and safety problems, such as drug use or careless driving, consider everything else open to discussion. If your child is unwilling to discuss something, don�t insist he tell you what�s on his mind. The more you insist, the more likely that he�ll clam up. Instead, let him attempt to solve things by himself. At the same time, remind him that you�re always there for his should he seek advice or help. Show respect for your teenager�s privacy . Never read his mail or listen in on personal conversations.
Teach your teenager that the family phone is for the whole family. If your child talks on the family�s telephone for too long, tell him he can talk for 15 minutes, but then he must stay off the phone for at least an equal period of time. This not only frees up the line so that other family members can make and receive calls, but teaches your teenager moderation . Or if you are open to the idea, allow your teenager his own phone that he pays for with his own pocket money or a part-time job.

68. The main purpose of the text is to tell parents ______.
A. how to get along with a teenager B. how to respect a teenager
C. how to understand a teenager D. how to help a teenager grow up

Which one is the best answer? WHY?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

I would say that D. (How to help a teenager grow up) is the best answer. I was also considering "how to respect a teenager", which is also possible.
However, teenage years are the years in which we change from childhood to adulthood. Greater expectations are put upon us and we are learning how to live in an adult society and to show consideration for other people. In addition, we have to learn how to make a living and to make difficult decisions ourselves. If we want something as an adult, we have to work for it.

[jasonlulu_2000]

What about answer A?

Thanks

[redset]

Some of the advice relates to getting on with a teenager, but the focus is really on helping him or her to deal with growing up, and on being a responsible and considerate parent. Sometimes you have to impose rules (like with the family telephone) or encourage personal responsibility (get a job!) which could result in an upset teenager and a house full of tension. 'Getting along' would involve avoiding this kind of conflict, but it's often necessary. The parent's priority, according to the article, is to help their child become a balanced and responsible adult.

The thing about this kind of question is that often all of the answers apply in some way - none of the answers are obviously wrong, and some (like B) actually make up a large part of the article. Once you've eliminated any of the obviously incorrect answers, you should work out what each of the remaining answers means and what would contradict it, and then see which works best in describing the article overall.

[jasonlulu_2000]

Thank you