Youth Takes More Risks

It is said that the most beautiful period of our life is when we are teenagers.

It seems that teens have no problems, as they don't work, take care of their families or have any other responsibilities. But this is not true. They have many problems in fact, because the teens take more risks. You can see that our young people are more similar to people abroad in many aspects of life.

A turning point is an event which changes your life and attitude. There are several such turning points in the life of an average person that are worthy of mention.

Smoking is one of the most common addictions that for years have been socially acceptable. There are passive and active smokers. People who don't smoke but are forced to be in the company of smokers are passive smokers and are even in a worse situation. The smoke from other people's cigarettes influences their health more negatively than that of active smokers. But some teens think that they look more mature when holding a cigarette.

Drug addiction is another problem of the twenty-first century. They try once or twice a cigarette with a narcotic inside, then they change to injection, and day by day they become totally dependent on this deadly habit. The young people look for some supernatural experiences; they hope to find a sense of life and pleasure and happiness in taking drugs, and they don't even notice how quickly they fall into addiction.

But youth embodies the future of society, and our generation tries its best to improve life on our planet. So we should have our own opinion in such situations and not to be smoke and drug addicts.

risk — риск

similar — одинаковый

abroad — заграница

a turning point — поворотный

рубеж, решающий фактор

average — средний

worthy of mention — стоящий

упоминания

day by day —день за днем

totally dependent — полностью

зависимый

to look for — искать

smoking — курение

acceptable — приемлемый

addiction — пагуб­ная привычка

to influence — влиять

mature — зрелый

drug — наркотик

injection — укол, инъекция

deadly habit — смертельная привычка sense — чувство

to embody — воплощать

to improve — улучшать

Vocabulary

Questions

1. What problems do you have? 2. Who helps you to cope with your problems? 3. Why is taking drugs a very serious problem? 4. What is one of the common addictions of the century? 5. Why are all these problems very serious?

Russian and American Teens

It is widely known fact that America and Russia are different countries with different cultures, and therefore can be compared.

The first thing to be discussed is the family. The number of children in a family is discussed. There are certain advantages and disadvantages of being an only child. The advantages are: an only child has his or her own room, doesn't have to share things, he or she is always the centre of attention. The disadvantage is that аn only child is spoilt and lonely.

In America the idea of responsibility is very popular. Children have to do chores around the house, such as washing up, shopping, mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage. But some Russian parents find it cruel to have their children work.

Another strong American value is independence.

There are certain differences in school life in America and in Russia. In America you can choose your own classes. But in America students don't have as much homework as in Russia. So, American schools differ from Russian schools in student choices and amount of homework.

American students like hanging out with their friends. They do sports in their free time. Most American students combine doing homework and relaxing.

Another distinctive feature of Americans is that most American high school students have a job, usually a part-time job. Thus they gain experience and make some money. More American students work. Some jobs of American students are: delivering newspapers, baby-sitting, working as a camp counsellor, or in a cafe, etc. Maybe this is what makes them so independent from their parents at such a young age. It isn't always easy to keep a job and still do well in school. But American children learn early that you have to work hard to win. Winning is a part of the American way of life.

Extracurricular activities are basketball, football, baseball, track and field, sometimes chess, drama, riding, music, etc.

Then in American schools there are classes on religion. About 40% of Americans go to church every week.

Most American children are full of energy and confidence, ready to go out and make their own way in the world.

A serious problem is taking drugs, but the truth is that fewer and fewer young Americans are trying them.