Question

Say you’re sitting around with some friends playing video games and someone mentions a game that happens to be one of your favorites. “Oh, that game’s easy. So not worth the time,” one of your friends says.The others agree. Although you enjoy the game quite a lot, not wanting to argue with them, you go along with the crowd.

You have just experienced what is commonly referred to as peer pressure（同伴压力）, also called peer influence. You will adopt a certain type of behavior, dress, or attitude in order to be accepted as part of a group of your “peers”. As a teen, you are likely to have experienced the effect of peer pressure in a number of different areas.

We are all influenced by our peers at any age. For teens, as school and other activities take you away from home, you may spend more time with your friends than with your family. As you become more independent, your peers naturally play a greater role in your life.

According to Dr. Casey from Cornell University, teens are very quick and accurate in making decisions on their own and in situations where they have time to think. However, when they make decisions in the heat of the moment or in social situations, their decisions are often influenced by factors like peers. In a recent study, teen volunteers played a video driving game, either alone or with friends watching. The researchers discovered that the number of risks teens took more than doubled when their friends were watching, compared with when they played alone. This shows that teens may find it more difficult to control risky behavior when their friends are around, or in situations where they are extremely angry. Just as people can influence us to make unwise choices, they can also influence us to make good ones. A teen might join in a volunteer project because his or her friends are doing it, or get good grades because his or her friends think getting good grades is important. In fact, friends often encourage each other to study, or try out for sports.

While we are always influenced by those around us, the decision to act or not is up to us. So when it comes to decision making, the choice is up to you.

1.According to the passage, Dr. Casey probably agrees that teens ____________.

A.like to play driving games with their friends

B.prefer situations where they have time to think

C.may take more risks when their friends are around

D.are slow in making decisions when they are on their own

2.The words “in the heat of the moment” in Paragraph 4 probably mean “_________”.

A.when teens avoid possible risks B.when teens trust their judgment

C.when teens lose control over their anger D.when teens give consideration to situations

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A.Teens are eager to be different from their peers.

B.Peer pressure has effects on both teens and adults.

C.Peer pressure does more harm than good to teens.

D.Tees think it challenging to get good grades at school.

4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A.Peer Pressure: Is It Necessary to Deal with It?

B.Peer Pressure: Is It Possible to Get Away from It?

C.Peer Pressure: Its Benefits to Teens and Friend Making

D.Peer Pressure: Its Influence on Teens and Decision Making

Answer 1