An Activity
sent by Paco Acuña
Text adapted Adapted from NEWSWEEK
TEENAGE MENACE
Teenage
drivers are dying. They are also killing others on the road. In the USA and
all over the Western World, the lives of young people are coming to an end in
a crush of twisted metal and broken glass. In some countries, motor-vehicle
accidents are the major cause of death in young
people. In the past decade, for example, more American teenagers have died in
traffic accidents than from diseases combined. Although teenagers make up 6%
of all drivers, they are involved in over 14% of all fatal accidents.
International experts have many theories about how to explain the phenomenon.
One is that teenagers are likely to take more risks than adults. And this, coupled
with their childlike belief that "it will never happen to me", often
results in disaster for the young person on the road. A second theory relates
to experience. Good driving comes from experience; an adult is more likely to
recognise danger sooner than a teenager. Finally, one of the most serious aspects
of the problem of the teenage driver is drinking and driving. A great part of
the senseless killing of America's
youth is caused by the deadly mixture of alcohol and driving.
COMPREHENSION
1. Why are so many countries interested in young drivers ?
2. Why do you think teenage drivers usually consider "it will never happen to me" ?
3. What is senseless in the mixture of alcohol and driving ?
VOCABULARY
4. A) Explain
the meaning of childlike (line 13).
B) Find a word in the text for the following definition:
" person having a special skill or practice"
5. Match
each word with a synonym in the text:
ENDANGER; DEADLY; PROBABLY
Match each word with an antonym in the text:
DOMESTIC; TRIVIAL
GRAMMAR
6. Write
sentences similar in meaning with the words given:
A) It's not necessary for you to be here early.
You don't ...
B) Someone has to clean the windows.
The windows ...
COMPOSITION
7. Write about one of the theories as to why young drivers are involved in so many road accidents. Give your own opinion. Use about 100 words.
Webmaster Isabel Pérez Torres
