Teenage Brains are Malleable and Vulnerable, Researchers Say

PART A: Which of the following identifies the central idea of the text?

• The teenage brain’s wiring towards rewards most often results in risky behavior and poor choices that are unpreventable.

• The teenage brain is sensitive to rewards, which new studies show can aid in decision making.

• The underdevelopment of the teenage brain prevents teenagers from taking the time to make logical decisions or learn from past mistakes.

• While teenage brains’ sensitivity to rewards can sometimes lead to teens making better decisions, this generally only happens for teens with nurturing parents.

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PART B: Which quote from the text best supports the answer to Part A (Question 1)?

• Part of the bad rap has come from studies suggesting that adolescent brains are ‘wired’ to engage in risky behavior such as drug use or unsafe sex” (Paragraph 4)

• “the so-called reward systems in their brains are very sensitive while circuits involved in self-control are still not fully developed” (Paragraph 5)

• “When a lot of points were at stake, teens actually spent more time studying the dots than adults and brain scans showed more activity in brain regions involved in making decisions.” (Paragraph 8)

• “The other study looked at how the brain’s outer layer of cortex, which plays a critical role in thinking and memory, was affected by childhood experiences in 64 people.” (Paragraph 13)

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PART A: What is the author’s main purpose in the article?

• to show how dangerous the teenage brain can be due to its sensitivity towards rewards

• to introduce a new perspective on the teenage brain that shows its potential and flexibility

• to give examples of different ways in which the teenage brain can be observed

• to prove how important positive parental influence is for the teenage brain

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PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A (Question 3)?

• “He says the rapid changes occurring in the brains of teenagers make these years ‘a time of enormous opportunity.’” (Paragraph 3)

• “The result has been a perception that ‘adolescents are driving around with no steering wheel and no brake,’ she says.” (Paragraph 5)

• “The scans showed that men who’d had an episode of depression had brains that were less responsive to rewards.” (Paragraph 11)

• “It found that this layer was thicker in children who got a lot of cognitive stimulation and had nurturing parents, says Martha Farrah” (Paragraph 13)

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How is Geidd’s perspective on the teenage brain different from traditional opinions?

• He believes that the vulnerability of teenage brains makes it easier to study.

• He believes that teenage brains are controlled by risky impulses.

• He believes that teenage brains can be easily manipulated.

• He believes that teenage brains have the potential to do great things.

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Which of the following describe the teenage brain’s relationship to rewards?

• It will seek them out no matter the consequences.

• It is extremely focused on gaining rewards.

• It is only interested in certain kinds of rewards.

• It reacts impulsively whether or not there are rewards.

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The brain during the teenage years…

• is constantly changing and requires nurturing to develop to the best of its ability.

• is extremely susceptible to depression.

• requires a nurturing environment over cognitive stimulation to fully develop.

• will develop to the best of its ability without cognitive stimulation.

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