The Distracted Teenage Brain

Which of the following statements best expresses the central idea of the article?

• Teenagers often do not realize why they want rewards because their brains are still developing.

• Teenagers are more prone to distraction because they are more attracted to or focused on potential rewards.

• Teenagers are more likely than adults to take risks for money based on a study in Iowa City.

• Teenagers' brains are more easily distracted because they use social media and text while driving more often than adults.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What does the word 'entice' mean as used in paragraph 1?

• to attract

• to discourage

• to challenge

• to inspire

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CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following quotes best supports the central idea that teenagers are more prone to distraction due to rewards?

• These data may help explain why teens engage in risky behavior, he says.

• For some volunteers, green circles provided a large (10-cent) reward and red circles provided a small (2-cent) reward.

• 'The study demonstrates that the attention of adolescents is especially drawn to rewarding information'

• When distractions are not readily available, it will be easier to focus attention on the things that matter most.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

According to the study, how do teenagers and adults differ in their response to previously rewarding stimuli when no longer rewarded?

• Adults and teenagers both quickly lose interest in previously rewarding stimuli.

• Teenagers continue to be distracted by previously rewarding stimuli, unlike adults.

• Both adults and teenagers continue to be equally distracted by previously rewarding stimuli.

• Adults are more distracted by previously rewarding stimuli than teenagers.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What method did psychologist Zachary Roper and his team use to study distraction in teenagers and adults?

• An interview about past rewarding experiences

• A game involving identifying colored circles and lines

• Observation of classroom behavior

• A survey on social media usage

Why do teenagers continue engaging in behaviors like texting or using social media, according to the article?

• Their prefrontal cortex is underdeveloped.

• They are following social trends.

• They are unaware of the dangers.

• These behaviors trigger the brain's reward system.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What suggestion does the article offer to help overcome distractions?

• Limiting screen time to two hours a day

• Physically removing distractions whenever possible

• Using social media more responsibly

• Engaging in more outdoor activities

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What was the new target introduced during the testing phase of the experiment?

• A red circle

• A yellow square

• A blue diamond

• A green circle

How did the researchers measure the impact of distraction?

• By the participants' self-reported feelings of distraction

• By the speed of response to the new target

• By the amount of money earned

• By the number of correct answers

What does the presence of red or green circles in the test phase signify?

• A new reward system

• A higher level of difficulty in the game

• An unrelated test condition

• A potential distraction based on past rewards