The Debt We Owe to the Adolescent Brain by Jeanne Miller

The title of the selection highlights the idea that —

• humans could survive without an extended period of adolescent brain development

• humans would likely become extinct without sufficient adolescent brain growth

• adolescent brain growth determines adult communication ability

• adolescent brain development has important benefits for adults

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

The comparison between most mammals and humans in paragraph 2 helps the reader understand that —

• humans reproduce at a similar stage of development as compared to other mammals

• rapid adolescent growth is more common in other mammals than it is in humans

• humans have a unique period of adolescence as compared to other mammals

• family protection is more important for other mammals than it is for humans

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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

Read the thesaurus definition. insulate v: wrap, cushion, isolate, detach Which synonym best fits how insulating is used in the following sentences?

We lose "gray matter" and gain "white matter": myelin, which forms an insulating sheath around nerve fibers.

• Wrap

• Cushion

• Isolate

• Detach

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

The organizational pattern of the section “Brain Under Construction” allows the author to —

• highlight examples that explain why Neanderthals died out

• explain the effects of gray matter on the adolescent brain

• describe the makeup and composition of the adult brain

• compare and contrast human development with Neanderthals

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Read the dictionary entry.
streamline \strēm´līn´\ n 1. a contour designed for decreased air resistance 2. a path of a particle flowing without turbulence past an object v 3. to make something more efficient or simple 4. to modernize something

Which definition best fits how streamlines is used in paragraph 4?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The organization of the section “Moving On from Childhood” helps the author emphasize the idea that —

• teenage brains are wired for risk-taking to propel them out of their homes

• the brains of children are fundamentally different from those of teenagers

• teenage desire for peer approval can lead to destructive risk-taking

• influencing the desire for rewards can alter teenage behavior

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which two phrases best describe how the author organizes the ideas in the section “Moving On from Childhood” to develop her thesis?

• By describing the brains of adolescents and the brains of early human ancestors

• By comparing the brains of adolescents to the brains of children and adults

• By presenting a timeline of important studies on the adolescent brain

• By explaining the problems associated with the adolescent brain

• By identifying the effects of rewards on the adolescent brain

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

The author includes the information in the section “Stone Age Impulses in the Modern World” most likely to —

• compare the success of modern teens to that of their ancestors

• explain the benefits of risk-taking for teenage development

• caution teens and their parents about the dangers of risk-taking

• provide scientific evidence that the teenage brain is unique

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CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Which quotation from the selection best explains how teenagers can benefit from their developing brains?

• But the price we pay is that, as myelin is laid down, flexibility diminishes. (paragraph 4)

• “There is evidence,” she says, “that even adolescent rodents tend to hang out with same-aged peers and tend to have more fights with their parents.” (paragraph 6)

• And, compared to children or adults, teens are much more sensitive to rewards. (paragraph 8)

• “As long as it’s not lethal—as in the case of foolish risk-taking—it can lead to innovation and creativity.” (paragraph 12)

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which of the following organizational structures is the section titled Brain Under Construction?

• Description

• Cause and effect

• Compare and contrast

• Problem Solution

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5