"The Debt We Owe to the Adolescent Brain"

What is the author's primary purpose in writing this text?

• To entertain readers with stories about adolescence

• To inform readers about the unique development of the adolescent brain

• To persuade readers to study psychiatry

• To explain why adults are better adapted than teenagers

What is the main idea of the text?

• Neanderthals developed faster than humans but were less adaptable.

• Adolescence is a critical period of brain development that prepares humans for life.

• The human brain stops developing after adolescence.

• The risks adolescents take are always harmful.

How is the text organized to present information?

• It compares and contrasts the development of humans and other mammals.

• It provides a chronological history of human adolescence.

• It explains a problem and suggests solutions for it.

• It lists the dangers of adolescence in order of severity.

In the sentence, “You’re asking your brain, ‘What do I need to be good at? What do I need to do to make it in this world?’” what is the mood of the verb?

• Indicative

• Imperative

• Interrogative

• Subjunctive

What can be implied from the statement, “Adolescence is a kind of golden age”?

• Adolescents have more freedom than adults or children.

• Adolescents are at a peak stage for learning and growth.

• Adolescents have the most enjoyable stage of life.

• Adolescents achieve their greatest successes during this time.

According to the text, what happens to the brain during adolescence?

• It loses flexibility but becomes more streamlined for efficiency.

• It loses its ability to adapt to new situations.

• It develops faster than during any other life stage.

• It shrinks in size to eliminate unnecessary gray matter.

Which of the following is the best summary of the text?

• Adolescence is the most enjoyable stage of life because teenagers are free to explore.

• Adolescence is a challenging but important time of brain development that allows humans to adapt and thrive.

• Adolescence is marked by risky behavior and poor decision-making, which poses significant dangers.

• Adolescents are similar to Neanderthals in their development and social interactions.

Why does the author discuss Neanderthals in the text?

• To show how their brain development was superior to modern humans

• To contrast their shorter adolescence with humans’ longer adolescence

• To highlight their superior adaptability

• To prove that humans evolved from Neanderthals

What does the author suggest is a significant benefit of the extended adolescent phase in humans?

• It allows humans to reproduce earlier.

• It ensures humans adapt to their specific environment.

• It prevents humans from taking unnecessary risks.

• It helps humans avoid social conflicts.

What signal words in the text help to show a compare/contrast text structure?

• For example, such as, but

• Although, next, finally

• First, after six months, once again

• By contrast, then, as a result, however, but