NSC English HL Summary: SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS

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Question

SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS

TEXT C discusses the mysteries of the teenage brain. Summarise, in your own words, how parents can better understand their teenage child.

NOTE:
1. Your summary should include SEVEN points and NOT exceed 90 words.
2. You must write a fluent paragraph.
3. You are NOT required to include a title for the summary.
4. Indicate your word count at the end of your summary.

TEXT C

THE MYSTERIES OF THE TEENAGE BRAIN

The passage between childhood and adulthood is notoriously challenging for teens who are striving for independence and for parents who have to relinquish some control, while still being responsible for their children’s safety.

Understanding what is happening to their child is the first step to navigating this life passage. Less obvious, but even more important to understand, is that the brain of teenagers is only about 80% complete by adolescence.

Teenagers are wired for risk-taking, novelty, and reward-seeking. But the frontal and pre-frontal cortex, the parts of the brain responsible for executive functions, cause and effect, empathy and impulse control, are not fully connected until the mid-20s. This explains why an otherwise smart, capable teen can do something foolish in the moment. They lack the split-second decision-making ability that might warn them of possible danger.

‘Teens are impressionable, which makes them absorb information easily. Their primary job is to learn, and studies suggest that their IQ scores increase in enriched environments’, says Dr Francis Jenner, a neuroscientist. Building on this can make them susceptible to danger. In her opinion, the digital revolution has resulted in an overemphasis on instant gratification, which can easily trap teens. They will respond to good marks at school, but will also keep them hooked to ‘likes’ on their phones and to the repetition of playing and winning digital games.

‘The teen brain can get addicted harder, faster and for longer than an adult brain, with permanent damage in some cases.’

‘But they’re also at an age of self-discovery and identify-seeking, and respond well to scientific facts and data. Given this depth of intelligence, their heightened reward centres will respond to good marks at school, but will also hook them into the digital age. In addition, they are prone to harmful, addictive tendencies.

Cape Town clinical psychologist, Anja Shaw, points that teen rebellion, when coupled with a strong lack of communication can be the result of parents getting in the way via preaching, knowing better, or just wanting to be protective.

‘Teens are in a period of preparation toward integrated behaviour and realistic goal setting.’

SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS TEXT C discusses the mysteries of the teenage brain - NSC English HL - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS TEXT C discusses the mysteries of the teenage brain - NSC English HL - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 1

How parents can better understand their teenager

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