Test - Addictions

The following text deal with the different kinds of drugs that put teenagers’ lives danger. As a
teenager, you must be aware of what they are and what they can cause.

According to the latest government figures, 23% of all 15-year-old are regular smokers. Many of these
teenagers’ smokers are already addicted to nicotine, that is, they need to smoke their first cigarette of the day
as soon as they get up. It’s like they are physically and mentally dependent on it. Some of them spend all
their pocket money to buy cigarettes.

It’s a very expensive addiction. Eight out of ten smokers begin under the age of 20 and the majority wishes
they had never started. By the age of sixteen, two-thirds of children have experimented with cigarettes. In
Great Britain about 450 children start smoking every day.

Teens often start smoking because one or both parents or relatives are smokers. They feel that smoking is an
acceptable addiction. Others smoke because it isn’t acceptable in their families and they believe they are old
enough to make their own decisions. Many teens also start smoking because they feel a constant pressure
from their friends. They want to be part of the group, so they have to smoke. Others smoke because they feel
they look too young and that smoking may make them appear like an adult. Girls think smoking is a way to
keep their weight under control. If they hold a cigarette, they are a lot less likely to eat. And then there are
teens who believe that smoking helps them to relax when they are stressed out because of schoolwork, dating
problems or family problems.

Can someone else’s smoking hurt you? Yes! Two-thirds of cigarettes smoke is not inhaled by the smoker but
goes into the surrounding air. The smoke from a smouldering(1) cigarette contains higher rates of cancer-
causing and toxic chemicals than the smoke that is inhaled or exhaled by a smoker. Second-hand smoke
contains more than 4.000 chemicals including 50 that can cause cancer. Breathing second-hand smoke
causes non-smokers’ hearts to beat faster and blood pressure to rise. Children who breath second-hand
smoke are more at risk from wheezing(2), coughing, ear infection, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

(1) Smoulder – to burn slowly with little or no flame.

(2) Wheezing – to make a whistling sound because of the difficulty in breathing.

COMPREHENSION

a) Find the evidence for the following statements.

1. Nicotine can be addicted.

_______________________________________________________________

2. Smoking addicts can’t help smoking very early in the morning.

_______________________________________________________________
 3. Most teenagers regret their first cigarette.
_______________________________________________________________

4. Hundreds of children start smoking every day.

_______________________________________________________________

b) Are these sentences True or False? Correct the false statements.

1. Family members who smoke can’t be responsible for teenager’s smokers.

____________________________________________________________

2. Smoking can be a growing-up sign.

____________________________________________________________

3. Girls don’t smoke because smoking makes them fat.

____________________________________________________________

4. There is just one reason for starting smoking.

____________________________________________________________

c) Answer the following questions.

1. What is a second-hand smoking?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. It is dangerous? Why?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Can it affect children? In what way?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

I – GRAMMAR
a) Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence.
1. Steve left before my arrival.
When I _________________________________________ already left.
2. What’s your usual time of arrival at school?
What time _________________________________________ at school?
3. I’ll wait here until it stops raining.
When it stops raining _________________________________________ leave.
4. Alice started playing Tennis six months ago.
Alice _________________________________________ for six months.
5. I’m sorry, but Mrs. Dawson isn’t here.
I’m sorry, but Mrs. Dawson _________________________________________ out.