ANSWER KEY

UNIT 6

PEER PRESSURE
I. Answer the questions:
1. during school
2. This is because at school you’re interacting with your peers all day
3. relationships and all the politics of hanging with different kids
4. Direct pressure is when a person asks you directly to do something.
5. friendship

II. Fill in the blanks

Laila:  I see. So indirect pressure is when nothing is actually said to you. Because
you see others doing something, you feel pressure to do the same?
Susan  Right, like when a group stands apart and talks and laughs. They exclude
you. Or when they think they’re really cool, and look at you like you’re not.
Laila:  So those are all examples of indirect pressure. The question is …
Susan:  Direct pressure is defnitely worse. It’s because your peers force you to react.
You can’t just ignore them.
Laila:  I don’t think direct pressure is so bad. I feel indirect pressure is worse.
Susan:  Why is that?
Laila:  Well, I think it’s easier to handle direct pressure and be… um.... I can’t think
of the exact word. It’s similar to ‘logical’, or ‘reasonable’.
Susan:  You mean rational?
Laila:  Yeah, it’s easier to be rational with people
Susan:  I don’t see it that way at all.
Laila:  Well, we can just agree to disagree. Next question.
Susan:  What’s the best way to avoid peer pressure?
Laila:  I think the best way is to make friends with people who share your values.
The reason for this is you’d be less likely to get in trouble.
Susan:  That’s a good idea but I think the best thing to do, if you’re pressured to do
something you don’t want to do, is to make an excuse. If you do this, they’ll easily
get the message.
III. Correct the mistakes:
1. bad - best; boring interesting
2. doctor - teacher; worst - best
3. friend - parent; among - behind
4. shout at - support; sad - happy
5. negative - possitive; noise - sense
6. free - key; cycle - circle