OPEN CLOZE

Read the text about adulthood. Choose ONE word that fits into each blank.

Becoming an adult

Life
Becoming an adult is a very important phase in every person's __________. However, when
on
this happens can be very different depending __________ where you live or which culture
you __________
come from. Most countries have laws on when adolescents are allowed to do
certain things.

age
In the US, for example, adulthood starts at the __________ of 16, when a person can get
employment or a driving licence. Even American youngsters have the right to vote at 18,
they can't legally drink alcohol __________
until they reach the age of 21.

birthday
In some countries of Central and South America, girls celebrate their 15th __________,
attend
which marks their rise to womanhood. Families often __________ church services with their
15-year-old daughters and afterwards have parties with many guests.

allowed
In Japan young men and women transfer to adulthood at 20, when they are __________ to
called
vote and drink alcohol. The Japanese even have a special day for this event __________
"Coming-of-Age Day" , the second Monday of January. On this day, the new adults celebrate
with
__________ their families and attend speeches given by politicians.

were
Until recently young people in Saudi Arabia __________ considered adults at the age of 15 -
a time when they started showing physical signs __________
of becoming an adult. However, a
few
__________ years ago the country raised this age to 18.

Remembering Important Things

keep
Most of us always __________ forgetting important dates, apart from the lucky few
who
__________ are blessed with a good memory or the ability to organise __________,
themselves so they
had
don't forget important things. How many times __________ we all said " I wish I had
not
remembered !" How often have we offended people by __________ remembering their
birthdays or name days ?

__________ their
although they say it doesn't matter , we know, deep down , that we have hurt __________
feelings. We can always try to make it __________
up to them next time but unfortunately, the
damage was already done and our relationship with that person will __________
never be quite the
same again.

On the __________
other hand , we sometimes do too much for someone else because we want to
please them and then feel we have damaged our own interests in doing so. When friends are
involved we __________
may do
find it difficult to say"no when they ask us to __________ them a
favour, but true friendship should mean we can say "no" without any risk to the relationship.

Melina Victoria Ordoñez Heras -3D