Prepare 7 Reading Comprehension “Pocket Money”

Read the text "Pocket Money" and do the tasks.

1. Most teenagers receive pocket money every week. But not everyone gets the same amount of money. Have you asked your friends how much they get? You might be surprised. And if you’re a girl you’ll be amazed to learn that boys often get more than girls of the same age!

2. Teenagers up to the age of about 15 in the UK have about £5 a week in pocket money. But in Italy, France and Spain, the same age group gets about €9, which is a bit more. In the US, pocket money is called ‘an allowance’. Most teenagers get an allowance of about $30, which is more than £20 or €25.

3. Quite a lot of teenagers do. They have to do things in the house, like washing-up and cleaning and then they get their pocket money. If they don’t do the jobs, they don’t get the money. Some teenagers have parttime jobs too, which means they have more than their pocket money to spend each week.

4. You might be surprised at the answer. Teenagers in the UK spend more of their money on food than on clothes. Is that true for you too? Teens do more shopping online than before and online clothes shopping is cheaper. So perhaps this is one reason they don’t spend so much on clothes.

5. Some parents do! They only let them buy some things. Other parents want their teens to save all their pocket money and spend it on something big in the future, or not spend it at all.

Decide if the statements are True or False according to the text.

1. Every teenager receives exactly the same amount of pocket money.

2. In many cases, boys receive more pocket money than girls of the same age.

3. UK teenagers under 15 usually get about £15 a week.

4. Teenagers in Spain and France get slightly more money than those in the UK.

5. In the US, pocket money is commonly called "an allowance."

6. US teenagers receive an allowance that is worth less than £20.

7. Some teenagers must earn their money by doing household chores like washing-up.

8. If a teenager fails to do their household jobs, they still receive their money.

9. UK teenagers spend the majority of their money on brand-new clothes.

10. Some parents do not allow their children to spend their money at all.

Choose the correct option (A, B, or C).

11. According to the text, who might be surprised by the gender pay gap?

12. How much money do teenagers in Italy, France, and Spain typically get?

13. Which country provides the highest average weekly amount mentioned?

14. What is "an allowance"?

15. What must some teenagers do to get their money?

16. What does a "part-time job" allow teenagers to do?

17. What do UK teenagers spend most of their money on?

18. Why is online clothes shopping mentioned?

19. What is a common goal for saving pocket money?

20. What is the main role of some parents regarding pocket money?

Match the words with their correct definitions:

21. Pocket money

22. Allowance

23. Part-time

24. Amazed