READING

Task 1.

Read the text and match the correct heading (A-F) with each paragraph (1-4). There are two extra headings that you do not need to use.

A. Need for a good routine 

B. Different tastes

C. Fight to the death

D. Not what you’d imagine 

E. Having your own space 

F. An unacceptable answer

1. _

A generation gap exists. Teenage children demand more freedom and pocket money, while their parents try to remain in control by not allowing them to do a lot of things they want. Studies show that the main reason for conflict is that parents and teenagers have different expectations. Surprisingly, it is not the teenagers’ need for more independence or financial demands which usually drives their parents mad, it’s their rooms.

2. _

One argument happens because parents and teenagers have a completely different definition of what ‘clean’ should mean. While most parents are reasonable enough not to make their teens tidy their room every day, perhaps, apart from making the bed, they insist on a regular cleaning schedule. In most cases, this should take place at least once a week. Their teenage children, however, often like to avoid this, or, at least, do the job as rarely and as quickly as possible.

3. _

The survey has also indicated that lots of parents find it hard to accept the way their teenagers’ rooms are decorated. Arguments may start even before a the teenager moves into his room over the choice of furniture or the colour of the walls. And it doesn’t get any easier for the parents later on. Most of them do not approve of the posters, which often show controversial images, not to mention such ideas as graffiti or hand-painted scenes on the walls or ceiling.

4. _

Parents and teenagers also disagree over privacy issues. It is true that most parents recognise the need for their teens to have some degree of privacy and, therefore, allow them to keep their room door closed. But they also admit that although they try to remember to knock on their child’s door, they often enter while still knocking which is almost the same as coming in with no warning at all. Not surprisingly, teenagers react to this with anger.

2. _

One argument happens because parents and teenagers have a completely different definition of what ‘clean’ should mean. While most parents are reasonable enough not to make their teens tidy their room every day, perhaps, apart from making the bed, they insist on a regular cleaning schedule. In most cases, this should take place at least once a week. Their teenage children, however, often like to avoid this, or, at least, do the job as rarely and as quickly as possible.

3. _

The survey has also indicated that lots of parents find it hard to accept the way their teenagers’ rooms are decorated. Arguments may start even before a the teenager moves into his room over the choice of furniture or the colour of the walls. And it doesn’t get any easier for the parents later on. Most of them do not approve of the posters, which often show controversial images, not to mention such ideas as graffiti or hand-painted scenes on the walls or ceiling.

4. _

Parents and teenagers also disagree over privacy issues. It is true that most parents recognise the need for their teens to have some degree of privacy and, therefore, allow them to keep their room door closed. But they also admit that although they try to remember to knock on their child’s door, they often enter while still knocking which is almost the same as coming in with no warning at all. Not surprisingly, teenagers react to this with anger.