Youth Problems Listening

People complain a lot about youth, about young people. I think they have for the past 60 years or so. I don't think youth was much of an issue a hundred years ago. Then, young people were just young people. They respected older people, did what they were told and didn't create trouble. Today, however, the word 'youth' often makes us think of badly behaved teenagers. I think it all started with rock and roll. Suddenly young people decided they wanted more independence and could do what they wanted. They rebelled against society. A whole youth culture developed, with youth fashion, youth clubs and music. Today, we have things like youth crime. It would be nice if youth could have a more positive image.

https://listenaminute.com/ youth

Pre-Listening

Task 1. Match the synonyms

1. to complain about
2. youth
3. an issue
4. to respect
5. a trouble
6. teens
7. to make up mind
8. to rebel against

1. a question
2. teenagers
3. to protest
4. young people
5. a challenge
6. to disagree
7. to decide
8. to appreciate

Task 2. Make questions to the underlined words

1. I complain about bulling to my parents.
2. Youth creates many crimes nowadays.
3. One of the main challenges among young people is pressure of materialism.
4. Teens rebel against the society because they want to do what they want.

Listening

Task 1. Listen to the text and put the sentences in the correct order.

1. They respected older people, did what they were told and didn't create trouble.
2. People complain a lot about youth, about young people.
3. Then, young people were just young people.
4. I think they have for the past 60 years or so.
5. Today, however, the word 'youth' often makes us think of badly behaved teenagers.
6. I don't think youth was much of an issue a hundred years ago.

Task 2. Fill in missing words.

I think it all started with rock and roll. __1__ young people decided they wanted more __2__ and could do what they wanted. They __3__ against society. A whole youth culture __4__, with youth fashion, youth clubs and music. Today, we have things like __5__. It would be nice if youth could have a more positive __6__.

Task 3. Think and give answers

1. How should young people behave to create positive image of youth?
2. Should youth respect older people? Why?
3. Why is it bad to do what you want all the time?
4. What is your opinion about modern youth?

Listening Comprehension

Pre-Listening

Task 1. Match the synonyms

1. to complain about
2. youth
3. an issue
4. to respect
5. a trouble
6. teens
7. to make up mind
8. to rebel against

1. a question
2. teenagers
3. to protest
4. young people
5. a challenge
6. to disagree
7. to decide
8. to appreciate

Task 2. Make questions to the underlined words

1. I complain about bulling to my parents.
2. Youth creates many crimes nowadays.
3. One of the main challenges among young people is pressure of materialism.
4. Teens rebel against the society because they want to do what they want.

Listening

Task 1. Listen to the text and put the sentences in the correct order.

1. They respected older people, did what they were told and didn't create trouble.
2. People complain a lot about youth, about young people.
3. Then, young people were just young people.
4. I think they have for the past 60 years or so.
5. Today, however, the word 'youth' often makes us think of badly behaved teenagers.
6. I don't think youth was much of an issue a hundred years ago.

Task 2. Fill in missing words.

I think it all started with rock and roll. __1__ young people decided they wanted more __2__ and could do what they wanted. They __3__ against society. A whole youth culture __4__, with youth fashion, youth clubs and music. Today, we have things like __5__. It would be nice if youth could have a more positive __6__.

Task 3. Think and give answers

1. How should young people behave to create positive image of youth?
2. Should youth respect older people? Why?
3. Why is it bad to do what you want all the time?
4. What is your opinion about modern youth?

Task 4. Read a “Top 10 challenges facing young people today” and give your ideas.

Here is the top 10 in full:

1. Lack of employment opportunities

2. Failure to succeed in education system

3. Issues related to body image

4. Family problems

5. Substance abuse

6. Pressures of materialism

7. Lack of affordable housing

8. Negative stereotyping

9. Pressures of 24-hour social networking

10. Crime

If you had an opportunity what would you do to overcome…?