Should resilience be on the curriculum? A new survey has revealed a generation facing anxiety and depression. Some think it is time for schools to take action.
Third of girls say they have anxiety
Generational woes: The top causes of teenage anxiety are personal, while one fifth of teenagers worry "a lot" about political issues such as gang violence, Gaza and climate change. Comprehension quiz
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The word sycophancy in this context means:
A: The ability to give accurate information.
B: The practice of being overly obedient or attentive to someone important in order to gain advantage.
C: A tendency to argue or be disagreeable.
D: The quality of being creative and original.
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Which word is the closest synonym for vaunts?
A: Disregards
B: Hides
C: Condemns
D: Praises
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According to the text, what fraction of 16- and 17-year-old girls report suffering from anxiety?
A: One-half
B: 70%
C: One-third
D: 58%
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The article suggests several strategies for building resilience. Which of the following is not one of the tips mentioned?
A: Be forgiving towards yourself for not always being productive.
B: Focus on the parts of your daily routine that you can control.
C: Isolate yourself from others to better deal with stress.
D: Work with others who are facing similar problems.
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Besides the experience of Covid-19 lockdowns, identify two other problems mentioned in the article that young people cite as sources of stress.
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In your own words, summarise what the article means by the strategy of “Strategic acceptance”.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1. B 2. D 3. C 4. C 5. The two other problems cited are exams and finding a job in the future (or fears about economic crises). 6. "Strategic acceptance" means understanding that you cannot control external events, but you can control your own reactions to them. It involves changing your thoughts and perspective to find a sense of calm and control when faced with difficult situations.
Glossary
Dubious - Questionable. It derives from the Latin word for doubt.
Butler - A type of servant who works serving members of the household. Traditionally the butler was the most important male servant in the house.
ChatGPT - An Artificial Intelligence chatbot released in November 2022.
Sycophancy - Insincere flattery of powerful or wealthy people in order to get ahead.
Anxiety - A feeling of unease or worry. It can be mild or very severe.
Lockdowns - When countries shut down aspects of society, such as schools and public spaces, in order to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Wracked - Wrecked or destroyed by.
Stoics - Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in the ancient world and still has many adherents today. Stoics seek to control their emotions and preserve their happiness in the face of adversity.
Adversity - Hard times or difficulties.