World Health Organization (WHO) identifies adolescence as the period in human growth and development that occurs after childhood and before adulthood. This phase represents one of the critical transitions in one's life span and is characterised by fast paced growth and change which are second only to those at infancy. Biological processes drive many aspects of this growth and development with the onset of puberty marking the passage from childhood to adolescence. The biological determinants of adolescence are fairly universal; however, the duration and defining characteristics of this period may vary across time, cultures, and socio-economic situations. This period has seen many changes over the past century- puberty for example, comes earlier than before, people marry late, and their sexual attitudes and behaviours are different from their grandparents, or even parents. Among the factors responsible for the change are education, urbanization and spread of global communication. The time of adolescence is a period of preparation for adulthood during which one experiences several key developments. Besides physical and sexual maturation, these experiences include movement toward social and economic independence, development of identity, the acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and roles and the capacity for abstract reasoning. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential, it is also a time of considerable risks during which social contexts exert powerful influences.

Many adolescents face pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs and to initiate sexual relationships putting themselves at high risk for intentional and unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many, also experience a wide range of adjustment and mental health problems. Behavior patterns that are established during this period such as the use or avoidance of drugs and taking or abstaining from sexual risk can have long-lasting negative and positive effects on future health and well-being. As a result, adults have unique opportunities to influence adolescents.

১.

Choose the best answer from alternatives.

(a) According to the WHO, adolescence is the period that occurs:
(i) before childhood (ii) after childhood and before adulthood (iii) after adulthood (iv) during infancy

(b) What marks the passage from childhood to adolescence?
(i) graduation from school (ii) getting a driver's license (iii) onset of puberty (iv) moving out of parents house

(c) What type of influences exert powerful effects on adolescents?
(i) biological (ii) social (iii) financial (iv) technological

(d) Adolescence is characterized by tremendous growth and potential, but also:
(i) stability and security (ii) considerable risks (iii) decreased vulnerability (iv) lack of change

(e) The onset of puberty has:
(i) been delayed compared to the past (ii) remained the same over the past century (iii) started earlier than before (iv) no clear trend

(f) The phrase 'abstain from' means______
(i) search in (ii) bulger with (iii) to engage in (iv) to refrain from

(g) What is the adolescence phase characterized by?
(i) slow and steady growth (ii) growth and change similar to those in adulthood (iii) fast-paced growth and change second only to infancy (iv) decline in physical capabilities

(h) What problems do many adolescents experience during this period?
(i) chronic physical illnesses (ii) wide range of adjustment and mental health problems (iii) decreased cognitive abilities (iv) improved financial status

(i) Which is NOT mentioned as a development during adolescence?
(i) physical and sexual maturation (ii) movement toward economic independence (iii) immediate career success (iv) development of identity

(j) What key developments occur during adolescence?
(i) learning to walk and talk (ii) social and economic independence (iii) retirement planning (iv) none of the above

উত্তর

(a) (ii) after childhood and before adulthood

(b) (iii) onset of puberty

(c) (ii) social

(d) (ii) considerable risks

(e) (iii) started earlier than before

(f) (iv) to refrain from

(g) (iii) fast-paced growth and change second only to infancy

(h) (ii) wide range of adjustment and mental health problems

(i) (iii) immediate career success

(j) (ii) social and economic independence

World Health Organization (WHO) identifies adolescence as the period in human growth and development that occurs after childhood and before adulthood. This phase represents one of the critical transitions in one's life span and is characterised by fast paced growth and change which are second only to those at infancy. Biological processes drive many aspects of this growth and development with the onset of puberty marking the passage from childhood to adolescence. The biological determinants of adolescence are fairly universal; however, the duration and defining characteristics of this period may vary across time, cultures, and socio-economic situations. This period has seen many changes over the past century- puberty for example, comes earlier than before, people marry late, and their sexual attitudes and behaviours are different from their grandparents, or even parents. Among the factors responsible for the change are education, urbanization and spread of global communication. The time of adolescence is a period of preparation for adulthood during which one experiences several key developments. Besides physical and sexual maturation, these experiences include movement toward social and economic independence, development of identity, the acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and roles and the capacity for abstract reasoning. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential, it is also a time of considerable risks during which social contexts exert powerful influences.

Many adolescents face pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs and to initiate sexual relationships putting themselves at high risk for intentional and unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many, also experience a wide range of adjustment and mental health problems. Behavior patterns that are established during this period such as the use or avoidance of drugs and taking or abstaining from sexual risk can have long-lasting negative and positive effects on future health and well-being. As a result, adults have unique opportunities to influence adolescents.

২.

Answer the following questions.

(a) What is adolescence?
(b) What are the risks of the adolescents?
(c) How are the adolescents different from the adults?
(d) What is meant by the 'critical transitions'?
(e) What are the impacts of behavior patterns that are established during this period?

উত্তর

(a) Adolescence is the stage of growth and development after childhood and before adulthood. Puberty marks the transition into this period of rapid change.

(b) The passage describes pressures involving substances and sexual behaviour, risks of injury and unintended pregnancy, and difficulties with adjustment and mental health.

(c) Adolescents are still preparing for adult life. They develop their identity, independence and the skills needed for adult relationships and responsibilities. The passage presents this as a time of rapid growth and strong social influence.

(d) The phrase refers to the important changes through which a child moves towards adulthood, including physical maturation, growing independence and the development of skills and identity.

(e) The passage says that behaviour patterns established in adolescence can have long-lasting positive or negative effects on future health and well-being.

Junk foods are processed foods consisting of high calories, but that is considered only as a broad umbrella. These foods are prepared in a way that they look appealing and are enjoyable so you are chemically programmed to ask for more. According to Dr. Sunali Sharma, a Dietician & Nutritionist, "Commercial products including salted snack foods, chewing gum, candy, sugary desserts, fried fast food, and sweetened carbonated beverages that have little or no nutritional value but are high in calories, salt, and fats may be considered junk foods. Though not all fast foods are junk foods, a great number of them are. For instance, a salad may be fast food but is definitely not junk food. Some foods like burgers, pizzas, and tacos may alternate between junk and healthy categories depending on the ingredients, calories, and process of manufacturing."
Frequent consumption of junk food increases the intake of excess fat, simple carbohydrates, and processed sugar which may lead to a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, among other chronic health problems. The resulting obesity may begin clogging up the arteries and lay the basis for an impending heart attack. It has also been suggested that eating junk food affects the brain in the same way as consuming addictive drugs. An addiction to junk food may even result in the rejection of healthier food options like fruits, vegetables, salads, etc. leading to a further lack of nourishment.

৩.

Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the bad effects of taking junk food. (Number one is done for you.)

Box	Content
1	Increases the intake of excess fat
2	______
3	______
4	______
5	______
6	______

উত্তর

Box	Content
1	Increases the intake of excess fat
2	Leads to a higher risk of obesity
3	Begins clogging up the arteries
4	Lays the basis of heart attack
5	Affects the brain
6	Results in the rejection of healthier food options

The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle said, 'Humans are by nature social animals. What he meant was that human beings, by instinct, seek company of others and establish relationships. much like most animals of the wild, for companionship and for physical and emotional support. Unlike animals, however, human relationships give meaning to their existence and inspire them to do well in education, in workplace or in a profession that they pursue.
Relationships are of different kinds. Some are familial and intimate, formed by blood and by marriage; some are social like the ones we have with friends and some are made in schools where we form close bonds with classmates and teachers. Relationships can also be fostered in workplaces, which may quickly change from professional to social. There are relationships also between human beings and animals, between children and their toys that they cannot part with.
All these relationships keep us close to each other and provide us all kinds of support, love and affection. A person who has no family feels the pain of loneliness and isolation. There is no one to laugh or cry with him/her. When we share our joy with someone, it simply redoubles, and when we suffer a loss and someone shares our sorrow, it lessens. Relationships are thus needed for our emotional health.

৪. Summarize the following text.

উত্তর

People naturally seek companionship and form relationships for support. The passage describes family ties, friendships, school connections and workplace relationships, as well as bonds with animals and cherished objects. These relationships give meaning to life and encourage people to do well. They provide love and affection, increase shared joy and ease sorrow. Isolation brings loneliness, while supportive relationships contribute to emotional well-being.

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