READING COMPREHENSION 4º ESO

Pocket Money

This year teenagers in the UK are receiving less pocket money than they got last year, but it's still more than most other Europeans receive.  The average amount is 8.00 pounds (about 12 Euros) a week, with teenagers in London getting the most, at 12.00 pounds, and those in Wales the least - that's half the quantity of teenagers in London.  Many teenagers have to 'earn' their pocket money by doing chores such as washing up, cooking, washing the car, or food-shopping, because their parents want them to learn the value of money.  They normally receive a fixed amount every week.

However, not all parents agree with giving their children pocket money, even if they help with the housework. Tim Gillbanks, who teaches in York, says: 'If I gave my kids pocket money they would just spend it all without thinking.  In my opinion, they should get a part-time job and earn it themselves. I'd be happier with that, if it didn't disrupt their studies.'

In fact, nearly 30 percent of teenagers have part-time jobs because they feel they don't get enough money from their parents.  Many do paper-rounds and shop-work, and some older girls make money from babysitting. 

So what do teenagers spend their money on?  Mobile phones, DVDs and computer games are at the top of the list.  Parents often think that their children spend too much, but maybe they shouldn't worry, because because banks say over 50 percent of teenagers save more money than they spend!

GLOSSARY: Average - medianoDo paper-rounds - repartir periódicosChores - tareas de casa

1.  Read the text and answer the questions.

a) Does everyone agree that pocket money is a good thing?b) Does everyone receive the same amount of pocket money?

2.  Read the text again and decide if the sentences are true or false.

a) Teenagers in London get more pocket money that most other Europeans.b) Teenagers in Wales get about 6 pounds a week.c) Only teenagers who help in the house get pocket money.d) Most teenagers don't have part-time jobs.e) Teenage girls often earn money by looking after children.f) Less than half of teenagers spend more money than they save.

3. VocabularyAdd words from the text to the following lists:

Jobs: teaching,_________, _________, __________Chores: washing up, _________, _________,__________

4.  What would you do in the following situations?

a) You find a bag with 200 Euros in it.  The owner's name and address are in the bag.b) You lend some of your pocket money to a friend, who promises to pay it back the next day, but doesn't contact you.  You need the money back urgently.