Read the article of what Americans think about being independent. Answer the questions given in the text.
Are you expected to make choices? Do your parents encourage you to be independent in your everyday life? American parents do. They believe strongly that a person should have the freedom to decide what should be done today and in the future. Parents encourage their children from an early age to be independent, to be responsible, to respect their society and their country', to work hard and to believe in God.
Very often even small children decide themselves how' to decorate their bedrooms or what toys to play with. Teenagers have lots of choices to make: at school they choose between sports or music, French or German, economics or social studies. They choose who their friends are and how to earn their pocket money, for example by babysitting or carrying newspapers. They also choose how to spend the money that they have earned: buying computer games, travelling or just going to a disco.
Parents and teachers are always ready to help the teenagers with their decisions. But it’s very important to be independent and to believe in yourself.
Read the article again. Correct these false statements.
1. American parents decide what their children should do in everyday life and in future.
2. Parents advise their children how they should spend the money they have made.
3. Teenagers shouldn't be given much freedom because they are not serious enough.
4. Usually teenagers are not encouraged to take decisions themselves.
5. Parents choose how to spend the money their children have earned.