although

despite

in addition

however

as

because of

therefore

moreover

Unit 9: Social
issues
GRAMMAR
Task 1. Choose

the correct word to complete each sentence.
1. Therefore / Although peer influence is a common part of school life, it can sometimes lead to
students making unusual choices.
2. In addition / By contrast to peer pressure affecting academic choices, it can also influence
students to try risky behaviours.
3. Bullying has many forms. As a result / an addition, people should be aware of them.
4. Some students stand up to bullying. However / since, many students choose to ignore it.
5. Because of / Because the bullying, many students felt anxious and didn't want to go to school.
6. Some classmates in Binh's class made fun of him besides / since he wore glasses.
7. Hang was bullied; however / therefore, his parents talked to the school principal.
8. Besides / Furthermore feeling hurt by the bullying, Xuan found it hard to focus on her
homework.
Task 2. Complete each sentence with a suitable linking word or phrase.

1. My friends wanted me to skip class to go to the cinema; ____________________, I went to
school instead.
2. I didn't want to lie; ____________________, I told the truth about what happened.
3. ____________________ all of my friends joined the art club, I joined it, too.
4. ____________________ to feeling pressured to smoke, I started hanging out with a new group of
friends.
5. ____________________ I didn't like the idea, I wore the same trendy clothes as my friends to fit
in.
6. I did not do well in the test
____________________ staying up late.
7. ____________________ the school rules, many students painted their nails when going to
school.
8. My friends wanted me to participate in the school talent show. ____________________, they
encouraged me to sing in front of everyone.
Task 1. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct
word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Sometimes, (1) ________, the stresses in your life can actually come from your peers. They
may pressure you (2) ________ doing something you're uncomfortable with, such as drinking or
smoking.
The pressure to conform to do what others are doing can be powerful and hard (3) ________.
A person might feel pressure to do something just because others are doing it. Peer pressure can
influence a person to do something that is relatively harmless or something that has more serious
consequences. (4) ________ in to the pressure to dress (5) ________ certain way is one thing going along with the crowd to drink or smoke is another.
People may feel pressure to conform so they fit (6) ________ or are accepted, or so they
don't feel awkward or uncomfortable. When people are (7) ________ of what to do in a social
situation, they naturally look to others about what is and isn't acceptable.
The people who are most easily influenced will (8) ________ someone else's lead first. Then
others (9) ________ go along, too - so it can be easy to think, “It must be OK. Everyone else is
doing it. They must know (10) ________ they're doing.” Before you know it, many people are
going along with the crowd - perhaps on something they might not otherwise do.
Adapted from: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/peer-pressure.html

1. A. therefore
2. A. on
3. A. to resist
4. A. Given
5. A. the
6. A. from
7. A. unsure
8. A. contact
9. A. should
10. A. which

B. though
B. of
B. resist
B. Give
B. each
B. in
B. drunk
B. argue
B. may
B. that

C. neither
C. into
C. resisting
C. Gave
C. a
C. on
C. reliable
C. skip
C. must
C. what

D. as
D. through
D. being resisted
D. Giving
D. Ø
D. to
D. practical
D. follow
D. need
D. who

Task 2. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the following
questions.
It is very common for young people to look towards other people who are in the same
situation. Unfortunately, this is not a very healthy action as most people make bad decisions, but
because young people don't know any better, they will decide to join in. There are, however, cases
in which being influenced by your peers could be very beneficial to students.
Believe it or not, but positive peer pressure is more common than negative peer pressure. An
example of positive peer pressure is when all of your friends are encouraging you to join the debate
team to help deal with a fear of speaking to new people. This creates confidence and can lead to
positive effects throughout your life.
People are more likely to engage in popular positive events. If something is popular and
good, people will feel pressure to do something good and it is popular so it will not be criticised.
This creates a positive feedback loop as when more people do the act, more people will see it and
would like to engage in it. This is why positive peer pressure is more widespread than negative
peer pressure. Positive peer pressure is more likely to be promoted and passed on and it sets up
people for success.
On the other hand, negative peer pressure has a bigger impact on young people based on the
American Psychological Association because the negative peer pressure effects, they have more
long term effects. This is because most of the negative effects are more addictive rather than the
positive effects.
Negative peer pressure causes more damage than positive peer pressure. An example of
negative peer pressure is when a friend convinces you to start drinking alcohol. If a student starts
drinking alcohol at a young age, it could hinder growth of the brain. According to National Center
for Biotechnology Information, “Studies reveal that youth who started drinking before age 15,
compared to those who waited until they were 21, were 12 times more likely to be unintentionally
injured while under the influence of alcohol, 7 times more likely to be in a motor vehicle crash after
drinking, and 10 times more likely to have been in a physical fight after drinking.” Most of these
negative effects are highly addictive and are spread through friend groups.
Adapted from: https://altahawkeye.org/2418/uncategorized/what-is-peer-pressure-and-how-does-itaffect-students/
1. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A. The Appearance of Peer Pressure Among Young People
B. The Disadvantages of Peer Pressure on Teenagers
C. The Positive and Negative Effects of Peer Pressure
D. The Impact of Alcohol on Youth Development
2. Why do many young people tend to follow their peers even if they make bad decisions?
A. Because they have a strong sense of individuality.
B. Because they know more about making better choices.
C. Because they often lack knowledge and experience.

D. Because they prefer to be criticised for their decisions.
3. The word “they” in paragraph 1 refers to _________.
A. decisions
B. cases
C. peers
D. young people
4. The word “loop” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _________.
A. site
B. circle
C. entry
D. topic
5. The word “widespread” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _________.
A. common
B. pressing
C. central
D. sustainable
6. The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to _________.
A. negative peer pressure
B. positive peer pressure
C. loop
D. success
7. According to the passage, what can be an effect of positive peer pressure?
A. It can lead to more addictive behaviours.
B. It often results in criticism from others.
C. It can encourage confidence and have positive long-term effects.
D. It is less likely to be promoted and passed on.
8. What is one specific consequence of starting drinking alcohol before age 15?
A. They are 10 times more likely to be in a physical fight after drinking.
B. They are 7 times more likely to engage in popular positive events.
C. They are 12 times more likely to have better brain growth.
D. They are more likely to join the debate team.
9. According to the passage, what is an example of negative peer pressure mentioned?
A. convincing a friend to start drinking alcohol
B. promoting participation in popular positive events
C. encouraging friends to join the debate team
D. making peers study harder
10. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Young people often look towards other people who are in the same situation as them.
B. Students drinking before age 15 are 10 times more likely to be in a motor vehicle crash
after drinking.
C. Positive peer pressure encourages people to do good things.
D. Negative peer pressure can lead to highly addictive behaviours.