Question 1

Gains in language development during adolescence are largely due to
A) biological maturation.
B) reading adult literary works.
C) improved capacity for reflective thought and abstraction.
D) adult instruction.

Accepted Answer

During adolescence, individuals undergo significant cognitive development, particularly in their capacity for reflective thought and abstraction. This enhanced cognitive capacity likely contributes to gains in language development, as adolescents can comprehend and manipulate language more complexly. Biological maturation and adult instruction may also play a role, but neither factor is as central as cognitive development. Reading adult literary works may broaden adolescents’ vocabulary and expose them to more complex syntax, but again, this is secondary to the underlying cognitive changes.

Question 2

Research shows that in adolescence, the ability to understand proverbs is positively related to
A) peer acceptance.
B) spatial skills.
C) reading proficiency.
D) interest in political issues.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that reading proficiency is positively related to the ability to understand proverbs in adolescence.

Question 3

Sixteen-year-old Alyssa speaks differently to her boss at work, her parents at home, and her friends at school. Alyssa demonstrates an improved mastery of
A) vocabulary.
B) grammar.
C) pragmatics.
D) pronunciation.

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different social situations and with different people. Alyssa is adjusting her language use to fit the social context and the people she is interacting with, indicating an improved mastery of pragmatics. The other options may also be a factor, but do not capture the full extent of Alyssa's language use.

Question 4

Which of the following adolescents are at greatest risk for academic and emotional difficulties after a school transition? Those who
A) move from a large elementary school to a small junior high school.
B) were good students in elementary school.
C) attend a single-sex school.
D) have to cope with added life strains, such as family disruption or poverty.

Accepted Answer

Adolescents who have to cope with added life strains, such as family disruption or poverty, are at greatest risk for academic and emotional difficulties after a school transition, regardless of the type or size of the school they are transitioning to. Research has consistently shown that environmental stressors and life strains can negatively impact academic performance and emotional well-being. While moving from a large elementary school to a small junior high school or attending a single-sex school may present unique challenges, they are not necessarily associated with greater risk for academic and emotional difficulties after a school transition. Good students in elementary school may still face challenges in adapting to a new school environment, but their prior academic success may provide some protective factors against difficulties.

Question 5

An effective way to ease the strain of school transition in adolescence is to
A) assign students to classes with several familiar peers or a constant group of new peers.
B) make sure that academic expectations in junior high are tougher than in elementary school.
C) reduce students' need to conform by encouraging anonymity.
D) reduce the number of extracurricular activities available in high school.

Accepted Answer

Assigning students to classes with several familiar peers or a constant group of new peers can provide a sense of continuity and reduce the anxiety associated with starting junior high or high school. This can also help students build and maintain supportive social networks. B, C, and D are not effective ways to ease the strain of school transition in adolescence. In fact, increasing academic expectations too drastically, encouraging anonymity, and reducing extracurricular opportunities can all exacerbate stress and make the transition more difficult.

Question 6

Crystal, age 16, is allowed to work at her part-time job for no more than 15 hours a week, and she tends to make decisions jointly with her parents. Which of the following statements about Crystal is most likely to be true?
A) Crystal will likely grow up to have a poor work ethic as an adult.
B) Crystal will likely grow up to be a permissive parent.
C) Crystal is likely to do very well in her academic work.
D) Crystal is likely to lack motivation in doing her school work.

Accepted Answer

The fact that Crystal and her parents make decisions jointly suggests that she comes from a family that values collaboration and communication. This is a positive trait that is likely to translate into academic success, as she will be able to seek assistance and guidance from her parents when needed. There is no reason to believe that working part-time and limiting her hours would result in a poor work ethic, nor is there any indication that she would become a permissive parent or lack motivation in her school work based on the given information.

Question 7

In elementary school,
A) girls more often blame math errors on lack of ability than boys.
B) both boys and girls view math as a "female domain."
C) girls believe they do not have to work as hard as boys in math.
D) boys regard math as less useful for their future lives than girls.

Accepted Answer

According to research, girls are more likely to blame math errors on lack of ability than boys in elementary school. This may be due to societal stereotypes about gender and math ability.

Question 8

Compared to their elementary school teachers, students say junior high teachers
A) care less about them.
B) are more friendly.
C) care more about them.
D) grade more fairly.

Accepted Answer

Junior high students often perceive their teachers as less caring compared to their elementary school teachers, possibly due to larger class sizes and less personalized attention.

Question 9

Teenage slang is an example of adolescents'
A) mastery of language style.
B) poor use of grammar.
C) egocentrism.
D) capacity for second-language learning.

Accepted Answer

Teenage slang demonstrates their mastery of language style, as they are able to manipulate and adapt language to fit their peer group and express their own individuality. It may not conform to traditional grammar rules, but it still showcases their understanding of language and ability to use it creatively. Additionally, the other options (poor use of grammar, egocentrism, and capacity for second-language learning) do not accurately capture the phenomenon of teenage slang.

Question 10

One way to enhance girls' math skills is to
A) focus more on their verbal processing skills.
B) focus less on spatial skills and more on computational skills.
C) teach them how to apply effective spatial strategies.
D) wait until secondary school, when higher order skills are being utilized, to intervene.

Accepted Answer

Teaching girls effective spatial strategies can enhance their math skills. Research has shown that girls tend to struggle more with spatial skills than boys, and spatial skills are a key component of success in math. By teaching girls how to apply effective spatial strategies, they can improve their overall math performance. Focusing less on spatial skills (option B) may not be helpful, as it may reinforce the gender stereotype that girls are not as good at math as boys. Waiting until secondary school (option D) may be too late to address any potential gaps in girls' math skills. Focusing more on verbal processing skills (option A) may not directly address the root of the problem, which is girls' struggles with spatial skills.

Question 11

School transitions typically lead to environmental changes that fit poorly with adolescents' developmental needs, including
A) disruption of close relationships with teachers at a time when adolescents need adult support.
B) an emphasis on sophisticated academic collaboration during a period of heightened self-focusing.
C) increased expectation for independent decision making.
D) lowered academic demands as students are sorted into academic and nonacademic tracks.

Accepted Answer

Adolescents need adult support during their transition into new environments, and disruption of close relationships with teachers can be detrimental to their well-being and academic success. The other answer choices are not supported by research on adolescent development and school transitions.

Question 12

Research on school transitions shows that ________ declines for both genders after each school change.
A) self-esteem
B) grade-point average
C) loneliness
D) dating

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that grade-point average tends to decline for both genders after each school transition due to the challenges and adjustments associated with changing schools.

Question 13

In general, research shows that the earlier the school transition, the
A) more powerful its impact, especially for boys.
B) more powerful its impact, especially for girls.
C) less its impact, especially for boys.
D) less its impact, especially for girls.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that early school transitions have a more powerful impact on girls than boys. This is because girls tend to have stronger social and emotional connections to primary caregivers which can be disrupted by an early school transition. Additionally, girls tend to mature and develop verbal and social communication skills earlier than boys, which may make them more vulnerable to the academic and social demands of an early school transition.

Question 14

Which of the following is a critical factor in eliminating gender differences in math and science?
A) finding a way to reduce genetic differences between the genders
B) creating all-girl science classes so that they will not be compared to boys
C) decreasing the amount of emphasis for boys to excel at math and science
D) promoting girls' interest and confidence in math and science

Accepted Answer

Promoting girls' interest and confidence in math and science is a critical factor in eliminating gender differences in these subjects. This can be done through initiatives such as providing more female role models in STEM fields, creating supportive and inclusive learning environments, and encouraging girls to pursue STEM-related activities and careers. The other options (A, B, and C) are not effective ways to eliminate gender differences in math and science.

Question 15

With regard to computer use, Angelique is more likely to ________, while Brendan is more likely to ________.
A) write computer programs; use e-mail
B) use instant messaging; use graphics software
C) analyze data; gather information for homework assignments
D) use e-mail; use instant messaging

Accepted Answer

The answer of With regard to computer use, Angelique is...

Question 16

During adolescence, vocabulary growth involves the addition of many
A) abstract words.
B) compound words.
C) action words.
D) modifiers.

Accepted Answer

Adolescence is a period of cognitive development where individuals develop the ability to think abstractly. As a result, they tend to learn and use more abstract words to describe their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Question 17

Compared to school-age children, adolescents are better at
A) defining concrete words.
B) understanding figurative language.
C) turn taking in conversations.
D) applying the basic rules of grammar.

Accepted Answer

Adolescents have developed a better understanding of abstract concepts and can comprehend figurative language better than school-age children. This is due to their increased cognitive and language development.

Question 18

Joshua recently switched from elementary school to middle school. He feels less academically competent and his liking for school has declined. Which of the following best explains the cause of his feelings?
A) He comes from a high-SES background.
B) The class sizes are bigger, and the school work is more challenging.
C) Middle school teachers tend to be less caring and supportive than elementary school teachers.
D) Boys, more so than girls, tend to struggle with school transitions.

Accepted Answer

Middle school is typically characterized by larger class sizes and more challenging academic work, which can be overwhelming for many students. This is likely the primary cause of Joshua's decreased academic confidence and decreased liking for school. The other options do not have as strong a basis in research or theory as this explanation.

Question 19

Students who had academic difficulties in addition to mental health problems during junior high ___________ after the transition to high school.
A) showed grade improvements
B) showed increased out-of-school problem behaviors
C) experienced an increase in self-esteem
D) had fewer mental health problems

Accepted Answer

The passage states that students with both academic difficulties and mental health problems had increased out-of-school problem behaviors after transitioning to high school. There is no information given about grade improvements, an increase in self-esteem, or a decrease in mental health problems.

Question 20

Teenagers who perceive their school learning environments to be ________ have more successful school transitions.
A) more rigid and strict than their middle school environments
B) competitive
C) easy and unstructured
D) sensitive and flexible

Accepted Answer

Teenagers who perceive their school learning environments to be sensitive and flexible tend to have more successful school transitions. This means that they feel supported by their teachers and administrators in their learning and are able to navigate the changes that come with transitioning to a new school. A more rigid and strict environment may make them feel stressed or isolated, while a competitive or unstructured environment may make it difficult for them to adjust to the new expectations and routines.

Quiz 15: Cognitive Development in Adolescence

Gains in language development during adolescence are largely due to

Research shows that in adolescence, the ability to understand proverbs is positively related to

Sixteen-year-old Alyssa speaks differently to her boss at work, her parents at home, and her friends at school. Alyssa demonstrates an improved mastery of

Which of the following adolescents are at greatest risk for academic and emotional difficulties after a school transition? Those who

An effective way to ease the strain of school transition in adolescence is to

Crystal, age 16, is allowed to work at her part-time job for no more than 15 hours a week, and she tends to make decisions jointly with her parents. Which of the following statements about Crystal is most likely to be true?

In elementary school,

Compared to their elementary school teachers, students say junior high teachers

Teenage slang is an example of adolescents'

One way to enhance girls' math skills is to

School transitions typically lead to environmental changes that fit poorly with adolescents' developmental needs, including

Research on school transitions shows that ________ declines for both genders after each school change.

In general, research shows that the earlier the school transition, the

Which of the following is a critical factor in eliminating gender differences in math and science?

With regard to computer use, Angelique is more likely to , while Brendan is more likely to .

During adolescence, vocabulary growth involves the addition of many

Compared to school-age children, adolescents are better at

Joshua recently switched from elementary school to middle school. He feels less academically competent and his liking for school has declined. Which of the following best explains the cause of his feelings?

Students who had academic difficulties in addition to mental health problems during junior high ___________ after the transition to high school.

Teenagers who perceive their school learning environments to be ________ have more successful school transitions.