ebtanas 2006

Ujian Nasionala The incomplete
dialogues and the questions will be spoken two times.
After you hear an incomplete dialogue and the
question, read the five possible answers in your test
book then decide which one would be the best response
to complete the dialogue.

UN-SMA-06-03
A. Sure I will
B. You are welcome
C. OK, nice to meet you
D. That sounds interesting
E. See you some other time

UN-SMA-06-04
A. Please accept my condolences
B. I am proud of your sister
C. You must be very upset
D. Congratulations
E. Not at all

UN-SMA-06-05
A. So do I
B. 1 had to watch TV
C. Oh, I got upset with her
D. That's very kind of you
E. It was very good indeed
UN-SMA-06-06
A. I want to get a job
B. Please help me
C. It's just for fun
D. Yes, it's all right
E. That's OK

UN-SMA-06-07
A. English
B. With pleasure
C. School library
D. Students and teachers
E. Two cups of coffee, please

Part III

Questions 8 to 11 Directions:

In this part of the test, you will hear several dialogues.
They will be spoken two' times. After you hear a
conversation and the question about it, read the five
possible-, answers in your test book and decide which
one would be the best answer to the question you've
just heard.

UN-SMA-06-08
A. The woman's father
B. The woman
C. The man's father
D. The man
E. The man and the woman's father

UN-SMA-06-09
A. Pleasure
B. Gratitude
C. Satisfaction
D. Uncertainly
E. Dissatisfaction

UN-SMA-06-10
A. She feels disappointed
B. She feels guilty
C. She hates the man
D. She feels happy
E. She likes the man

UN-SMA-06-11
A. He offers help
B. He asks for permission
C. He expresses sympathy
D. He refuses the invitation
E. He accepts the invitation

Part IV

Questions 12 to 15 Directions:

In this part of the test, you will hear some short texts.
They will be spoken two times. After you hear a text
and the questions about it, read the five possible
answers and decide which one would be the best
answer to the question you've heard.

UN-SMA-06-12
A. Dance teams
B. A gamelan orchestra
C. Traditional costumes
D. A gamelan orchestra and dance teams.
E. A gamelan orchestra and traditional costumes

UN-SMA-06-13
A. They are not traditional dances.
B. They are performed in religious events.
C. They are very similar to Balinese dances.
D. They are performed at several ceremonies.
E. They are less energetic than Balinese dances.

UN-SMA-06-14
A. Birthrate
B. Social problems
C. World population
D. Population in Indonesia
E. Family planning program

UN-SMA-06-15
A. It has reached not more than 200 million.
B. It introduces the family planning program.
C. It causes many problems.
D. It grows very slowly.
E. It increases rapidly.

This is the end of the listening section
Reading section

Text l
This text is for questions 16 and 17

We are announcing today that we are bringing the
Milestone and Ever Green brands even closer together.
Effective as of December 5, 2005, our official name
will be:
GREEN MILES WEST
The substitution of "West" in our name-replacing
"California"- is the result of an agreement we reached
with California Gardening Association, following a
protest over the original use of "California" in our
name. We hope this does not create any confusion
among our loyal consumers. While this represents a
change from our initial name introduction, it does not
change the quality of products we offer to our
consumers.

UN-SMA-06-16
Which of the following statements is TRUE according
to the text?
A. The corporate offices were protested
B. The loyal consumers created an official name for
the company.
C. There was a conflict between Green Miles West
and Milestone
D. The quality of products will be different from the
former products.
E. The name "Green Miles West" will be effective as
of December 5, 2005.
UN-SMA-06-17
“… it does not change the quality of the products we
offer ..." (Paragraph 4).
The underlined word means ...
A. take
B. lose erase
C. alter
D. erase
E. throw

Text 2
This text is for questions number 18

Cinema Quiz Cartoon News
1. Teenager
2. Adult
3. Children
50 %
10 %
0 %
20 %
30 %
20 %
20 %
10 %
80 %
10 %
50 %
0 %

UN-SMA-06-18
From the table above we can conclude that... shows are
mostly watched by children.
A. quiz
B. news
C. talk
D. cinema
E. cartoon

Text 3
This text is for questions 19 to 22
University of Cambridge
Do you plan to study abroad? Don't hesitate.
Welcome to Cambridge University. Cambridge
University, an institution of higher education, is the
second oldest university in Great Britain after the
University of Oxford. It is located in the city of
Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge is a system of
faculties, departments, and 31 independent colleges.
You know, although the colleges and the university per
se are separate corporations, all are parts of an
integrated educational entity. The university examines
candidates for degrees during their residencies and at
the conclusion of their studies. The colleges provide
their students with lodgings and meals, assign tutors,
and offer social, cultural, and athletic activities. Every
student at the University of Cambridge is a member of
a college.
Let's see its academic year. The academic year is
divided into three terms of approximately eight weeks
each: Michaelmas (autumn), Lent (late winter), and
Easter (spring). Students required to study under
supervisor are usually members of the college's
faculties who maintain close relationships with small
groups of students in their charge and assist them in
preparing for university exams.

UN-SMA-06-19
The author's purpose of writing the text is ...
A. to review a particular education system
B. to commemorate a particular college
C. to define a particular academic year
D. to explain a particular way to study
E. to describe a particular institution
UN-SMA-06-20
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. The academic year is held in four seasons in a
year.
B. Students in colleges are not members of the
university
C. Students must not be in their residence during the
terms.
D. The students of Cambridge University have
holidays in summer.
E. University of Oxford is younger than University of
Cambridge

UN-SMA-06-21
The second paragraph tells the readers about ...
A. an integrated educational entity.
B. social activities in the university.
C. the system in Cambridge University.
D. the examination for candidates' degrees.
E. the criteria for the membership of the university.

UN-SMA-06-22
"The colleges provide their students with lodgings and
meals, assign tutors and offer ..." (Paragraph 2).
The underlined word means ...
A. dormitories used for studying in groups
B. places offered for doing some business
C. spaces needed for discussion
D. houses needed for taking a rest
E. rooms rented to stay in

Text 4
This text is for questions 23 to 26

The Hen with the Silver Eggs
One day, in an Arabian city, a woman went to the
market and bought a beautiful L™ A few days later to
her surprise the hen she bought laid a silver egg. If the
hen could only be persuaded to lay more than one egg
each day, the woman was sure she would never have to
work again.
So the woman decided to make the hen eat more,
so that it could lay more eggs. But the only result was
that the hen died of indigestion and did not lay more
eggs at all.

UN-SMA-06-23
Paragraph 3 mostly discusses about ...
A. the hen's eggs
B. what the woman did to her hen
C. what the hen did for the woman
D. what the hen eats to lay more eggs
E. why the woman wanted to get more eggs

UN-SMA-06-24
The hen died because it ...
A. ate nothing
B. ate too much
C. laid more eggs
D. was badly injured
E. was forced to lay. eggs
UN-SMA-06-25
From the text we may conclude that the woman was ...
A. active
B. miserly
C. greedy
D. furious
E. dangerous

UN-SMA-06-26
"If the hen could only be persuaded.... " (Paragraph 2}
The underlined word means ....
A. commanded
B. influenced
C. dangerous
D. brought
E. told

Text 5
This text is for questions 27 to 30

The polar bear is a very
big white bear. We call it the
polar bear because it lives
inside the Arctic Circle near
the North Pole. There are no
polar bears at the South Pole.
The polar bears live at the
North Pole. There is only
snow, ice, and water. There is not any land.
These bears are three meters long, and weigh 450 kilos.
They can stand up on their back legs because they have
very wide feet. They can use their front legs like arms.
The polar bears can swim very well. They can swim
120 kilometers out into the water. They catch fish and
sea animals for food. They go into the sea when they
are afraid.
People like to kill the polar bears for their
beautiful white coats. The governments of Canada, the
United States, and Russia say that no one can kill polar
bears now. They do not want all of these beautiful
animals to die.

UN-SMA-06-27
What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The size of polar bears.
B. Where polar bears live
C. The habitat of polar bears.
D. Why people hunt polar bears.
E. A brief description of polar bears.

UN-SMA-06-28
What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
A. Polar bears are very big animals
B. The polar bears are tame animals
C. Polar bears live at the North Pole
D. There are no polar bears at the South Pole
E. Polar bears are hunted because of their beautiful
white coats





UN-SMA-06-29
Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE
about a polar bear?
A. A polar bear weighs 450 kilos.
B. A polar bear is three meters long.
C. A polar bear catches fish for food.
D. A polar bear goes into the sea when it is angry.
E. A polar bear can swim 120 kilometers out into the
water.

UN-SMA-06-30
A polar be; goes into the sea when it is afraid. The
underlined word is closest ii meaning to ...
A. shy
B. angry
C. scared .
D. furious
E. shocked

UN-SMA-06-31
Tia : You look so sad. What has happened to you?
Mia :My mother was angry because I came home late
last night.
Tia : Don't be sad.
You'd better ask for her apology and admit that
you've done a mistake.
From the dialogue we know that Tia gives ... to Mia.
A. an idea
B. advice
C. an opinion
D. a surprise
E. information

UN-SMA-06-32
Ana : What did you buy at the grocery store
yesterday?
Anto : What did you say?
Ana : I wanted to know what you ... at the grocery
store yesterday.
A. buy
B. would buy
C. had to buy
D. had bought
E. have bought

UN-SMA-06-33
Dito : Excuse me ...,?
Diah : Oh, of course. Here it is!
A. Can you help me
B. Could you do this me
C. Could you do me a favor
D. May I borrow your dictionary
E. Would you mind opening the door
UN-SMA-06-34
Mia : Mother, I've got a scholarship from Monash
University in Australia.
Mother : Thank God. It's really unbelievable!
The underlined expression shows ...
A. anxiety
B. surprise
C. pleasure
D. uncertainty
E. satisfaction

UN-SMA-06-3
Mrs. Tia : What are you doing on Saturday?
Mrs. Hera : I'm going to see a new play with some
students. Would you join us?
Mrs. Tia : I'd like to but I’ll take my kinds to 'Game
Zone'.
The underlined utterance expresses ...
A. A, denial
B. refusal
C. pleasure
D. approval
E. disagreement

UN-SMA-06-36
Anisah : Mom, could I have another cookie; please?
Mother : ..., but don't forget to share it with your
sister.
A. Of course
B. I don't know
C. But it is so urgent
D. Listen, don't bother her
E. You are kidding, I can't

UN-SMA-06-37
Andy : What seems to be the trouble? ....?
Indy : Of course. I need your help. The file cannot be
printed out.
A. Can I help you
B. What is your trouble
C. Why don't you ask me
D. Could you do me a favour
E. Would you mind helping me

UN-SMA-06-38
Meity : Have you finished writing the article?
Novy : Not yet. But I ... writing it by next month.
A. finish
B. would finish
C. have finished
D. will have finished
E. should have finished

UN-SMA-06-39
Roby : We will have a party for my sister's birthday
next Sunday. Would you like to come. Ira?
Ira : I'd love to. It must be a wonderful party.
The underlined expression is used to express ...
A. advice
B. intention
C. C invitation
D. satisfaction
E. suggestion
UN-SMA-06-40
Andi : It seems that you enjoy listening to 'dangdut'
music.
Agus : You're right ...
A. I dislike it.
B. It makes me sick.
C. I hate 'dangdut'.
D. I am annoyed with it.
E. I like 'dangdut' very much.

UN-SMA-06-41
Ardi : As you know our economic condition is
unstable. Do you think our government can
solve this problem soon?
Badri : I think it is very unlikely. It seems that
everything is worsening.
From the underlined words we know that it is ... for the
government to improve the economic condition in the
near future.
A. agreeable
B. improbable
C. uncertain
D. predictable
E. beneficial

UN-SMA-06-42
Willy : This cake is very delicious. Did you make it
yourself?
Betty : Since I was busy, I had it made.
From the underlined utterance we know that Betty ...
the cake
A. made
B. has made
C. had made
D. asked Willy to make
E. ordered someone to make

UN-SMA-06-43
Yudi : You look tired. Lack of sleep?
Nazar : Yes. I wish I had gone to bed earlier, but I
couldn't.
From the underlined sentence we conclude that Nazar...
A. went to bed late
B. went to bed early
C. had enough sleep
D. had too much sleep
E. had gone to bed early

UN-SMA-06-44
Sue : I know you got a bad mark for the English test.
What's wrong with you?
Chris: If I ... dial there was a test, I would have
prepared for it well,
A. know
B. knew
C. had known
D. have known
E. would know
UN-SMA-06-45
Brenda : The road is too busy and the vehicles are
running so fast.
Auntie : ...
A. Mind your step
B. Beware of pick pockets
C. Take care of the vehicles
D. Whatever you do, do it carefully
E. Be careful when crossing the road

UN-SMA-06-46
Tsunamis wash ashore often with disastrous effect such
as severe flooding, loss of lives due to drowning and
damage to property.
The synonym of the underlined word is ...
A. destructive
B. suspicious
C. sufficient
D. harmless
E. ultimate

UN-SMA-06-47
Some drugs taken in large quantities cause permanent
brain damage.
The opposite of the underlined word is ...
A. lasting
B. forever
C. restricted
D. unlimited
E. temporary

UN-SMA-06-48
"It's 12 now. The workers will be dismissed for lunch."
The antonym of the underlined word is ...
A. gathered
B. rejected
C. admitted
D. executed
E. terminated

UN-SMA-06-49
His dry cleaning business is flourishing; he has opened
two more branches this year. The underlined word
means to be ...
A. luxurious
B. plentiful
C. beneficial
D. productive
E. successful

UN-SMA-06-50
A tsunami is a very large sea wave that is ... by a
disturbance along the oc

New Carbon Emission Regulations

China to Decide on New Carbon Emission Regulations

Completely taken aback by the massive success they registered with cleaning Beijing's air during the 2008 Olympic Games, authorities in the Chinese capital have now recovered, and are moving towards extending the exemplary accomplishment around the country. The Communist government has for a long time stated that it would engage actively in reducing the amount of pollution the nation gives off, if only other developed nations such as India, Australia, the United States and Germany would do the same. Now however, they are looking at ways of reducing the massive amounts of smog covering

      their major cities, and also at how they could reduce the size of the smoke cloud covering the continent.

“We can see that there are many areas we still have to work hard on. One important area is not ceasing to strengthen laws and regulations; we must use the law to combat pollution. This is something for the local as well as central government,” said Du Shaozhong, the deputy head of the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau. He was speaking recently to a group of journalists, while taking them on tour to one of the Chinese capital's air quality monitoring stations, Reuters informs.

While authorities indeed said that air quality had improved over the time frame in which the Olympics took place, which is somewhat true, air monitoring stations set up by the American embassy have proven that a distinct threat comes from pollutants that the Chinese government doesn't even monitor, and doesn't take into account when creating reports on the amounts of pollution in the air. “At the national level they have plans to do the revision, but because it is the national level it is not our work,” added an environmental bureau official, under the protection of anonymity.

Ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) are two of the main pollutants that China is heavily criticized for not taking into account when assessing the amount of pollution in the country's air. “When it comes to ozone and PM 2.5, from what I understand the country is currently positively researching pollution standards, and I hope this is the future trend of our control and monitoring activities,” the official added.

Ozone Layer Recovering

According to a new research paper released by the European Space Agency (ESA), the ozone depletion in our atmosphere is leveling off, a direct consequence of the banning of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) with the Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987. A fine example of how nations can come to work together when faced with a common threat, the agreement essentially ensured that the atmosphere would not lose its ability to stop harmful UV radiation from penetrating all the way to the Earth's surface. The new study, which combines a decade of observations, shows promising results.

      If the ozone layer were to be depleted, we would essentially be fried down on the surface. Huge amounts of UV radiation, which are now held at bay by the protective layer, would reach the surface and bring about immediate effects, such as a huge raise in the incidence of skin cancer and related deaths. Simulations released by several research institutes over the past couple of years show how the planet would have looked like if CFC had not been banned, and present an image we must be happy to have avoided.

The ESA investigation combines data collected by the GOME instrument on ESA's ERS-2 satellite, the SCIAMACHY instrument on ESA's Envisat, and the GOME-2 instrument on the European Meteorological Satellite Organization's MetOp-A satellite. All these devices are able to perform vertically downward-looking measurements every month, and their readings were combined to create the first homogeneous, long-term ozone record. This allowed researchers to finally look at global trends spanning the entire atmosphere, and to assess the overall condition of the ozone layer.

“We found a global slightly positive trend of ozone increase of almost 1% per decade in the total ozone from the last 14 years: a result that was confirmed by comparisons with ground-based measurements,” project expert Diego G. Loyola R. says. For the new results, he worked together with fellow scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

“Our analysis shows that upper stratospheric ozone declines at northern and southern mid-latitudes at roughly 7% per decade during 1979, consistent with earlier studies based on data from satellites and ground networks. A clear statistically significant change of trend can be seen around 1997. The small increase observed thereafter, from 1997 to 2008, is however not yet statistically different from a zero trend. We hope to see a significant recovery of (upper stratospheric) ozone in the next years using longer, extended satellite time-series,” scientist Jo Urban, from the Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, adds.

Detecting Jets Produced by Black Hole Mergers

Astrophysicists now believe that they could keep track of galactic mergers by scanning the Universe for signs of highly-energetic and very powerful jet radiation, which would result from black hole collisions.

This may help astronomers get a better clue of the frequency with which galactic mergers took place, and also of the phenomena that take on at their cores, where matter interactions are most dynamic.

For example, all large and old galaxies are powered by supermassive black holes at their cores – structures that merge with each other in case of a galactic collision.

According to a new computer model of what would happen in such an instance, a black hole collision would result in the production of massive amounts of super-powerful jets of radiation, which should become immediately apparent to researchers who know what to look for.

The study also suggests that astronomers should get to working on building a new class of telescopes, that would be dedicated exclusively to studying black hole interactions.

What's even more interesting about the new computer model is the fact that the jets of electromagnet energy the black hole produce start being noticeable long before the two structures actually collide.

“There is a very real possibility that we will be able to detect these systems before a merger takes place. The ideal scenario is to know where it's going to happen,” says Luis Lehner, quoted by Space.

The expert is based in Canada, where he holds joint appointments at the University of Guelph and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He is also the coauthor of the new study.

One added advantage of studying black holes is the fact that readings obtained in this manner could be used to investigate other physical phenomena as well, such as Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.

“We've never tested Einstein's relativity in extreme conditions. This would give us a chance to see if it holds up. If it doesn't, we can start looking at alternative theories,” Lehner adds.

The expert says that his team's work on studying black holes is very different than existing studies on the same issue.

He explains that, while other research groups modeled black hole interactions in a vacuum, his team is one of the first to introduce matter into the equation. Black holes are always surrounded by gas and dust, among other things.

“The problem becomes so much messier when matter is involved,” Lehner concludes, adding that simulation become more complex by adding it, but also more relevant and realistic

Testing String Theory Is Possible

Testing String Theory Is Possible

Scientists in the United Kingdom have recently developed a method of measuring string theory, a 50-year-old idea that was designed to reconcile general relativity and quantum mechanics into a single, unified Theory of Everything.

Physicists have been looking for this Holy Grail for many years, and String Theory was one of the proposed answers. However, until now, experts have had no way of actually testing its predictions.

     Researchers at the Imperial College London (ICL) have recently determined that the calculations can be used to predict the behavior of particles that exist in a state known as quantum entanglement.

Given that this state can be instilled in particles, and then observed in the tightly-controlled confines of a scientific laboratory, it could be that String Theory in itself is now becoming testable.

General relativity is the part of physics that explains interactions at a large scale, whereas quantum mechanics explains how elementary particles interact at the nanoscale, or at even lower levels of miniaturization, Universe Today reports.

Generally, classical Newtonian physics cannot explain the peculiar behaviors that small particles display – hence the need for quantum mechanics.

But String Theory offers a bridge between the two types of physics, one that could finally lead to a global explanation of why things are the way they are in the Universe.

“If experiments prove that our predictions about quantum entanglement are correct, this will demonstrate that string theory 'works' to predict the behavior of entangled quantum systems,
explains the lead author of the investigation, ICL professor Mike Duff.

He goes on to say that “this will not be proof that string theory is the right 'theory of everything' that is being sought by cosmologists and particle physicists.”

“However, it will be very important to theoreticians because it will demonstrate whether or not string theory works, even if its application is in an unexpected and unrelated area of physics,” Duff adds.

The expert got his inspiration from making this fortuitous connection whilst listening to a colleague presenting mathematical formulas related to quantum entanglement, at a scientific conference.

“I suddenly recognized his formulas as similar to some I had developed a few years earlier while using string theory to describe black holes. When I returned to the UK I checked my notebooks and confirmed that the maths from these very different areas was indeed identical,” Duff concludes.

5 Teen Behavior Problems

5 Teen Behavior Problems: A Troubleshooting Guide

Is your teenager rebelling, defying your curfew, or hanging out with questionable kids? Here's how to nip behavior problems in the bud.

(continued)

Teen Behavior Problem 2:

Communication Devices Rule Their Lives
It's ironic that teenage forms of communication like instant messaging, texting, and talking on cell phones make them less communicative, at least with the people they live with. In today's world, though, forbidding all use of electronic devices is not only unrealistic, but unkind. "Being networked with their friends is critical to most teens," says Goldman.
Your Solution
Look at the big picture, advises Susan Bartell, PhD, an adolescent psychologist in New York. If your child is functioning well in school, doing his chores at home and not completely retreating from family life, it's probably best to "lay off." It's also OK to set reasonable limits, such as no "texting" or cell phone calls during dinner. Some parents prefer not to let teens have computers in their rooms, since it makes it harder to supervise computer usage, and this is perfectly reasonable. Many experts also suggest establishing a rule that the computer has to be off at least one hour before bedtime, as a way to ensure that teens get more sleep.
One good way to limit how many minutes your teen spends talking on his cell and texting: Require him to pay his own cell phone bills. And do your best to monitor what your child does when he's online, particularly if he or she is using networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. You still own the home and computer -- so check into parental Internet controls and software to monitor use of any questionable web sites.

Teen Behavior Problem 3:

Staying Out Too Late
It's 10:30 p.m. and you told your daughter to be home by 10 p.m. Why does she ignore your curfew again and again?
"Part of what teens do is test limits," explains Goldman. "But the fact is that they actually want limits, so parents need to keep setting them."
Your Solution
Do some research before insisting that your child respect your curfew because it's possible that yours is unreasonable. Call a few of your kids' friends' parents and find out when they expect their kids home. Goldman suggests giving kids a 10-minute grace period, and if they defy that, to set consequences -- such as no going out at night for a week.
If it seems like your child is staying out late because she's up to no good, or doesn't feel happy at home, then you need to talk with her and figure out what might be going on. However, if your curfew is in line with what's typical in your teen's crowd, then it's time to set consequences and then enforce them if your teen continues to break your rules. When you make a rule, you have to mean it. You can't bluff teenagers -- they will always call you on it.
Hanging Out with Kids You Don't Like
You wince every time your son traipses through the door with his greasy-haired, noisy buddies. Should you suck it up, or say something?
Your Solution
Kids can wear weird clothes, pierce their lips, act rudely and still be decent kids, says Bartell, who advises parents to hold off on criticizing something as superficial as fashion in their kids' friends. "Teenagers are so attached to their friends that it's like criticizing them directly."
On the other hand, if you know that your child has taken up with a group of troubled teens who skip school and do drugs, a talk is in order. "Without putting him on the defensive, tell your child you're concerned about who he's hanging out with and that you're worried he's doing drugs," says Bartell. While you can't forbid your child to hang around with certain kids, you can intervene and try to nip dangerous behaviors in the bud. Don't be afraid to ask for professional help about hanging out with a crowd engaged in negative behavior. Counseling or family therapy can help.

Teen Behavior Problem 5:

Everything's a Drama
Every little thing seems to set your daughter off lately, and the more you try to help, the more she sobs or shouts or slams the door.
Part of being a teenager is feeling things intensely, so what may seem like no big deal to you is hugely important to her.
Your Solution
Parents tend to trivialize the importance of things in teenagers' lives, says Bartell: "What happens is that kids feel misunderstood, and eventually they will stop telling you anything. Right now it is the most important thing in the world that her best friend is flirting with her boyfriend, and you need to take it seriously."
Don't offer advice, disparage her friends or try to minimize it by saying that one day she'll see how silly high school romances are. "Just listen and sympathize," says Bartell. And put yourself in her position -- because, after all, you were once there yourself.

5 Teen Behavior Problems: A Troubleshooting Guide

5 Teen Behavior Problems: A Troubleshooting Guide

Is your teenager rebelling, defying your curfew, or hanging out with questionable kids? Here's how to nip behavior problems in the bud.

By Christina Frank
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Varnada Karriem, MD

To be fair, no one has ever pretended that parenting a teenager was going to be easy. Still, until your own kids reach that stage, it's tempting to believe your family will be immune to teen behavior problems. No, you tell yourself, your teenager will never talk back, stay out too late or pierce her eyebrow.
Dream on.
Teenagers are basically hard-wired to butt heads with their parents, says Stuart Goldman, MD, director of psychiatric education at Children's Hospital in Boston. "Adolescence is a time of rapid change for kids both physically and cognitively," he explains. "It's the task of the teenager to fire their parents and then re-hire them years later, but as consultants rather than managers."
But that doesn't mean you have to take it lying down. With the right approach, you can troubleshoot the following teen behavior problems in a relatively civilized fashion.

Teen Behavior Problem 1:

Your Teen Seems To Hate You
One minute your sweet child is begging you to come on the class trip or to lie down with her while she falls asleep. Then, seemingly overnight, she starts treating you like dirt, discounting everything you say and snickering at your suggestions. If you look closely, you'll see that you've been through this before, when she was a toddler -- only instead of shouting "no!" like a two-year-old would, a teenager simply rolls her eyes in disgust.
"It's so hard for parents when this happens," says Nadine Kaslow, PhD, a psychologist specializing in kids and families at Emory University in Atlanta. "But part of adolescence is about separating and individuating, and many kids need to reject their parents in order to find their own identities." Teens focus on their friends more than on their families, which is normal too.
Your Solution
Sometimes parents feel so hurt by their teens' treatment that they respond by returning the rejection -- which is a mistake. "Teenagers know that they still need their parents even if they can't admit it," says Goldman. "The roller-coaster they put you on is also the one they're feeling internally." As the parent, you need to stay calm and try to weather this teenage rebellion phase, which usually passes by the time a child is 16 or 17.
But no one's saying your teen should be allowed to be truly nasty or to curse at you; when this happens, you have to enforce basic behavior standards. One solution is the good, old-fashioned approach of: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." By letting your teenager know that you're here for him no matter what, you make it more likely that he'll let down his guard and confide in you once in a while, which is a rare treat.