Teenagers are stronger and more resilient than children, yet their mortality rate nearly doubles during adolescence. This contradiction has puzzled scientists and parents alike. One common explanation is that teenagers are simply reckless or lack good judgment. However, studies show that teenagers are about as capable as adults at recognizing the risks of dangerous behavior. If teenagers understand risks, why are they still more likely to engage in harmful or impulsive actions?Some of the clearest insight into adolescent behavior comes from observing rats. Around seven weeks after birth, rats reach puberty and begin to behave in ways strikingly similar to human teenagers: they spend less time with their parents, seek out new experiences, and become more curious and exploratory. In one study, adolescent rats were willing to work much harder than both younger and older rats to obtain a sweet reward, pressing a lever dozens of times for each drop. This increase in effort suggests that, during adolescence, the perceived value of rewards rises sharply. Similar behavioral shifts across species indicate that the changes seen in teenagers are rooted more in biological and genetic factors, not just social or cultural ones.Research shows that teenage brains process rewards more intensely than those of children or adults. The brain’s reward system is especially active during adolescence, which can make short-term gains feel more compelling and drive impulsive choices — even when risks are understood. Meanwhile, the brain’s cognitive control network, which helps resist short-term temptations in favor of long-term goals, develops slowly and becomes more efficient with age. In children, this system is active but immature; in adults, it works with less effort. Teenagers fall in the middle — the control system is present but often overpowered by reward signals. This imbalance helps explain why adolescence is a time of increased risk-taking. In some cases, especially when cognitive control is weakened by genes, environment, or experience, teenagers may be more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, addiction, or other psychological disorders. Even teens with strong self-regulation may still act on emotion rather than reason in high-reward situations.

Official Solution: Similar patterns of adolescent behavior across species suggest that such changes are more strongly influenced by biological and genetic factors than by social or cultural factors. • Tab 2 states that adolescent rats display behaviors similar to those of human teenagers, and it concludes that such consistent patterns across species indicate the changes are rooted more in biological and genetic factors than in social or cultural ones. Thus, this statement is true. Teenagers’ risk assessment ability is significantly lower than that of children when evaluating the consequences of their actions. • Tab 1 states that teenagers are about as capable as adults at recognizing risks, and it does not suggest that children surpass teenagers in this ability. Thus, this statement is not true. Although children are weaker and less resilient than teenagers, their mortality rate is roughly half that of adolescents. • Tab 1 states that teenagers are stronger and more resilient than children, yet their mortality rate nearly doubles during adolescence. Thus, this statement is true. Correct answer: Similar patterns of adolescent behavior across species suggest that such changes are more strongly influenced by biological and genetic factors than by social or cultural factors. "True" Teenagers’ risk assessment ability is significantly lower than that of children when evaluating the consequences of their actions. "Not True" Although children are weaker and less resilient than teenagers, their mortality rate is roughly half that of adolescents. "True"

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True	Not True
		Similar patterns of adolescent behavior across species suggest that such changes are more strongly influenced by biological and genetic factors than by social or cultural factors.
		Teenagers’ risk assessment ability is significantly lower than that of children when evaluating the consequences of their actions.
		Although children are weaker and less resilient than teenagers, their mortality rate is roughly half that of adolescents.