Question

Here is Vicky’s letter to a teenage magazine. I’m writing to say that teen magazines have been criticized rightly for giving teenagers the wrong impression on different problems. I buy two girls’ magazines but I might stop soon. Teen magazines give very strong ideas about what’s “normal”. They are so stereotypical and they don’t let you have an opinion or to be different. Teen magazines make you feel that you should have a certain figure… Sometimes it makes you feel bad about yourself. Why should every girl have exactly the same taste, be exactly the right appearance and size? Real people know they can be themselves and be happy how they are. Why should we follow the standards teen magazine offer? They don’t know anything about teenagers’ lives and fill their pages with gossip on celebrities that nobody really cares about. There is more to life than make-up and clothes. Most of the things in girls’ magazines are just wrong!!! I’m 15 and I don’t feel comfortable reading them!!! They teach us things that we’re too young to know about. Sometimes I am absolutely shocked by the content and by the language. I think that magazines should be written by teenagers not adults because they don’t know what our life is like today. Magazines should give more practical advice on things that can really influence us. They also should give a warning of both – bad language and the wrong content. I would like to read a magazine that meets all the demands (отвечает всем требованиям) but I haven’t found one yet. Vicky, Newcastle 1) Answer the questions. 1. Why are teenage magazines criticized for according to Vicky’s opinion? 2. What do teenage magazines make Vicky feel? 3. Why does Vicky feel uncomfortable reading teens’ magazines? 4. Who should write magazines according to Vicky’s opinion? 5. What information should teens’ magazines give? 6. What teens’ magazines do you read? Why?

Answer 1

1. Because they give the wrong impression to adolescents about different problems. 
2. Teenage magazines give very strong ideas about what is "normal".
3. Because most of the things in the magazines for girls are just wrong. 
4. The magazines should be written by teenagers, not by adults. 
5. Magazines should give more practical advice on things that can really influence us. 
6. I do not read magazines for teens.

Answer 2

Vicky criticizes teenage magazines for several reasons in her letter:

1. Stereotypical and Strong Ideas: Vicky believes that teen magazines provide strong and stereotypical ideas about what is considered "normal." She argues that these magazines do not allow teenagers to have their own opinions or be different.

2. Body Image Pressure: According to Vicky, teen magazines contribute to the pressure of conforming to a certain figure. They create unrealistic expectations about appearance, making readers feel bad about themselves.

3. Lack of Individuality: Vicky expresses concern that teen magazines promote a homogenous image, expecting every girl to have the same taste, appearance, and size. She argues that real people should be comfortable being themselves.

4. Irrelevant Content: Vicky criticizes the content of teen magazines for being filled with gossip about celebrities that she believes teenagers don't really care about. She suggests that there is more to life than makeup and clothes.

5. Inappropriate Content for Teens: Vicky feels that some of the content in teen magazines is inappropriate for their age group. She mentions being shocked by both the language used and the topics covered, believing that magazines teach things that teenagers are too young to know.

6. Lack of Practical Advice: Vicky suggests that magazines should be written by teenagers themselves because adults don't understand the current lives of teenagers. She believes that magazines should offer more practical advice on issues that can genuinely influence teenagers.

7. Absence of Warnings: Vicky thinks that magazines should provide warnings about both bad language and inappropriate content, advocating for responsible journalism.

In response to the specific questions:

1. Why are teenage magazines criticized according to Vicky’s opinion? - Vicky criticizes teenage magazines for promoting stereotypes, pressuring teenagers about body image, lacking individuality, having irrelevant content, and containing inappropriate material for their age group.

2. What do teenage magazines make Vicky feel? - Teenage magazines make Vicky feel bad about herself, uncomfortable, and sometimes shocked due to their content and language.

3. Why does Vicky feel uncomfortable reading teens’ magazines? - Vicky feels uncomfortable because she believes the magazines teach things that teenagers are too young to know about, and she disagrees with the content and language used.

4. Who should write magazines according to Vicky’s opinion? - According to Vicky, magazines should be written by teenagers themselves because adults don't understand the current lives of teenagers.

5. What information should teens’ magazines give? - Vicky suggests that teen magazines should offer more practical advice on things that can genuinely influence teenagers and should provide warnings about bad language and inappropriate content.

6. What teens’ magazines do you read? Why? - Vicky does not mention specific magazines in her letter, and she expresses dissatisfaction with the ones she has read so far, stating that she hasn't found one that meets all her demands.