Nowadays, there is often a lack of understanding between parents and children. Children always complain that their parents are out of date, while parents can’t agree with all     1     their children say and do. Thus, a big generation gap is formed.

    2     gap remains wide for many reasons. Children want to be free    3     (choose) their own friends, select their own classes in school, plan their own future, and     4     (usual) run their own life in a more independent way than many parents allow. Also, young children wish to be understood by their parents, but most parents don’t quite understand their children. They regard it     5     their duty to teach their children traditional beliefs. They want them to be obedient (听话的) and do well in school. Therefore, misunderstandings often result from parents’ interfering (干预) in children’s daily    6     (activity).

We should not be     7     (amaze) at the generation gap, for it is quite natural in the    8     (develop) of society. The world is changing, in which everything    9     (keep) changing, generations of human beings included. And changes lead to progress. In    10     (I) opinion, most problems between parents and children can be solved by joint efforts of both sides as long as they enhance common understanding.

Think about how much time you spent outside last week. Really “outside.”    1     (walk) from the car into the classroom doesn't count. Now think about how much time you spent indoors—playing video games on the Internet or watching TV. Kids spend two fewer hours per week     2    sports and outdoor    3    (activity) in the early 2010s than the kids did in the early 1990s. Some kids are staying inside because it's difficult to find a place to go. All kinds of areas are off-limits to tweens and teens. Even when space is available, personal     4     (safe) is an issue.