1. Reading Comprehension:

The American teenagers don't like to spend a lot of money. (false)

A few parents are firm and ask their kids to get a job and pay for their own bills. (false)

The best way for teenagers to learn the value of money is to earn it themselves. (true)

2. Speaking Practice:

(1) Why do American teenagers want their parents to foot the bill?

Because they don't have enough money to pay for all the things that they want to buy.

(2) When some parents put their foot down , what do they insist their children to do?

They insist that their children to get a job to pay for all the things that they want to buy.

(3) How does getting a job help kids to learn how to stand own their own feet?

They can learn the value of money. It is not easy to earn all the money that they need to buy the things they want.

3. Translation exercise:

Reporter: You are still just a kid and haven't graduated from high school yet. Why did you decide to get a job.

Teenager: I want to get lots of things: music CDs, electronic games, a cellular phone, cool clothes, and my own car. I need money because my parents refuse to foot the bill. They used to get me good stuff for my birthday and Christmas, but I wanted more. So my parents finally put their foot down and told me to stand on my own feet. They said that I should learn to be independent, earn my own money and buy what I want.