Download Year7_Puberty quiz - School

Puberty quiz
Statement
1. ‘Puberty’ comes from a word meaning ‘to
become hairy’.
2. If a girl hasn’t started her periods by the
age of 14, there is something wrong.
3. At puberty new glands become more
active and you sweat more.
4. Masturbating (touching your genitals) does
no harm.
5. It is quite normal for sperm to come out of
the penis at night during sleep.
6. Girls cannot have babies until they are at
least 14.
7. Boys only get erections when they are
sexually excited ‘turned on’.
8. The tallest boy in Year 7 will be the tallest
boy in Year 11.
9. Teenager’s breasts are always the same
size.
10. Boys should clean under the foreskin of
the penis.
True
False Don’t
know
Puberty quiz answers
1. False: ‘Puberty’ comes from the Latin word ‘puber’ meaning adult. Puberty
is the time when your body begins to change from a child’s body into an
adults’ body- meaning they will be capable of getting pregnant / getting
someone pregnant. Girls on average reach puberty two years earlier than
boys, but everyone develops at their own rate and over several years. For
girls, puberty usually begins between the ages of 9 and 13, while boys
experience their changes between the ages of 10 and 14. This is why
some girls are often taller than some boys are during puberty. Growing
hair under your arms and pubic hair around the genitals is just one change
that occurs. Boys may or may not develop hair on their chest, shoulders,
or lower back. It does not make them any more or less of a man. Puberty
is nothing to fear, in fact, it’s the beginning of your own independence.
Puberty gives you more freedom because you’re maturing and are able to
begin to make responsible choices of your own.
2. False. When a girl reaches puberty, she will start to menstruate (or have
periods). It is perfectly normal for this to happen any time between the
ages of 9 (and occasionally younger) and 15 (and occasionally later).
3. True. The sweat rate increases and glands in the armpits become active.
Also, the glands in the skin begin to produce more oil than the skin needs.
Daily washing of yourself and your clothes is important.
4. True. Masturbation can be very pleasurable and is a way of helping you to
get to know your body. Many men and women, with or without partners
enjoy masturbating throughout their lives and consider it as normal,
healthy sexual behaviour. Some people disagree, and think masturbation
is wrong. For example, some religious teachings would say that sexual
behaviour should be an expression of love between two people and not a
one-person act.
5. True. Sperm can be ejaculated spontaneously during sleep, especially
during puberty. This release of sperm is called a ‘wet dream’ or a nocturnal
emission and is a normal part of puberty.
6. False. A girl becomes fertile after her first period, whatever her age. A boy
becomes fertile as soon as he has his first ejaculation or wet dream,
whatever his age.
7. False. Other emotions such as fear and excitement or sometimes other
reasons can cause erections, especially in young men. This can feel
embarrassing, but it is just a normal part of puberty.
8. False. Generally he will not be, although he could be. Individual male and
female teenagers often have late growth spurts; some teenagers may not
start their pubertal growth spurt until 15 or 16. Some young men continue
growing until 21. Height is usually determined by parental height.
9. False. In any one individual, their left and right breast may be different.
Different girls have different size breasts. Males are also likely to have
breast enlargement during puberty, which may be one sided and this is
usually normal. It is important to check breasts for lumps. In the same way,
testicles may be of different size and shape – these should be checked
too. If someone has any concern, they should see the school nurse or a
doctor.
10. True. The foreskin is the skin that covers the glans or tip of the penis, this
moves back when a boy or young man has an erection. Occasionally the
foreskin is tight and doesn’t move back easily and this may require
medical help. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin and can happen
for medical or religious reasons. Smegma can collect (particularly under
the foreskin) and this is a mixture of sperm, sweat, dirt, and can cause
smell and infection. The genital area should be carefully cleaned, although
soap may irritate the genital area in both boys and girls. For girls it is
important to wipe their bottoms from front to back. This is to prevent
infection.