Read the following passage about the UNDERSTANDING WHAT TRULY MATTERS and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the...

Read the following passage about the UNDERSTANDING WHAT TRULY MATTERS and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

Most 15-year-old students across OECD countries report satisfactory lives, with an average satisfaction score of 7.3 out of 10. However, this positive statistic requires deeper examination. Yet considerable variation exists between different countries and regions, with some adolescents experiencing severe unhappiness. [I] Research demonstrates that school-related anxiety remains widespread among teenagers, and roughly 12% of pupils struggle significantly with life dissatisfaction. We must "set the record straight" about what genuinely influences adolescent happiness. Many people assume that longer study hours guarantee contentment, yet scientific evidence reveals something completely contrary to this popular misconception. Understanding genuine factors affecting well-being helps both educators and families support teenagers effectively.

The PISA 2015 investigation identifies several essential elements affecting student well-being. Positive relationships with parents and teachers substantially enhance their life satisfaction noticeably. School climate, including teacher encouragement and equitable discipline policies, plays an exceptionally vital role in pupil happiness. [II] These interpersonal bonds matter considerably more than academics exclusively. Students who feel supported and appreciated demonstrate markedly higher satisfaction levels. Furthermore, fair treatment at school creates secure environments where adolescents flourish.

Interestingly, the research completely debunks popular myths regarding academic pressure convincingly. Contrary to widespread belief, the quantity of time spent studying displays no meaningful correlation with life satisfaction whatsoever. Likewise, frequent testing does not necessarily intensify schoolwork anxiety substantially. [III] This remarkable discovery challenges conventional educational assumptions profoundly. Some high-performing countries maintain relatively disappointing student satisfaction rates, while nations like Finland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland successfully balance academic excellence with genuine student happiness simultaneously. Their model demonstrates that achievement and well-being coexist harmoniously.

Understanding these important findings helps contemporary society prioritize authentic well-being beyond superficial metrics unnecessarily. Schools should deliberately foster supportive environments rather than continuously intensifying academic competition relentlessly. By recognizing what matters—solid relationships, fairness, and emotional safety genuinely—educators can create spaces where teenagers truly flourish and develop healthily. [IV] This holistic approach benefits everyone involved.

https://www.oecd.org/mk

Question 31: The phrase “set the record straight” in paragraph 1 has the closest meaning to _________.

A. put off                                        B. make out                                        C. clear up                                        D. straighten out