mature (adjective) showing adult qualities

• Sample Sentence: Those under the age of 21 are not considered mature enough to buy alcohol or rent a car.
• Turn and Talk: How can middle school students show that they are mature?

ambiguous (adjective) having more than one meaning or interpretation

• Sample Sentence: The word “adult” is ambiguous because the assignment of adult status changes according to the situation.
• Turn and Talk: Why is it ambiguous to tell someone to come over “around dinner time”?

due (to) (preposition) because of; caused by

• Sample Sentence: Due to their immaturity, twelve-year-olds are not allowed to drive.
• Turn and Talk: Should students be barred from participating in sports due to low grades?

status (noun) rank, position, or standing

• Sample Sentence: In certain places, young people are considered adults only after completing a rite of passage to mark their change of status.
• Turn and Talk: Would having a female president improve the status of women in the United States?