THE PERSON I KNOW BEST?
How well do we know ourselves? Do we understand what makes us tick? Take a moment to stop and think about the things that define us.
INTERESTS
Some people easily pursue their passions. They’ve always been wild about reading or football. But what if we are not really sure what our thing is? Maybe we could think about the times in the last few weeks when we have felt absorbed by something, or remember the things we used to get a kick out of when we were children. They might turn into a lifelong hobby or even a career.
VALUES
What values do we set great store by? Do we prize spontaneity or stability? Are we rather laid-back or strong-willed? How crucial is commitment? How highly do we rate tactfulness over frankness? When we know this, we can consider whether the choices we make are in line with these values.
POSSESSIONS
What kind of car would we ideally plump for? Maybe we always buy the same type of phone? These sorts of decisions can also say a lot about us. Or maybe we are not that into possessions themselves, but have a small collection of items with real sentimental value. The things we surround ourselves with can also define us, which is why we might find new friends checking out our books or photograph collection.
CIRCLE
Who do we choose to spend time with? Our ‘circle’ is a key part of our identity. We like hanging out with like-minded people. If you haven’t found your circle yet, be more open-minded – get out there, try some new things and meet some new people. When we know these things, it’s easier to be ourselves and to find careers and the circle that we really click with.
Comprehension questions :
1. What does the INTERESTS paragraph suggest?
A) We should only practice old hobbies
B) We should reflect on what excites us now or what we loved as children ✅
C) There’s no point in thinking about interests
D) Everyone always knows their passion
2. What is the purpose of the VALUES paragraph?
A) To explain the importance of money
B) To show how values influence our choices ✅
C) To encourage people to be strict
D) To highlight the role of technology
3. What kind of possessions are considered valuable in the text?
A) Only expensive possessions
B) Anything that is digital
C) Items with sentimental value ✅
D) Easily resellable items
4. What does the last paragraph say about our social circle?
A) Our circle should always be small
B) It's important to be open to new experiences and people ✅
C) We should avoid being around others
D) Friends are not necessary
5. What is the connection between values and decision-making?
A) There is no connection
B) Values prevent us from making decisions
C) Values help us make choices that align with who we are ✅
D) Decisions are always more important than values
6. What is the main idea of the “INTERESTS” paragraph?
A) Everyone loves football
B) We should follow our childhood dreams
C) Finding our true interests can help us choose hobbies or a career ✅
D) Reading is the best way to relax
7. According to the text, how can we discover our interests?
A) By watching TV
B) By thinking about what we enjoy doing ✅
C) By copying others
D) By playing sports
8. What question is asked in the “VALUES” section?
A) Do we want to be rich?
B) Do we like music?
C) What values are important to us? ✅
D) Are we good at sports?
9. According to the text, what can our possessions show?
A) That we are rich
B) That we love shopping
C) Something about who we are ✅
D) That we are always online
10. Why might friends look at our books or photo collection?
A) To copy them
B) To see our personality ✅
C) To judge us
D) To borrow them
FIXED EXPRESSIONS
|
Expression |
Definition |
Arabic Meaning |
|
makes us tick |
Makes us behave in a certain way |
ما يُحرّكنا / ما يُحفّزنا / ما يدفعنا للتصرف كما نفعل |
|
be wild about |
Be crazy about something |
مولع بـ / مغرم جدًا بـ |
|
get a kick out of |
Feel excitement and enjoyment |
يستمتع كثيرًا بـ / يجد متعة خاصة في |
|
set great store by |
Consider something to be important |
يولي أهمية كبيرة لـ / يُقدّر كثيرًا |
|
be in line with |
Match with |
يتماشى مع / يتوافق مع |
|
plump for |
Choose |
يختار (عادة بعد تردد) / يُفضّل |
|
say a lot about us |
Reveal our traits |
يُعبّر كثيرًا عن شخصيتنا / يُظهر الكثير عنا |
|
be not that into |
Not be very keen on something |
لا يهتم كثيرًا بـ / غير مُنغمس في |
|
click with |
Hit it off with someone |
ينسجم مع / يشعر بتوافق سريع مع |
vocabulary
|
Word |
Arabic Meaning |
English meaning |
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|
Capable |
قادر |
|
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Compassionate |
عطوف / رحيم |
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Dedicated |
مُتفانٍ / مكرّس |
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Defensive |
دفاعي |
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Enthusiastic |
مُتحمّس |
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Passionate |
شغوف |
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Resilient |
مُتماسك / قادر على التكيّف |
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Self-aware |
واعٍ بذاته |
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Tough |
قوي / صلب |
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Trustworthy |
جدير بالثقة |
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Underconfident |
قليل الثقة بالنفس |
|
Compound Adjectives
|
Compound adjective formation |
Example |
Arabic Meaning |
English Meaning |
|
|
adjective + adjective |
red-hot |
شديد السخونة / مشتعل (مجازًا)
|
Extremely exciting, popular, or intense in activity or emotion; also literally very hot. |
|
|
adverb + adjective |
hard-working
forward-looking |
مجتهد
متطلع إلى المستقبل / تقدّمي
|
Putting a lot of effort and care into work or tasks.
Planning for or considering future possibilities with vision or innovation |
|
|
noun + adjective |
lifelong
world-famous |
مدى الحياة / دائم
مشهور عالميًا |
Lasting for the whole life of a person.
Known and recognized all over the world. |
|
|
adjective + noun |
full-time
cutting-edge
|
بدوام كامل
متطور / الأحدث / رائد
|
Occupying the whole of the standard working week or day.
Extremely modern and advanced; leading in innovation. |
|
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adjective + gerund |
good-looking |
|
Physically attractive (used mostly for people).
|
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adverb-past participle |
highly strung |
|
Extremely nervous, anxious, or sensitive.
|
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noun + gerund |
eye-catching |
لافت للنظر / جذاب بصريًا
|
Visually attractive or noticeable.
|
|
|
noun + past participle |
olive oil-based |
مُعدّ بزيت الزيتون
|
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|
prefix + adjective |
underconfident overcooked |
قليل الثقة بالنفس مطهو أكثر من اللازم |
Lacking in self-belief or assurance. Cooked too much, often resulting in poor texture or taste |
Compound Adjectives [personality]
|
Word |
Arabic Meaning |
English meaning |
|
absent-minded |
شارد الذهن |
Often forgetful or inattentive because of being lost in thought. |
|
forward-looking |
متطلع إلى المستقبل / تقدمي |
Thinking about and planning for the future with optimism and innovation. |
|
high-spirited |
مفعم بالحيوية / حيوي جدًا |
Full of energy, enthusiasm, and often a sense of fun or mischief. |
|
highly strung |
متوتر جدًا / عصبي |
Very nervous or easily upset; emotionally tense. |
|
kind-hearted |
طيب القلب
|
Having a kind, generous, and compassionate nature. |
|
laid-back |
هادئ / غير متوتر
|
Relaxed, easygoing, and not easily stressed or worried. |
|
like-minded |
متشابه التفكير
|
Having similar opinions, interests, or values. |
|
narrow-minded |
ضيق الأفق
|
Unwilling to consider different ideas or opinions; intolerant. |
|
strong-willed |
قوي الإرادة
|
Determined t do what one wants, even if it’s difficult or opposed. |
|
thin-skinned |
حساس جدًا / سريع التأثر
|
Easily hurt by criticism or negative comments. |
|
tight-fisted |
بخيل
|
Unwilling to spend money; miserly. |