1 Match the words from the box with defi nitions 1–11. Use a dictionary if necessary.
| destiny disposition hereditary imply moulded nurture offspring oversimplification proponents trait vulnerability |
1 Character or personality
2 Infl uenced or changed
3 People who publicly support an idea
4 The quality of being easily hurt
5 A particular characteristic or way of behaving
6 Helping something or somebody to develop
7 Passed from parent to child
8 Children
9 Making something so easy to understand that it is no longer true
10 What will happen in the future
11 Suggest
Answers
1 disposition
2 moulded
3 proponents
4 vulnerability
5 trait
6 nurture
7 hereditary
8 offspring
9 oversimplification
10 destiny 11 imply
2 1.4 PRONUNCIATION Look at the words in the box in Exercise 1 again and underline the syllables with the main stress. Listen and check.
Answers and Audioscript 1.4
destiny disposition hereditary imply moulded
nurture offspring oversimplification proponents
trait vulnerability
3 1.5 Study Active Listening. Then listen and note down examples.
|
ACTIVE LISTENING| Understanding the main points of complex talks When speakers want to highlight the main points they are making, they often • use a phrase that indicates something important. • use a rhetorical question. • repeat key words. • paraphrase to emphasise a point. • slow down the pace to emphasise a key point. |
Answers
use a phrase that indicates something important – Examples:
This type of question would reveal … The reason for the
criticism of personality tests… What personality tests can tell
us …
use a rhetorical question – Examples: So, who is right? But is
this likely in reality?
repeat key words – Examples: Of course, this would be deeply
unethical as we are no more in control of our personality types
than we are in control of what physical features we have, such
as hair and eye colour; The key element of how well someone
performs in their role is how happy they are and how satisfied
they are
paraphrase to emphasise a point – Examples: What personality
tests can tell us is how effective different people will be
at performing different tasks. If you know that someone is
underconfident, you may not want to put them in a situation
where they have to give a presentation to hundreds of people
slow down to emphasise a point – Examples: I believe it should
be used to create a work environment in which [slower pace]
everyone feels passionate about their job; building a working
environment. [slower pace] that’s inclusive.
4 1.5 Listen again and complete the sentences with 1–3 words in each gap.
1 The presenter believes that personality testing can be used as a way to help all employees feel.................. towards their work.
2 Personality tests usually involve statements that test takers have to agree or disagree with, with an option to stay neutral if they feel the situation could change depending on..........................
3 In addition to people close to us, having good healthcare, drinkable water and other.......................... can aff ect our personalities.
4 The presenter says that some people are against using personality tests as it could indicate that some personality traits............................
5 The presenter points out that we all have the ability to take control of our personalities and try not to have...........................in social situations.
6 Companies use a.............................in the hiring process, so nobody is going to be hired just on the basis of their personality.
7 The presenter argues that when employees are able to express themselves naturally, it will ultimately.............................
8 Although she doesn’t think that personality tests help in the hiring process, she does credit them with helping managers to match employees with their specifi c skills and creating a/an...........................work environment.
Answers
1 passionate
2 the context
3 resources
4 are not/aren’t welcome
5 negative reactions
6 variety of factors
7 reduces company costs
8 inclusive
5 REFLECT | Values How has your environment helped you to develop as a person? What factors have been most important? Say why.
Answers
Students’ own answers
6 SPEAKING In pairs or small groups, discuss the questions.
1 In what ways do you think that your disposition can aff ect your destiny? Give examples.
2 In what ways have your parents moulded your personality? Give examples.
Answers
Students’ own answers
