3A Listening and Vocabulary A talk about genes and personality

• I can understand the main points of a talk about personality.

Nature or nurture: the words to describe who we are

Is personality inherited, or shaped by the people and places around us? These words let you argue both sides.

underline the syllables with the main stress

How to spot the main points of a talk

• 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.

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

Now test yourself on the personality talk: fill each gap with one to three words.

The presenter believes that personality testing can be used as a way to help all employees feel ___ towards their work.

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 ___ .

In addition to people close to us, having good healthcare, drinkable water and other ___ can affect our personalities.

The presenter says that some people are against using personality tests as it could indicate that some personality traits ___ .

The presenter points out that we all have the ability to take control of our personalities and try not to have ___ in social situations.

Companies use a ___ in the hiring process, so nobody is going to be hired just on the basis of their personality.

The presenter argues that when employees are able to express themselves naturally, it will ultimately ___ .

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 specific skills and creating a/an ___ work environment.