Chapter 7 Personality
Vocabulary
Find out the meanings of the words in the box. Then circle the words that describe you.
Aggressive extroverted optimistic self-assured unconventional
Boisterous inhibited outgoing self-centered undependable
Conscientious intellectual restless sullen withdrawn
Reading 1. What do our possessions say about us?
This newspaper article describes the results of a study linking possessions to
personality.
1. What do a person`s possessions reveal about his or her personality?
2. Have you ever looked through someone`s CD or book collection?
3. What personality traits do you like? What traits do you dislike?
Before you read
What personality traits can you assess by looking at the people`s
possessions? Then check () your answers.
____ 1. Openness to new experiences
____ 2. Agreeableness
_____3. Extroversion
_____ 4. Dependability
Reading
Scan the text to check your prediction. Then read the whole text
After you read
A. Match each word or phrase with a word or phrase that is similar in
meaning.
___b__ 1. Desiccated (par. 1) a. display (par. 3)
_____ 2. Glean (par. 2, 4) b. dried-out (par. 2)
1
_____ 3. Adorn (par. 3) c. home (par.2)
_____ 4. Flaunt (par. 3) d. find out (par. 5)
_____ 5. Assess (par. 5,8) e. score (par. 7, 8)
_____ 6. Living quarters (par. 9) f. decorate (par. 9)
B. Mark each sentence inference (I), restatement (R), or not in the text (?).
___l___ 1. The writer of the text once took a trip to Venezuela.
______ 2. Ambitious people are not usually interested in teamwork.
______ 3. In Gosling`s study, students assessed the personality traits of office
workers.
______ 4. Participants were not supposed to change the appearance of their rooms.
______ 5. The assessors were better at scoring some personality traits the others.
______ 6. The assessors quickly made decisions about personality traits.
______ 7. People should be allowed to display personal possessions at work.
______ 8. If people see an angel in somebody`s office, they might think the person is
nice.
C. Answer these questions.
1. What kind of possessions do you have? What do you think they say about you?
2. How do you decorate your room or office? What do you think this conveys to
others?
3. Do you judge people based on their possessions? Why or why not?
2
Reading 2. The role of temperament in shaping individuality
Read this book excerpt to learn how people`s temperament and personality affect their
behavior.
1. Do you have a predisposition to be happy or sad?
2. Do you think people change as they get older?
3. Why do you think people react differently to the same situation?
Before you read
Read the first paragraph on the opposite page. Then check () what do you
think the text will be about.
_____ 1. Ways the writer can improve himself
_____ 2. Personality problems that some people have
_____ 3. Effects of personality on behavior
Reading
Scan the text to check your predictions. Then read the whole text.
After you read
A. Where does the text probably come from? Then check () the correct anwer.
_____ 1. A book about the science of human behavior
_____ 2. A book about people with personality disorders
_____ 3. A parent`s guide to improving family relationships
B. Find the words in italics in the reading. Then match each word with its
meaning.
_____ 1. Shipshape (par. 1) a. details
_____ 2. Inherent (par.2) b. chance
_____ 3. Particulars (par.4) c. present at birth
_____ 4. Implicit (par. 6) d. organized
_____ 5. Random (par.6) e. view as the result
_____ 6. Attribute to (par.7) f. not expressed
3
C. Write the number of each paragraph next to its main idea.
___5___ a. This paragraph compares temperament with personality.
_______ b. This paragraph suggests why people are interested in personality traits.
_______ c. This paragraph shows how parents describe their children.
_______ d. This paragraph discusses how people try to predict behavior
_______ e. This paragraph illustrates differences between people.
_______ f. This paragraph defines personality
_______ g. This paragraph defines temperament.
D. Answer these questions.
1. How is your temperament similar to that of your family members? How is it
different?
2. How is your temperament different from your personality?
3. How would you describe your teacher`s personality?
Reading 3. Mind your P`s and Q`s
How much can you tell about people from their handwriting?
Read this magazine article and find out.
1. What does your handwriting look like?
2. Do you know anyone who has very unusual handwriting?
3. Does your handwriting change when you write in a different language? If so, how?
Before you read
Look at the handwriting samples on the opposite page. What can you predict
about each writer`s personality? Write three characteristics of each sample.
A._____________________________________________________________________________________________
B._____________________________________________________________________________________________
C._____________________________________________________________________________________________
4
Reading
Scan the text for words describing the writers of the above samples. Then
read the whole text.
After you read
A. Find the words in italics in the reading. Then match each word with its
meaning.
___e____ 1. Deciphering (par.1) a. making something known
_________ 2. Tied to (par. 3) b. hold in your hand
_________ 3. Needier (par. 5) c. very noticeable
_________ 4. Get bogged down (par.5) d. connected to
_________ 5. Grasp (par. 5) e. making sense of
_________ 6. Revealing (par. 6) f. wanting more from others
_________ 7. Pronounced (par.7) g. be unable to make progress
B. Look at the handwriting samples on the opposite page. Then answer
the questions.
____A____1. Who probably does not like things to change?
_________ 2. Who probably has few close friends?
_________ 3. Who probably doesn`t like to spend time alone?
_________ 4. Who is probably a member of many organizations?
_________ 5. Who doesn’t worry about details?
_________ 6. Who probably does silly things for his or her age?
C. Answer these questions
1. Would you pay for a professional handwriting analysis? Why or why not?
2. Do you think employers should use graphology to make hiring decisions? Why
or why not?
3. Look at something you`ve written recently. According to the text, what does your
handwriting say about your personality? Do you agree? Why or why not?
