Page 16 - Journeys B2 (Student Book)

1 Identity and Personality

Does

affect our

personality?

Thinking about our personality often leads to the
question of nature versus nurture, that is to say, what
we do instinctively and what we have been taught to
do. However, there is also research into whether our
personality is affected by our genes. In my opinion,
although DNA is not directly responsible for our
personality traits, certain physical characteristics may
affect the way we develop mentally and emotionally.

On the one hand, someone who has a genetic
disorder, which has been passed down, may “inherit” Writing
psychological as well as physical traits from their parents,
such as over-protectiveness or shyness. On the other A. Discuss with a partner.
hand, someone who is short may be more ambitious 1. Who in your family do you most look like?
than a taller person because they feel a need to prove
themselves. 2. Who do you take after in personality?

B. Read the statements below and decide if they
However, at the same time, we cannot generalise and are true (T) or false (F).
say that a particular physical quality will automatically
result in a certain personality trait. For example, identical 1. Essays don’t need an introduction, but they
twins can have very different personalities. should have a conclusion.
2. Your essay should be divided into clear
In conclusion, I believe that DNA has no direct effect paragraphs.
on our personality, rather it can affect a person’s 3. In an opinion essay, you should present both
character indirectly as a result of its influence on their sides of the argument.
physical traits. 4. You should use an impersonal tone and no
contractions in an essay.

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