STUDENT A

Preparation time for both tasks: 4 minutes

TOPIC: PERSONALITY
Factors influencing one’s
character

You read this text on a blog:

Perhaps the most important factors in determining personality are an individual's physical characteristics.
These factors play a vital role in determining one’s behavior in a social organization. Physical characteristics
include, but are not limited to: height, skin tone, weight, hair colour, beauty and posture.
This is particularly true of the so-called “selfie generation”." The act of taking and posting an image of yourself
is an interesting phenomenon that zeroes in on physical appearance. That begs the question, does self-
imaging boost confidence or lower self-esteem? The answer isn't exactly clear.

You are at a round table discussion and have been asked to speak about this
topic.
Speaking time for task 1: 2 minutes max.

TASK 1: MEDIATION ................................................................................................. /12,5 points

Talk about the following points:

• Explain in your own words what you have just read.
• Identify the point of view of the writer.

Speaking time for task 2: 2 minutes max.

TASK 2: PRODUCTION ............................................................................................. /12,5 points

Talk about the following points:

• Discuss how you stand on this particular issue.
• Hypothesize about the evolution of the selfie generation.

Support your opinions with arguments.

STUDENT B
Preparation time for both tasks: 4 minutes

TOPIC: PERSONALITY
Self-help books

You read this text on a blog:

‘Self help makes you feel worse,’ BBC News has reported. It says that the growing trend
of using self-help mantras to boost your spirits may actually have a detrimental effect.
The news comes from Canadian research, which found that people with low self-esteem
felt worse after repeating positive statements about themselves.

You are at a round table discussion and have been asked to speak about this
topic.
Speaking time for task 1: 2 minutes max.

TASK 1: MEDIATION ................................................................................................. /12,5 points

Talk about the following points:

• Explain in your own words what you have just read.
• Identify the point of view of the writer.

Speaking time for task 2: 2 minutes max.

TASK 2: PRODUCTION ............................................................................................. /12,5 points

Talk about the following points:

• Discuss the benefits and risks of self help books
• Hypothesize about how personality crises and disorders might be treated in the future.

Support your opinions with arguments.