Speaking Test Part 3:

1. Do you think it’s important for friends to have similar personality traits?

That’s an interesting question. In my opinion, people with very different personalities can be good friends, for example sometimes someone who is shy and quiet might get on well with someone who is very sociable and talkative. It’s more important to share values, and also to have shared interests, so that you can enjoy doing things together.

2. Which personal traits do you think we most want our children to have?

I think most people want their children to have personalities which will help them to be successful. So, that probably means characteristics such as being outgoing, assertive and resilient. I think we also want our kids to be self-motivated and have integrity so that they can find their own way in life.

3. Is it the job of schools to teach children to be good members of society?

I’d say that schools play a very important role in preparing children to be successful members of society. Teachers and classes should try to build the character of the children, and encourage qualities like perseverance, tolerance, and integrity. They can also try to build children’s self-esteem and give them the positive mindset which will help them be successful in life. However, children are still most influenced by parents, and will usually take after them, so people must take most responsibility for their own children.

4. Do you think a person can change his/ her personality?

Yes, to some extent. If people work hard over a long period of time they can make changes to their personality. They can overcome weaknesses and develop strengths in their character. However, I believe it’s very hard to do and it’s not something that happens quickly. If you want to become more patient, calmer, more assertive or more self-motivated, you have to try hard over many years to make these changes.

5. In general, do you think men and women have different personality types?

That’s an interesting question because it’s hard to say how much our upbringing and society influences our character.  But, having said that, if you look at young kids you can see clear differences between even very young girls and boys. For example, girls usually seem to develop social skills more quickly than boys, while boys tend to be more energetic and boisterous.

6. What are some of the character traits of people in your country?

Well, one of the stereotypes of people in my country is that we are quite polite, and I’d say generally that’s true. We tend to say sorry, please and thank-you a lot and try to avoid upsetting other people, especially in public places. But sometimes we are not very honest or open about our true feelings and can come across as cold and insincere.