I’m going to talk about the influence of nature (1)
_________
nurture. And I’d like to begin by (2)___________ that, as I (3)__________ it, (4)________ the strongest influence has to be ‘nurture’. The (5)______________ this is that I believe the way we’re (6)______________ will have
a (7)______________ influence on how we behave than our genes. I mean, some people (8)______________ our
abilities are determined (9)_________ much exclusively by our genes,
so if your father had a natural (10)_____________
mathematics, then there’s a pretty good chance that you might
inherit that same ability. (11)____________, I think it’s ridiculous to
suggest this. I think that when a parent is interested in something, then (12)
______________ that when they have children, they
will try to (13)_____________ the children the same sort of interest, they
will (14)__________ their knowledge, their passion for the subject,
they are quite (15)___________ to engage the child (16)__________ activities related to
that field. And it’s (17)____________ of this that the child may also develop strengths
or abilities in the same field. I absolutely (18)_________ the idea that
nature (19)__________ us with these (20)________ abilities. I (21)____________, you can
be born with the best natural musical ability in the universe, but
if you don’t practise the piano, then nothing will (22)_____________. On
the other hand, I think you can teach people to do just about
anything, (23)____________ you dedicate time and stimulate the child.
So, to (24)__________ I would have to argue that ‘nurture’ is more important than ‘nature’.
C: Let’s
take questions from the (25)_____________.
Q: People often
very much (26)________________ their parents in (27)___________ of their physical
appearance, and even their characters. Why then, do you
not think that it is equally possible that a child will inherit its
parents’ ability, or intelligence?
S: That’s a good question, because yes, we can see that we do
inherit physical characteristics from our parents. However, the
point I’m trying (28)_____________ is that we cannot rely on something
we are (29)______________ be born with. For (30)____________, the influence of
nurture is (31)____________ stronger. I (32)__________ that everyone has the same
potential, they just need to be given the right conditions to
(33)__________ and develop that potential.
KEY
1. versus
2. stating
3. see
As I see it
4. by
far
5. reason I
think
The reason I
think this is that
6. brought up
7. much stronger
8. will argue that
some people will argue that
9. pretty
pretty much: almost; almost completely. E.g. One dog looks pretty much like another to me.
10. ability for
scientist
with a natural ability for
mathematics
11. Personally
12.
the chances are
the chances are (that)… it is likely that. E.g. The chances are you won't have to pay.
13. instil in
instil something (in/into somebody): to gradually make somebody feel, think or behave in a particular way over a period of time. Sp. inculcar. E.g. to instil confidence/discipline/fear into somebody.
14. pass on
pass on: to give someone something that someone else has given you. E.g. When you’ve read this message, please pass it on.
15. likely
16. in
engage in something/ engage somebody in something (formal) to take part in something; to make somebody take part in something. E.g. Even in prison, he continued to engage in criminal activities. She tried desperately to engage him in conversation.
17. as a result
it's as a result of this that
18. reject
I absolutely reject the idea that
19. endows
endow somebody/something with something: to give something to somebody/something. E.g. to endow somebody with a responsibility.
20. inborn
inborn: an inborn quality is one that you are born with. Innate. E.g. Some people have an inborn tendency to put on weight.
21. mean
I mean,...
22. come of it
come of/from something: to be the result of something. E.g. I made a few enquiries, but nothing came of it in the end. Come of/from doing something That comes of eating too much!
23. so long as
so/as long as: only if. E.g. We'll go as long as the weather is good.
24. conclude
To conclude I would have to argue that...
25. floor
the floor [singular] the
part of a building where discussions or debates are held, especially in
a parliament; the people who attend a discussion or debate. E.g. Opposition politicians registered their protest on the floor of the House. We will now take any questions from the floor.
26. resemble
27. terms
in terms of something: used to show what aspect of a subject you are talking about or how you are thinking about it. E.g. The job is great in terms of salary, but it has its disadvantages.
28. to make
The
point I’m trying to make is that...
29. assumed to
We are assumed to be born with
30. me
For me,...
31. far
far stronger
32. believe
I believe that...
33. nurture
nurture something to help somebody/something to develop and be successful. E.g. It's important to nurture a good working relationship. My father nurtured a love of art in me. Her teacher recognized and nurtured her musical talent from an early age.
KEY
Transcript
S: OK, I’m going to talk about the influence of nature versus
nurture. And I’d like to begin by stating that, as I see it, by
far the strongest influence has to be ‘nurture’. The reason I
think this is that I believe the way we’re brought up will have
a much stronger influence on how we behave than anything
that’s in our genes. I mean, some people will argue that our
abilities are determined pretty much exclusively by our genes,
so if your father was a great scientist with a natural ability for
mathematics, then there’s a pretty good chance that you might
inherit that same ability. Personally, I think it’s ridiculous to
suggest this. I think that when a parent has a particular strength,
or interest, or achieves something wonderful in a particular
field, then the chances are that when they have children, they
will try to instil in the children the same kind of interest, they
will pass on their knowledge, their passion for the subject,
they are quite likely to engage the child in activities related to
that field, perhaps for quite a lot of the child’s time. And it’s
as a result of this that the child may also develop strengths
or abilities in the same field. I absolutely reject the idea that
nature endows us with these inborn abilities. I mean, you can
be born with the best natural musical ability in the universe, but
if you don’t practise the piano, then nothing will come of it. On
the other hand, I think you can teach people to do just about
anything, so long as you dedicate time and give the child the
right kind of encouragement, or put them in the right situation.
So, to conclude I would have to argue that ‘nurture’ plays a
much stronger role in the development of who you are, and
the talents that you develop than ‘nature’ does.
C: OK. Thank you. And now, let’s open the discussion up and
take questions from the floor. Does anyone have a question for
one of the speakers?
Q: Yes, I’d like to ask a question to the last speaker. I think it
is quite obvious if you look around you, that people often
very much resemble their parents in terms of their physical
appearance, and even their characters. Why then, do you
not think that it is equally possible that a child will inherit its
parents’ ability, or intelligence?
S: That’s a good question, because yes, we can see that we do
inherit physical characteristics from our parents. However, the
point I’m trying to make is that we cannot rely on something
we are assumed to be born with. For me, the influence of
nurture is far stronger. I believe that everyone has the same
potential, they just need to be given the right conditions to
nurture and develop that potential. Thank you for the question.
C: Thank you. Are there any other questions?
