Question

When asked to talk about themselves, some people, (0)… (PARTICULAR) men, become rather (1) … (DEFEND). Others become (2) … (REST), unable to sit still or look at their inquisitor. Others, however, become extremely (3) … (TALK), delighted to have been given the opportunity to talk about themselves. Jenny falls into this latter category. One innocent question about her health can result in half an hour’s in- deep (4) … (DESCRIBE) of her backache or (5) … (SLEEP) night. What's more, you daren't interrupt her for fear of (6) … (OFFEND) her legendary (7) … (SENSE) and being described as an (8) …(FEEL) egotist with no interest in other people! I have now (9) … (LEARN) that all (10) … (RESIST) is futile and one simply has to grin and bear it.

Answer 1

When asked to talk about themselves, some people, (0) PARTICULARLY men, become rather (1) DEFENSIVE. Others become (2) RESTLESS, unable to sit still or look at their inquisitor. Others, however, become extremely (3) TALKATIVE, delighted to have been given the opportunity to talk about themselves.

Jenny falls into this latter category. One innocent question about her health can result in half an hour’s in-deep (4) DESCRIPTION of her backache or (5) SLEEPLESS night. What's more, you daren't interrupt her for fear of (6) OFFENDING her legendary (7)SENSITIVITY and being described as an (8) UNFEELING egotist with no interest in other people! I have now (9) LEARNT that all (10) RESISTANCE is futile and one simply has to grin and bear it.

Answer 2

When asked to talk about themselves, some people, particularly men, become rather defensive. Others become restless, unable to sit still or look at their inquisitor. Others, however, become extremely talkative, delighted to have been given the opportunity to talk about themselves. Jenny falls into this latter category. One innocent question about her health can result in half an hour’s in-depth description of her backache or sleepless night. What's more, you daren't interrupt her for fear of offending her legendary sensitivity and being described as an insensitive egotist with no interest in other people! I have now learned that all resistance is futile, and one simply has to grin and bear it.