Question

SPEAKING Discuss with a partner. Which person do you think is the most confident? And the least? Why? ​

Answer 1

In a speaking discussion about confidence, you and your partner can consider various factors such as body language, tone of voice, behavior, and past experiences. To better understand who is the most and least confident, you can analyze:

How a person carries themselves: Do they stand tall or slouch?

How they interact with others: Are they assertive or hesitant?

The way they speak: Is their voice clear and strong, or do they mumble?

Eye Contact: Do they maintain eye contact or avoid it?

Social Behavior: Are they outgoing and social or withdrawn?

Past actions or achievements: Sometimes people who have succeeded in specific endeavors may exhibit more confidence.

Reaction to failure or adversity: How a person deals with setbacks can also be an indicator of their level of confidence.

Discuss your observations with your partner, and share your reasoning for why you think one person is more or less confident than another. Always remember, external appearances can sometimes be deceiving, so it's worth considering multiple aspects before drawing any conclusions.

Answer 2

Determining who is the most and least confident person in a discussion can be subjective, as confidence can manifest in various ways and may not always be immediately apparent. It's important to remember that confidence can also fluctuate depending on the context or topic being discussed. However, I can provide some general observations and considerations to help you and your partner have this discussion.

1. Body Language: Often, confident individuals maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use open body language. They may gesture comfortably while speaking and appear relaxed.

2. Speaking Style: Confident people tend to speak clearly and with conviction. They may not hesitate or stumble over their words and can express their thoughts coherently.

3. Knowledge and Expertise: Confidence can stem from having a deep understanding of a subject. Someone who is well-informed and can provide facts and data to support their points may come across as confident.

4. Listening and Engagement: Confident individuals often actively listen to others and engage in the discussion without dominating it. They are secure enough to value others' input.

5. Resilience: Confidence is also seen in the ability to handle criticism or disagreement gracefully. Someone who can respond to challenges without becoming defensive may be more confident.

6. Self-Assured vs. Arrogant: It's crucial to differentiate between confidence and arrogance. The most confident person may not necessarily be the one who talks the loudest or dismisses others' opinions.

7. Context: The most confident person might vary depending on the context. For example, someone who is usually confident in professional settings may not be as confident in personal or social situations.

8. Cultural Differences: What is considered confident behavior can vary across cultures, so cultural norms should be taken into account.

To answer your question, you and your partner can observe these aspects during a discussion and then discuss who appears to be the most confident and least confident based on these observations. Keep in mind that confidence can be complex and multifaceted, and your perceptions may not always align with the person's actual level of self-assuredness.