www.headsupenglish.com/index.php/better-language-teaching
www.headsupenglish.com/index.php/grammar-worksheets
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
the ARTICLE (for teachers)
Color Predicts Personality
What color do you prefer? The seemingly innocuous answer may predict your personality, according to a
recently developed test. The new test requires but sixty seconds or so to complete, asking takers to order as
many as fifteen colored squares in terms of preference. For example, which color do you like the least, black,
grey, or white? Much like other personality tests, this one can steer individuals to jobs that match up with their
personality profiles. However, the difference lies in the fundamentals of this particular test, as most other tests
are verbal and may not translate well to other languages or cultures. The new test, solely based on colors, can
be used the world over.
The test has already been administered to more than 750,000 people, including more than 800 famous CEOs.
The test predicted that the group of CEOs as a whole was ideally suited for upper-management. Yet surprisingly,
many were also similarly suited for careers as social workers, artists, and teachers. They overwhelmingly
preferred magenta, red, and yellow compared to the general public at large, which the test indicates as less of a
perfectionist, less assertive, and more emotionally unstable than average.
As more people take the test, the results will increasingly be refined to better predict personalities. No one as
yet knows why or how color can so accurately serve as an indicator, as the answer lies deep within the brain
and neuroscience. In the future, there may be alternative uses too, such as detecting psychological disorders or
degenerative diseases like dementia. Marketers, advertisers, and other industries that rely on psychology and
influence are already exploring methods to effectively use colors to generate favorable responses as well.
Expect to see more about colors and their influence in the near future.
Teacher's Notes:
* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson.
Heads Up English - 1
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
WARM-UPS
Select one or all of the following warm-up activities.
1: Define: What does "personality" mean? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you give examples?
2: Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "personality" for 2 minutes. Spend
another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together.
3: Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Color Predicts Personality."
4: Speculate: Write in the missing word for today's article title: "Color Predicts (
)." Why did you
choose this word for the blank?
5: Do you agree or disagree? Why?
a. A test can accurately predict personality.
b. Personality tests are very important for employers.
c. Personality tests are very important for people because it tells them the perfect job.
d. CEOs and other leaders tend to have strong, dominant personalities.
e. I want to change my personality!
Heads Up English - 2
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
VOCABULARY
Select one of the following vocabulary acquisition activities.
1: Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the article) with the
best choice in column B.
a. innocuous
q. guide
b. steer
r.
c. solely
s. give
d. administer
t.
e. ideal
u. affect
f.
v.
overwhelming
forceful
very much
worsen
g. assertive
w. harmless
h. refined
x. improve
i.
degenerate
y.
j.
influence
z. perfect
only
2: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
assertive
administered
innocuous
a. The seemingly (
b. This test can (
ideally
degenerative
influence
c. The new test, (
d. The test has already been (
steer
overwhelmingly
refined
solely
) answer may predict your personality.
) individuals to jobs that match up with their personality profiles.
) based on colors, can be used the world over.
) to more than 750,000 people.
e. The test predicted that CEOs as a whole were (
) suited for upper-management.
f. They (
) preferred magenta, red, and yellow compared to the general public at large.
g. The test indicates that most CEOs are less of a perfectionist and less (
h. The results will increasingly be (
) to better predict personalities.
i.
The test may detect psychological disorders or (
j.
Industries that rely on psychology and (
).
) diseases like dementia.
) are already exploring methods to use colors.
3: Define: Define each word, correctly pronounce it, explain the meaning and/or usage, and offer an example
sentence to the class.
a. innocuous
b. steer
c. solely
d. administer
e. ideal
f. overwhelming
g. assertive
h. refined
i.
j.
degenerate
influence
Heads Up English - 3
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
WORD RECOGNITION
1: Word Search: Find the target words (in bold). Time yourself, and see how many words you can find in three
minutes, five minutes, or ten minutes.
assertive
administered
innocuous
ideally
degenerative
influence
O
O
D
L
R
K
S
K
M
L
T
E
J
Y
O
A
V
T
U
T
F
E
U
O
R
V
N
L
K
T
S
P
E
Q
I
E
V
Q
O
I
L
L
C
N
U
S
P
D
R
Y
E
I
G
T
U
A
A
Q
X
I
E
H
E
M
W
Q
T
A
K
E
C
S
O
N
T
R
Y
Q
U
J
H
R
O
D
W
T
O
O
D
L
T
G
E
R
W
E
E
I
V
E
Z
C
N
E
S
I
U
F
L
N
G
S
L
E
F
C
C
D
N
M
V
T
E
E
E
E
S
R
M
U
A
T
N
I
I
steer
overwhelmingly
A
Y
G
J
Q
L
A
H
O
I
T
A
L
F
B
H
E
A
G
I
C
O
U
Y
I
N
S
B
E
O
D
Y
L
E
L
O
S
S
G
W
G
G
Y
R
N
A
D
M
I
N
I
S
T
E
R
E
D
L
Y
V
E
C
N
E
U
L
F
N
I
Z
E
S
C
Y
Y
refined
solely
I
N
F
L
E
U
N
C
E
Z
A
Z
S
T
L
2: Target Word Pool: Find the target words (in bold) with their exact match. Time yourself, and see how many
words you can find in three minutes, five minutes, or ten minutes.
assertive
administered
fined
innocuous
ideally
degenerative
influence
soles
inoculation
influx
influential
steer
degenerated
idol
overbought
influenced
refined
solely
overexcited
administering
assertively
degenerate
steers
administered
assertion
solved
refining
ideally
sole
generic
overwhelming
innocuously
administrator
refinement
incubus
steer
overwhelmingly
overwhelmingly
steering
innocuous
advantage
ideal
solely
acerbic
idolatry
steerage
influence
refined
degenerative
overwhelmed
assertive
solution
generative
unassertive
influencing
administration
starry
refine
reality
innocuousness
Heads Up English - 4
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
pre- or post-COMPREHENSION
1: Word Association: Brainstorm words associated with today's topic for two minutes. Present to the class.
2: Brainstorm Questions: Brainstorm questions that you would like to ask about today's topic. Answer the
questions without looking at the article.
3: True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false.
If false, correct the sentence.
a. The test checks only your preference for black, white, and grey.
b. The test works only with native English speakers.
T/F
T/F
c. CEOs who took the test would also make good artists and teachers.
d. CEOs who took the test had strong characters, but were unstable.
T/F
T/F
e. The test may also be used to catch problems with the brain in the future.
T/F
4: Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension.
a. How does the new personality test work?
b. Why might it be better than other personality tests?
c. What sort of colors did CEOs prefer?
d. What sort of personality traits did the CEOs have?
e. What does the article say about marketing and advertising?
5: Vocabulary: In pairs/groups, remember how the words were used in today's article.
a. innocuous
c. solely
e. ideally
b. steer
d. administered
f.
overwhelmingly
g. assertive
i. degenerative
h. refined
j. influence
6: Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.
a. The new test requires but sixty seconds or so to complete, asking takers...
b. Much like other personality tests, this one can steer individuals...
c. The test has already been administered to more than 750,000 people, including...
d. In the future, there may be alternative uses too, such as...
e. Expect to see more about colors and...
Heads Up English - 5
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
post-COMPREHENSION
1: Vocabulary: Circle any additional unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your
dictionaries to understand the meanings. Present to the class.
2: Class Questions: Read through the article once more, and write down any questions that you would like to
discuss in pairs/groups or as a class. Discuss.
3: Summarize: Work with a partner to summarize the article in your own words.
4: Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
a. Did you like this article?
b. What was your general impression after reading this article?
c. What do you think about personality tests in general? Please explain.
d. What do you think about this personality test? Does it really work? Please explain.
e. Have you ever taken a personality test? If yes, what were the results? If no, why not?
f. How would you describe your personality?
g. What sort of careers would suit your personality? Why do you think so?
h. What sort of careers would be unsuitable based on your personality? Why do you think so?
i. What do you think about companies that give personality tests before they hire employees?
j. How would you feel if personality tests determined your career or what to study at school?
5: Discuss: Discuss these careers. What sort of personalities do you expect people in these professions to
have? Why do you think so? Discuss with a partner and be sure to support your answers.
doctor:
computer programmer:
artist:
your job/career:
6: Google Search: Type "personality test" into Google news and read additional articles on this topic. Discuss
or write an essay about your findings.
Heads Up English - 6
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
STUDENT HANDOUT (the article)
Color Predicts Personality
What color do you prefer? The seemingly innocuous answer may predict your personality, according to a
recently developed test. The new test requires but sixty seconds or so to complete, asking takers to order as
many as fifteen colored squares in terms of preference. For example, which color do you like the least, black,
grey, or white? Much like other personality tests, this one can steer individuals to jobs that match up with their
personality profiles. However, the difference lies in the fundamentals of this particular test, as most other tests
are verbal and may not translate well to other languages or cultures. The new test, solely based on colors, can
be used the world over.
The test has already been administered to more than 750,000 people, including more than 800 famous CEOs.
The test predicted that the group of CEOs as a whole was ideally suited for upper-management. Yet surprisingly,
many were also similarly suited for careers as social workers, artists, and teachers. They overwhelmingly
preferred magenta, red, and yellow compared to the general public at large, which the test indicates as less of a
perfectionist, less assertive, and more emotionally unstable than average.
As more people take the test, the results will increasingly be refined to better predict personalities. No one as
yet knows why or how color can so accurately serve as an indicator, as the answer lies deep within the brain
and neuroscience. In the future, there may be alternative uses too, such as detecting psychological disorders or
degenerative diseases like dementia. Marketers, advertisers, and other industries that rely on psychology and
influence are already exploring methods to effectively use colors to generate favorable responses as well.
Expect to see more about colors and their influence in the near future.
Notes:
Heads Up English - 7
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
STUDENT HANDOUT (fill in the blank)
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
workers
administered
influence
refined
overwhelmingly
innocuous
Color Predicts Personality
ideally
accurately
but
degenerative
solely
profiles
steer
industries
assertive
What color do you prefer? The seemingly (a. _______________) answer may predict your personality,
according to a recently developed test. The new test requires (b. _______________) sixty seconds or so
to complete, asking takers to order as many as fifteen colored squares in terms of preference. For
example, which color do you like the least, black, grey, or white? Much like other personality tests, this one
can (c. _______________) individuals to jobs that match up with their personality (d. _______________).
However, the difference lies in the fundamentals of this particular test, as most other tests are verbal and
may not translate well to other languages or cultures. The new test, (e. _______________) based on
colors, can be used the world over.
The test has already been (f. _______________) to more than 750,000 people, including more than 800
famous CEOs. The test predicted that the group of CEOs as a whole was (g. _______________) suited for
upper-management. Yet surprisingly, many were also similarly suited for careers as social
(h. _______________), artists, and teachers. They (i. _______________) preferred magenta, red, and
yellow compared to the general public at large, which the test indicates as less of a perfectionist, less
(j. _______________), and more emotionally unstable than average.
As more people take the test, the results will increasingly be (k. _______________) to better predict
personalities. No one as yet knows why or how color can so (l. _______________) serve as an indicator,
as the answer lies deep within the brain and neuroscience. In the future, there may be alternative uses too,
such as detecting psychological disorders or (m. _______________) diseases like dementia. Marketers,
advertisers, and other (n. _______________) that rely on psychology and (o. _______________) are
already exploring methods to effectively use colors to generate favorable responses as well.
Expect to see more about colors and their influence in the near future.
Heads Up English - 8
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
STUDENT HANDOUT (extended listening)
Listen and fill in the missing sentences. Compare your answers with a partner, and
then listen once more.
Color Predicts Personality
What color do you prefer? a) _________________________________________________________________,
according to a recently developed test. The new test requires but sixty seconds or so to complete, asking takers
to order as many as fifteen colored squares in terms of preference. For example, which color do you like the
least, black, grey, or white? Much like other personality tests, this one can steer individuals to jobs that match
up with their personality profiles. However, the difference lies in the fundamentals of this particular test,
b) ____________________________________________________________________. The new test, solely
based on colors, can be used the world over.
The test has already been administered to more than 750,000 people, including more than 800 famous CEOs.
The test predicted that the group of CEOs as a whole was ideally suited for upper-management. Yet surprisingly,
many were also similarly suited for careers as social workers, artists, and teachers. They overwhelmingly
preferred magenta, red, and yellow compared to the general public at large, c) __________________________
____________________________________________.
As more people take the test, d) _______________________________________________________________.
No one as yet knows why or how color can so accurately serve as an indicator, as the answer lies deep within
the brain and neuroscience. In the future, there may be alternative uses too, such as detecting psychological
disorders or degenerative diseases like dementia. Marketers, advertisers, and other industries that rely on
psychology and influence e) __________________________________________________________________.
Expect to see more about colors and their influence in the near future.
Heads Up English - 9
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
STUDENT HANDOUT (notes)
Heads Up English - 10
www.headsupenglish.com
Color Predicts Personality
Advanced
ANSWER KEY
Vocabulary
1. Vocabulary Match:
2. Fill in the Blanks:
a.
w
f.
t
a.
innocuous
f.
overwhelmingly
b.
q
g.
r
b.
steer
g.
assertive
c.
y
h.
x
c.
solely
h.
refined
d.
s
i.
v
d.
administered
i.
degenerative
e.
z
j.
u
e.
ideally
j.
influence
pre- or post-Comprehension
1. True or False:
2. Fragments:
a.
F
a.
to order as many as fifteen colored squares in terms of preference.
b.
F
b.
to jobs that match up with their personality profiles.
c.
T
c.
more than 800 famous CEOs.
d.
F
d.
detecting psychological disorders or degenerative diseases like dementia.
e.
T
e.
their influence in the near future.
Student Handout
1. Fill in the Blanks
a.
innocuous
i.
overwhelmingly
b.
but
j.
assertive
c.
steer
k.
refined
d.
profiles
l.
accurately
e.
solely
m.
degenerative
f.
administered
n.
industries
g.
ideally
o.
influence
h.
workers
2. Extended Listening
a.
The seemingly innocuous answer may predict your personality
b.
as most other tests are verbal and may not translate well to other languages or cultures
c.
which the test indicates as less of a perfectionist, less assertive, and more emotionally unstable than average
d.
the results will increasingly be refined to better predict personalities
e.
are already exploring methods to effectively use colors to generate favorable responses as well
Heads Up English - 11
www.headsupenglish.com