6 Minute English - Intelligence | Текст песни

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• 6 Minute English
• Intelligence

Группа Learning English

Are you really as intelligent as you like to think you are? A study shows men are more likely to overrate their intelligence than women. Jackie and Callum look at the results and at the language of abilities.

This week's question: The word 'intelligence' comes from the Latin verb 'intellegere'. This means...

a) to see
b) to know
c) to understand

Words to describe intelligent people
bright (most often used with children)
smart
clever
sharp
quick

Words meaning 'the things you can do'

abilities
Example: I'm not sure he has the right abilities for this job.
We can be specific about kinds of abilities, for example, mathematical ability, musical ability etc.

skills
Examples:
I want to develop my writing skills.
He is a skilled writer.

talents
Examples:
He has a talent for painting.
He is a talented painter.

gifts
Examples:
She has a gift for singing.
She is a gifted singer.

Note: gifts and talents are more likely to be used to mean natural abilities that you are born with, while skills are things you can learn or acquire.

to do something to the best of your ability
to do it as well as you can
Example: I promise I will do it to the best of my ability.