16. A) Scan the text “Intelligence”.

What makes one person more intelligent than another? What makes one person a genius, like the brilliant Albert Einstein, and another person a fool? Are people born intelligent or stupid, or is intelligence the result of where and how you live? These are very old questions and the answers to them are still not clear.

We know, however, that just being born with a good mind is not enough. In some ways, the mind is like a leg or an arm muscle. It needs exercise. Mental exercise is particularly important for young children. Many psychologists state that our sense of touch plays a key role in our health and well-being, and that the caress of another person releases hormones that can ease pain and clear the mind. There are also many child psychologists who think that parents should play with their children more often and give them problems to think about. The children are then more likely to grow up bright and intelligent. If, on the other hand, children are left alone a great deal with nothing to do, they are more likely to become dull and unintelligent.

Parents should also be careful what they say to young children. According to some psychologists, if parents are always telling a child that he or she is a fool or an idiot, then the child is more likely to keep doing silly and foolish things. So it is probably better for parents to say very positive things to their children, such as “That was a very clever thing you did” or “You are such a smart child.”

Now there are different methods of teaching (verbal, practical, visual), means of teaching (study-books, teaching aids, posters, models, educational technologies), forms of teaching (lessons, laboratory works, practical classes; collective, group and individual training).

What do you think? Are people born intelligent or do they become intelligent with the help of good parents, teachers and their skills?

b) Take a lexical quiz.

Lexical Quiz: Change the words in bold type to make sentences true, according to the passage and your own mind.

1. Einstein was very stupid … … … … …

2. The more you rest your mind, the more intelligent you should become … … … … …

3. Parents should never play with their children … … … … …

4. Children who are always left alone are more likely to be bright … … … … …

5. It is bad for parents to tell children that they are clever … … … … …

6. Parents should say very negative things to their children … … … … …

7. Mothers should say to their sons that they are handsome and to their daughters that they are bright/smart … … … … …

17. Get acquainted with the famous American psychologist Howard Earl Gardner views and his famous theory on intelligence. Give your for and against this theory. Find some examples to each type of intelligence.

“I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place. An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do... ourselves.”

Howard Gardner initially formulated a list of seven intelligences. His listing was provisional. The first two are ones that have been typically valued in schools; the next three are usually associated with the arts; and the final two are what Howard Gardner called 'personal intelligences”:

1.Linguistic Intelligence involves the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence. (The Word-player, e.g.: I enjoy doing crossword puzzles).

2. Logical-mathematical Intelligence consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking. (The Questioner)

3. Musical Intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. (The Music Lover)

4. Bodily-kinaesthetic Intelligence entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements. Howard Gardner sees mental and physical activity as related. (The Mover, e.g.: I like to dance, I engage in at least one sport).

5. Spatial Intelligence involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas.  (The Visualizer)

6. Interpersonal Intelligence is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople,

religious and political leaders all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence. (The Socializer)

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations. In Howard Gardner's view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives. (The Loner, e.g.: I often meditate).

8. Naturalistic was added by Gardner at a later date. (The Nature Lover, e.g.: I like to garden, I enjoy having pets, I have plants in my home).

Note: Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences has not been readily accepted within academic psychology. However, it has met with a strongly positive response from many educators.