Too Intelligent to Be Happy? – C1 English Listening

1 What is the main purpose of the talk?

A. To explore the personal cost of being highly intelligent.

B. To describe the life and achievements of a historical figure.

C. To explain why gifted individuals tend to be miserable.

D. To illustrate the relationship between ignorance and happiness.

2 Why does the speaker use the word 'human' when describing Sidi's intelligence?

A. To express that, despite his intellect, he was like everyone else.

B. To convey the idea that he seemed more alien than human.

C. To highlight the unique nature of his intelligence.

D. To make the description sound more relatable to the audience.

3 What does the speaker imply when describing intelligence as 'a spotlight'?

A. It draws attention to a person while also alienating them.

B. It sheds light on the most complicated problems.

C. It makes a person highly visible and more self-conscious.

D. It exposes the weaknesses of highly intelligent individuals.

4 What can be inferred about Sidis's fame?

A. It was the main reason he failed to achieve success.

B. It aggravated the difficulties he experienced in social situations.

C. He hated it but ended up accepting it.

D. It prevented him from forming any meaningful relationships.

5 Listen again to this excerpt from the talk. What does the speaker mean by 'it's tempting'?

A. To accept the appeal of having less knowledge.

B. To value intelligence more than happiness

C. To ignore the complexity of intelligence.

D. To question the meaning of the expression.

6 According to the talk, all of the following are suggested about intelligence EXCEPT:

A. It may have more cons than pros.

B. The lack of it may make you happier.

C. Most people would not choose it over happiness.

D. It was the reason for Sidis's unhappiness.

Download lessons and tests as PDFs