# PTE Listening MCS #7: Nature Versus Nurture in...

Listening: Multiple Choice, Single Answer #7 - Level 2 - Feeds Listening

> Listen to the recording and answer the question by choosing one option. Only one answer is correct.

According to the text, which of the following statements is true?

- Our genetic inheritance plays a greater role than the environment in making us who we are.
- Our temperaments are determined by our environment.
- Some scientists now believe intelligence is genetically determined.
- All non-physical traits are inherited.

## Answer

Some scientists now believe intelligence is genetically determined.

## Explanation

The correct option accurately reflects the speaker's mention of evolving scientific perspectives on the genetic components of cognitive capacity.

What to watch: Near the end you hear that "some now claim that such traits as intelligence and personality are also encoded in our genes." The option saying genes matter more is tempting, but the speaker says we are "not wholly determined by our genes."

## Hints

- Focus on what the speaker says about intelligence specifically, rather than general personality traits.
- Be wary of options that use absolute language like 'all' or 'greater', as these are rarely supported by scientific discourse.

## Transcript

The nature-nurture debate is still going on. It is not a question of taking sides because we know that both play an important part in what makes us who we are. It is more a question of emphasis. Which of them has the greatest influence? On the nature side, we have what we get from our genes, our inherited traits, eye color and other physical traits, for example, but also some believe non-physical ones, such as temperament. For example, you might be quick to anger or have a nervous temperament, and this even extends to sense of humor. On the nurture side, there is what we get from our environment and our upbringing, what we learn. Research into the human genome has recently made it clear that both sides are partly right. Nature gives us inborn abilities and traits, while nurture takes these genetic tendencies and shapes them as we grow and learn and mature. This is an important point as it means, contrary to the belief of some, that we are not wholly determined by our genes. Scientists have known for years that eye and hair color are determined by specific genes, but some now claim that such traits as intelligence and personality are also encoded in our genes.

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