INTELLIGENCE AND STUPIDITY – Speaking Activity

INTELLIGENCE AND STUPIDITY

 

1. What does, in your opinion, intelligence consist of? How do you know whether someone is intelligent or not? Can somebody be both intelligent and stupid?

2. What kind of factors can we take into account when talking about intelligence?

3. What is “stupidity”?

4. There is such a thing as “World Stupidity Awards”, which were founded in 2003 and which recognise achievements in ignorance and stupidity. Some of the categories include:

• Stupidest man of the year.
• Stupidest statement made by a politician.
• The dumbest moment of the year.
• A stupidity award for being most out of touch with reality.
• Stupidest movie of the year.
• Lifetime achievement award for stupidity.
• Stupidity award for reckless endangerment of the planet.

In pairs or groups discuss who you would give three of the awards mentioned above to?

5. Who have been the most intelligent people of all times in the fields of…

• Physics / chemistry.
• The Arts.
• Medicine / Psychiatry / Psychology.
• Natural sciences.

6. Who is the most intelligent person you know? Why do you consider him / her intelligent?