The Snap Judgement

C1 Advanced · Open Cloze · Cambridge Ready original exercise

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning.

We like to think of ourselves (0) ___ fair-minded, yet most of us form an opinion of a stranger within moments of meeting them. A tone of voice, a firm handshake or a nervous smile is often all it takes (1) ___ us to decide whether someone can be trusted. (2) ___ is more, these first impressions prove remarkably difficult to get rid (3) ___ . Once we have decided that a new colleague is unfriendly, we tend to notice only the behaviour that is consistent (4) ___ our view and to overlook anything that contradicts it. Psychologists call this confirmation bias, and it accounts (5) ___ a great deal of everyday misunderstanding. The good news is that we are not entirely at the mercy (6) ___ our instincts. Simply knowing that the tendency exists makes it easier to give people a second chance, and (7) ___ often than not, they turn out to deserve it. The colleague who seemed cold and distant on the first day may simply have been as nervous (8) ___ we were.

The Snap Judgement

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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