test yourself: Are You A Woman Or A Man?

The test is designed to be deliberately provocative.

Note to teachers:

Students do the test individually and then compare their answer in groups. They should then redo the test, trying to decide which are the stereotypical female answers. Get class feedback, and find out which male students initially gave female answers, and vice versa. The conclusion should be that we all have both female and male characteristics.

p/s: Actually, anyone can do this test!

Okay, here are the questions!

1. If your car breaks down do you …?

a)       open the bonnet and have a look inside

b)       flag someone down

2. A man and a woman go to the restaurant. Who pay?

a)       the man

b)       the woman

3. What would your ideal house be?

a)       easy to clean

b)       big and impressive

4. On holiday where do you keep the money?

a)       in your back pocket

b)       in a bag tied around your neck

5. What is your motto?

a)       If you don’t take risks you don’t get anywhere.

b)       Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.

6. Are your friends…?

a)       more intelligent than you

b)       better looking than you

7. Do you understand people better who communicate using…?

a)       body language

b)       the written word

8. What animal frightens you the most?

a)       a mouse

b)       a shark

9. In a war would you…?

a)       fight for your country

b)       leave for a neutral country

10. Which do you prefer reading?

a)       books

b)       magazines

Score

A typical man would say that the woman’s answer would be:

1b, 2a, 3a, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 8a, 9b, 10b. A typical woman might think otherwise!

Adapted and taken from:

DISCUSSIONS A-Z (Advanced)

A Resource Book of Speaking Activity

By Adrian Wallwork

Published by

The Press Syndicate of the University Of Cambridge

© Cambridge University Press 1997