What makes you you? informative article

BEFORE READING 

What do you believe makes you who you are?

experience opleve shape forme pass on videregive determine bestemme traits egenskaber mannerism væremåde environment miljø upbringing opvækst ongoing vedvarende impact påvirkning

What makes you you?

Do you sometimes ask yourself the question "Who am I?" You are, of course, your physical self – your brain and body. But what about your stories? How do the things we experience shape us as human beings? Let’s explore some of the factors that make you you.

Genes

Your genes are passed on to you from your biological parents, half of them from your mother, the other half from your father. These genes determine many of your physical traits, such as the colour of your eyes. They can also determine some of your mannerisms, such as your laughter or the way you raise your eyebrows. Genes are in every single cell of your body and play an important part in making you unique. Even identical twins are unique; although they share the same DNA, their genes are not the same.

Environment

Of course, it’s not just your genes that determine who you are. Your upbringing and the people who surround you play an important role in shaping you as a person. In fact, there is an ongoing debate about the impact our surroundings have on us as human beings. This debate is often referred to as

“nature vs nurture”. For certain aspects of your personality, it is harder to say if they are a result of your genes or your upbringing. However, whilst it’s safe to say that genes and environment work together, many people would say that their personal experiences do more to help mould them as individuals.

Friends

Do you remember the first friend you made and how you became friends? When you are small, adults often pair you with suitable playmates. As you grow older, your world expands and you choose you own friends. People who have similar interests often become friends. Some researchers have found that two friends have more genes in common than two strangers do. So maybe it is not a coincidence that you are friends with the people you are? However, whilst your friends may be similar to you in some ways, they may also challenge you. You will come to realise that what is important and true for you may not be for others. Spending time with people who have other experiences and different backgrounds might make you understand more about who you are as a person.

Your stories

Throughout life, your experiences will shape you into who you are. Reading a book or watching a film can change the way you see things. Even a single meeting with a particular person might influence the direction you take. This is what makes it so interesting to be human; you do not know what awaits you around the next corner. We cannot choose our genes. However, we make choices on a daily basis, choices that again shape our lives. Who would you have been today if you had chosen differently, or if your life had been filled with other experiences and other stories? And what experiences will influence and shape you in the future?

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UNDERSTANDING

4 Organise information

Work with a partner. Organise information from the text on the worksheet.

5 Re ect on the text

In what ways are you similar to or di erent from your family members and friends?

If you like, you can answer these questions: – Do you look the same? – Do you like the same things? – Do you behave the same way in di erent situations?

We use the following linking words to show contrast: whereas while but TALKING

6 Talk about family cultures

Work with a partner. Talk about your families and nd similarities and di erences. Use linking words when talking about:

• your daily routines – family meals, cooking and cleaning • family rules – use of mobile phones and bedtimes • traditions – birthdays and Christmas

Examples:

– On school nights, we both have to be in at the same time, but I can stay out later on weekends than Lucas. – I celebrate Eid, whereas Emilie celebrates Christmas.

WRITING

7 Share an experience

Have you ever had an experience that changed you or made you see things di erently?

Write a paragraph to describe your experience. Explain how this changed you. this changed you.

meeting someone reading a book moving to a different place hearing someone’s story on TV or on a podcast

GRAMMAR

8 Work with relative pronouns

First, read the examples in the grammar box below. Then, connect the two sentences using either who, which or that.

Example: The girl lives next door. The girl is in my class → The girl who lives next door is in my class.

• My sister is very similar to me. My sister is my best friend. • The genes are passed on from our parents. They determine the colour of our eyes. • The people surround me. The people play an important role in my life. • Our family rules can be annoying. They sometimes drive me crazy.

The relative pronouns who, which and that

In English, the Danish word som can be replaced with who, which and that.

Who refers to people: • People who have similar interests often become friends. • My family, who live close to me, play a big role in my life.

Which can refer to things or animals: • Things which we experience in our lives shape us as human beings. • My dog, which is 10 years old, is an important member of my family.

That can refer to things, animals or people: • It´s not just your genes that determine your personality. • We meet people every day that help shape our lives.