Can You Be Too Friendly?
In this week's reading article discover the rare condition that makes people unusually friendly—and what it reveals about social behavior and human relationships. | IELTS reading & vocabulary practice
Have you ever come across someone who was so friendly it felt like you'd been best friends for years, even though you'd only just met? Maybe you chatted for ten minutes at a party or while waiting in a line at Sephora, and then never saw them again. According to this week’s article, that kind of extreme friendliness could be more than just a personality trait—it might actually be linked to a rare genetic condition. Or, of course, they might just be really outgoing!
These articles, reading comprehension questions, and vocabulary will be very helpful for your language-learning journey. Read along to improve your grammar and vocabulary while learning something new at the same time!
Reading: Can You Be Too Friendly??
There is a rare genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in 7,500 people called Williams Syndrome (WS). Individuals with WS are known for their exceptionally friendly and outgoing personalities. They often exhibit a strong desire to interact with others, displaying high levels of empathy and sociability. This friendliness leads them to treat strangers as if they were close friends, making them appear extremely warm and affectionate. However, this excessive sociability can also result in challenges, as they may struggle to maintain long-term relationships and are prone to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The trusting nature of people with WS can make them vulnerable in social situations. Their inability to discern social cues and potential dangers means they might not recognise when someone intends to harm or exploit them. This lack of social inhibition, while endearing, can lead to situations where they are taken advantage of or bullied. Experts suggest that while their openness is a notable trait, it underscores the importance of developing a certain level of caution in social interactions—a trait that individuals with WS often lack.
Despite their sociable demeanour, many individuals with WS face difficulties in forming and sustaining close friendships. Their interactions, though frequent and enthusiastic, may lack depth, leading to superficial relationships. This can result in a sense of social disconnect, where the desire for connection is not met with meaningful bonds. Additionally, many adults with WS do not live independently and may require support in daily activities, further impacting their social experiences.
Understanding the social behaviours associated with Williams syndrome provides insight into the complexities of human interaction. While their friendliness offers a unique perspective on social engagement, it also highlights the balance needed between openness and discernment in relationships. Studying WS can shed light on the mechanisms of social behaviour and the importance of social boundaries, contributing to a broader understanding of human sociability.
Now, read and answer the following IELTS-style questions:
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
Write: True if the statement agrees with the information
False if the statement contradicts the information
Not Given if there is no information on this
People with Williams Syndrome often appear very warm and affectionate when meeting new people.
Individuals with Williams Syndrome usually find it easy to build deep and lasting friendships.
People with Williams Syndrome are never able to live independently as adults.
Their inability to detect social dangers can sometimes put them at risk of being exploited.
Researchers believe that people with Williams Syndrome show no interest in forming relationships.
Studying Williams Syndrome can help researchers understand how people behave in social situations.
You can find the answers at the bottom of this article.
New Vocabulary
to come across - to find, to meet
personality trait - characteristics
rare - not common
genetic condition - a health issue caused by a problem with genes
individuals - people
outgoing - friendly and social
empathy - the ability to understand the feelings of other people
socialbility - the quality of being social
affectionate - a feeling of kindness or fondness
excessive - too much
prone to - likely to suffer from
vulnerable - a person in need of special support due to age, situation or disability
to discern - to understand, recognize, find out
social cues - verbal or non-verbal signals expressed through the face, body or voice
to exploit (someone) - to take advantage of (someone)
inhibition - a feeling that makes someone feel self-conscious
endearing - inspiring affection
to be bullied - to be verbally hurt by someone
notable trait - an important or distinct characteristic
to underscore - to emphasize, to call attention to something
demeanour - behaviour
to sustain - to support something or keep it going
to lack (something) - to not be enough
superficial - someone who doesn’t think or feel deeply
bonds - connections
discernment - the ability to judge well
You can read the original source here: https://www.bbc.com/future/article
Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more hints and advice for your language-learning journey!
-Sarah
Answers: 1. True 2. False 3. Not given 4. True 5. False 6. True