Finding the Real You
Psychometric testing — personality testing — has been very popular nowadays as studies show their results to be three times more accurate in predicting your job performance.These tests are now included in almost all graduate recruitment (招聘) and are widely used in the selection of managers.
The most popular of these personality tests is the MyersBriggs Type Indicator (MBTI)．It is based on the theory that we are born with a tendency to one personality type which stays more or less fixed throughout life.You answer 88 questions and are then given your “type”， such as Outgoing or Quiet, Feeling or Thinking.
Critics of personality testing raise doubts about “social engineering”．Psychologist Dr.Colin Gill warns that the “popular” personality traits (特性) have their disadvantages.“People who are extremely open to new experiences can be butterflies, going from one idea to the next without mastering any of them.” However, the psychometric test is here to stay, which may be why a whole subindustry on cheating personality tests has sprung up.“It's possible to cheat，” admits Gill, “but having to pretend to be the person you are at work will be tiring and unhappy and probably shortlived.”
So can we change our personality? “Your basic personality is fixed by the time you're 21，” says Gill, “but it can be affected by motivation and intelligence.If you didn't have the personality type to be a doctor but desperately wanted to be one and were intelligent enough to master the skills, you could still go ahead.But trying to go too much against type for too long requires much energy and is actually to be suffered for long.I think it's why we're seeing this trend for downshifting — too many people trying to fit in to a type that they aren't really suited for.”
Our interest in personality now exists in every part of our lives.If you ask an expert for advice on anything, you'll probably be quizzed about your personality.But if personality tests have any value to us, perhaps it is to free us from the idea that all of us are full of potential, and remind us of what we are.As they say in one test when they ask for your age: pick the one you are, not the one you wish you were.
语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。人格测试现在很受欢迎，尤其是毕业生招聘时。最普遍的测试是MBTI，它的理论基础是人格从生下来就基本确定了，测试要求根据真实情况回答问题。
1．The MyersBriggs Type Indicator is based on the belief that ________.
A．personality is largely decided from birth
B．certain personality traits are common
C．some personality types are better than others
D．personality traits are various from time to time
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“It is based on the theory that we are born with a tendency to one personality type which stays more or less fixed throughout life.”可知，我们天生就有一种固定的性格。人格很大程度上从出生就确定下来了。
2．According to Dr.Gill, what is the problem with personality tests?
A．The results could be opposite to what employers want.
B．People can easily lie about their true abilities.
C．Employers often find the results unclear.
D．They may have a negative effect on takers.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据Dr.Gill 所说的“It's possible to cheat”可知，人们有可能会对自己的真实能力说谎。
3．In Dr.Gill's view, how easy is it to change your personality?
A．It's possible in your adult life.
B．It's easy if you have great motivation.
C．It's unlikely because it requires much energy.
D．It's difficult before the age of 21.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第四段中的“But trying to go too much against type for too long requires much energy and is actually to be suffered for long.”可知，改变性格会很费精力，让人痛苦。
4．What final conclusion does the author reach about the value of personality tests?
A．They are of doubtful value to employers.
B．They are not really worth doing.
C．They can strengthen the idea we have of our abilities.
D．They may encourage greater realism.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“But if personality tests have any value to us, perhaps it is to free us from the idea that all of us are full of potential, and remind us of what we are.”可知，人格测试的价值在于它提醒我们做我们自己，而不是希望成为别的人。
