Confidence can be helpful, but it needs careful thinking to become reliable. A confident person may speak clearly, make decisions quickly, or take action without hesitation. These qualities can be useful, especially when the person understands the situation well. However, confidence without enough information can lead to mistakes. A person may sound sure while missing important facts. This can be dangerous because others may trust the confident answer without questioning whether it is accurate.

Careful thinking gives confidence a stronger foundation. It helps a person check the facts, consider other explanations, and notice possible weaknesses. This does not remove confidence. It makes confidence more responsible. A thoughtful person can still speak clearly, but the answer is supported by evidence instead of only a strong tone. True confidence is not the refusal to question oneself. It is the ability to explain why a conclusion makes sense. When confidence and careful thinking work together, people are more likely to make wise choices.

SPEAK

1. Why can confidence be helpful?

2. What problem can happen when confidence lacks information?

3. How does careful thinking support confidence?

4. Why is true confidence not the refusal to question oneself?

5. What happens when confidence and careful thinking work together?

LISTEN

I think confidence should be supported by careful thinking. A person may sound sure, but that does not mean the answer is correct. When confidence is connected to evidence and clear reasoning, it becomes more trustworthy.

• What did the speaker say?

• How do you respond to the speaker’s opinion?

• Use the reading to support your response.

WRITE

Write 5–7 sentences about why confidence needs careful thinking. Include one example of confidence that could be helpful and one example of confidence that could create a problem.