Reader 12
Why Confidence Needs Careful Thinking
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.
VOCABULARY
Write the words or expressions from the article that are new to you or that you want to review.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Share your thoughts. Use details from the article to support your answers.
Why might a confident but inaccurate answer influence other people? Explain the difference between sounding certain and having enough information to support a conclusion.
How does the second paragraph respond to the risks described in the first? Explain how checking facts and considering other explanations make confidence more reliable.
The writer argues that questioning yourself can strengthen confidence. Why might this seem surprising, and how does the article support that argument?
LISTEN
Listen to the recording and respond.
What did the speaker say?
How do you respond to the speaker’s opinion?
Use the reading to support your response.
