SPEAKING FLUENCY

#109

Biology of Politics
Here are the questions with answers. Pause the recording and speak out loud.
You dont have to be perfect. Just speak quickly and have fun.
Remember, if you want to improve your speaking, you have to speak a lot.

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#109

BIOLOGY OF POLITICS

Back in 1813, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to John Adams. In the letter
between the two former U.S. presidents, Jefferson shared a theory.
Who wrote a letter to John Adams? Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to John Adams.
What did they both have in common? They were both former U.S. presidents.
He believed the two political parties which then existed in the United States,
had existed all throughout time. He also claimed a persons political party of
choice reflected their attitude and character.
What did he say about a persons political party of choice? He said a persons political
party of choice reflected their attitude and character.
While it was just a theory at the time, modern science is now proving it to be
true.
Was this just a theory at the time? Yes, this was just a theory at the time. What about
now? Modern science is now proving it to be true.
Recent experiments have been proving that conservatives and liberals have
different instinctual physical reactions.
Who has different physical reactions? Conservatives and liberals have different
physical reactions.
They also have no control over these reactions.
Do they have control over these reactions? No, they dont have control over these
reactions.
When shown disturbing images, conservatives displayed more moistening of
the sweat glands. This is known as a sympathetic nervous system reaction.
What happened to conservatives when they looked at disturbing images? They
displayed more moistening of the sweat glands.
Then a group of liberals and conservatives were shown a four panel card. This
card included one pleasant image and three disturbing images.
What kind of images were they shown? They were shown one pleasant image and
three disturbing images.

Deep English, 2011-2014 | www.deepenglish.com

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#109

BIOLOGY OF POLITICS

There were shocking differences here too. The results spoke for themselves.
Did the results speak for themselves? Yes, the results spoke for themselves.
They showed the conservatives focused their eyes more quickly to the
disturbing images. They also looked at them for much longer.
How were the conservatives different? The conservatives focused their eyes more
quickly to the disturbing images. They also looked at them for much longer.
The point here though, is not that liberals and conservatives react to things
differently.
Do liberals and conservatives react to things differently? Yes, liberals and
conservatives react to things differently. Is this the main point? No, this isnt the main
point.
The point is that a persons biology their genetics, hormones, personalities,
and brain structures - has a strong correlation with their political orientation.

Deep English, 2011-2014 | www.deepenglish.com

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#109

BIOLOGY OF POLITICS

If this is true, then a person cant be blamed for their political orientation, nor
should they be persecuted for it. Similar to how gay and straight people dont
choose to be gay or straight, neither do liberals or conservatives. Its
something beyond their control.
Do gay people choose to be gay or straight? No, gay people dont choose to be gay
or straight. What about liberals and conservatives? Do you believe this is beyond their
control?
Instead of thinking poorly of people with a different political orientation than us,
we might take a different approach and simply accept it as a reality.
Do you think poorly of people with a different political orientation than you?
That person has no more control over their political orientation than they do
over their natural hair color.
The real question is: will people be able to accept the fact that others simply
will not be able to agree with them, due to their biological makeup? If so, it
could greatly reduce hatred, fighting, and war in our world. It would be a step
toward greater tolerance and peace.
What kind of step would this be? It would be a step toward greater tolerance and
peace.

Photos / Credits:
Photo #1 (cover) by Fe Ilya: https://www.flickr.com/photos/renneville/2908748583/
Photo #2 by MARTHA SILVAhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/
51035681884@N01/93709555

Deep English, 2011-2014 | www.deepenglish.com

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