The Complete Book of Intelligence Tests : 500 exercises to improve, upgrade and enhance your mind strength (12 page)

5

4

3

2

1

4 Sometimes I cannot get to sleep as I have too much on my mind.

5

4

3

2

1

5 I find it difficult to switch off completely and totally relax.

5

4

3

2

1

6 I sometimes get angry with myself if I make a mistake or do not

do something to the standard I have set myself.

5

4

3

2

1

7 I often find myself dashing around at more than my normal

speed.

5

4

3

2

1

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8 I feel ruled by time.

5

4

3

2

1

9 I am a fast talker.

5

4

3

2

1

10 I easily become agitated in queues and traffic jams.

5

4

3

2

1

11 I am often critical of others.

5

4

3

2

1

12 I do not suffer fools gladly.

5

4

3

2

1

13 I push myself hard.

5

4

3

2

1

14 I am much more of a serious person than a jovial one.

5

4

3

2

1

15 I tend to gesticulate a lot.

5

4

3

2

1

16 Punctuality is important to me.

5

4

3

2

1

17 There has on several different occasions in my life been just one

particular thing which has dominated my thoughts for days on

end.

5

4

3

2

1

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18 It is important to me that I play to win.

5

4

3

2

1

19 I have on several occasions gone red in the face with harassment.

5

4

3

2

1

20 I am a worrier.

5

4

3

2

1

21 I am not optimistic about the future.

5

4

3

2

1

22 I worry that I am not more financially secure.

5

4

3

2

1

23 I am impatient.

5

4

3

2

1

24 I want people to see me as one of life’s winners.

5

4

3

2

1

25 I often wake up in the morning with something worrying on my

mind.

5

4

3

2

1

Assessment

Total score 90–125

Your score indicates that you are of a somewhat overly anxious nature

who finds it very difficult to relax completely, and you are constantly

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on your toes for any unforeseen event that may occur. You also have

the tendency to build many things up in your own mind out of all

proportion.

As this is in your nature and possibly the way by which you deal

with things and cope with pressure, it is nevertheless important to try

and adopt a more relaxed attitude to life, since anxiety does lead to

stress and stress is the cause of many serious health problems.

It is necessary sometimes for overly anxious people to make a

concerted effort to relax more, and one way of doing this may be by

cultivating new interests and by taking one step back and reflecting on

their life and its positive aspects.

In times of extreme anxiety, it may be necessary to try and

temporarily switch off completely from your daily routine and try to

relax and chill out completely for a few days by doing something you

really enjoy, whether it be lazing around the garden, listening to music,

having a few rounds of golf or spending quality time with friends and

family. This may well enable you to get things into perspective and

help you cultivate a more relaxed attitude to life.

It is also important to all of us, but especially overly anxious

people, that we are able to recognise any early warning signs that we

are pushing ourselves too far. Then we can try to do something about

it before it is too late.

Total score 65–89

You are in the fortunate position that although, like all people, you

find yourself stressed out to a certain degree from time to time, this

tends to be the exception rather than the rule. Anxiety for you is no

more of a problem than it is for the average person.

Generally you appear to be a well-balanced person who is able to

face up to problems as they arise and does not spend too much time

worrying about things that may never happen. You also appear to

have sufficient resolve to face up to any stressful situations that may

occur in the future.

You are able to recognise any early warning signs that you may be

pushing yourself too hard and, on these occasions, are able to do

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something about this by switching off somewhat and slowing down a

little.

Total score less than 65

Whilst you do worry on occasions, as do all of us, you appear to have

a laid-back, relaxed attitude to life, with the result that high anxiety is less of a problem for you than it is for the average person.

This attitude can have a calming influence, not just on yourself but

also on those around you.

One word of caution to having an almost totally relaxed attitude

to life is believing that problems will never occur. We all have to

face up to numerous problems in our lifetime. Often, if we are able to

anticipate such problems, we are able to minimise or even avoid them.

Consequently, on occasions, a degree of forward planning is desirable.

You should therefore have the ability to plan ahead and also build in a

leeway for the unexpected.

It is also worth bearing in mind that a certain amount of tension is

positive. People often respond to, and are encouraged by, challenges.

Test 5.2

Extrovert or introvert

Answer each question or statement by choosing which one of the

three alternative responses given is most applicable to you.

1 Do you prefer to work alone, or as part of a team?

a) No strong preference.

b) Alone.

c) As part of a team.

2 How much do you enjoy social gatherings?

a) I can take them or leave them.

b) Very little.

c) Very much.

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3 What is your ideal way of celebrating your birthday?

a) Going out for a meal with a few family or friends.

b) I prefer my birthday to be just like any other normal day.

c) A surprise party with lots of family and friends.

4 Are you more comfortable when talking to people on a

one-to-one basis or in a group discussion?

a) No strong preference.

b) On a one-to-one basis.

c) In a group discussion.

5 How quickly do you become bored and restless when performing

routine tasks?

a) Fairly quickly.

b) Not very quickly, as I am able to apply my mind to, and

concentrate on, the task in hand.

c) Extremely quickly.

6 When travelling alone on a long train journey would you be

likely to strike up a long conversation with a complete stranger

sitting next to you?

a) Maybe not a long conversation but I might exchange a few

pleasantries with them.

b) Not really.

c) Yes I would really enjoy having a lengthy conversation with

them.

7 How often do you like to let your hair down, let yourself go and

have a real good time?

a) Just occasionally.

b) Hardly ever at all, as that is not really my idea of enjoyment.

c) As often as possible.

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8 If you were asked to give a speech at a function, would you feel

happy about doing this?

a) It wouldn’t worry me, although I may be a little nervous

beforehand.

b) No, as I would be very nervous.

c) Yes, I would relish the prospect.

9 How easily do you make friends?

a) Fairly easily.

b) Not easily.

c) Very easily.

10 If you need to approach someone in high authority for a favour,

would you prefer to ask them:

a) By telephone.

b) By letter or email.

c) Face to face.

11 How quickly are you on the dance floor at a social function?

a) I tend to go with the flow and join in more or less at the same

time as everyone else.

b) I don’t venture on the dance floor if I can avoid it.

c) Usually one of the first.

12 Would you describe yourself as a leader or a follower?

a) A bit of both, depending on the situation or circumstances.

b) Generally a follower.

c) Generally a leader.

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13 What would be your reaction if someone asked you to sell some

raffle tickets for charity?

a) I would probably accept, but say that I might not be able to

sell them all.

b) I would probably have to decline, as I would be unlikely to

sell them.

c) I would accept, and would not expect to have any problem

selling the tickets.

14 Do you think people see you as a fun person?

a) Perhaps, in certain ways.

b) I doubt it.

c) Hopefully.

15 What would be your reaction if the position of chair suddenly

became vacant on a committee on which you were sitting?

a) I may consider the position of chairperson, but only if

approached by one of the other committee members to stand

for election.

b) I would not wish to become the next chairperson.

c) I would probably push to become the next chairperson.

16 How often do you let your opinions be known?

a) Whenever I feel it is necessary.

b) Only when pressed to do so.

c) Frequently.

17 Do you enjoy being the centre of attention?

a) Perhaps so, occasionally.

b) No.

c) Yes.

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18 Which of the following words would you say is the most

applicable to you?

a) Tenacious.

b) Cautious.

c) Popular.

19 Do you enjoy making small talk at buffet lunches?

a) It’s OK.

b) No, I hate small talk and can never think of anything to say.

c) Yes, I am quite comfortable when making small talk.

20 Do you prefer to discuss things face-to-face or over the

telephone?

a) No preference.

b) Over the telephone.

c) Face-to-face.

21 Would you go out of your way to meet ‘the right people’?

a) Maybe.

b) No.

c) Yes.

22 Which of the following words would you say is the most

applicable to you?

a) Balanced.

b) Shy.

c) Effervescent.

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23 Do you enjoy performing your party piece at Christmas parties

and other occasions?

a) Not particularly, but I will join in the fun rather than be seen

as a party pooper.

b) No, in any case I don’t have a party piece that I could

perform.

c) Yes.

24 Would you appear naked on a charity calendar?

a) I would like to think so, but I’m not sure I could pluck up

the courage.

b) No way.

c) Yes.

25 Do you ever run out of things to say when talking to someone

you have just met?

a) Not usually.

b) Yes, I do sometimes tend to dry up after a while.

c) No, I cannot say that I do, as there is always lots to ask

people.

Assessment

Award yourself 2 points for every (c) answer, 1 point for every (a)

and 0 points for every (b).

40–50 points

Your score indicates that you are an extrovert who enjoys being the

centre of attention and cannot by any stretch of the imagination be

called a shrinking violet.

This generally means that you will not be lacking in outer confidence

and you will always appear to be trying to get the most out of life,

although it is possible that some people who give the impression of

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being extroverts are acting in this way in order to cover up their

inner self-doubts and anxieties.

Although many people will admire your zest and energy, you

should nevertheless take care not to be too much of an extrovert to

the point that people find you excessively pushy, even to the extent

of being overbearing. Often someone with a bubbly personality will

achieve greater success and win more friends if that personality is