The document discusses English self-deprecation and modesty. It provides multiple choice questions to test the reader's understanding. The questions cover definitions of self-deprecation, English attitudes towards modesty, the humor in English self-deprecation, an anecdote about the author's fiancé downplaying his educational achievements, his joking comment about plumbing, and what generally impresses people. It also provides definitions to match with words or expressions.

1. 1 Multiple Choice :
Circle the correct answer
1. Self-deprecation is :
A saying the opposite of what we genuinely want
B expressing the opposite of what we really mean
C intending to say the opposite of what we understand
2. The English…
A are naturally modest and prefer self-mockery to self-importance
B have few strict rules about the appearance of modesty
C aspire to modesty even though they are not instinctively modest
3. The humour in English self-deprecation is…
A funny in a thigh-slapping way
B barely perceptible
C bordering on the unfamiliar
4. The author’s fiancé…
A read books on Philosophy, Politics and Economics before becoming a brain surgeon
B thought he’d do better in a brain insurgency
C Studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford at some point
5. The author’s fiancé’s comment on plumbing was :
A Simply his way of abiding to the unwritten English rule
B Deliberate and calculated false modesty
C A self-denigrating joke dealing with success and embarrassment
6. People are generally impressed…
A both by other people’s achievements and their not trumpeting them
B by other people’s achievements unless they trumpet them too much
C by other people’s achievement and their reluctance to play the trumpet
Find the words or expressions matching the following definitions :
- to puff oneself up in speech : speak vaingloriously / to speak of or assert with excessive
pride BOASTING
- busybody: a person who meddles in the affairs of others NOSEY PARKER
- to accept someone or something just as it appears; to believe that the way things appear is
the way they really are. TO TAKE –someone or something- AT FACE VALUE