Page 60 - PowerE-L04-F

Lesson 15

Optimism And Pessimism

Optimism is the word used
to describe a positive outlook in
life. A person who is said to be
optimistic anticipates the best
possible outcome. On the other

hand, pessimism is the opposite. A
pessimistic person is also regarded
as a negative thinker. They
always assume negative results in
everything they do.
In psychology, being pessimistic is related to low self-esteem because
people don’t believe in themselves, in what they could do. They have
low self-confidence. They always doubt in the efficiency of their work and
always think that their work is not the best. Meanwhile, optimistic people are
believed to have strong self-esteem, which I think is better because it helps
a person to bring out the best in their self and it helps them to make the most

out of everything. I believe that everything we think of has a psychological
effect on our work, which means that if we think positively, the result will be
positive and if we think negatively, it will be the other way around.

Comprehension

1. What does the paragraph talk about?
2. What is the difference between being optimistic and being pessimistic?

3. What is the other term for a pessimistic person?
4. What is the effect of being a pessimistic person and being an optimistic
person?

Questions

1. Do you agree with the writer? Why or why not?
2. Are you an optimistic or a pessimistic person?
3. Can you think of the advantages and disadvantages of being an Opti-

mistic person?
4. Which do you think is better, to be optimistic or pessimistic?

Vocabulary & Expressions

Anticipate - to foresee or expect on something beforehand
Assume - to postulate or believe in something without any proof
Doubt - uncertainty or mistrust
The other way around - the opposite

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