Confidence: questions and Band 8 answers

Generally yes, though it depends on the situation. In social gatherings, I'm quite outgoing, but speaking in front of large crowds still makes me a bit nervous. Just last month, I had to give a presentation at work, and my hands were shaking slightly.

I feel most self-assured when I'm doing something I've practised a lot, like cooking for friends. Whenever I host a dinner party at my flat, I'm completely in my element because I know my recipes inside out and everyone always enjoys the food.

Not really, to be honest. I was actually pretty shy back in primary school and tended to keep to myself. I remember dreading reading aloud in class because I worried I'd make a mistake and my classmates would laugh.

Taking a few deep breaths and doing thorough preparation usually does the trick. If I have a challenging job interview or an exam, I rehearse what I want to say beforehand. It helps calm my nerves and stops me from second-guessing myself.

I suppose so, yes. As people gain more life experience, they usually worry less about what others think of them. My older sister used to be very self-conscious as a teenager, but in her late twenties, she really came out of her shell.