Features of character

1. Divide the following adjectives according to their positive and negative meanings; find the synonyms and pairs of opposites:

Bored; confident; a man of no character; weak-willed; tense; enterprising; (ir)responsible; persistent; humorous; ambitious; open to change; nosy; reserved; hard-working; easy-going; curious; bully (bullheaded); reasonable; arrogant; wicked; shy; emotional; stubborn; calm; selfish; rude; frank; obstinate; naughty;  industrious; hot-tempered; bright; ill-mannered; well-bred; bright; fussy; relaxed; intelligent; smart; open-handed; (im)patient; (im)polite; irritated; interesting; honest; (in)sensitive; caring;  cheerful; sad; depressed; ecstatic; generous; furious; miserable; pleased; nervous; angry; (un)friendly; easy-going; disappointed; absent-minded; envious; pragmatic; sincere; mean; lazy; clever; stupid; sociable; timid; coward, tactful.

2. Give the Russian equivalents for the following words and word combinations.

He is always the heart and soul of the company; she has lost her good looks; she is the picture of health; they get along well with each other; he wears his heart upon his sleeve; neither fish nor flesh; to be head-and-shoulders above smb.; to move with the time; to make a poor mouth; he knows all the answers; to have an old head on young shoulders; to move mountains; still water run deep; a bur; to stick like a bur; business like; busy-body; buttery; apple polisher; a bore; a sweet tooth; lazy bones; sleepy-head.

3. Give the English equivalents for the following words and word combinations.

Она кровь с молоком; подлиза; выскочка; быть умным не по годам;  он за словом в карман не полезет; зануда; сластена; соня; лентяй; хлопотун; в тихом омуте черти водятся; назойливый человек; льстивый; ни рыба ни мясо; деловой человек; прибедняться; он всегда душа компании; свернуть горы; они хорошо ладят друг с другом; быть на голову выше кого-либо (по образованию);  идти в ногу со временем; у него душа на распашку; она подурнела.

4. Choose five words from the list which describe you. Is there any quality you don’t have but would like to have? What, in your opinion, is the worst quality?  Why?

How would you describe the person in each of these descriptions?

1. He never bought me a drink all the time we were together.

2. I have to tell her what to do every minute of the working day. She wouldn’t even open a window without someone’s permission.

3. He often promises to do things but half the time he forgets.

4. She is always here on time.

5. I don’t think he’s done any work since he’s been here.

6. She finds it difficult to meet people and talk to strangers.

7. He could work in any of the departments, and it doesn’t matter to him if he’s on his own or part of a team.

8. One of the great things about her is that she is so aware of what other people think or feel.

9. Bob, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He is always making people angry or upset because he just doesn’t consider their feelings.

10. The other thing about Bob is that he really wants to get the supervisor’s job and then become boss for the whole department.

5. Guess the words and fill in the gaps with a suitable word or phrase.

1. If you are happy to give people money, help etc, and you do this more than is necessary, you are …………………………  

2. Having great love for smb/ smth means ……………………..

3. If you are kind, helpful and showing that you care about other people, you are ……………………………

4. A line in your skin, especially on your face, that forms as you get older is ……………..

5. If you have a particular type of behaviour, when rules should be obeyed, it means that you are ………………………………….

6. If you are able to wait for a long time or accept annoying behaviour or difficulties without becoming angry, you are ……………………………..

7. You have a natural ability to do smth well, you are good at learning and doing things, so you are ………………………………………..

8. Moving in a controlled, attractive way or having a smooth, attractive form means that you are …………………………………….

9. If your child behaves badly doesn’t want to obey, he is ………………………………..

10. If you like reading very much and is enthusiastic about it, you are ……………………..

6. Read, translate and complete the text using linkers: (at the same time; on the other hand; so; on the contrary; by the by; then; for example; in fact; at least; finally etc.)

APPEARANCES ARE DECEITFUL – A FAIR FACE MAY HIDE A FOUL SOUL.

It is a common truth, practically everyone has met at least someone whose character and appearance differ radically. When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be strong-willed and brave. One thinks: “A model to follow” how often a good-looking individual turns out to be pretty, weak-willed or even cowardly. Then one thinks: “A mediocrity!”

7. Describe these people using active vocabulary.

1. Your best friend.

2. Your group mate.

3. Your ideal of a handsome man \ beautiful woman.

8. Translate the following sentences into English, using the active vocabulary.

1.Мы должны быть справедливыми с обоими игроками.

2. Он всегда старается быть вежливым и тактичным.

3. Она веселая молодая женщина, а он слабый, бесхарактерный.

4. Их сын – капризный мальчик, но обычно это добрый, трудолюбивый ребенок.

5. С ним очень легко, потому что он спокойный, никогда не раздраженный.

6. Их бос – хорошо воспитанный, остроумный мужчина среднего возраста.

7. Я люблю интересных, честных и искренних людей.

8. Не будь робким и застенчивым.

9. Его сын плохо воспитан, поэтому он грубый и высокомерный.

10. У него взрывной характер, он  яркий и упорный, хотя немного рассеянный.

9. Write your own contact ad for a newspaper:

e.g. Contact ad.

My name is … . I seek a … man (woman) of thirty( …) with good living conditions, a steady and very well-paid job. He is tall,… . Some words about his face … . He must be clever and … . Some words about myself: I’m …