Personal Quality Meter (Speaking about characters)

Lily, student:As for my character, I think, I am a calm, well-tempered person and rather modest. I am not sure but my friends say that I have good sense of humour. Actually, I love telling jokes and making my friends smile. I am quite sociable and talkative and I like being around people. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances. But sometimes I feel sad and want to stay alone. I think that’s OK because everybody has such moments. And I always try to find positive moments in life. I like to help people around and see how they become happy. I like kind, honest, polite, reliable and responsible people. And I hate when people are rude and aggressive.

John, postgraduate:The proverb says: «No man is useless while he has a friend». It’s good to have a friend who has fine features of character: generosity, being reserved, reliable, intelligent, persistent in studying, straightforward, reasonable, decent, honest, polite, punctual, kind, faithful, warmhearted .You can be always sincere with such a friend, you can think aloud with them. I hate selfish, flattery, lazy, indifferent, boastful, false and greedy people.

Kelly, teacher:The greatest value that guides me in my life is kindness, and it’s no wonder. Usually kindness is harmoniously connected with other good qualities. If a person is not kind, if he’s selfish, if he cares only about himself, then his other qualities - courage and will-power are worthless. You can see what a person is worth through his attitude towards others. If he is devoted to people, he is devoted to his work. Kindness is the main thing, the essence of what is best in a human-being.

Helena, shop-assistant:It’s unpleasant to deal with unreliable people and there is no doubt in it. Such people don’t possess the feeling of duty, they can let you down at any moment, they cannot be friends in need. When people are stubborn, it’s also no good. They don’t respect the point of view of other people, they are sure that they are always right, they don’t follow advice of other people. Sometimes it’s dangerous to deal with such people, you can’t rely on their support.

Richard, businessman:I think it’s good to develop persistence and confidence in oneself, because if a person is not reliable, he is unable to make conclusions and come to right decision in proper time. A person can prove to be a personality by his deeds, not by his words. The proverb says: «Actions speak louder than words».

Sally, personnel manager:Personal qualities are characteristics of an individual. They are what make up one's personality. For example, responsibility and patience are qualities that employers would like a good worker to have. Other qualities employers value are: honesty, assertiveness, flexibility, problem solving, friendliness, intelligence, leadership, enthusiasm, and a good sense of humor. Most employers want people who are dependable and who get along with others. Though skills are important, an employer will select new employees based on their personal qualities as well.

TEXT 5. Read and translate the opinions. Speak on your hobbies and interests.

My Hobbies and Interests

▪ I enjoy horror movies and books. I love bowling, playing darts, watching ice hockey, swimming. As a kind of home entertainment I prefer my playstaion! I like dancing, being wined and dined, socializing with friends, going out.

▪ Who am I? Well, that's simple, I am keen on arts – music, theatre, museums and I also love to dance and keep myself fit. I like walking in the countryside where I do most of my thinking.

▪ I’m mad about all sports associated with water - sailing, diving, surfing.

▪ Snow skiing in the French Alps is a must annual holiday for me – I am ready to teach a 'first-timer'. I love cooking and entertaining. Going out to the theatre, ballet or opera is another sphere of my interests.

▪ I love socializing, going out for meals, drinking, travelling, or quiet nights in with a good film snuggled up on the couch - preferably not on my own.

▪ My interests are cultivation of flowers, talking over the phone and swimming.

▪ I’m crazy about shopping, fashion, design of wear.

▪ There are many things I would like to deal with. I like reading and watching good films, as well as opera and jazz. I am extremely fond of dancing, painting and art. I like acute senses and beauty of nature, communication and travelling.

▪ I’m interested in cooking, reading and travelling very much. I have visited already some countries, but I hope to visit much more. I adore cars and driving, long walks with my friend and of course, music.

▪ I’m keen on driving. I go to fitness-club and study foreign languages.

▪ I am fond of reading books, sport, travelling. I speak English not very good but I try to do my best.

▪ I love to go to the movies, theatres, concerts, art museums. I enjoy nature and hiking, travelling, sport. I like moonlight walks, candle light dinners.

▪ I like new meetings, wild nature walking, dancing. I like fashion, arts, design, movie, cooking, sports, learning something new. I enjoy Life.

▪ I like lots of things - I like to socialize as it helps me to understand life and other people better, I like travelling as it broadens my outlook, I like people, animals, different types of music, cinema, theatre, watching sporting events. I love spending time with small children and I'm interested in psychology.

▪ I go in for sports (jogging, mountain climbing, shooting), learn languages, love to explore culture and history of other countries, good literature, movies, rock’n’roll, blues. I like all kinds of outdoors.

▪ I am interested in literature, music, sport. I like aeroplanes, sports cars. I like to ride very much. Horses are my real passion!