Attitudes towards other people
Enjoying others’ company: sociable – gregarious
Disagreeing with others: quarrelsome – argumentative
Taking pleasure in others’ pain: cruel – sadistic
Relaxed in attitude to self and others: easy-going – even-tempered
Not polite to others: impolite – rude – ill-mannered – discourteous
Telling the truth to others: honest – trustworthy – reliable sincere
Unhappy if others have what one does not: jealous – envious
IV. DO EXERSISES
The following words can be used to describe a person’s character or physical condition. Match each word with its description. The first has been done for you.
brave caring cheerful creative
energetic enthusiastic fair fit
patient hard-working organized well-educated
sociable strong
Example
a) A well – educated person has had a good education.
b) …………………………is always lively and doesn’t tire easily.
c) …………………………is original, artistic and imaginative.
d) ………………………… has well-developed muscles and can do hard physical work.
e) ………………………… is calm and does not get annoyed or frustrated.
f) ………………………… is helpful and sympathetic to other people.
g) ………………………… is not afraid of frightening or dangerous situations.
h) ………………………… is friendly and enjoys being with other people.
i) ………………………… treats everyone equally and is not influenced by personal feelings.
j) ………………………… is efficient, and good at making and carrying out plans.
k) ………………………… is healthy and in good physical condition.
l) ………………………… is interested in and excited about something.
m) ………………………… is not at all lazy.
n) ………………………… is always happy and optimistic.
V. WHERE THINK ABOUT SITUATIONS
Make up situations where the following word combinations could be used
1) to speak in a firm voice;
2) to show a firm character;
3) to be firm in one’s beliefs;
4) as firm as a rock;
5) to be firm with somebody.
VI. READ THE TEXT
a) Listen and read the interview with a psychologist at the TV show programme:
Host of The Show: On today’s programme we’re going to talk about colours, what they mean, and what they can do for you. Colours can describe people and their personalities. Welcome to our show, Mr Chan. Please tell us a little bit about colours.
Psychologist: Let’s start with red. Many people are afraid to wear this colour because it’s so bright. If you see someone wearing red, you can be sure they are very brave and quite happy with their lives.
Host: What about blue? I’ve heard that people who wear this colour are rather mean.
Psychologist: that’s not true. In fact, they are usually very kind. Also, you will never see someone wearing blue lose their temper, because they always remain calm in a crisis.
Host: I thought people who wore green were calm?
Psychologist: No, no – quite the opposite, in fact! They’re usually quite jealous people, and for that reason often become angry. They are very sociable, though. They like being with friends, and always have something nice to say.
Host: What about black, then – the most popular colour of all?”
Psychologist: Everybody knows that black represents power and money. People who wear black a lot, though, can sometimes be mean. They don’t like sharing things. They’re not all bad, though, as they’re often quite happy and smile a lot.
Hot: that’s very interesting. What about purple?
Psychologist: Purple is a colour that belong to someone who is very loyal and a little shy. Purple-lovers usually make very good friends. Next time you see someone wearing purple, talk to them!
Hot: Well, I’ll think about it. So, do you have anything else to tell us, Mr Chan ?
Psychologist: Yes… let me tell you about yellow and white. A person who wears yellow has a serious nature. They’re also very warm-hearted, though, and they love children and animals. White, now … white is the colour honest people wear. Like green-lovers, they’re also sociable and enjoy meeting people.
Hot: Well, thank you very much, Mr Chan.
b) Make up a table matching a colour with appropriate adjectives.
YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR & YOUR CHARACTER
| Red | |
| Blue | |
| Green | |
| Black | |
| Purple | |
| Yellow | |
| White |
c) Ask your friend what his/her favourite colour is, then use the table to talk about his/her character, as in the example.
Susan’s favourite colour is …. Which means she is probably …. And …. .
DO EXERSICES
Match the adjectives to the reasons, then use them to describe people you know well, as in the example.
Example:Tom is very honest. He never tells lies.
honest never stop talking
jealous not say a lot
talkative feel angry about not having what others have
shy talk to everybody
mean never betray friends
loyal able to think of new ideas
imaginative never tell lies
sociable hate spending money
Work in pairs
a) Ask your friend to do the personality quiz about you. Do the quiz yourself to discover what type of person you are. Write Y for Yes, N for No, and S for Sometimes.
WHAT SORT of PERSON ARE YOU ?
□ 1. Are you usually smiling and happy ?
□ 2. Do you enjoy the company of other people ?
□ 3. Do you find it difficult to meet new people?
□ 4. Is it important to you to succeed in your career ?
□ 5. Does your mood change very often suddenly for no reason ?
□ 6. Do you notice other people’s feelings?
□ 7. Do you think the future will be good ?
□ 8. Can your friends depend on you ?
□ 9. Is your room often in a mess ?
□ 10. Do you get annoyed if you have to wait for anything or anybody ?
□ 11. Do you put off until tomorrow what you could do today ?
□ 12. Do you work hard?
□ 13. Do you keep your feelings and ideas to yourself ?
□ 14. Do you often give presents ?
□ 15. Do you talk a lot ?
□ 16. Are you usually calm and not worried by things ?
b) Look at your ideas and you friend’s ideas about you. Are they the same ?
c) Match these adjectives with the questions in the quiz.
Example: a) untidy - 9
b) optimistic c) sociable d) talkative e) reserved f) shy
g) impatient h) ambitious i) lazy j) generous k) moody
l) hard-working m) easy-going n) reliable o) cheerful p) sensitive
READ THE TEXT
AN IMPORTANT MAN
This happened during the American Revolutionary War of 1775 – 1783. A group of American soldiers were busy pulling a big gun. A small officer was in command. He thought he was a very important man, so he gave his commands in a very loud voice. The work was hard and the men needed help. But the officer did not want to pull the gun together with them. He simply stood and shouted his commands.
“Come on!” he shouted. “Be quick! Don’t stand and look at it. Come on! Come on!”
a man, not in uniform, stopped and watched. Then he asked the officer why he did not help his men.
The officer looked at him angrily.
“Do you know who I am, sir?” he asked. “I am their commander.”
“Oh!” said the other. “I’m sorry.”
Then the newcomer took off his coat, went up to the group of soldiers and helped them to pull the gun. The officer did not even thank him for his help. As the newcomer put on his coat again, he said quickly: “The next time you have hard work like this and you have not enough men, send for me. I will come and help.”
“May I ask you who you are?” asked the officer.
“Yes, sir,” answered the man. “My name is George Washington and I am the general of a all the American armies. Good-bye, sir.” And George Washington walked away.
The little officer stood there with his mouth open and could not say a word.