1.3. CHARACTERISTICS

 

1.3.1 Introduction

A

Make up the list of the most and the least  important qualities in people. Some of words are given below:

 

 

What other important qualities are missing from the list?

 

Connotation

B

Which of the following nouns are negative characteristics, which are positive, and which  could be either positive or negative depending on circumstances?

 

 

Word Form

С

Transform the nouns from the box into adjectives. Mind their pronunciation.

 

Word Use

D

Complete the following dialogues with adjectives:

 

1.  Manager: I find it very hard to persuade my new assistant to work in the way I want her to. She is very _______.

2. Young actor: George is extremely proud of his good looks and constantly looks at himself in the mirror.

Other young actor: Yes, he is really ________.

3. Critic: That writer is far too _______.

Publisher: Yes, she will never admit how good her work is.

4. Small girl: They’re wonderful dancers, aren’t they? They move so beautifully.

Father: Yes, they’re really _______.

5. Uncle: Your children can be very _____. Yesterday they put a banana skin outside my bedroom door.

Mother: Did you hurt yourself?

6. Train driver: The passengers have been waiting for hours and hours without complaining.

Guard: Yes, it’s hard to understand how people can be so ______ when the service we run is so terrible.

7. Teacher: Linda was very ______: she managed to avoid doing her homework by saying that she had to visit her boyfriend in hospital.

Other teacher: It’s probably true. He broke his leg yesterday.

8. Mary: Although his wife has left him several times for other men, Ben has always remained _____ to her and has never had a close relationship with another woman.

Julie: Really? What were you doing coming out of the disco with him last night, then?

 

1.3.2 Meaning

A

Put the words below into the appropriate columns in the table.

 

 

B

In each column add one or two famous people from history who you think had/have the characteristics listed.

 

1.3.3 Vocabulary

Do you believe that our horoscope sign reflects our character? Complete the adjectives below and learn them.

 

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) 

You won’t find him in the corner at the party.	o.tg.i.g
That’s her doing the can-can on the table.	ex…v.rt
She has no problems.	c..ef.ee
He never frowns.	l…t-h.a.t.d
She tells no lies.	t.u.hf..
He has few secrets.	o..n
He’ll tell you if he doesn’t like your make-up.	c.n.id
She’ll tell you if she doesn’t like your after-shave.	f…k
He’s the person to ask for the five pounds you are owed.	e..y-g…g
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
He knows what he wants and he usually gets it.	s.r.n.-wi..ed
She never gives up without a fight.	d.t.r.i.ed
He knows he’s good.	s.l.-as.u..d
She knows she’s as good.	s.l.-co..i..nt
She likes to be the boss, the one on top.	d.m.n.nt
He wants to be even bigger, even better – the best	am..t.o.s
and expects high standards of performance from others.	d.m.n.i.g
He works 18 hours a day, jogs, and plays squash.	e.e.ge..c
She hates to lose, in business or at tiddlywinks.	c.mp…t..e
GEMINI (May 21 – Jun 20)
She thinks she’s good.	p.o.d
He thinks he’s superior to everyone.	a.r.g..t
‘As the most experienced and sensible person present, I…’	p.mp..s
‘Of course, I could have beaten him even more easily,
but I wanted to give him a chance.’	b..stf.l
She won’t share her presents with her sister.	s..f..h
He spends half the day in front of the mirror.	v..n
She thinks the whole world revolves around her.	s..f-c.n.r.d
He thinks he’s the center of the universe.	e.oc..t..c
She looks down on anyone who hasn’t got a heated
indoor swimming pool at home.	s.o.b..h
CANCER (Jun 21 – Jul 20)
She seems to enjoy finding fault with others.	c.it…l
He’ll take off marks if you don’t dot your i’s.	p.t.y
She can only ever see one side of things.	na…w-m.n..d
He always likes the fat taken off his bacon.	f.s.y
He’s like a donkey.	s.u.b.r.
She’s like a mule.	o.s.in.t.
He loves money, loves having ‘things’.	m.t.r.a.i.t.c
Oh yes, he’ll help you – if you make it worth his while.	m.r.en.ry
She never lets her husband out of her sight.	p.ss.ss..e
LEO (Jul 21 – Aug 21)
You never know what he’s going to do.	u.p.ed.ct..le
He never knows what he’s going to do.	i.d.c.s.ve
There are two things I don’t like about her – her face!	t.o-f…d
Be careful what he’s saying about you behind your back.	h.po.r.t.c.l
Be careful what she’s doing while your back is turned.	d.sh.n..t
He behaves like the weather in April.	cha.g.a.le
She behaves like the proverbial primadonna.	t.mp.r.m..t.l
He says what I want to hear, not what he thinks.	i.s.nc.r.
He never does all the things he says he’ll do.	u.r.l.a.l.
VIRGO (Aug 22 – Sep 22)
Other people’s points of view always impress him.	i.p.e.s.on..le
She’d believe you if you told her pizzas grew on trees.	g.ll.ble
She lacks will-power.	w..k-w….d
He lacks courage.	c.w..d.y
He doesn’t do much – he just sits back and watches.	p.s..v.
She’ll do what she’s told.	ob.d…t
You never know what he’s thinking.	s.cr.t..e
‘It was an honour just to be on the same court as McEnroe.	h.mb.e
How I beat him 6-0, 6-0, 6-0? It was just luck.’	m.d..t
LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
He uses his common sense.	s.n.i.le
She never does silly things under pressure.	l.v.l-h..d.d
She’s like the Libran symbol of the scales.	w..l-b.l.n.ed
She’d solve all the problems on a desert island,	p.ac..c.l
and nothing would upset her.	c..m
He’d be a good judge or referee.	f..r-m..d.d
She’s got both feet on the ground and is really down to earth.	r.al..t.c
His heart rarely rules his head.	r.t..n.l
I think, therefore I am. That’s my approach.	l.g.c.l
SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 22)
Keep out of her way when she loses her temper.	a.gr..s.v.
He’s always the first one to put his fists up,	v..l.nt
and he’s quick to use them – to the full.	b.u.al
He may even add a boot or two for good measure.	v.c.o.s
She won’t let anything stand in her way.	r..hl..s
He has no principles about hurting other people.	u.sc.u.u.ous
He almost seems to enjoy causing trouble.	m.l.c.ous
She’s a strong believer in an eye for an eye,	sp.t…l
and a tooth – or, in her case, teeth – for a tooth.	v.n.i.t.ve
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 20)
Those with some Latin blood in their veins.	p.s.i.n.t.
They are fiery and emotional.	h..-bl..d.d
She’s not afraid to go mountain climbing,	b.a.e
or to join a mountain rescue team.	c.ur.g…s
He wants to go to wild and unexplored places.	a.v.nt.r..s
They’re vivacious, like champagne bubbles.	l.v.l.
She puts her heart and soul into her profession.	d.d.c.t.d
On the sinking ship, the dog never left its master’s side.	d.v.t.d
These friends do not desert you in a crisis.	l.y.l
CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 19)
He’d always stop to help a disabled person across the road.	c.ns.d….e
That’s her on the beach wiping oil off the sea-birds’ feathers.	t.nd..
She wouldn’t hurt a fly.	g.nt..
He leaves 10 pound tips.	g.n.r..s
He wouldn’t mind if she dyed her hair green.	t.l.r..t
She lets him sleep when he gets back from a hard day’s work.	u.d.rst.n.i.g
He defends her in any argument.	p.o.ect.ve
She kisses him on the cheek every minute or so.	a.f.c.i.n.te
She always sends a card on her parents’ anniversary.	th..g.tf.l
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
If she likes you, she’ll fling her arms around you and say so.	i.p.l.i.e
He jumps into the bath without testing the water.	i.p.t.ous
Lose your way with her in the car? You’d better not!	i.p.t.e.t
He’s constantly like a child on Christmas Eve.	ex.i.abl.
He’s a typical ‘angry young man’.	r.b.l.i.us
She’s Trotsky, Castro and Guevara all rolled into one.	r…lut.o..ry
He’s got a memory like a sieve.	f..g.tf..
He thought a double brandy would help the baby sleep.	i.res…s.ble
If she gets an idea in her head, there’s no stopping her.	u.c.n.r.l.a.l.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
There she is, over there, on her own in the corner.	s.y
He’s afraid that the whole world is looking at him.	s.l.-c..s..ous
She peeps round her front door like a mouse.	t.m.d
He’s always the last to introduce himself.	r.s..ved
Be careful not to upset her. It’s easily done.	s.n.i..ve
He can see beauty in a pile of rubbish.	i..gin….e
He can then turn the pile of rubbish into a work of art	c.e.t.v.
I was moved to tears by the beauty of his sculpture.	em.t….l
He doesn’t know who he is, where he is, what to do and why.	u.sta.le

 

1.3.4 Related Words

A

Learn the following synonyms, grouped according to their meaning. Add 2-3 words to each line.

 

1. Enjoying others’ company:	sociable, gregarious
2. Disagreeing with others:	quarrelsome, argumentative
3. Taking pleasure in others’ pain:	cruel, sadistic
4. Relaxed in attitude to self and others:	easy-going, even-tempered
5. Not polite to others:	impolite, rude, ill-mannered, discourteous
6. Telling the truth to others:	honest, trustworthy, reliable, sincere
7. Unhappy if others have what one does not have oneself:	jealous, envious

 

Connotation

B

The same quality can be pleasant and rather  unpleasant, according to the intensity of its  expression. Explain the difference between:

 

1.  determined  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2.  thrifty / economical  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  3.  self-assured   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  4.  assertive  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   5.  original - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    6.  frank / direct / open  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7.  broad-minded  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  8.  inquiring  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    9.  generous  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   10. innocent  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   11. ambitious  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

obstinate   stubborn    pig-headed miserly     mean     tight-fisted   stingy self-important   arrogant   full of oneself (colloquial) aggressive    bossy (colloquial) peculiar   weird     eccentric      odd blunt    abrupt     brusque     curt unprincipled     permissive inquisitive    nosy (colloquial) extravagant naïve pushy (colloquial)

 

1.3.5 Idiom

A

Study the notes and learn the expressions.  Supply Russian equivalents to them.

                              

Describing people:

 

Positive	Negative
She has a heart of gold. (very kind, generous) He’s as good as gold. (generous, helpful, well-behaved, used generally for children)	She’s as hard as nails. (no sympathy for others) He’s rather a cold fish. (distant, unfriendly)

 

Note also:

He’s such an awkward customer. (difficult person to deal with) She’s a pain in the neck. Nobody likes her. (nuisance, difficult) He gets on everyone’s nerves. (irritates everybody)

 

B       People’s ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ qualities: 

 

Fast	Slow
He’s very quick off the mark; he always gets things before everybody else. You’ve asked him to marry you! You’re a fast worker! You only met him three weeks ago!	I was a bit slow off the mark; the job had been filled by the time I got the form. Come on! Hurry up! You’re such a slow-coach!

 

C       How people relate to the social norm: 

 

1. She’s a bit of an odd-ball. (peculiar, strange)

2. He’s really over the top. (very exaggerated in behaviour)

3. He’s round the bend, if you ask me. (absolutely crazy / mad)

4. It’s above my bend. (more than I can)

5. Get a bend on you! (hurry up)

6. My politics are very middle-of-the-road. (very normal; no radical ideas; neither left nor right-wing)

 

D      Who’s who in the class?

 

 

1.3.6 Practice

A

Match these words with their opposites:

 

Connotation

B

Do you think that the speaker likes or dislikes the people he/she is talking about?

 

1. Di’s very thrifty.  2. Molly’s usually frank.  3. Liz’s quite broad-minded.  4. Sam can be aggressive.  5. Dick’s rather bossy.  6. I find Dave self-important.  7. Don’t you think Jim’s nosy?  8. Jill is very original.

 

Reword the sentences above to give the opposite impression.

 

Quiz Builder

C

Magazines often publish questionnaires which are supposed to analyze your character for you. Look at the words below and match them to the question which aims to decide whether a person is like that.

 

Example: If you arrange to meet at 7 p.m. do you arrive at 7 p.m.? – Reliable

 

 

1. Do you prefer to be in the company of other people?

2. You’ve drunk some wine. Do you think ‘my glass is half empty’?

3. Do you find it easy to tell your boss if you feel he or she has treated you badly?

4. Do you always look out of the window if you hear a car draw up?

5. Do you often buy your friends presents for no particular reason?

6. Do you frequently disagree with what other people say?

7. Do you lie awake at night if someone has said something unkind to you?

 

What questions like these could you ask to try to

find out whether a person is the following?

 

 

Write a sentence to illustrate the meaning of each of your words.

 

1.3.7 Activate

A

Try to complete these idioms from memory:

 

1. She does a lot of voluntary work; she has a ____ .

2. Don’t expect any sympathy from the boss; she’s as _____ .

3. I’m sure Gerry will help you; he’s as good ______ .

4. I was too late to get on that course; I was a bit slow _____ .

5. You won’t find him very friendly; he’s rather a cold _____ .

6. Tell him to hurry up! He’s such a _____ .

 

Definition

B

What do we call …

 

1. an irritating person who knows everything?

2. the person who is the teacher’s favourite?

3. someone who thinks they are the best and says so?

4. the one who gets the best marks?

5. a person who is very lazy?

 

Word Use

C

You can also learn idioms by associating them with a key word or words. Here is a work-fork based on to have + head. Use the expressions to finish the sentences below.

 

To have …

one’s head screwed on (be sensible) a head for heights (not suffer from vertigo) a head like a sieve (bad memory) a good head for figures (be good at maths) one’s head in the clouds (unaware of reality)

 

1. I’d better write it in my notebook. I have ______ .

2. Ask Martha to check those sums. She has ______ .

3. Don’t ask me to go up that tower. I’m afraid I don’t _____ .

4. She’s very sensible and knows what she’s doing. She _____ .

5. He’s quite out of touch with reality. He really ______ .

 

Meaning

D

Try guessing from the context what the idioms in bold mean.

 

1. Don’t get angry with him. His heart’s in the right place.

2. Joe’s a bit of a square peg in a round hole here. I think he should get a job which suits his character better.

3. Hey! I’m talking to you! – Sorry, I was miles away.

 

1.3.8  Metaphor

These parts of conversation are about people’s  characters. Match the names people mention with the descriptions below.

 

…’Mr. Brown’s really a warm-hearted person, don’t you think?’

…’As for Mike, he seems frightened of his own shadow.’

…’Don’t you think David’s rather a big-head?’

…’What a chatterbox that Miriam is!’

…’I think Luke is the strong, silent type.’

…’I’ve found that Tom is likely to fly off the handle…’

…’Sally’s a ball of fire…’

…’Diana is really a tower of strength, isn’t she?’

 

a. someone you can really rely on

b. someone who is very concerned for and generous to others

c. someone with a lot of energy and enthusiasm

d. someone with a very high opinion of himself/herself

e. someone who talks too much

f. someone who is very quiet but seems sure of himself/herself

g. someone who is very timid

h. someone who loses his/her temper quickly

 

1.3.9  Meaning

A

Tick (a) or (b) below each sentence:

 

1. You revise your opinions. You

a. change them         b. look at them again

2. You recall things that happen, so you have

a. a lot of souvenirs      b. a good memory

3. If you make sense of things, you

a. know they are sensible       b. can understand things easily

4. You always calculate what things cost, so you

a. work things out accurately      b. make a good guess

5. You’re easily moved, so you

a. like to go from place to place      b. are emotional

6. You’re a mature person, so you’re

a. grown up       b. ripe

7. You’re capable of affection, so you

a. like to impress others       b. have feelings of love for people

8. You’re frank, so you

a. like to tell the truth      b. don’t steal, cheat or lie

 

Definition

B

Choose the right definition. Explain your choice.

 

1. If you say that a person is extravagant, you might be suggesting that he/she

a. spends too much money.

b. is rather peculiar.

c. is always extremely wasteful.

2. If you were to use womanly to refer to a woman, you would be

a. referring to sexual attractiveness.

b. distinguishing her as female, compared with male.

c. referring to her qualities as a woman.

3. A far-sighted person is one who

a. is often absent-minded

b. needs glasses.

c. is capable of imagining the future.

4. A delicate person is one who

a. gets ill easily.

b. has good manners.

c. has fine looks.

5. If we refer to a person’s high spirits, we are suggesting he or she

a. has a lot of determination.

b. has drunk too much alcohol.

c. is in a very cheerful mood.

 

1.3.10  Translation

Give a literary translation into Russian, paying attention  to the words and phrases that are used to characterize people.

 

1. He seems more of pragmatist than a crusader.

2. Hugh’s shy, giggly little sister had become a sultry woman, strong-willed and quick- tempered. Hugh guessed that a lot of young men were intimidated by her. But Nick Ipswich had a quiet strength that did not need the prop of a compliant wife.

3. Spencer wasn’t a computer nut. He knew how to use computers on the job, but he wasn’t obsessed with them. Spencer wasn’t a nut about anything. He is a very solid man, dependable, together. Except that he’s still trying to understand himself, come to terms with himself.

4. He is a likeable guy, but self-contained. – A loner? – Not the way you mean it. He’ll never wind up in a tower with a rifle, shooting everyone in sight. People like him, and he likes  people. He just has this … reserve inside.

 

1.3.11 Speaking

Try to translate the verse. Help its hero give a true to life description of the girl he has lost.

 

by  Barry Cole

 

Reported Missing                                            

Can you give a precise description?

Said the policeman. Her lips, I told him,

Were soft. Could you give me, he said, pencil

Raised, a metaphor? Soft as an open mouth,

I said. Were there any noticeable

Peculiarities? He asked. Her hair hung

Heavily, I said. Any particular

Colour? He said. I told him I could recall

Little but its distinctive scent. What do

You mean, he asked, by distinctive? It had

The smell of a woman’s hair, I said. Where

Were you? He asked. Closer than I am to

Anyone at present, I said; level with

Her mouth, level with her eyes. Her eyes?

He said. What about her eyes? There were two,

I said, both black. It has been established,

He said, that eyes cannot, outside common

Usage, be black; are you implying that

Violence was used? Only the gentle

Hammer blow of her kisses, the scent

Of her breath, the … Quite, said the policeman,

Standing. But I regret that we know of

No one answering to such a description.

 

1.3.12   Writing

Write about a person you admire and a person you   dislike very much. Explain why you feel this way about these people.