4.4. ATTITUDES, LIKES AND DISLIKES

4.4. ATTITUDES, LIKES AND DISLIKES

4.4.1

Introduction

Read the first text. Then complete the second text,

using information in the table and the vocabulary

in the first text.

Neville and Rachel are happily married, and they get on well together, but they are very different kinds of people. Rachel is a cheerful, outgoing woman who enjoys talking to people; Neville is very reserved, though he likes the company of his friends.

Rachel is interested in sport – especially tennis and swimming – while Neville is more of an indoor type who prefers reading and listening to music. Neville likes cooking, and makes delicious meals for the family; Rachel can’t stand housework.

However, in spite of their differences, they do have one thing in common: they are both gifted and enthusiastic photographers, and they have organized several successful exhibitions of their work.

	Anne	Peter
personality	Reserved	reserved
games	basketball, tennis	football
instruments:	Violin	none
classical music:	Likes	likes
pop music:	Hates	hates

Anne and Peter are very similar __1__ __2__ people. They are both rather __3__, __4__ they enjoy the __5__ of their friends. They __6__ like sport, __7__ ball games: Ann plays __8__ __9__ __10__ regularly, while Peter plays __11__ for his local club.

Anne and Peter are __12__ very __13__ in __14__ music, and they often go to concerts. __15__ is a good violinist; __16__ doesn’t play an instrument. Neither of them can __17__ __18__ music.

However, __19__ __20__ of all the things they have in __21__, they do not always __22__ __23__ very well together, and they are not really very __24__ married.

4.4.2

Vocabulary

Look at the list in the box. Can you find five things

you are interested in? Which things are you not at

all interested in?

Listening

You are going to hear short extracts from interviews

with nine people. (Their names, in order, are: Liz

Bullock, Vera, Basil, ‘H-A’, Jeanette, Lindsay,

Tony, Liz Parkin and Ian). They are interested in the

activities listed in exercise A.Write the people’s

names, and note down some of their interests. Listen

again and answer the questions.

Who is interested in sign language?
What are Liz Bullock’s interests?
How many harmoniums has Ian got?
Is Vera interested in history?
What interest do Basil and Jeanette share?
What interest do Vera and H-A share?
Is the person who worries about money interested in antiques?
How many people are interested in reading?
Who has the most interests?
One of the interests on the list is not mentioned in the interviews. Which?

4.4.3

Opinion

Read this poem. Which of the following is it

about: giving up smoking, being in love, liking

music or liking literature?

Giving Up Smoking by Wendy Cope

There’s not a Shakespeare sonnet

Or a Beethoven quartet

That’s easier to like than you

Or harder to forget.

You think that sounds extravagant?

I haven’t finished yet –

I like you more than I would like

To have a cigarette.

Interaction

Which of the following things would you find most

difficult to give up if you were asked to do so?

Speaking

Read these comments and say which you

sympathize and why.

1. I really dislike the habit.

2. I would hate to think that a child of mine would start smoking.

3. People seem to detest me just because I smoke. Well, why not? I like smoking.

4. I don’t care for cigarettes. They are extremely unpleasant.

5. I get a kick out of smoking. I’d just like to see someone try to stop me!

6. I used to be a smoker, but now I’ve taken an intense dislike to the habit – it’s distasteful and harmful.

7. There’s nothing I loathe more than people who’ve given up smoking. They’re so self-righteous. I’m not that keen on it, but yes, I enjoy the occasional cigarette.

8. I have a love-hate relationship with cigarettes. I mean I love smoking but I hate what it might do to me.

9. Cigarettes do not tempt me in the slightest. They never have. And I can’t stand being in public places which are full of smokers.

4.4.4

Word Form

Complete the chart.

adjective	Noun	verb
charming
		devote
repulsive
		adore
enchanting
captivating
	temptation
enticing
	fancy
		hate
disgusting
	desire
revolting

Activate

Complete the blanks with the correct form of the word

in brackets. Give your attitude to drinking alcohol.

a. Heavy drinking is really (harm)______ to the liver.

b. The sight of someone who has had too much to drink is really (disgust)_____.

c. Some people are (captivate)_____ by the confidence of people who have had a drink or two.

d. Most of us, however, tend to (repulse)_____ the advances of inebriated people.

e. Once you have had a drink there is a strong (tempt)_____ to have another.

f. People who have had a lot to drink often find members of the opposite sex more (entice) ____ than they do when they are sober.

g. There are two kinds of drinkers; those that are (love)_____ and that are (detest)_____.

h. The main thing – if you want to drink – is not to become (addict)_____ to the stuff.

4.4.5

Style

Qualifying Words. Match sentences a, b, c with

their meanings 1, 2, 3.

a. I quite like champagne.

b. I’m rather fond of champagne.

c. I really like champagne.

1. My feelings are a bit stronger than just liking.

2. I like it to a certain degree, but not that much.

3. I like it very much.

Practice

Say which of these sentences are correct and

which don’t sound right.

a. I really hate driving in the rush hour.

b. I’m absolutely keen on traveling by train.

c. I absolutely love fast cars.

d. I quite loathe flying.

e. I simply adore expensive cars.

f. I fairly detest traveling by bus.

g. I really enjoy first class travel.

Which of the qualifying words in the box:

a. are used with more neutral words

b. are used with stronger words for liking and disliking

c. can be used with either

Which cannot be used with verbs?

Interaction

Express your attitude to the following:

For example:

‘I’m keen on Mozart.’ – ‘Oh, I simply adore his music!’

a. ‘I hate her dress, don’t you?’

b. ‘He’s a very selfish person. I don’t like him at all.’

c. ‘I preferred her third husband. This one’s incredibly stupid.’

d. ‘This meat is absolutely delicious. I just love beef.’

e. ‘God, I hate heavy metal music.’

f. ‘There’s nothing I enjoy more than a night in a discotheque.’

4.4.6

Metaphor and

Idiom

These people are talking about Ralph’s music.

Complete the chart with the names of the speakers.

Paul: I’m really into it.

Keith: I would call myself an aficionado.

Kate: Ralph’s music leaves me cold.

Anne: He’s not up to much, as far as I’m concerned.

Jenny: Ralph’s music? I can take it or leave it.

Liz: I’m a real fan of his music.

Irma: Frankly, it really gets on my nerves.

Tim: I’m an admirer of his, but I don’t like his latest record.

Brian: I’m not really bothered.

John: He’s out of this world!

Like Ralph’s music	Are neutral about it	Don’t like Ralph’s music

4.4.7

Check Yourself

Approval and disapproval. Supply the words asked

for in the clues. The first one has been done for you.

0. What verb + preposition beginning with A means you have a favourable opinion of someone or something? - approve of

1. A 9-letter adjective beginning with F and ending with –IC that describes your feelings about something wonderful.

2. What verb beginning with B means saying who is responsible for doing something bad? (5 letters)

3. A plural noun of 15 letters beginning with C that you use to express your pleasure at someone’s success.

4. What verb beginning with A means to clap your hands together to show approval? (7 letters)

5. What adjective beginning with D describes someone or something unpleasant, or ‘not agreeable’? (12 letters)

6. A 4-letter adjective beginning with K meaning ‘enthusiastic’.

7. What adjective beginning with S means ‘giving satisfaction’? (10 letters)

8. What adjective beginning with I and ending with T means ‘lacking knowledge’? (8 letters)

9. A verb of 6 letters beginning with O and ending with E which means ‘act against’ someone or something.

10. An adjective of 6 letters beginning with B and ending with L meaning ‘very cruel’.

11. The past participle of a verb beginning with E which tells us someone is admired and respected. (8 letters)

12. A 10-letter adjective beginning with I which you use to describe something that has impressed you.

13. What verb beginning with D and ending with T means ‘dislike very much’? (6 letters)

14. When people go to a church they do something beginning with W. (7 letters)

15. What 10-letter adjective beginning with C would you use to describe an arrangement that suits you?

16. What adjective beginning with P means ‘too valuable to be measured’ or ‘beyond price’? (9 letters)

17. A verb beginning with C is what you do when you express feelings of dissatisfaction. (8 letters)

18. An 8-letter adjective beginning with A for someone or something that is irritating.

19. This three-word noun beginning with ‘So’ is used in place of a swear word to describe someone unpleasant.

20. What adjective beginning with A means that someone or something has great appeal? (10 letters)

21. What 5-letter adjective beginning with W means ‘mistaken’?

22. What adjective beginning with C and ending with N means ‘rough’ or ‘socially unacceptable’? (6 letters)

4.4.8

Reading

Read through the text below to check on some of the

language we use to describe our feelings for other

people Actually, the text goes about animals. Try to

guess which animal is meant in each case? The first

letters of the names can help you.

Tim and Lenny can’t stand each other. They loathe each other, hate the sight of each other. Lenny seems to envy Tim his stripes and Tim is envious of Lenny’s spots.

We all have great respect for Leo; respect mingled with fear.

Sammy frightens everyone. Even Tim and Lenny keep out of his way, and Leo admits to being slightly afraid of him. The chickens are terrified of him and the rabbits are petrified; they nearly have a heart attack if you just go up behind them and hiss.

Clarence always seems to have a chip on his shoulder – as if he has a grudge against the whole animal kingdom. The others ignore him.

Everyone looks up to George.

Zoe and Pat are very close. They seem to enjoy each other’s company and get on very well together. I suppose they have a lot in common, same taste in clothes etc. Penny, who has a love-hate relationship with Pat, is getting jealous, though.

Percy makes everyone feel a bit uneasy; none of us can really relax in his company. We all remember past pricks and so are wary of him.

Nobody trusts Charlie; they say you never know what he’s thinking.

Dear Henry is amused by everything and everybody.

Everyone keeps their distance from Ronny.

Everyone admires hardworking Sarah. She impressed us all last autumn particularly.

Oswald is very badly treated. Everyone looks down on him; even wise old Orville regards him with contempt. The poor chap, he’s developed an inferiority complex, just because he can’t fly.

There’s general sympathy for Harry. I’m not sure whether we pity him for his ugliness or feel sorry for him having to carry all this weight around.

We’re all very fond of Donna, but she seems quite indifferent to us. (I get the feeling that she’s only in love with herself, just sitting around all day singing protest songs about Love and Peace and things.) It’s difficult to get through to her.

Gordon is fascinated by the butterflies, absolutely captivated. They seem to find him pretty intriguing, too.

To a man, we’re all bored stiff by, fed up with and sick to death of Polly, who goes on all day about nothing in particular.

We detest and despise Valerie for giving us all a bad name.

Everybody despairs of Lou and his friends, throwing themselves off cliffs like that.

We resent Bruin’s and Bunny’s popularity with children; their dressing up in people’s clothes is definitely frowned on.

Secretly, I think we all still miss Dudley.

4.4.9

Correction

Some of the phrases and idioms have been mixed up.

Correct them.

Luke and Phil don’t get on eye to eye with each other.
I fell up with my parents last night. It wasn’t my fault.
We had a quarrel but now we’ve made it well.
Do you think Jim and Nora are making an affair? I do.
I see very well with all my colleagues at work.
She should learn to respect her olders.
Jo’s attractive, but her mate just turns me up completely.

Meaning

Complete the following sentences.

1. Misogynists hate ________.

2. Ornithologists are fascinated by ___.

3. People who suffer from arachnophobia find ____ repulsive.

4. Kleptomaniacs are constantly tempted to ____.

5. Masochists enjoy ______.

6. Optimists look forward to ____.

Rephrase

Reword the sentences without changing the

meaning. Use the word in brackets in the right form.

1. I strongly dislike jazz. (stand)

2. Beer makes me feel sick. (revolt)

3. I don’t really care for tea. (keen)

4. His art attracts me. (appeal)

5. She has totally charmed him. (captivate)

6. Do you fancy a pizza tonight? (like)

7. She is sick to death of his bad habits. (bored)

8. I’m dreading the exam. (look)

4.4.10

Interaction

Make up dialogues about one your pet hates (things

you really can’t stand) and your wild enthusiasms

(things you are crazy about). There are some

suggestions below.

* pop music * alcohol * drugs * football hooligans * make-up

* opera or ballet * weather * fashion * transport

* people’s behaviour and moods * games * entertainment

4.4.11

Translation

Give a literary translation to this extract from a

fiction book. Do you keep pets? Tell a story about

their habits or try to explain what unites people and

their pets.

After changing from his damp clothes into a comfortable gray jogging suit and athletic socks, he brewed a pot of coffee. For Rocky, he set out a bowl of orange juice.

The mutt had many peculiarities besides a taste for orange juice. For one thing, though he enjoyed going for walks during the day, he had none of a dog’s usual frisky interest in the nocturnal world, preferring to keep at least a window between himself and the night; if he had to go outside after sunset, he stayed close to Spencer and regarded the darkness with suspicion. Then there was Paul Simon. Rocky was indifferent to most music, but Simon’s voice enchanted him; if Spencer put on a Simon album, especially ‘Graceland’, Rocky would sit in front of the speakers, staring intently, or pace the floor in lazy, looping patterns – off the beat, lost in reverie – to ‘Diamonds on the soles of her shoes’ or ‘You can call me Al’. Not a doggy thing to do. Less doggy still was his bashfulness about body functions, for he wouldn’t make his toilet if watched; Spencer had to turn his back before Rocky would get down to business.

Sometimes Spencer thought that the dog, having suffered a hard life until two years ago and having had little reason to find joy in a canine’s place in the world, wanted to be a human being.

That was a big mistake. People were more likely to live a dog’s life, in the negative sense of the phrase, than were most dogs. ‘Greater self-awareness,’ - he’d told Rocky on a night when sleep wouldn’t come, – ‘doesn’t make a species any happier, pal. If it did, we’d have fewer psychiatrists and bar-rooms than you dogs have – and it’s not that way, is it?’

4.4.12

Speaking

These complaints are about four irritating people.

What can make you irritated?

1. ‘… and he used to smoke all the time: in the house, in the kitchen, even in the bedroom. Never used to ask. Didn’t care.’

2. ‘She was always arguing: shop assistants, bus drivers, waiters, friends – me. She’d never stop. I couldn’t take it.’

3. ‘We’d be playing in the street, and he’d come up and start shouting, you know, “Young hooligans, haven’t you got anywhere to go?” and if he caught you, he’d hit you.’

4. ‘She spent a lot. Just couldn’t control herself. Some days she’d go into every shop we passed. I’d get fed up and go home and then the delivery men would start arriving.’

B Talk about an irritating habit or behaviour, which

annoyed you.

Style

What are your neighbours like?

Have you ever had any problems with them?

If so, what would you do in such situations?

Read the following letter. What is its style: formal

or informal? Correct the underlined inconsistencies

in style.

Dear Mr Branston

I am writing on behalf of the residents of the residents’ association to inform you of our feelings regarding your behaviour. We’ve really had just enough of you. Although we have tried to speak to you civilly on several occasions, you have always responded with a stream of verbal abuse. Ever since you moved in three months ago, you have shown very little consideration for the other residents of this building, despite numerous complaints. For the past six weekends in a row, you have held extremely noisy parties, which have not finished until the early hours of the morning. It’s just not on! As you are aware, most of the people here are elderly or have very young children, and the noise keeps them awake all night. You don’t have to be so noisy, do you? Last weekend the situation deteriorated further when two of your acquaintances were involved in a fight on the first floor landing. The disturbance was so bad that the police had to be called. What’s more, your mates left the stairs in a terrible state – they even smashed two windows on their way out! We feel that this type of behaviour is intolerable.

We strongly recommend that you arrange payment for the damage to the windows soon. If you don’t and you carry on being a nuisance, we’ll kick you out! Legal steps will be taken if necessary.

Yours sincerely

Julia Harrison

* Consider the style of the underlined parts. What lexical and

grammar peculiarities of formal and informal style can you note?

4.4.13

Writing

Read the writing task. Discuss with another student

the following aspects, and add your own ideas.

You recently had a visitor from Britain staying with you for a month, as part of an exchange programme. You had asked for someone similar to you in age and interests, but the company that organized the trip actually arranged for a person of a very different age and background from yourself to stay with you. It was very difficult looking after this person, who had nothing in common with you and yet expected to be constantly entertained.

Now that the visitor has left, you have decided to write to the company, describing the various problems you had, and suggesting that they should be more careful when matching people in future.

Possible causes of misunderstanding can be:

Age: interests, opinions, health

Daily living: eating, sleeping, tidiness, cost.

_________________.

B Use the framework below to plan what you are

going to write. You may like to use some of the

suggestions given to begin each part of the letter.

* Beginning the letter: Dear Sir / Madam Dear Mr / Mrs / Ms

I’m writing to you regarding / concerning …

… with regard to …

* The visitor – what happened:

Although / Even though I had specifically asked you to …

Despite / In spite of requesting …

* Your recommendation to the company:

I suggest that … I would urge you to … I strongly recommend that you …

* Ending the letter:

Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely