Compare your results with a partner's. Try and assess each other. Do the same in a group. How well do you think the signs work?

 

Look at the famous names given for each sign. How many of their characteristics match the ones you have heard of?

 

4. Draw up a table on a separate sheet of paper. Divide it into columns, labelled as follows:

-ic -ous -able -ive

-al - ish -ful -less

-ent -у -ed

Put the words from the chart in the columns. Try to add five words to each of the columns.

 

5. ‘Rats are small-minded.’ How many compounds like ‘small- minded’ can you find? Add any other words you know of the same type to a list.

 

6. a) Rats are not only charming, but also generous.

b) Although Rats are generous, they can also be greedy.

c) Rats can be energetic. In addition, they can be persistent.

d) Rats can be energetic. Also, they can be persistent.

e) Rats can be energetic. Furthermore, they can be positive.

 

Use the five patterns (a-e) above, and make five sentences for each of the other signs.

 

Read through the lists of qualities again, and mark all the words beginning with: un-,dis-, mis-, non-.

Try to think of more words of each type.

 

8. Write a paragraph about yourself. The title is: “Why I am/am not a typical____.

 

Reading V

Look at the adjectives in the boxes below. These can all be used to describe someone's character and personality. Three adjectives in each box are positive, two are negative. Decide which are which and mark them + or - accordingly.

1.	3.	5.	7.
sociable	friendly	sad	ambitious
honest	easy-going	polite	snobbish
greedy	forgetful	pessimistic	creative
intellectual	gentle	well-behaved	adventurous
suspicious	impulsive	imaginative	irresponsible
2.	4.	6.	8.
lazy	selfish	kind	shy
witty	energetic	generous	optimistic
clever	tidy	romantic	pleasant
outgoing	cheerful	possessive	untidy
rude	impatient	stubborn	warm

 

Now read the descriptions of the eight people below. Decide which box above best describes them, and write their names in the relevant boxes.

 

Michael gets on well with all his friends and family, and they don't really mind when he forgets to meet or phone them when he promised. He is especially good with animals and is always looking after injured cats or stray dogs. He likes doing things at one last minute, like going off on holiday.

 

Jenny enjoys reading books, especially academic textbooks. She also enjoys going out with her friends. She doesn’t trust strangers, however, and avoids them if she can. Also, she is the first to admit that she eats too many fattening foods like chocolate and ice cream.

 

Laurence never seems to do any work, but he always passes his exams! He loves going to parties and discos, and he is always making people laugh. If he meets someone he doesn't like, he might say some nasty things to them, but nobody takes his insults to seriously.

 

Jo is an artist and one day she wants to hold an exhibition of her paintings in the Louvre in Paris, she thinks she is much better than other people and looks down on them. When we went to school together, she was always doing crazy things like parachuting and climbing, often without taking proper safety precautions!

 

Tim loves buying flowers and chocolates for his girlfriend and for her birthday. This year he took her to an expensive restaurant for a lovely meal. He hates it when other men talk to her and often refuses to do what she tells him, even if it is for his own good.

Susan spends a lot of time alone in her room, which is always a bit of a mess. She’s a nice person to spend time with, however, and she is always telling me about the dream man she will meet one day and the lovely house she will live in when she’s older.

 

Martin always has a frown on his face and he looks like he is expecting something terrible to happen. However, people are always impressed by his good manners, and he never gets into trouble at school. His favourite subject is English and he has written some really clever stories.

 

Elsa thinks she is more important than other people and never shows any concern for others. She also gets very angry with anyone who doesn’t work at the same speed as her. On the other hand, she is often smiling, and doing things in the office, which is always neat and well-organized.

 

Part III

Listening

Listen to four people talking about their character. Fill in the gaps. Say what else can influence people’s character.

Part IV

Discussion

- Do clothes make a man?

- Are personal qualities inborn or can they be developed?

- Do you choose friends to suit your character?

 

Part V

Writing

1. Listen to dictations 11-15. Write them down.

2. Listen to the text “The Perfect flat mate”. Write a reproduction.

3. Describe a person whose character you admire.