III. Decide a) who of these students you would like to make friends with b) who might be the best group representative. Give your arguments. What do you like/dislike about these people?
IV. Use the texts to describe your friends traits of character.
1. Read the dialogue between Bridget and Nick. Are they happy to have such friends?
My Friend
Nick: My friend Rich is coming to town next week. Have you ever met him?
Bridget: No, I haven't.
Nick: He's kind of crazy, but a great guy.
Bridget: Yeah, why do you say so? What's he like?
Nick: He's really hard working, but very much a loner. He's pretty talented and can do just about anything.
Bridget: Sounds interesting. Is he married?
Nick: No, he isn't.
Bridget: What does he look like? Maybe my friend Alice would be interested in meeting him.
Nick: He's tall, slim and quite good looking. I'm sure your friend would find him attractive. What's she like?
Bridget: She's outgoing and very athletic.
Nick: Really? What sports does she like playing?
Bridget: She's a great tennis player and also goes bicycling a lot.
Nick: What does she look like?
Bridget: She's kind of exotic looking. She's got long dark hair and piercing black eyes. People think she is rather beautiful.
Bridget: Do you think she would like to meet Rich?
Nick: Sure! Why don't we introduce them?
ACT IT OUT!
2. Read the conversation. What traits of character do the speakers want their children to possess? Act the dialogue out.
Jane: Which personal qualities do you think we most want to pass on to our children?
Martin: I certainly would want my children to be self-confident and self-assured I really believe that people who feel good about themselves are in a good position to face what life has to offer them and Id hope they wouldnt be self-centred but remembered to think about others
Jane: Which characteristics do you think are the least appealing in a person?
Martin: Well people who are very narrow-minded are difficult to get on with its nice when someone is open to other peoples opinion and willing to think about their own views and people who are two-faced can be a little irritating relationships are built on trust and without honesty theres not much left
Jane: Which personality types do you think are less likely to suffer from stress or anxiety?
Martin: Probably people who are thick-skinned who dont let people or problems affect them too much and if you are fair-minded youll be less likely to overreact to situations or be quick-tempered
3. Look through the following samples. Make up your own descriptions. Use the vocabulary below:
A. Teacher: How would you describe yourself?
Paula: Everyone tells me I take after my mum as Im quite laid-back I think Im good company but you should ask my friends if they agree
B: Teacher: In which ways are you similar to your friends?
Manuel: I seem to be attracted to introverts not people who are painfully shy but most of my friends are a little reserved and I think thats what Im like
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C: Teacher: Are you similar or different to your brother(s)/sister(s)?
Mira: I think my brother and I are very similar Id say were fun-loving and tend to be a bit extroverted my brother is certainly the life and soul of the party Im not sure that applies to me
- to be the life and soul of the party: a fun person, someone who is the centre of activity
- to bend over backwards: to try very hard to help someone
- broad-minded: prepared to accept other views or behaviours
- easy-going: relaxed and not easily worried about anything
- extrovert: an energetic person who likes the company of others
- fair-minded: to treat people equally
- fun-loving: to enjoy having fun
- to hide ones light under a bushel: to hide ones talents and skills
- good company: enjoyable to socialise with
- good sense of humour: the ability to understand what is funny
- introvert: someone who is shy
- laid-back: see easy-going
- to lose ones temper: to suddenly become angry
- narrow minded: opposite of broad-minded (see above)
- painfully shy: very shy
- to put others first: to think of others before yourself
- quick-tempered: to become angry quickly
- reserved: shy
- self-assured: confident
- self-centred: thinks only of oneself
- self-confident: believes in ones own ability or knowledge
- self-effacing: to not try to get the attention of others (especially in terms of hiding ones skills or abilities)
- to take after: to be like (often another member of the family)
- thick-skinned: not easily affected by criticism
- trustworthy: can be trusted
- two-faced: not honest or sincere. Will say one thing to someone to their face and another when they are not present.
