Character
1. mental and moral nature or qualities that make one person, race (nation) etc. different from others;
2. the set of characteristics differing one person from another
3. moral strength
4. reputation
1. Character is /associated with
- 
fate
- individuality
- rock
- doom
- destiny
- fortune
- luck
- penalty/ punishment
- gift
- personal qualities
2. Character depends on
- up-bringing
- inclinations
- living conditions
- wealth
- surroundings (parents, friends)
- 
genetic code
- heredity
- human nature
- health
- appearance
- geographical location/ climate
- personal efforts/the desire to be what you want to be
- education
- money
- success in life
- circumstances
- national history/ traditions
Exercise 2. Spell out the words according to the transcription.
[¸repju'teiSn] ['sə:kəmstəns] [feit]
[sək'ses] [du:m] [hə'redəti]
['destəni] [welθ] ['fo:tSən]
[¸inkli'neiSn] [lΛk] ['Λp¸briηiη]
['penlti] ['pΛniSmənt] [¸edju'keiSn]
Exercise 3. Fill in the table using the appropriate lexical units from the table.
| / | |
| - | |
| , |
Exercise 4. Study the difference between the notions and explain it.
| * fate | 1) ; , , 2)) , , ) , |
| * rock | 1) , , , |
| * doom | 1) , , 2) ; , |
| * destiny | 1) , ( ) 2) , , ( ) |
| * fortune | 1) , , ; : , - , - 2) ; , 3) , 4) , |
| * penalty | 1) ) ; ; ) . , , |
| * punishment | 1) , |
Exercise 5. Study exercise 1 again and find 16 words relative to the topic character. Make up your own examples with them to illustrate their usage.
| F | A | A | E | B | W | N | C | D | P |
| O | H | P | D | C | E | A | L | O | U |
| R | E | P | U | T | A | T | I | O | N |
| T | A | E | C | S | L | U | M | M | I |
| U | L | A | A | U | T | R | A | G | S |
| N | T | R | T | C | H | E | T | I | H |
| E | H | A | I | C | D | E | E | F | M |
| S | F | N | O | E | G | F | A | T | E |
| E | H | C | N | S | C | O | D | E | N |
| T | P | E | R | S | O | N | I | J | T |
Exercise 6. Say what character is using the scheme below.
|
|
|
To my mind, character is...
I suppose so because character is associated with... and...
We cant but say this because...
No doubt, character depends on... and... because...
Whats more, its important to mention that...
So, I can come to the conclusion that...
LESSON 2. WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU?
We know what we are, but
know not what we may be.
W. Shakespeare
Its a well-known fact that in order to get to know yourself better, we should learn more about the peculiarities of other peoples characters.
Exercise 1. Read the ideas people use to describe their own character and say whose personality appeals to you most of all.
Irene: Well, actually its very difficult to speak about yourself. But still, Ill try. I think Im home-loving, kind and patient. I can get on with people well, because I always try to help them and they trust me. But sometimes I am lazy I dont want to do anything. And I guess Steve doesnt like it very much.
Steve: Im practical I think, because I always try to do the work that will help me in future. Im also honest and I dont like those people who lie to me, because I always notice it and tell them about it. Thats why they say that Im tactless. I wont argue, perhaps I am. What I dont like about myself is that Im sometimes bossy and Irene knows it very well. I am sorry.
Jane: Me? Ha! My mother says that Im light-minded, because I do everything without thinking. I like to take risks, because Im really risky. The feature of my character that I really hate is that Im undisciplined and my mother is always angry with me about it. But Im really hard-working. I try to do everything when Im asked, but sometimes I just forget about it.
Kate: Im very conservative, they say and I completely agree with them. I never change anything in my life: ideas, principles, and friends. And the proverb Old friends and old wines are the best is my motto. I dont go out often as I like to stay at home with my relatives. People say that Im shy. Is it really bad?
George: Im very timid. Im always afraid that people will laugh at me. Im not very sociable. As I work in the Zoo, I prefer to spend time with my animals. Im also very patient, because animals need care and attention. I like them very much and they know it.
Mark: Im very active, although my parents say that Im lazy, because I dont like to do the things they want me to do. I think that Im leading, because I want other people to follow me. They sometimes get offended with me and say that Im rude. But I dont think that Im really that bad. Im just very honest and I tell other people what I think about them. Its natural, believe me. And if they dont agree with me, its their problem.
Natalie: Hi! Im Natalie. I have a lot of friends. But I can say that most of all I enjoy my own company. My brother believes that Im rather self-centered and live only for myself. Do you consider it bad? I think selfishness is not so bad, because all people are selfish. The most important thing is being hard-working, thorough and ambitious. Thats why my friends say that Im very reasonable and trustworthy.
|
|
|
Andrew: You might think that I boast, but Id say that Im really clever. I study a lot because I like it and I try to work hard to get good results. Thats why I think that Im determined. Im rather critical Id say, because I like when everything is perfect. Do you still think that I boast?
Exercise 2. Find in the opinions the ideas to say whether the following statements are true or false. If one is wrong, correct it.
1. Irene is very shy.
2. Steve is lazy.
3. Jane is risky.
4. Mark is a hard-working person.
5. Natalie is very self-centered.
6. Andrew is boastful.
7. Kate is very conservative.
8. George is kind.
9. People say that Steve is tactless.
10. People say that Jane is light-minded.
11. People say that Kate is unsociable.
12. People say that Irene is patient.
13. People say that Natalie is selfish.
14. People are sure that Mark is very polite.
15. People believe that Andrew is clever.
16. People are of the opinion that George is timid.
Exercise 3. Find in the opinions the ideas to explain
1. why people like Irene
2. why Kate stays at home often
3. why Natalie enjoys her own company
4. why Marks parents say that he is lazy
5. why Janes mother is often angry with her
6. how George spends his time
7. what kind of people Steve dislikes
8. why Andrew is very critical
9. what Steve doesnt like in his girl-friend, according to her viewpoint
10. what Kates motto is
11. why Andrew studies a lot
12. why Steve thinks that he is very practical
13. why Natalie doesnt think that she is selfish
14. why George spends more time with animals than with people
15. why Marks friends get offended
16. why Janes mother says that she is undisciplined
Exercise 4. Complete the given statements in writing, finding in the opinions the best continuation.
1. People are interested in Irene because ___________________________
2. People think that Steve is tactless because ________________________
3. Jane is very light-minded because _______________________________
4. Mark doesnt agree with his parents because _______________________
5. Natalie has few friends because __________________________________
6. Andrew thinks that he is clever because ___________________________
7. Kate likes to stay at home because _______________________________
8. George is afraid of communicating with people because _______________
9. People dont like Natalie because _________________________________
10. People are sure that Andrew boasts a lot because ____________________
11. Mark gets along badly with his friends because ______________________
12. Steve says that hes practical because _____________________________
13. George spends his time with animals because _______________________
14. Mark is honest because ________________________________________
Exercise 5. Whose personality of the mentioned above appeals to you most? Follow the scheme to answer the question.
Ive read... descriptions of different characters.
I find the descriptions... and....
First,...s personality appeals to me most of all.
... is... and at the same time... is....
Its wonderful when one is... and....
The only fault that I see here is....
I wouldnt be able to communicate with the one who is... or....
Besides, it also should be mentioned that... is....
As for other people mentioned above, I like... too.
His/ her... draws my attention.
As for the rest of the people, I should say that I wont mix with them as they are... and....
Such people can irritate me as they are....
So, you see that...s personality attracts me.
So, you see that peoples personalities are different and we perceive one and the same person differently. But do other people see you as you see yourself?
|
|
|
It is no good looking into a mirror if you wish to see the person who is really you. The only real test is to see yourself in the same way as other people see you. The following quiz has been psychologically developed to help you do exactly that...
Exercise 7. Work through this quiz with a partner. Count the results. Be ready to comment on them.
1. When do you feel yourself best:
Ø Soon after waking up? a
Ø During the afternoon and early evening? b
Ø Before you go to bed? c
2. Do you usually walk:
Ø Quite fast, with long, swinging steps? a
Ø Quite fast, but with short, quick steps? b
Ø Not very fast, with your head up, looking at the world? c
Ø Not very fast, with your head down? d
Ø Very slowly? e
3. When you are talking to people do you:
Ø Stand with your arms folded? a
Ø Stand with your hands together in front of you? b
Ø Stand with one or both hands on your hips? c
Ø Touch the person you are talking to? d
Ø Touch your ear or chin or smooth your hair? e
Ø Have something like a pencil or a cigarette in your hands? f
4. When you are relaxing, do you sit with:
Ø Your knees bent and your legs together? a
Ø Your legs crossed or wrapped round each other? b
Ø Your legs stretched straight out in front of you? c
Ø With one leg curled up underneath you? d
5. When you find something very funny, how do you react? Do you:
Ø Give a loud, appreciative laugh? a
Ø Laugh, but not very loudly? b
Ø Laugh softly, under your breath? c
Ø Give a very big smile? d
Ø Smile slowly? e
6. When you go to a party, do you:
Ø Make so much noise as you enter that everybody notices you? a
Ø Walk in quietly looking for someone you know? b
Ø Hope that nobody will see you walking in, so you can remain unknown?
7. When you are interrupted while you are working hard, concentrating on something, do you:
Ø Feel pleased to be interrupted a
Ø Feel very irritated? b
Ø Or do you feel neither of these reactions very strongly? c
8. Which of the following colours do you like most:
Ø Red or orange? a
Ø White? b
Ø Black? c
Ø Dark blue or purple? d
Ø Yellow or light blue? e
Ø Brown, grey or violet? f
Ø Green? g
9. Just before you go to sleep, when you are lying in bed, do you lie:
Ø Flat out on your back? a
Ø Stretched out on your front? b
Ø On your side? c
Ø With your head under one arm? d
Ø With your head under the bedclothes? e
10. Do you often dream that you are:
Ø Falling? a
Ø Involved in a fight? b
Ø Looking for someone or something? c
Ø Liking your clothes off or with nothing on at all? d
Ø Flying or floating? e
Ø Do you dream rarely? f
Ø Or do you usually have nice pleasant dreams? g
| 1. | A - 2 | B - 4 | C 6 | ||||
| 2. | A - 6 | B - 4 | C - 7 | D - 2 | E - 1 | ||
| 3. | A - 4 | B - 2 | C - 5 | D - 7 | E - 6 | F - 1 | |
| 4. | A - 4 | B - 6 | C - 2 | D - 1 | |||
| 5. | A - 6 | B - 4 | C - 3 | D - 5 | E - 2 | ||
| 6. | A - 6 | B - 4 | C - 2 | ||||
| 7. | A - 6 | B - 2 | C - 4 | ||||
| 8. | A - 6 | B - 2 | C - 7 | D - 3 | E - 5 | F - 1 | G - 4 |
| 9. | A - 7 | B - 6 | C - 4 | D - 2 | E - 1 | ||
| 10. | A - 4 | B - 2 | C - 3 | D - 7 | E - 5 | F - 6 | G - 1 |
|
|
|
LESSON 3. WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS YOUR FRIEND?
Exercise 1. Study the given table and describe your friends character.
| 1. My friend was born in and his/ her Zodiac sign is | Capricorn Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius |
| 2. By nature my friend is | kind patient hard-working loyal critical creative artistic quiet romantic emotional optimistic pessimistic brave honest serious reliable practical careful lively selfish generous careless greedy sensitive |
| 3. I like to be around her/ him because | knows a lot of interesting stories is an interesting person has a good sense of humour is the most amusing person in the world has imagination and his/ her own style is as good as gold is always ready to help when I am in need |
| 4. I always admire my friend for | the way he/ she behaves the ability to communicate with people his/ her courage the ability to cope with difficulties his/ her optimism and sense of humour his/ her outlook of life the knowledge in different spheres her/ his perfect character |
| 5. To my mind, my friend has only one negative quality as he/ she | is always late has no sense of humour spends too much money doesnt like changes is very susceptible/ touchy always gets into trouble is not able to stand up for himself/ herself is very self critical |
| 6. But I am happy to have such a friend and I am sure he/ she will never | betray me gossip about me mock at me ridicule my weak points neglect our friendship leave me in troubles lie to me |
| 7. is my bosom friend. I am sure we will | be friends forever never quarrel go through fire and water together always enjoy the time spent together |
Exercise 2. Do you believe that your character or your friends character is determined by the stars? What astrological sign do you have? Say if you are typical of your sign or not. Use the words: extremely, not at all, quite/ fairly, a bit, rather, very. Follow the model if necessary.
M: - I think Im quite happy and Im rather emotional.
- I dont think Im very happy but Im rather emotional.
Exercise 3. What astrological sign does your friend have? Describe him/ her using the tables.
Ø What qualities are typical of your friend?
Ø Do you like to communicate with him/ her?
Ø What do you value in your friend most of all?
Ø What dont you like in your friend?
Ø Are you happy that you have such a friend? Why?
♪ Exercise 4. Listen to the dialogue about peoples attitude to horoscopes and fill in the names of zodiac signs and the missing traits of character concerning Zodiac signs.
♪ Make sure you know the pronunciation of the following words and their Russian equivalents.
calm practical
concerning realistic
future reliable
imagine rise
late well-balanced
lonely zodiac sign
meeting
Horoscope.
- Hi, Mark!
- Hi, Jane! What are you reading?
- Its a horoscope for next year.
- Do you believe in horoscopes?
- Not really, but sometimes I have doubts about my future and I want to find out what will happen. Then I read horoscopes.
- I never read horoscopes. I dont believe in what they say.
- What is your zodiac sign?
- _____________
- So you must be ___________, _______________, _______________ and rather __________. Thats why you dont believe in horoscopes.
- Thats interesting. What else can you tell me about my personality?
- You are __________ and generally __________.
- And what about my future?
- You will be really ____________ this week. You will forget about important meetings and its not the best time to be _________. You have to start taking part in more activities go on holiday.
- You know, its true that I have been feeling rather ___________ recently. But I cant imagine myself being ___________. I never lose things or arrive late for meetings. What about my career?
- You will begin to look for a new job. You can start thinking about your future now.
- Thats amazing! I really want to change my job! My boss doesnt want to give me a rise and Im beginning to feel fed up with my work there.
|
|
|
- So, its high time you changed it.
- Thanks for the lesson, but Im still not sure if I should start believing in horoscopes. Whats the time?
- Its 6.40.
- What? Im going to be late for the meeting concerning my new job!
- Didnt I warn you?
♪ Exercise 5. Supply the English equivalents for these sentences and check with the recording. Consult the previous dialogue if necessary.
1. () .
2. , .
3. ?
4. ?
5. , .
♪ Exercise 6. Listen to one more dialogue about peoples characters. Fill in the blanks with the words from the box below. Check your suggestions with the recording.
| girl sister kind modest open count reliable trust hair different rude intolerant |
- This is a nice party, isnt it?
- Yes, its all right.
- Do you know that.......... over there?
- Yes, its Brians................
- What is she like?
- She seems to be a very.................. person. She is very................ and............... to everybody. I think you can always.............. on her.
- I like................. people.
- Yes, me too. And I think she is the kind of person you can always.................
- And do you know that girl over there?
- Which one? The one with short..............?
- Yes.
- I know her, as well, but she is totally.....................
- What do you mean?
- Well, she is very............ and.................... In fact, not many people like her.
- So what she is doing at this party?
- Im asking myself the same question.
Exercise 7. Pair off. Suggest your own variant of the dialogue concerning horoscopes. Follow the one above as a model.
Exercise 8. Do you believe in horoscopes? Get ready with the utterance to stand your ground.
LESSON 4. IS TEMPERAMENT GUILTY?
Why does a person behave in a particular manner? Psychology has its own opinion of this problem. Psychologists consider that only temperament determines our behaviour.
Do you know anything about the types of peoples temperaments? Whats your temperament like?
Exercise 1. Read the poem and comment on its message. Which type of the temperament is this person close to? How can you prove?
The Pessimist
Nothing to do but work,
Nothing to eat but food,
Nothing to wear but clothes,
To keep one from going nude.
Nothing to breathe but air,
Quick as a flash tis gone;
Nowhere to fall but off,
Nowhere to stand but on.
Nothing to comb but hair,
Nowhere to sleep but in bed,
Nothing to weep but tears,
Nothing to bury but dead.
Nothing to sing but songs,
Ah, well, alas! alack!
Nowhere to go but out,
Nowhere to come but back.
Nothing to see but sights,
Nothing to quench but thirst,
Nothing to have but what weve got.
Thus through life we are cursed,
Nothing to strike but a gait;
Everything moves that goes.
Nothing at all but common sense
Can ever withstand these woes.
B.J. King
Exercise 2. Look on the figure which gives in brief outline the results of a large amount of research.
In the smaller circle at the centre you will see the four classical temperaments. You see that two of the temperaments, the choleric and the melancholic are opposed to the phlegmatic and the sanguine, in the sense that the former have strong emotions; are relatively unstable and neurotic, whereas the latter have rather less violent emotions and are more stable in their behaviour.
Exercise 3. a) How about the description of these four temperaments? Read an extract from the book Fact and Fiction in Psychology and fill in the following table:
| Temperament | Character Traits |
| 1. melancholic | |
| 2. choleric | |
| 3. phlegmatic | |
| 4. sanguine |
