VI. Speaking

Ex. 1. Expand the situation introduced by the opening sentences.

1.

A: Oh, Mom! Guess who I've just seen?

B: Not Santa Clause, I suppose.

A: Do you remember Jack Collins, my class-mate? I ran across him at a supermarket. I didn't recognize him at first, he's changed so much.

B: …………

2.

A: Who is the young man in the picture?

B: Oh, this is Frank Howard, William's son.

A: I don't think he took after his father.

B: No, he didn't. He is a replica of his mother. Have you ever met her?

A: …………

3.

A: John, could you do me a favour?

B: Sure. Go ahead.

A: I need to send a couple of books to a friend of mine in London. I've heard you're going there tomorrow. If you could take the books with you, he would meet you at the airport.

B: No problem. But how can I recognize him?

A: ………….

4.

A: My favourite film star is Julia Roberts. She is a real beauty!

B: Well, actually, I don't think so.

A: ………….

5.

A: ………….

B: ………….

A: Well, you don't know him as well as I do. He is well-bred and pleasant to deal with.

B: She possesses a rare gift of listening to people without interrupting them.

A: I cannot but agree with you …………..

B: He fell in love with her at first sight.

A: Don't you think they're so different? She is full of joy and gaiety and he looks so sullen.

B: …………...

A: …………...

B: Well, extremes meet, they say.

6.

A: Who is that man I saw yesterday at the station among those seeing your brother off?

B: I really don't know whom you mean. What does he look like?

A: …………...

7.

A: She has so much self-confidence.

B: Yes, you're right. She can't stand it if somebody is better than her.

A: …………...

8.

A: You read too much. You have to learn to deal with people in real life.

B: I am a hopeless idealist. I appreciate intelligence, purity of the soul and high moral qualities.

A: And you think they can be found only in books, don't you?

B: …………….

9.

A: …………….

B: He has a good sense of humour. It's a lot of fun to be with him.

A: But he is very ambitious guy.

B: Do you consider ambition to be a good trait?

A: …………….

10.

Kate: Mary, have you seen Bob's sister?

Mary: No, I haven't. Have you? Is she pretty?

Kate: I've met her several times.

Mary: If she's like her brother she must be good-looking. Bob is hand-some, isn't he? What does she look like?

11.

A: Who did your daughter take after?

B: Both me and my wife, I guess. Look, here is her picture.

12.

A: It's not necessary to be beautiful to be liked by people.

B: That's true. Look at film stars. Some of them are not good-looking at all but they are so charming that everybody adores them. For example …

Ex. 2. Try to find two characters of wholly different types and describe them. Point out the most striking features in their appearance.

Ex. 3. Topics for discussion and essays:

1. Do you agree with the saying All men are as stubborn as sheep?

2. Do you think that opposites attract? (Somebody simple-hearted and cheerful will make a good match for someone serious, calm, deeply intelligent or that someone stingy will get along well with a generous person).

3. What are the traits of an ideal wife/husband? Do you think it's good to live with an ideal?

4. What are your best friend's most engaging traits?

5. What makes a student popular with others?

6. What makes a student unpopular with others?

7. What traits of character in your opinion do students appreciate in a teacher?

8. Do you think the appearance is important when you want to get a job? Why?

9. In what jobs do you think the appearance is essential? Why?

10. Do you think that the saying "A beauty lives an easier life" is correct? Prove your point.

11. What is your ideal of male/female beauty?

12. What do you think is more important: beauty or character?

13. Name 10 likes and dislikes in a person's appearance.