Average Age

<10> Ten is the year of the closest friendships — though not with the opposite sex. It is also the year when relationships with particular people or groups are the strongest. The ten-year-old usually gets on well with parents but needs more time alone. Personal talents begin to show.

<20> In the United States twenty is the average age for the first marriage for women, although probably only a third marry at this age because they want to; the others marry because of social pressure. The human brain is at its finest at twenty. It is the age when people can vote in Denmark, Japan, Norway and Switzerland. And in Japan it is the minimum age for buying alcohol.

<30> For optimists thirty is one of the happiest ages, for pessimists it marks the end of feeling young. At this age you need to take a little more care with your body than when you were younger. Young people who enjoyed an all-night party at twenty will feel much worse the next day at thirty. In Britain it is the youngest you can become a bishop.

<40> Forty is the year of the 'middle-aged', although nobody who is forty wants to admit the fact. Bob Hope said that you are middle-aged when your age starts to show around your middle.

<50> Fifty is an age when old friendships get closer and relationships with colleagues and relatives warmer. According to old proverbs, fifty is the age when you should be rich. George Orwell said, «At fifty everyone has the face he deserves».

TEXT 4. Read and translate the opinions. Write out and learn words describing character. Be ready to tell about your/ your friend’s/ relatives’ personal qualities and characteristic features.

Personal Quality Meter (Speaking about characters)

Lily, student: As for my character, I think, I am a calm, well-tempered person and rather modest. I am not sure but my friends say that I have good sense of humour. Actually, I love telling jokes and making my friends smile. I am quite sociable and talkative and I like being around people. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances. But sometimes I feel sad and want to stay alone. I think that’s OK because everybody has such moments. And I always try to find positive moments in life. I like to help people around and see how they become happy. I like kind, honest, polite, reliable and responsible people. And I hate when people are rude and aggressive.

John, postgraduate: The proverb says: «No man is useless while he has a friend». It’s good to have a friend who has fine features of character: generosity, being reserved, reliable, intelligent, persistent in studying, straightforward, reasonable, decent, honest, polite, punctual, kind, faithful, warmhearted .You can be always sincere with such a friend, you can think aloud with them. I hate selfish, flattery, lazy, indifferent, boastful, false and greedy people.

Kelly, teacher: The greatest value that guides me in my life is kindness, and it’s no wonder. Usually kindness is harmoniously connected with other good qualities. If a person is not kind, if he’s selfish, if he cares only about himself, then his other qualities - courage and will-power are worthless. You can see what a person is worth through his attitude towards others. If he is devoted to people, he is devoted to his work. Kindness is the main thing, the essence of what is best in a human-being.

Helena, shop-assistant: It’s unpleasant to deal with unreliable people and there is no doubt in it. Such people don’t possess the feeling of duty, they can let you down at any moment, they cannot be friends in need. When people are stubborn, it’s also no good. They don’t respect the point of view of other people, they are sure that they are always right, they don’t follow advice of other people. Sometimes it’s dangerous to deal with such people, you can’t rely on their support.

Richard, businessman: I think it’s good to develop persistence and confidence in oneself, because if a person is not reliable, he is unable to make conclusions and come to right decision in proper time. A person can prove to be a personality by his deeds, not by his words. The proverb says: «Actions speak louder than words».

Sally, personnel manager: Personal qualities are characteristics of an individual. They are what make up one's personality. For example, responsibility and patience are qualities that employers would like a good worker to have. Other qualities employers value are: honesty, assertiveness, flexibility, problem solving, friendliness, intelligence, leadership, enthusiasm, and a good sense of humor. Most employers want people who are dependable and who get along with others. Though skills are important, an employer will select new employees based on their personal qualities as well.

TEXT 5. Read and translate the opinions. Speak on your hobbies and interests.