book 1_2013

UNIT 1.2. APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER. ABOUT MYSELF

Vocabulary: Describing People

Introductory Reading

36. a) Read the text and find out the meaning of the target words (in bold type).

People's appearance (the way people look like)

Age. My grandfather is quite old. In fact, as he has a pension, he is an old age pensioner, or a senior citizen. His daughter, my aunt, is 55, and middle-aged. She has three sons. One is a young adult, at 24 years of age, and the other two are both teenagers. They are 16 and 17. My sister also has two children – one toddler who is a two-year old, and a baby who is 6 months old.

Constitution/Build. People are built in all shapes and sizes. There are those who are stout (fat or overweight). Some people are extremely overweight and are obese. Other people are naturally slim or slender (having neat and well-shaped figure), but others have absolutely no fat on them and are thin, or skinny. Personally, I am stocky (small, but well-built). My father is tall and lean (with very little fat). My sister is short, but wiry (quite thin, but muscular). Both my brothers are athletic, stocky and well-proportioned. My mother looks like a 1940's film star. She is curvaceous (having shapely, wellrounded body), with an hour-glass figure (figure with wide hips and busts which contrast starkly with a very narrow waist like Marilyn Monroe's). My grandfather is fit (in good health and shape) for his age and takes plenty of exercise. He doesn't want all his muscles to get flabby (loose and lacking firmness).

Colouring. My sister has fair hair and fair skin. She doesn't get tanned easily and has to be careful in the sun. My mother is blonde, also with a fair complexion (colour of skin, especially of face). I am a red-head (with red hair). Like many other people with a pale complexion, I get freckles from the sun (small brown dots on my face and arms). In contrast, my father has auburn (chestnut or reddishbrown) hair and he is quite swarthy (dark-skinned). When my grandmother was ill last winter, her complexion was sallow (of an unhealthy pale or yellowish colour).

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Face. Faces, like build, vary a lot. Some people have oval faces; their foreheads (the part of the face between the natural hairline and the eyes) are much wider than their chins. Other people have heart-shaped, square or round faces. Features also vary. My grandfather has bushy eyebrows (he has lots of hair!), a hooked nose and high cheekbones. His grey eyes are small and close-set. My mother has big hazel eyes with long eye-lashes which make her very pretty. But she has a broad, flat nose, which she hates, as she prefers narrow and straight noses. But she is lucky to have even (or regular) teeth. My sister corrected her crooked teeth by wearing a brace which straightened them. She has rosy cheeks, small ears and a turned up nose (which goes up at the end). I have long, curly hair, though my sister is the opposite, with short, straight hair. Her hair is fine (very thin) and sleek (smooth and glossy), but mine is thick and heavy. My mother's hair is wavy (in between straight and curly). It's cut in a bob (a hairstyle for women and children in which the hair is cut short evenly all round the head) and she also has a short fringe, where it is cut horizontally across her forehead. My father is losing his hair – in fact he is going bald, which makes him very sad. My brother looks like he is going to lose his hair too (it is receding), but he wears it cut very short and looks cute.

Character. My folks vary a lot in character, behaviour, attitude towards life and people. My grandfather is very amiable

(enjoying the company of other people), sincere (telling the truth to others, honest), though sometimes he is rather curt (too abrupt in manner of speech). My mother is always tactful (or considerate), polite

(showing regard for others, in manners, speech, behaviour) / courteous and very sensitive (feeling things very intensely). My brother is too selfconfident, ambitious, sometimes even stubborn and pushy

(aggressively ambitious), but he is very reliable and honest. My sister is a charming, optimistic and cheerful girl, though sometimes she can be rather peevish or quarrelsome, that is, inclined to quarrel or disagree, nosy (too inquiring), and envious / jealous). My father is sensible / reasonable (exercising good judgement and common sense), even-tempered (calm, not easily angered or excited), thrifty / economical and prudent (practical and careful in providing for the future). As to me, I'm shy (not at ease in the company of others), but easy-going (relaxed in manner or attitude) and friendly.

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Notes:

Attractive / beautiful / good-looking / cute / gorgeous – words describing fine appearance; pretty is used to describe charming women (without being very beautiful); handsome is used to describe men.

Ugly / unattractive / plain / homely – words used to describe people of unpleasant or unsightly appearance.

b) Learn the following:

1. Intellectual abilities

Ability: intelligent, bright, clever, smart, shrewd, able, gifted, brainy (coll.). Lacking ability: stupid, foolish, half-witted, simple, silly, brainless, daft, dumb, dim (the last 4 – coll.).

Clever in a negative way: cunning, crafty, sly.

2. Attitudes towards other people

Enjoying others company: sociable, gregarious, affable, amiable. Disagreeing with others: quarrelsome, argumentative.

Taking pleasure in others pain: cruel, sadistic.

Relaxed in attitude to self and others: easy-going, even-tempered.

Not polite to others: impolite, rude, ill-mannered, discourteous. Telling the truth to others: honest, trustworthy, reliable, sincere.

3. Characteristics

(Some characteristics can be either positive or negative depending on your point of view. The words in the right-hand column mean roughly the same as the words in the left-hand column except that they have negative rather than positive connotations)

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b) Fill in the table with the words denoting character:

38. Find in the text (Ex. 36) the pairs of synonyms and write them out.

Model: old age pensioner – senior citizen; fine – very thin

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39.Make sentences about the appearance and character of one of your classmates. Let the others guess who he/she is.

Model: He is tall and stocky. His constitution is strong…

40.Complete the sentences with the words in the Data Bank. Data Bank: self-assured; impulsive; adventurous; brilliant; optimistic; sensible; sensitive; strong-willed; crafty; discourteous; sociable; self-conscious; quarrelsome; envious; dependable

1.A(n) _________________ person is shy and easily embarrassed in social situations. 2. A(n) _________________ person is looking on the bright side of things and life. 3. A(n) _________________ person is practical, not dreamy in approach to life. 4. A(n)

_________________ person is clever in a negative way, using brains to trick or deceive. 5. A(n) _________________ person is willing to take risks and try new things. 6. A(n) _________________ person is able to resist temptations. 7. A(n) _________________ person does things suddenly without thinking about consequences. 8. A(n)

_________________ person is exceptionally intelligent and skilful. 9. A(n) _________________ person is sure of himself. 10. A(n)

_________________ person is feeling things very intensely. 11. A(n)

_________________ person is not polite to others. 12. A(n)

_________________ person is enjoying others' company. 13. A(n)

_________________ person is disagreeing with others. 14. A(n)

_________________ person is unhappy if others have what he doesn't have himself. 15. A(n) ______________ person can be relied on.

Mind!

1) In Western Europe and America children may be given more than one name and the number may vary. As a rule the first of these names (known as the first of Christian name) is chosen from among generally recognised names such as John, Mary, etc. the second (or middle) name is nor actually a name. It may be, for example, the mother's maiden name, the name of any person honoured in the family or just a combination of sounds having no meaning. The Ukrainian full name contains a Christian name (it's become fashionable lately to give Ukrainian children doubled names like Anna-Maria or Bohdan-Ihor), a patronymic and a surname (or family name).

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2) How old are you (is he/she)? – Possible answers: I am (He/she is) 17 (years old) – ( ) 17 ( ), or: … about 20 (... 20), … not 20 yet ( ... 20), … well past 20 ( ... 20), … hard on 30 ( ... 30), … 20 odd ( ...20 )

Speaking

41. Read and translate the text.

Information File

About Myself

From the very start I should say that it is not an easy thing to speak about myself as it is hard to have a look at yourself from aside, but at the same time who knows you better than you yourself do?

I am about 18. When I look at myself in the mirror I see a blond girl with short straight hair, dark eyes. As to my appearance I'm rather tall and slim. I have never thought I'm a beauty, I wish I were prettier. I think that I'm even-tempered, rather reserved, calm and modest. But sometimes I can lose my temper and become either angry or sad. Then I like staying alone and sometimes I retire into my shell. But at the same time I like my friends, I like to laugh and joke. As for me I appreciate people's honesty, kindness, sense of justice and intelligence and I can't stand rude and aggressive people. I am stubborn at times, but to my mind being persistent is not always a bad thing. I mean, I never leave things half done. At times I feel dissatisfied with myself, especially when I fail to do something or can't do things the way they should be done. My greatest problem at school was talking in front of the class as I always blushed.

I am a first-year student. I do well in all subjects. They say I am a hardworking and diligent person. To tell the truth, all the subjects come easy for me but sometimes I have to sit much, for example, to do lessons in Physics or Mathematics.

However my favourite subject is Spanish. I spend much time on it reading books, doing tests etc. Maybe, Spanish and learning it will be of some use in my future career. I am fond of reading. I think comics and detective stories are much easier to read but I prefer to read novels – historical or up-to-date. I like music. My musical tastes are different, but it depends on my

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mood. I think every apple is good in its season. I play the piano and the guitar, not seriously, just for fun. Sometimes I like to listen to the classical music. My favourite composers are Chaikovsky and Mozart. Actually I don't like rock music, but from time to time I feel like listening to R&B or rap. Also I like folk songs. I'm not keen on television but sometimes I spend an hour or two watching an interesting film or a news programme. In the evening I often read newspapers (our local ones) or magazines.

I like fresh air and exercise. I'm sorry I have not much time for doing sports. But some aerobics in the morning, a swimmingpool once or twice a week, a ski-walk on a frosty day are of great help. It is fun.

I have a wide variety of interests. I'm very amiable, so I get a way with people. I have many friends; most of them are my groupmates. We spend much time together, going out to the cinema or to the disco party, speaking about lessons and music, discussing our problems. But most of all I like my family. We all are great friends and deeply attached to each other. You see, it's me – a person with his good and not good characteristics, liking this and hating that. But it's interesting for me to live, to open new things.

b)Translate the following sentences and word combinations into English.

1)– . 2) .

3)– . 4) . 5)

; 6) ; 7)

. 8) . 9)

. 10)

; 11) . 12)

; 13) ; 14) ;

15); 16) ; 17)

; 18) ; 19)

; 20) .

c)Make up the story about yourself using the text as a model. Retell it in class.

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d)Speak about the interests the members of your family have: their preferences in music, reading, sports and leisure activities.

e)Interview your classmates for their likings and interests.

42. Answer the following questions:

1. When and where were you born? 2. Is your family large? How old are your parents/grandparents? 3. Where do your parents live? 4. How often do you go to see your parents as a rule? 5. Have you got many relatives? Where do they live? How often do you see them? 6. Where do your grandparents live? Are they retired or still working? 7. Do you agree that grown-up children should live separately from their parents? Why? 8. Are there any special traditions in your family? Can you speak about one of them? 9. Some young people think that it's not necessary to register their marriage legally. What do you think? Motivate your answer. 10. Do you believe in love at first sight? 11. Do you agree that marriages are made in heaven? Give your reasons. 12. Do you have a boy/girlfriend? What features of character do you appreciate/dislike in him/her most? Why?

43. a) Read the text in the Information File.

Information File

Every Man Is the Architect of His Future

Most of us say that God, or destiny or whatever superior force may exist in this universe is that which makes our future that guides us throughout our futile existence.

I do not claim there isn't a force which guides us, which takes care of us, but the main element that helps us build up our future is our way of being. Our personality, our character, our way of perceiving reality and everything that surrounds us are the elements, which may bring us to the top, or on the contrary, make us miserable.

It's simply your own choice if you don't want to study, to go to college, to have a career. It really doesn't matter if your parents threaten you, they punish you, scold you all the time. If you are stubborn and you think you know it all then all these are useless. You are the one who decides what job to have, in what city or what country. It's your choice and your responsibility. The

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moment you get hurt or something goes wrong, you blame yourself, and you start everything from the very beginning.

You consider that you can't find your place in your own country, so you risk the comfortable but modest life you have, living with your parents, and you go abroad. Maybe there will be moments when you can't stand anymore the loneliness, the strangers around you, or your job. But you remember: nobody made you take that decision, so you take a deep breath, and you go on, as it's very difficult to find a guilty person when you know it well: you are the only one to be blamed.

If you fall in love with someone from the very first moment, you set your eyes on him/her and you don't want to meet somebody else, to see how they are – it's your wish. If you get married and the marriage ends in a year's time, you can't blame the rest as they all had told you to be careful and never to take hasty decisions.

You play the lottery each day and there are two options: either you hit the jackpot and your life changes radically or you lose and you have to start it from the very beginning. On the contrary, it's well known that if you don't risk – you can't win, so the best solution is always to think your decisions over and over again, to see what they could represent in your future and only afterwards to make up your mind.

You are the only architect of your future. The rest are only workers who help you create your own dream.

(written by Herminne Tonita for FamousWhy.com)

b) Answer the following questions:

1. Do you agree that every person is "the only architect of his/her future"? Can you prove this by examples from your own experience? 2. Do parents in Ukraine play a decisive role in choosing the young person's career? Do they give advice concerning their child's future? Are they usually right? 3. Do people usually try to find some guilty person if for some reasons their plans fail? Do you agree that if a person shapes his future himself, there is no one to blame for his failure? 4. Did you decide what career to choose or did you take into consideration your parents' advice? Why (not)? 5. Have you ever made hasty decisions? Who was to be blamed for that? Do you agree that if you don't risk, you can't win? Give examples.

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c) Talk to your group-mates about their choosing future career. Express your own views on the problems discussed.

Reading

Pre-Reading Activities

Answer the following questions:

1) Who do you think is the most attractive man/woman in the world? Why? 2) Do you agree that people judge about the person from his/her appearance? Is physical beauty very important? 3) Do the beautiful have more chances for successful life, career, marriage, etc. than the ugly? Give your reasons. 4) Have you got your personal ideal of a beautiful woman/man? Does any celebrity correspond to this ideal?

Comment on the proverbs:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is only skin deep. Beauty may open doors but only virtue enters.

44. a) Read and translate the messages from the Internet forum below.

Being Beautiful – a Blessing or a Curse?

A.N. writes:

Is it true or untrue? Is beauty a curse or a blessing?

“Don’t hate me because I am beautiful” That statement has certainly made it through the years. Most of people know it, but have no idea where it comes from (supposedly a Pantene Pro-V shampoo commercial). Does our jealousy of other people’s beauty make us hate them? Sadly, I would say, there is some truth to this…

Sometimes I wonder about that. Maybe life would be easier if I were "beautiful". I have to assume that I am not considered one of the beautiful people. I'm sure some of you probably understand me. Your appearance might be considered intimidating; perhaps you attract extra attention from store clerks and security when you are shopping. Lastly, hardly anyone does any special favours for those they don't find attractive (usually I am one of them). That is the downside to being perhaps "un-beautiful".

On the other side of the coin, I imagine what it might be like to be a young, good-looking blond woman. I seriously doubt that beautiful women have it difficult in life. I would think that the advantages for beautiful women are many and numerous. Those perks would probably include the opposite of what I get. People may bend over backwards to

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