Discussion Focus

A Say if the speaker likes or dislikes the people he/she is talking about.

1. They say Joan is fairly broad-minded.

2. I think Jeff can be aggressive.

3. They live comfortably because Diana is very thrifty.

4. You need not worry, Molly is so frank.

5. Jill is very original and this occupation is not for her.

6. You seem to be too nosy, my little fellow.

7. Bob looks bossy, doesn’t he?

8. I find Philip arrogant.

B Reword the sentences above to give the opposite impression.

e.g. They say Joan is rather unprincipled.

C What characteristics does the speaker imply when he/she asks the following questions. Choose the proper word from the box.

e.g. If you arrange an appointment for, say, 5 o’clock,

do you arrive in time? Punctual

pessimistic assertive sensitive sociable obstinate

argumentative inquisitive punctual extravagant

1. Do you prefer to be in the company of other people?

2. Do you choose to look at the dark side of things rather than the

bright one when something goes wrong?

3. Do you find it easy to tell your boss if you feel he or she has

treated you badly?

4. Do you always look out of the window if you hear a car draw up?

5. Do you often buy your friends presents for no particular reason?

6. Do you frequently disagree with what other people say?

7. Do you lie awake at night if someone has said something

unkind to you?

8. Do you become even more determined to do something, if

people try to persuade you not to?

D Write down questions like those in the previous exercise to find whether a person is the following:

1. sensible 2. blunt 3. eccentric 4. reliable

5. even-tempered 6. sincere 7. ambitious 8. crafty

E Choose five or six adjectives which you think best describe either your own or a friend’s character. How do you or your friend demonstrate these characteristics?

e.g. optimistic – I am optimistic because I prefer to hope for

the best even when I get into trouble or have bad luck.

F The word “gentleman” is of English origin. Historically it named a man who was entitled to bear arms and was attached to a court or the household of a great noble. He was usually a man of wealth and social position, of good family and did not have to work for a living. But with time passing these meanings went out of use and nowadays “a gentleman” basically denotes a courteous and honourable man.

Study carefully the group of words and phrases below. Select those which, in your opinion, describe a person as a gentleman and comment on them.

G The word “decent” implies quite a number of positive human characteristics. List as many of them as you can. You may start as follows:

e. g. A decent person is nice, proper, honest, …

A decent person is expected to keep his/her promise, …

A decent person is not likely to let you down, …

H Read the extracts characterizing people and comment on the meaning of the underlined phrases.

1. < …> that he is a good listener and often encourages people to speak, that he is not much of a talker himself.

2. Samuel is indeed a man of great mental calibre < …> a scientist of an outstanding reputation …

3. Mrs. Waller was a motherly soul and never took offence.

4. Lord Mountdrago < …> had intelligence, industry < …> courage, insight and determination.

5. Unfortunately he was a horrible snob < …> and was coldly rude to those whom he looked upon as his socialinferiors.

6. Sometimes he could be enchanting and then you were surprised at his wide knowledge and excellent taste.

7. “You know, Paris is the home for every kind of eccentricity. ”

8. < …> the teacher’s personality should be pleasantly live and attractive. This does not rule out people who are physically plain, or even ugly, because many such people have great personal charm. But it does rule out such types as the over-excitable, melancholy, frigid, sarcastic, cynical, frustrated and overbearing.

9. < …> my parents are quite touchy about anything pretty personal, especially my father. They are nice and all – I’m not saying that – but they are also touchy as hell.

10. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She’s really smart, I mean she’s had all A’s ever since she started school. As a matter of fact, I’m the only dumb one in the family.

I Skim the text “Graphology” and make a list of positive and negative characteristics mentioned in the text.