Unit 2. Character and Disposition.

TOPICAL VOCABULARY.

Character

-strong	-weak
-independent	-pride

Types of character

-sanguine	-melancholic
-choleric	-phlegmatic

Traits of character

-hard working -industrious -polite -shy -modest -quiet -calm -well-bred -sincere -straightforward -practical -tactful -obstinate -decisive -reserved -self-centered -ill-natured -unsociable -mean -lazy -impolite -heartless -unselfish -two-faced -indecisive

-frank -honest -kind -kind-hearted -open-hearted -good-natured -sociable -easy-going -cheerful -rude -coarse -snobbish -ambitious -naughty -unbalanced -ill-bred -insincere -discrete -naïve -cruel -sadistic -thick-skinned -careless -unpractical -impudent

-generous -reliable -patient -tolerant -talkative -touchy -hypersensitive -selfish -careful -courageous -brave -wicked -self-assured -arrogant -sullen -boring -greedy -dishonest -unreliable -impatient -intolerant -boastful -tactless -violent

Characteristics of a man

-friend in need -heart of gold -chameleon -chatterbox -strong personality -a man of character

-fair-weather friend -snob -traitor -the strong, silent type -weak personality - a man of no character

Disposition/Attitude

-friendly -welcoming -warm -attentive -considerate -sympathetic -worthy -positive -optimistic -energetic

-unfriendly -hostility -inattentive -indifferent -unsympathetic -unworthy -negative -pessimistic -passive -to praise

-to appreciate -to value -to trust -to rely -to accept -to boast -to complain -to judge -to let down -to reject

Intellectual ability

-intelligent -bright -smart -clever -witty -wise -brainy -broad-minded

-gifted -talented -progressive -unintelligent -dull -foolish -silly

-stupid -unwise -brainless -narrow-minded -untalented -dogmatic -half-witted

Other topical terminology

-to be like -to have a reputation of -to have a tendency to -lack of respect (for) -lack of confidence

-to take after someone -to take life as it comes There is a touch of the… about him/her There is something…about him/her

Show the difference in meaning between these sets of adjectives by placing them in the correct position on the scale.

a. clever, silly, crazy, wise;

b. violent, quiet, shy, irritated;

c. hard-working, lazy, passive, studious;

d. polite, rude, impolite, good-mannered;

e. active, passive, energetic, indifferent;

f. cold, angry, friendly, open-hearted;

g. arrogant, modest, shy, snobbish;

h. talkative, boastful, sullen, reserved;

State which characteristics can be considered as positive or negative.

i. naïve-cunning; + -

j. thrifty-mean;

k. self-assured-eccentric;

l. frank-abrupt;

m. inquiring-inquisitive;

n. ambitious-bossy

Define the type of a person being described.

a) a person who is always cheerful, confident, positive and optimistic;

b) a person who is irritable, hasty in all his/her actions, inclined to anger;

c) a person who is a great and heavy thinker;

d) a person who is cold, indifferent, not easily excited into a passion;

4. How do you qualify a person who is:

	independent	a)	Enjoys meeting people and making new friends.
	sociable	b)	Decides things for himself, doesn’t ask people for help or advice.
	emotional	c)	Often gives friends gifts and enjoys spending money on other people.
	generous	d)	Whether he is excited or sad, he shows his feelings very easily.
	impatient	e)	Has a very high opinion of himself.
	arrogant	f)	Doesn’t like to wait for anything.
	unbalanced	g)	Loses his/her temper quickly.
	knowledgeable	h)	Reads a lot and knows much about the world.
	touchy	i)	Can’t keep a secret.
	boastful	j)	Is easily hurt.

Explain the meaning of the following.

- a friend in need;

- a fair-weather friend;

- a heart of gold;

- a chameleon;

- a man of character;

- a man of no character;

- a chatterbox;

Translate into Russian.

1.It was like her to have deceived this person. 2. He proved to be a fair-weather friend. 3. As I listened to the judge my heart sank into my boots. 4. Your friend is not so simple as he appears. 5. You needn’t be too sure of winning the contest, you may be disappointed. 6. Don’t give me orders in a disagreeable manner. 7. She likes to praise her precious self and to find faults with everybody and everything around. 8. You needn’t be suspicious of people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. 9. They say a round chin suggests a very outgoing character. 10. I find it hard to get along with touchy people. 11. The way a person acts depends on his upbringing. 12. People get wiser as they get older. 13. Don’t expect your children to obey you. This is both unfair and unwise. 14. No wisdom like silence.

People born at different times of the year have different astrological signs. Do you know your sign? Look at the chart and find the adjectives describing the characteristics of yours. Do you think you are like your sign? Do you agree with the good and the bad points?

ARIES (21^st March – 20^th April): energetic, straightforward, brave, selfish, impatient, quick-tempered.

TAURUS (21^st April – 21^st March): patient, practical, fond of art, stubborn, lazy, fond of money.

GEMINI (22^nd May – 21^st June): clever, amusing, good at languages, unreliable, restless, superficial.

CANCER (22^nd June – 22^nd July): sensitive, cautious, home-loving, too emotional, moody, self-pitying.

LEO (23^rd July – 22^nd August): generous, broad-minded, good organizing, snobbish, fond of power, vain.

VIRGO (23^rd August – 22^nd September): quiet, tidy, independent, fussy, too critical, likely to worry.

LIBRA (23^rd September – 22^nd October): charming, tactful, peace-loving, not decisive, easily influenced, superficial.

SCORPIO (23^rd October – 22^nd November): passionate, determined, clever, jealous, stubborn, secretive.

SAGITTARIUS (23^rd November – 22^nd December): tolerant, sincere, cheerful, tactless, careless, noisy.

CAPRICORN (23^rd December – 20^th January): reliable, careful, patient, inflexible, pessimistic, mean.

AQUARIUS (21^st January – 18^th February): friendly, progressive, idealistic, odd, rebellious, unreliable.

PISCES (19^th February – 20^th March): emotional, sensitive, gentle, vague, easily confused, not practical.