CHARACTER

In the way of social intercourse personal characteristics are surely much more
important than appearance. We are commonly brought up to be amiable and courteous so
that to get on well with other people, determined and ambitious to succeed in future.
There exist many stereotypes concerning certain professional traits. Teachers, for
example, are considered to be intelligent, broad-minded and considerate. But you can
sometimes meet unscrupulous, irresponsible and arrogant people who are not always fair-
minded.
Each epoch has its philosophy and thus standardized models of behaviour.
Some centuries ago women were shy, modest and obedient. Nowadays they are more
emancipated and tend to be extroverted, optimistic and showy. The mass culture, which
is popular now, makes people rather outgoing but at the same time rude, cheeky and cruel.
Modem humanistic conceptions are quite a challenge for parents: you have to be
lenient, tactful and patient to your child, even if it is incredibly tainted.
There are many factors which influence the character: the age, the upbringing, the
lifestyle, the level of training and even the nationality. Ukrainians are considered to be
hospitable, thrifty and level-headed, Americans - status-conscious and considerate,
Englishmen - reserved and refined.
There are many psychological tests to define what a person is like. One of them is the
colour test. So, if you prefer the green colour you are probably sociable, capable and
adventurous. Calm and responsible people prefer blue, light-hearted and impressionable
ones like red these are also very enthusiastic and inquiring.
It is difficult but possible to change one’s character. Behaving in a proper way you
acquire a habit of positive thinking which makes you more rational and thoughtful.

TALKING POINTS,
1. What kind of person can you associate with wind/sun/night/twilight?
(e.g. I guess, a self-assured, ambitious, enthusiastic, adventurous person
can be associated with wind.)
2. What differences can you trace between English and Maths teachers?
4. What do the people with the following characteristics usually/never do?
 creative;
 generous;
 reserved;
 ambitious;
 responsible;
 polite;
 showy.
(e.g. People who are creative can write original compositions. They often have mood
swings as well.
 CHARACTER
qualities are usually referred to as personality / character
/one's nature

VOCABULARY BUILDING...with your partner choose one line of

synonyms/antonyms to explore; find an individual who exhibits those
characteristics and present your findings in the next class meeting.
example: nice, sweet, pleasant, engaging nasty, unpleasant,
disagreeable, surly
She gave birth to a daughter the baby was the light of her life now
[engaging]

kind, kind-hearted, considerate, opposites: unkind, ruthless, abusive

thoughtful nice, sweet, pleasant,
engaging charming, gracious, relaxed,
easy-going friendly, cheerful, good-
natured, cordial, sociable helpful,
supportive, cooperative, appreciative
sympathetic, thoughtful, humane,
compassionate generous, benevolent,
unselfish tactful, discreet, diplomatic,
courteous gentle, peaceful, serene,
placid, content, calm lenient, forgiving,
tolerant, patient broad-minded,
receptive, fair, understanding
reasonable, sensible, prudent, rational,
logical flexible, adaptable, yielding,
accommodating
hasty, unpleasant, disagreeable, surly
rude, offensive, revolting, repulsive
unfriendly, distant, reserved impeding,
hindering, obstructive thoughtless,
unfeeling, brutal, cruel selfish, self-
centered, stingy, greedy tactless, blunt,
rude, gruff, irritating aggressive,
offensive, disagreeable, impatient, strict,
stern, intolerant, unyielding biased,
narrow-minded, prejudiced
unreasonable, ridiculous, irrational,
foolish stubborn, obstinate, unyielding,
inflexible

LEARNING NEW VOCABULARY...while you are reading, you need to

understand vocabulary, but you do not need to look up every new word. You
might be able to use context clues, break words apart by thinking about prefixes,
suffixes or root words, and build synonym families. Play ODD MAN OUT...which
word doesn't "fit"....tell why it doesn't belong with the others:
1. sociable shy extrovert outgoing chatterbox amusing popular confident talkative
2. industrious adventurous energetic ambitious indifferent eager active diligent
3. absurd practical reasonable clever rational logical sensible sound
4. reliable dependable conscientious negligent consistent responsible careful
5. interesting dull appealing beneficial perceptive absorbing advantageous
intriguing
6. organized untidy planned systematic orderly shipshape methodical precise
7. reserved modest cautious uninhibited bashful demure formal restrained
8. talented intelligent artistic eloquent beleaguered clever apt capable skillful