WNIT § Describing People 221 a) Look at the photo, then listen to the cassette and label the children with their names ~ Martin, Ravi and Alex. b) Listen to the cassette again and match the personal qualities to the children’s names. Write M (for Martin), R (for Ravi) and A (for Alex). Finally, use your answers and the photograph to describe each person, 1 naughty (_] 3 funny [_] 5 well-behaved {| 2 dever [ ] 4 quit CJ 6 spony = [| ‘A descriptive essay about a person should consis of: ) an introduction in which you give general information about the person, saying when, where and how you first met them; 'b) main body in which you describe their physical appearance, personal qualities ‘and hobbies/interests. You start a new paragraph for each topic; ©) conclusion in which you wnte your comments andior feelings about the person, * When describing someone you know welt or see otten (ie. a friend, a neighbour, etc), you shoul use present tenses. When describing someone who is no longer alive, or someone you knew a long time ago and you do nat see any more, you should use past tenses. * Descriptions of people can be found in articles letters, narratives, etc. The writing style you use depends on the situation and the intended reader. For example, if you are writing an article for a magazine, you should use semi-formal syle and a polit, respectful tone. 2 Read the rubric and underline the key words, then answer the questions. ‘The editor of your school magazine has requested articles for a special issue about friendship. You have been invited to write a short article about a close friend of yours. Write your article describing the person's appearance, Personality and hobbies/interests. 1 Which of the following would you use? Tick (¥) or cross (X) passive voice __, colloquial language __, abbreviations __, linking words __, complex sentences __ 2 What tenses should you mainly use? A past tenses B present tenses Which of the following people should you not describe and why? A historical figure C your best friend B a film star D_ your nursery schoo! teacher 4 Tnwhich paragraph should you say when, where and how you first met your friend? 3 In which paragraph should you include your comments andior feelings aboot your friend? 6 Which of the following main topics must you include? Tick (7). ‘A details about higher school timetable [] qualifications. [~] B physical appearance & clothes [ E hobbiesiinterests [—] € details about your friend’shouse — []_—F personality [7] ” Paragraph 1 name of the person ‘when, where and how you first met him/her Paragraph 2 physical appearance {facial features & clothes) Paragraph 3 personal quaities and iustiication(s\/examples Paragraph 4 hobbies/interests Conclusion Paragraph 5 comments & feelings about the personUnit 6 Describing People 3 a) Use the points below to complete the table, then make sentences about your family members. fantastic sense of humour, sailing, painting, good-looking, immature, great sense of style, scuba diving, oulgoing, olive skin, curly dark hair, casual clothes, friendly, wary hair, pale complerion, nude, lazy, pointed nose, shoulderlengeh hair, tall, slim, of medium height, ‘generous, popular, skiing, boss, attractive, plump, rafiing appearance personal qualities PARAS PARAS PARA? e.g. My mother has a fantastic sense of humour. My brother likes sailing a lo. b) Read the article and label the paragraphs with the headings below, then replace the topic sentences with other appropriate ones. hhobbiesiineresis, name & when'whereiow met, commentsjeelings, physical appearance & clothes, personal qualities A Close Friend by Jim White Jacques has been my close friend for two years. I Para 1 first met him on a school exchange trip to Calais, name & wien! France. 1 asked him the way to the library and we yerethow met started talking. We've been friends ever since, Jacques is quite good-looking. He’s tall and slim, para 2 with olive skin and curly dark hair. Like many French people, he has a great sense of style, so he always Jooks well-dressed even in casual clothes. Jacques is very outgoing. He is always friendly and loves to have fun, He's got a fantastic sense of Parad humour and he always makes me laugh, However, he °-==="= can be a bit immature at times. For example, when he doesn’t get what he wants, he ucts childishly and stamps his feet. Tacques is very keen on watersports. He likes sailing and he spends alt of time on his boat. He enjoys scuba diving, too, and loves exploring life under the sea. Al in all, 'm glad to have Jacques as my friend. para 5 It's a pleasure to be with him and I really enjoy his company. 'm sure we'll always be close friends, '* When you describe someone's physical appearance you start with the general features (i.e. height, build, age) and move on to the more specific ones, such as hair, eyes, nose, etc, You can also add a description of the clothes the person likes to wear. eg. Laura is a tall, slim woman In her early twenties. She has {got red hair, green eyes and freckles. She usually wears ‘smart suits. '* When you describe someone's personal qualities you should support your description with examples andior justifications. eg. Wayne Is very shy. For ‘example, he finds it dificult to make new friends. You can also desoribe someone's personality through their mannerisms by: 4) referring to the way they speak ‘2.9, He speaks in a soft voice as ithe were whispering. ') descrioing he gestures they use ¢.9.She constantly uses her ‘hands when she speaks. ‘¢) mentioning @ particular habit they have, ‘2g Jason always bites his nails ‘when he is nervous. Note: When you mention someone's negative qualities you should use mild language (seems to, can be rather, etc). For example, instead of saying Paul is lazy, it is better to say Paul can be rather lazy at times. 4 Read the article in 3b) again and circle the adjectives) phrases used to describe Jacques’ physical appearance and personality. Does Jacques hhave any negative qualities? Does the writer deseribe any of Jacques’ mannerisms? 4Unit 6 Describing People i and, with, who LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES 2 Jenny is a pretty child vememunnn Will Soon be eight years old. She is | quite tall for her age, long curly hair, big almond-shaped | | ia make your piece of writing more interesting, you can use a variely of EVES snenenenn Wide smile, linking words and phrases to join = - eres a ane ‘sontences or ideas together. as well as, alo, both She's got | .» cheerful and friendly. She is polite | Joyce has gored hair and freckes. a0 kind-hearted. She never says a bad word about anyone. | David is a tall man. He isin his i es a late forties. however, and, also David is a tall man who isin his late fortes. 4 Carl is very intelligent Bridget is an attractive woman. eerie ‘She's got shoulder length hair. Bridget is an attractive woman uth shoulder length har. She is tll. Shes thin, She is both tall and thin. © You can join descriptions of similar personal qualities by using in addition, also, and, moreover, eto eg. She is cheerful. She is always smiling. She always behaves patty. She Is cheerful and is always smiling. Moreover, she always behaves politely. * You can join descriptions of contrasting qualities by using but, on the other hand, however, a red/ blonde (QD hair nevertheless, etc b_ blue /(Gowny green eves eg. He is clever and always does well ¢ pointed /@nally big nose at school. He can be bossy at times. He is clever and always does well at school. However, he 3 Helen is .. always gels fantastic marks in all his creative and likes to write short stories. . Cat! is rather shy and feels uncomfortable speaking in front. | of alot of people slim / medium / heavy bu b young / middle-aged / ek ¢ scar / beard / moustache can be bossy at tines. he b wavy /curly / straight hair 5 in the gaps with the a si € fait /pale / dark correct linking word/phrase rom the list below. ‘and, but, with 1. Bob i a tall man in his late twenties dark hair and brown eyes, He has a beard vw he hasn't got a moustache. He likes wearing jeans, T-shirts trainers. rane pe short / average height / tall dimples / glasses / beard € sportswear / business clothes / casually dressed ‘a short/long shoulder-Jength hair b tanned / pale / olive skin ¢_friondly / aggressive / rude expresUnit 6 Describing People b) Deseribe the people in the pictures using a variety of structures and linking words. 1. Susie has dark hair, brown eyes and a small nose, 7 Match the adjectives to their Juslifications. Then, use your answers to talk about your friends andjor relatives, as in the example, Adjectives i 1 generous 7 impatient 2 talkative 8 popular 3. energetic 9 cheerful 4 intelligent 10. azy 5 bossy 11 welkdressed 6 rade 12 selfish Justifications B [7] always buys family presents doesn’t like working. always tells people what to do ‘wears smart clothes oT | c {d [e]_] isn’t polite to other people F[_] does well at schoo! 8 h i lil k i is very active cares only about hinvherself never stops chatting hates waiting for anything always smiles is liked by everyone sister isa generous person who always buys her family presents. 6 Rick is 8 Complete these descriptions using the adjectives in the list. ‘moody, energetic, generous, cheerful, lazy, impatient, aggressive, selfish Tom iS nnn se « Whenever be visits us he brings flowers and gifts for the children, Susan is = When she gets angry she starts shouting and bangs her fist on the table. PAIL inn When he has to wait for anything he constantly looks at his watch. Aliso 5 She hardly ever gets tired and is enthusiastic about everything. My aunt Betty i. She is always in a good mood and smiles a lot. sone « He doesn't like working or doing sports. He would rather sit around and watch TV all day. Angela is : She doesn't like sharing her toys with other children, Wanda is. sews One minute she is happy and the next she is sad and won't talk to anyone, 9 Read the paragraphs below and cross out the unnecessary words, as in the example, What is each paragraph about? How does the writer justify Megan's description? What examples of her mannerisms does the writer give? in oe Megan isa very cheerful Jn little girl who is always happy and smiling. However, she can to be a bit shy at times, Whenever she will meets new people she blushes then looks down at the floor, Megan loves doing the puzzles. Nothing makes her the happier than spending much hours putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together.Unit 6 Describing People 10 Read the topic sentences, then write appropriate supporting sentences, as in the example. eg My grandmother isa very kind hearted person. She cares about everyone she meets, aad she is always ready to help some: one in trouble. 1 Our teacher is quite handsome. [ike my five-year-old cousin, but he can be very naughty. 3. My friend, Jackie, is ve 4 My neighbour, Mrs Gray, takes good care of herself. 5 My sister's friend, Simon, loves adventure and dangerous sports, 14 a) Read the rubric and underline the key words. Then, read the ‘composition and put the paragraphs into the correct order. Your teacher has asked you to write a composition describing a person who once helped you. Write your composition, describing the person's appearance, personal qualities, mannerisms and hobbies/interests. [A] In her spare time, Ruth liked to read. She loved detective stories and crime novels, and she used to bring me many of her favourite books to read. | remember she also spoke about the karate lessons she went to twice a week [B]_] 1 first met Ruth when | was in hospital in Melboume about three years: ago. | was there on holiday, but had become seriously ill. Ruth was the patient in the next bed. She not only kept me company the whole time | was in hospital, but also visited me for many weeks after she recovered fram her ‘own illness. [C|_} When | retumed to England, we kept in touch by letter. Then, about a year ago, Ruth got @ new job and moved to another part of Australia. Sadly, ‘we have lost touch with each other, but! will never forget her kindness and help. [D[_| Ruth had a quiet but very friendly nature. She was generous as well as kind-hearted. Whenever she visited me she always brought flowers and chocolates. She talked in a low voice because she was rather shy. She also blushed very easily, although she had a great sense of humour. IE |_|] Ruth was pretty. She was tall fairy slim and in her mid-teens then. She had a small pretty face, with smiling eyes and long straight brown hair. She liked to dress casually in bright, colourful clothes which matched her ‘sunny personality,Unit 6 Describing People b) Have all the points in the rubric been included in the composition? ©) Which tenses have been used? Why? 4) Underline the linking words! phrases used in the main body paragraphs. ©) What mannerisms does the writer describe in the composition? f) Underline the topic sentences and replace them with the ‘ones below. 1 Ruth's favourite pastime was reading 2. Ruth was a gentle and affectionate person, 3 Ruth was quite attractive 12. Read the rubric and underline the key words, then answer the questions, I You have seen the following advertisement in your local newspaper: Write your article describing his/ her appearance, personal qualities andor mannerisms and hobbiesiinterests. (120 - 180 words) Introduction 4) Which of the following people would not be a suitable subject for this article? i) a school friend ii) a relative iii) someone you work with }) What style should you use? ©) Which tenses should you use? Why? 4) Read the following topics and decide which ones you would include in your article. Then use them to complete the plan below, as in the example, the person's address © your comments/feelings higher hobbies/interests © description of the person's house description of hisiher appearance © description of hisher personality/ description of hiyher job ‘mannerisms name, when/where/how met ‘name: Julia Stevens when met: 2 years ago © where met: at work show met: while having a lunch break inthe canteen g & Para 5 13 Read the rubric in Ex. 12 again and write your article (120-180 words). Use the plan and your answers from Ex. 12 to help you,