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Владимир Дмитриевич Аракин

sufficient information about the characters you speak about. Use the Topical Vocabulary and the Outline for a Character Sketch of Ex. 6.

M o d e l :

A: I want to tell you about Peter who is by far the most affable man from all I know. I can speak about him unreservedly. He is

honest and generous, he is a man of high morals. Moreover, he is everyone's favourite ....

B: I am not as enthusiastic about people as you are. I do not take people for what they look and sound. I try to size them up

according to their deeds. That's why I pass my judgement only on second thought. Very often some little things make us change our

opinion of a person for the worse ....

9. Speak about the most striking traits of people's characters. Consider the following:

1. Your favourite traits of character in a person.

2. The traits of character you detest.

3. Your own chief characteristics.

10. Read the following interview. The expressions in bold type show the way English people describe themselves and other matters. Note them

down. Be ready to act out the Interview in class.

TV interviewer: In this week's edition of "Up with People" we went into the streets and asked a number of people a question they

just didn't expect. We asked them to be self-critical ... to ask themselves exactly what they thought they lacked or — the other side of

the coin — what virtues they had. Here is what we heard.

Jane Smith: Wel ... I ... I don't know really ... it's not the sort of question you ask yourself directly. I know I'm good at my job ... at

least my boss calls me hard-working, conscientious, efficient. I am a secretary by the way. As for when I look at myself in a mirror as it

were ... you know ... you sometimes do in the privacy of your own bedroom ... or at your reflection in the ... in the shop window as you

walk up the street... Well... then I see someone a bit different. Yes ... I'm different in my private life. And that's probably, my main

fault I should say... I'm not exactly — Oh, how shall I say? — I suppose I'm not coherent in my behaviour ... My office is always in order

... but my flat! Well... you'd have to see it to believe it.

Charles Dimmock: Well ... I'm retired, you know. Used to be a secondary school teacher. And ... I think I've kept myself... yes, I've

kept myself respectable — that's the word I'd use — respectable and dignified the whole of my life. I've tried to help those who

depended on me. Perhaps you might consider me a bit of a fanatic about organization and discipline — self-discipline comes first —

and all that sort of thing. But basically I'm a good chap ... not two polemic ... fond of my wife and family ... That's me.

Arthur Fuller: Well... when I was young I was very shy. At times I ... I was very unhappy ... especially when I was sent to boarding-

school at seven. I didn't make close friends till ... till quite late in life ... till I was about... what... fifteen. Then I became quite good at

being myself. I had no one to rely on ... and no one to ask for advice. That made me independent ... and I've always solved my