Lesson goal: Students can describe people's character in detail, soften criticism politely and make deductions about personality from behaviour.
Add the lesson to get your own copies of the word set and exercises; the lesson opens in the builder, where you can adjust the steps and teach it.
Lesson plan
- 1
Warm-up
Questions to get the student talking and lead into the topic.
- Which three adjectives would your friends use to describe you?
- Are you more like your mother or your father in character?
- What quality do you value most in a friend?
- 2
New words
Meet the words and practise them in games.
Find the matchWheel of fortunereliable · ambitious · generous · stubborn · sensitive · self-confident · outgoing · reserved · easy-going · patient · arrogant · considerate · moody · bossy · trustworthy
All words in the set - 3
Exercises
The lesson's words in context. Only you see the answers.
- Fill the gap
She hardly ever talks about herself — she's quite ___.
Answer: reserved - Fill the gap
My flatmate tells everyone what to do. He's so ___!
Answer: bossy - Fill the gap
It was very ___ of you to turn the music down while I was sleeping.
Answer: considerate - Fill the gap
Tom hasn't said a word all evening. He ___ (must / feel) shy with so many new people.
Answer: must be feeling / must feel - Fill the gap
She gave all her birthday money to charity, so she ___ (can't / be) as selfish as people say.
Answer: can't be / cannot be - Multiple choice
Which is the most polite way to say that someone is arrogant?
He isn't always the most modest person.He's really arrogant.He's arrogant all the time. - Multiple choice
Someone who is cheerful one minute and angry the next is ...
moodyeasy-goingpatientreliable - True / false
Read: "When I first met Leo, I thought he was arrogant because he hardly spoke to anyone at the party. Later I realised he was just reserved. Now he's one of my closest friends: he never forgets a birthday and always turns up when he says he will." The writer's first impression of Leo was correct.
Answer: False - True / false
Read the text again. Leo is reliable.
Answer: True - Discussion question
Describe someone you know well. What are they like, and what do they do that shows their character?
Sample answer: My best friend Olga is outgoing and very generous. She's the kind of person who remembers everyone's birthday and always brings a present. She can be a bit stubborn — once she's decided something, nobody can change her mind — but she's completely trustworthy.
- Fill the gap
- 4
Speaking
The student answers using the new words.
- Can people change their personality, or only their behaviour?
- Is it better to be outgoing or reserved in a job interview?
- Which personality traits matter most for a teacher, a doctor and a manager?
- Are first impressions usually right? Give an example.
- Is it ever good to be stubborn?
- 5
Review
A quiz on the lesson's words. With a student, it's homework on their link.
Quiz