1A Vocabulary and Speaking Personality adjectives and fixed expressions

• Personality: compound adjectives, fixed expressions
• I can use compound adjectives to talk about personality.

What makes us tick? Four things that define who we are

How well do we know ourselves? Do we understand what makes us tick? Take a moment to stop and think about the things that define us.

• INTERESTS
• Some people easily pursue their passions.
• They’ve always been wild about reading or football.
• But what if we are not really sure what our thing is?
• Maybe we could think about the times in the last few weeks when we have felt absorbed by something, or remember the things we used to get a kick out of when we were children.
• They might turn into a lifelong hobby or even a career.
• VALUES
• What values do we set great store by?
• Do we prize spontaneity or stability?
• Are we rather laid-back or strong-willed?
• How crucial is commitment?
• How highly do we rate tactfulness over frankness?
• When we know this, we can consider whether the choices we make are in line with these values.
• POSSESSIONS
• What kind of car would we ideally plump for?
• Maybe we always buy the same type of phone?
• These sorts of decisions can also say a lot about us.
• Or maybe we are not that into possessions themselves, but have a small collection of items with real sentimental value.
• The things we surround ourselves with can also define us, which is why we might find new friends checking out our books or photograph collection.
• CIRCLE
• Who do we choose to spend time with?
• Our ‘circle’ is a key part of our identity.
• We like hanging out with like-minded people.
• If you haven’t found your circle yet, be more open-minded – get out there, try some new things and meet some new people.
• When we know these things, it’s easier to be ourselves and to find careers and the circle that we really click with.

Personality adjectives and compound adjectives

Which aspects of identity are shown in photos A–D? Listen to three people being asked to describe themselves. What aspects of their identity does each person mention?

In pairs, decide which adjectives in the box describe each speaker from Exercise 1.

Build compound adjectives from two boxes

Now build compound adjectives from two small word boxes.

Match the words from box A with the words from box B to make compound adjectives.

Compound adjectives: one idea, more than one word

• There are many possible ways of forming compound adjectives:
• adjective + adjective, e.g., red-hot
• adverb + adjective, e.g., hard-working, forward-looking
• noun + adjective, e.g., lifelong, world-famous
• adjective + noun, e.g., full-time, cutting-edge
• adjective + gerund, e.g., good-looking
• adverb + past participle, e.g., highly strung
• noun + gerund, e.g., eye-catching
• noun + past participle, e.g., olive oil-based
• prefix + adjective, e.g., underconfident, overcooked

From values to adjectives and nouns

The article’s value words can become adjectives, and adjectives can become nouns.

Why is it important to get to know yourself?

Find five nouns in the text that describe different values and form adjectives from them.

passion – passionate

Make nouns from the adjectives in the box.

Fixed expressions: say what you love, value and choose

Look at the highlighted expressions again and complete the questions with no more than four words in each gap.

Would you ___ a day out or a day in bed?

Can your clothes ___ you?

What cartoon characters were you ___ as a kid?