Describing character

1. Opposite (using adjective of describe)
Positive                       Negative
warm/friendly             cold/unfriendly
kind                             unkind
nice, pleasant              horrible, unpleasant
generous                     mean (=never gives to others)
optimistic                   pessimistic (= thinks negatively)
cheerful                      miserable (= always seems unhappy)
(=happy and smiling)
relaxed                       tense (=nervous, worries a lot, not calm)
easy-going
strong                         weak
sensitive                    insensitive
honest                        dishonest

_ Jane is very tesnse at the moment because of her exams, but she's usually quite relaxed and easy-going about most things.
_ I think the weather influences me a lot; when it's sunny I feel more cheerful and optimistic; but when it's cold and raining I get very miserable.
_ He seemed a bit unfriendly at first, but kow I've got to know him I realise he's very warm and kind.
_ The shop assistant told me that the dress I tried on looked better on people younger than me. I thought that was very insensitive of her, but at least she was being honest, I suppose.

2. Character in action:
People often talk about qualities of character that you may need in a work situation.
Positive                      Negative
hard-working             lazy
punctual                     not very punctual, always late
reliable                      unreliable (cannot trust)
clever, bright             stupid, thick
ambitious                   unambitious (tham vong)
flexible                      inflexible

_ He is very shy (adj- e then, nhut nhat) when you first meet him because he finds it difficult to talk to people and make conversations; but when he knows people quite well he's much more self-confident.
_ People often say the British are very reserved (adj-danh truoc; kin dao, de dat), but when you get to know them they can be very emotional (adj- nhay cam, cam dong) like anyone else.

3. Using nouns:
Some important qualites are expressed through nouns
_ One of her great qualities is that she uses her initiative.
_ That boy has got no common sense. His sister, on the other hand, is very sensible.

How would you describe the person in each of these descriptions:
_ He never bought me a drink all the time we were together.
_ I have to tell her what to do every minute of the working day. She wouldn't even open a window without someone's permission.
_ He often promises to do things but half the time he forgets.
_ She's always here on time.
_ I don't think he's done any work since he's been here.
_ She finds it dificult to meet people and talk to strangers.
_ He could work in any of departments, and it doesn't matter to him if he's on his own or part of a team.
_ One of the great things about her is that she is so aware of what other people think or feel.
_ Bob, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He is always making people angry or upset because he just doesn't consider their feelings.
_ The other thing about Bob is that he really wants to get the suppervisor's job and then become boss for the whole department.