English Vocabulary Organiser Describing people

9 General appearance"

1 He's quite a big guyMatch the pairs of sentences with the pictures on the right:

1. He isn't very tall.He's short and stocky.

2. She's tall and slim.She's got a lovely figure.

a. b. c.

3. He's quite a big guy.He's quite well-built.

4. She's a bit overweight.She's quite plump, isn't she?

6. He's very thin.He's so skinny.

d~ 'M f.

5. He's very fat.He's absolutely enormous.

Slim is more positive and attractive than thin. Skinny is negative. If somebody is skinny, they are toothin. Saying that somebody is overweight or plump is more polite than saying they're fat.

2 A small, slim, blue-eyed blondeLook at the following extracts of written language and match them to their sources below:

a. rl ------------------------------, b.Small, slim, blue-eyedblonde, GSH, early 30'sWLTM hunky male 28-38for fun and friendship. Callme on 09765-567892.

The first man was small and wiry, withsharp, strong features. Behind him walkedhis opposite, a huge man, with wideshoulders; and he walked heavily, dragginghis feet a little, the way a bear drags hispaws.

c.The police are looking for a man ofaverage height and medium buildin his mid-twenties. He was lastseen wearing a dark green or greyanorak.

The tallest man in medical historyis Robert Pershing Wadlow whowas born on 22nd February 1918in Illinois, USA, and who died on15th July 1940 in Michigan. Hewas last measured on 27th June1940 and was found to be 272cmtall.

d.

1. An extract from a novel.2. An extract from a newspaper report.3. An extract from the Guinness Book of Records.4. An advertisement in a lonely hearts section of a newspaper.

What do you think WLTM and GSH mean?

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Describing people EnglishVocabulary Organiser

3 Adjective + noun collocationsUse these collocations in the sentences below:

long nails bad skinbig feet deep voicelovely complexion long legshairy chest thin legs

1. Size12! Are these your shoes? You've gotreally , haven't you?

2. You've got such Would youlike to move the seat back a bit?

3. I've never seen you in shorts before. You'vegot such . . . . . . . . . .. . You should gorunning and try to build up them up a bit!

4. My boyfriend's got a really .It's like being with a gorilla.

S. You've got such lovely .Are they real?

6. He's got such a . . . . . . . . . .. . I find it verysexy when he speaks to me on the phone.

7. Keith's new girlfriend must spend a fortuneon face cream to have such a .

8. Poor Tim. He's had really eversince he was 13.

4 Order of adjectivesPut these descriptions in the correct order:1. He's a . . .. . man with .

· hair. (short, tall, fair, good-looking)2. She's a . . . . . .. . woman with

· hair. (tall, long, thin)3. I've got. . . . .. . ..... hair and I'm tall

and very. . . . .. . (thin, straight, black)4. She's very with a .

tan and . . . . . .. . hair.(blonde, lovely, good-looking, long)

S. I wouldn't describe my husband as .· and ! Short, overweight,and going thin on top is more accurate!(handsome, dark, tall)

5 Distinguishing featuresMatch the sentences with the pictures:1. The accident left a scar on his forehead.2. He's got a birthmark on his head.3. I've just had a tattoo done.4. He's got a mole on his back.

How tall are you?Do you have any distinguishing features?Try to think of a famous person who is:

tall and thinshort and stockyabsolutely enormous.

Add your own words and expressions

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EnglishVocabulary Organiser Describing people

13 Adjectives to describe people1 That was a silly thing to doUse these pairs of adjectives in the sentences:

wise / sensible careless / sillyhorrible / nasty strange / funny

1. I locked my keys in the house this morning.>That was a very ..... / ..... thing to do.

2. I gave my neighbours' little boy some moneyfor his holidays and his parents took it fromhim!> Really? What a ..... / ..... thing to do.

3. I'm thinking of getting myself a privatepenslOn.> Good idea. That's a very ..... / .....thing to do.

4. They've been married for 25 years and thenone day she just walked out and never cameback.> Really? What a ..... / ..... thing to do!

2 It's very brave of youMatch the beginnings and endings of the followingsentences:

1. It was a bit cheeky of you2. It's very brave of you3. It was very generous of you4. It was very clever of yous. It was a bit dishonest of you

a. to finish this crossword so quickly.b. not to tell them they'd given you too much

change.c. to go to India on your own.d. to ask the teacher how old she is.e. to pay for all the drinks.

Now complete the following dialogues with thephrases below:

very kind very tactfula bit clumsy very rude

6. I invited Sue and Gerry for dinner. Theyturned up an hour and a half late and didn'teven apologise!> Really, that was of them,wasn't it?

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7. Sarah spilt coffee all over the carpet. It madea terrible mess.> Oh dear. That was ofher, wasn't it?

8. Mary knew how busy I was, so she offeredto collect the kids from school for me.> That was of her.

9. Sue said she had a headache, but she knewthat Chris, her first husband, was going tobe at the party.> That was of her. Itwould have been very embarrassing if she'dturned up.

3 Aren't you being a bit selfish?Complete the following dialogues with the wordsbelow:

fussypessimistic

pushyintolerant

selfishoptimistic

1. I know I'm going to get this job - theinterview went so well.> I think you're being a bit .Hundreds of people have applied for it.

2. I'm trying to persuade Liz to give up her joband come and live with me in Scotland.> Aren't you being a bit ?You know how important her career is.

3. I've looked at fifteen flats and I haven't seenone I really like.> Don't you think you're being a bit............. ? You'll never find onethat's perfect.

4. Why haven't they phoned me back? I knowI'm not going to get this job.> Aren't you being a bit ?You only had the interview yesterday.

s. Do you think Ann will come on holida y withme?> Slow down! You've only just met her!Aren't you being a bit ?

6. I hope Bob doesn't become manager. I don'tlike his accent.> Don't you think you're being a bit............. ? You can't dislike himjust because of the way he speaks!

Describing people EnglishVocabulary Organiser

Add your own words and expressions

4 WordbuildingComplete the following sentences with a nounformed from the adjective at the end of eachsentence:

1. Thousands would have died in last year'sfamine in Ethiopia, if it wasn't for the••• a ••••••••• of ordinary people.(generous)

2. They've always shown me great .(kind)

3. The theatre's sent me tickets for the wrongday again. I can't believe their. . . . . . . .. .(careless)

4. Considering how ill I've been, I thought myboss would show a bit more .(sympathetic)

5. She handled the situation very well. Sheshowed great . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .(sensitive)

6. You've been such a great help. I'd like tobuy you dinner as an expression of my

(grateful)

7. I do wish those children would show a littlemore sometimes.(patient)

8. He just told me to shut up and walked off.I've never known such. . . . . . . . . .. .(rude)

9. You don't like him because of his accent?You could show a bit more .sometimes.(tolerant)

10. I think one day we might doubt the........... of this decision.(wise)

Did you notice how many of these words wereused with the verb show? Go back and underlinethe show + noun expressions.

5 What a nasty thing to sayWhich words·fit in the two examples below?

lllce nastylovelyunkindrudehorrible

meansweetkindspiteful

1. He said I was fat.> Really? What a(n) ..... thing to say.

2. I can't believe you're forty-five. You lookmuch younger than that.> What a ..... thing to say. Thank you.

6 Don't be so impatientComplete the following sentences with the wordsbelow. Then add the comments at the end.

nosey pessimisticimpatient childish

1. Haven't you finished? Come on! Hurry up!I've got to go out in ten minutes.> Oh, don't be so !

2. How much do you earn?> Don't be so !

3. Well, if you won't let me watch what I wantto watch, I'm not doing the washing up.> Oh, don't be so !

4. I know I won't get this job. I don't know whyI bothered applying.> Don't be so !

a. Why don't you grow up?b. I've only got one pair of hands!c. Why not look on the bright side?d. It's none of your business!

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English Vocabulary Organiser Feelings and emotions

14 Feelings and emotions1 Basic vocabulary 1Match the situations with the feelings below:

1. I didn't understand any of the questions.2. A huge dog came running towards me.3. We're taking the kids to the zoo on Saturday.4. I've got my driving test tomorrow.5. I've been up since half past five.6. I forgot my Dad's birthday again.7. My Mum and Dad arrived at the club and

started dancing!8. You only say you don't like Steve because

you haven't got a boyfriend.

a. I'm starting to feel really tired.b. You're just jealous.c. I was really scared.d. I was really confused.e. I feel so guilty.f. I'm really nervous.g. They're really excited.h. I was so embarrassed.

2 Basic vocabulary 2Now do the same with these situations:

1. I can't believe I got so drunk.2. I didn't expect the film to be so violent.3. Why didn't you phone to say you'd be late?4. There's a huge spider in the bath!s. They talked about computers all evening.6. I got the results back from the hospital today.

They're negative, thank goodness!·7. When my daughter became a doctor, I was

really pleased.8. She came home to find we'd organised a big

party for her.

a. I'm really frightened of them.b. I felt so proud.c. We were very worried.d. I was so bored.e. I'm so relieved.f. She was so surprised.g. I feel so ashamed.h. I was quite shocked by it.

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3 Moods and feelingsUse the correct form of these verbs in thesituations below:

show hide get be (2)1. If you love Kay, you've got to tell her. Don't

. your feelings from her.2. Why you in such a bad mood today?

Have I upset you?3. Ann's a very emotional person. She isn't

afraid to her feelings in public.4. I've mixed feelings about leaving. I'll

be glad to say goodbye to this place, butI'll miss all my friends.

5. You seem to ..... in a good mood thismorning! Have you won the lottery?

Now go back and underline the completeexpressions.

If someone is a bit moody or in a funny mood,they are not very happy.

4 'Get' + feeling'Get' is a common verb to use with emotions. Usethe correct form of these expressions:

get a bit tired get a bit worriedget really excited get boredget nervous get a bit confusedget really jealous get embarrassed

1. My boyfriend doesn't like it if I speak toother boys when we're out. He .

2. Lisa said she'd be home by eleven. I'mbeginning to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

3. Can't we go out and do something? I'm. just watching TV.

4. Shall we stop and have a rest soon? I'm

s. We're taking the children camping nextweekend. They're about it.

6. Don't keep asking him about his girlfriend.Can't you see he's ?

7. These instructions aren't easy to follow. I'm

8. I've got my driving test next month. I'malready about it.

Feelings and emotions EnglishVocabulary Organiser

Add your own words and expressions

5 Extreme feelingsComplete the followingwords:

dialogues with these

amazedexhaustedstunned

disgustedhorrifiedterrified

1. You must have been quite frightened whenthe pilot announced that he was going toland in Kuwait.> I was absolutely. . . . . . . . . .. .

2. Did you say you saw people in the sea?> Yes! In the middle of winter! I wasabsolutely. . . . . . . . . . .. .

3. What a long day! You must be tired.> I'm absolutely. . . . . . . . . .. .

4. Did you see the news last night? Englishfootball fans in trouble again! I don't knowwhat they're thinking about.> Yes, I was absolutely I justdon't understand why they have to do it.

S. I hear Tony's just lost his job. How's hetaking it?> He was absolutely. . . . . . . . . .. . Hethought he had a job for life.

6. Did you read about the murder of thatlittle girl?> Yes, I think the whole country is .that that sort of thing can happen.

6 Dependent prepositionsComplete the following sentences with theseprepositions:

by about of1. I'm afraid .... dogs.2. I'm really nervous .... the test tomorrow.3. You should be ashamed yourself.4. There's nothing to worry .s. It took me .... surprise.

6. Well done! We're so proud .... you.7. I'm tired .... doing the same thing day after

day. I need a change.8. I was quite shocked .... the way he reacted.9. I wish I hadn't been so horrible to Ruth now.

I feel really guilty .... it.

7 I couldn't believe my eyesUse these expressions in the situations below:

a. I can't be bothered.b. I went bright red.c. I was scared stiff.d. I can't wait.e. I couldn't believe my eyes.

1. You're off to the Caribbean tomorrow, aren'tyou?> Yes, I'm so excited. . .

2. I hear you spilled your coffee all over thetable at the meeting yesterday.> Yeah! I was so embarrassed .

3. Are you going to fill in that job applicationthis evening?> No, I'm too tired.

4. A cow in the garden! You must have been abit surprised.> I was .

s. The snake you're holding in this photo isenormous. Weren't you frightened?> Yes, I was .

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EnglishVocabulary Organiser The human body

22 The senses1 Basic vocabularyMatch the five senses with the pictures:

sight hearing

2.

2 Senses as nounsMatch the two parts of these sentences:

1. I love the sound of2. I hate the smell of3. I hate the taste of4. I love the feel of5. I love the sight ofa. cheap aftershave.b. birds singing outside my window.c. my own home when I'm back from holiday.d. whisky. It's much too strong for me.e. silk. It's so soft.

smell taste touch

3.

~ -cz:-:<CQJ>-----===---

4. 5.

@5 Using 'can' and 'can't'Fill the gaps in the following sentences with can orcan't together with one of the verbs below:

hear see smell taste feel1. Could you move your head? I .

properly.2. I think I gas.3. Speak up a bit. I what you're

saymg.4. I think it's going to be cold tonight. I .....

. ..... it in my bones!5. This dish is very spicy. I ..... really .....

the chilli in it.

3 Senses as verbsMatch the beginning of each sentence on the left with two of the comments on the right:

1. Shall I open the window?2. Do you have to wear that shirt?3. Why don't you have a shave?4. I've just spoken to Tina on the phone.5. Where on earth did you get this wine?

a. It makes you look ridiculous.b. She sounded very upset.c. It smells disgusting in here.d. It tastes revolting.e. Your face feels so rough.f. It sounded as if she'd been crying.g. It makes you look like a clown.h. It stinks in here.i. It tastes like vinegar.j. Your face feels like sandpaper.

4 Using our senses consciouslyMatch the two parts of these sentences:

1. Come and smell a. the radio in the morning.2. Come and taste b. these roses. Aren't they lovely?3. I was just looking at c. this soup. It's delicious.4. I always listen to d. your photos of the wedding. They're fantastic.5. Feel e. this blouse. Do you think it's silk?

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The human body EnglishVocabulary Organiser

6 Watch, see and lookComplete the following sentences with the correctform of these verbs:

watch see look

1. Did you Kate at the party lastnight?

2. I think I'll stay in and TV tonight.3. Did you (or ) that horror

film on TV last night? It was brilliant!4. I learned how to cook by my

mother in the kitchen5. If you carefully, you can see a

green woodpecker at the top of that tree.6. Come and at this old school book

I've found.7. Did you that car? It must have

been doing about 130 kph.We often use the expression have a look: "Can Ihave a look at your camera?"

7 Ways of lookingChoose the correct endings below:

1. Tina suddenly spotted2. Penny gazed at3. Liz glanced at4. Lucy stared at5. The old lady peeped through

a. the bill in disbelief. Surely, £2,000 wasn't thecorrect amount.

b. one of her friends on the other side of thebar. "Hi Fiona," she shouted.

c. the curtains. She enjoyed watching all theneighbours coming and going.

d. her watch nervously. He should be here bynow, she said to herself.

e. the toys in the shop window, wishing it washer birthday.

These verbs are all more common in writtenEnglish.

8 Using your earsUse the correct form of these expressions:

pay attention overhearlisten carefully catch

1. If you , you can actually hearthe sea from here.

2. Sorry, I didn't what you said.> That's because you weren't .

3. How do you know Sam and Lisa areplanning to get married?> I them talking about it in thekitchen last night.

9 Metaphorical usesThe verbs see, hear, feel, touch and smell can all beused with non-literal meanings. Use the correctform of one of these verbs in the followingsituations:

1. I know you're thinking of emigrating toAustralia, but I you're making a bigmistake.

2. I you're thinking of retiring early.3. We went to a talk last night about life in

Ethiopia. The speaker had just spent a yearthere, working as a nurse. Some of herexperiences really us.

4. "I a rat!" is a common idiom,meaning that you are suspicious aboutsomething.

5. You must be making a lot of money! I .....you've just bought a brand-new Mercedes.

A very common use of see is in the expression,I see what you mean. (= I understand.)

If something is very sad or emotional, it cantouch you. You can also feel touched. Forexample: "My students bought me a birthdaypresent. I was really touched. "When we speak of a sixth sense, what do wemean?

Add your own words and expressions

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