Unit 10: Describing people: personality and character traits

Question 1

often negative

Acts on a sudden idea without thinking first

импульсивный, порывистый

Answer 1

impetuous

• She’s so impetuous; I wish she would consider things before acting.

Question 2

Similar to impetuous, but can be used in a more positive way

импульсивный

Answer 2

impulsive

• His impulsive generosity led him to give money to anyone who asked for help.

Question 3

Gives exaggerated expression of pleasure, praise, or gratitude

безудержный, льющийся через край

Answer 3

effusive

• She always gives me such an effusive welcome when I visit her.

Question 4

Easily excited by things

легко возбудимый

Answer 4

excitable

• He’s a very excitable child; he needs to calm down.

Question 5

Nervous or uncomfortable because of awareness of others’ perceptions

застенчивый

Answer 5

self-conscious

• Freddie seemed self-conscious and uncomfortable when he had to make the announcement at the party.

Question 6

Calm, reasonable, and showing good judgment

уравновешенный

Answer 6

well-balanced

• The teacher said Maddy was a well-balanced child who got on well at school.

Question 7

generally negative

Reserved or says very little

неразговорчивый

Answer 7

taciturn

• He was a bit taciturn when I first met him. He hardly said a word.

Question 8

Inward-looking and quiet

Answer 8

introvert

• Chloe’s such an introvert, preferring solitary activities over social gatherings.

Question 9

Energetic and friendly; finds it easy to be with others

Answer 9

extrovert

• Mark is so outgoing and is such an extrovert; he loves meeting new people.

Question 10

Lacks confidence

неуверенный в себе, застенчивый

Answer 10

diffident

• Mr. Rogers is such a diffident man; he seems to have quite low self-esteem.

Question 11

Not immediately sociable

сдержанный, замкнутый

Answer 11

reserved

• English people are traditionally thought of as rather reserved.

Question 12

Unfriendly and not sociable

отчужденный

Answer 12

aloof

• Eva tends to be rather aloof; I don’t know if she’s just shy.

Question 13

Unfriendly and thinks oneself better than others

высокомерный, надменный

Answer 13

haughty

• My aunt Annie can be very haughty at times, but she’s lovely really.

Question 14

Does not believe others deserve respect

презрительный

Answer 14

disdainful

• He looked at the messy room with a disdainful expression.

Question 15

Not easy to be sociable with or start a conversation with

Answer 15

unapproachable

• I’ve always found Professor Mactoft very unapproachable, but his colleague Dr. O’Daly is very approachable.

Question 16

Thinks oneself wonderful

самодовольный

Answer 16

conceited

• Natasha is very conceited, always boasting about her achievements.

Question 17

Prefers not to exaggerate one’s own qualities

скромный

Answer 17

modest

• Despite her fame, she remains a modest person, always downplaying her success.

Question 18

Treating someone well and politely, often with admiration

почтительный

Answer 18

respectful

• Joe is always so polite and respectful towards his elders.

Question 19

Easily deceived

легковерный, доверчивый

Answer 19

gullible

• Telephone salespeople often take advantage of gullible people.

Question 20

Always takes work very seriously

добросовестный

Answer 20

conscientious

• My father was a very conscientious man; he never took time off work unless he was really sick.

Question 21

Not satisfied with current activities; desiring change

беспокойный, непоседливый

Answer 21

restless

• She’s a restless individual; I don’t think she’ll ever settle down in a job.