DESCRIBING THINGS

br />
Characteristics: linking verbs 
Firstly, we use the linking verb ‘be’ to describe things. It is called a linking verb because it links the subject to a description, for example: 
The iPhone is a smartphone.           

My car is a Toyota.          

My books are interesting.   

Secondly, we use the verb ‘have’ to describe the features that belong to something.

For example: 

My telephone has a camera. My telephone has a USB port. My telephone has a large memory. My telephone has many uses. My telephone has a headphone socket.

Things can be described in the following ways: 

a) size: enormous, huge, very large, large, big, quite big, medium-sized, quite small, small, very small, tiny

 
b) weight: very heavy, heavy, quite heavy, not very heavy, light, very light

 
c) shape: round, square, oval, flat, rectangular, oblong, egg-shaped, diamond-shaped...
d) colour: black, gray, brown, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, red, white

 
e) materials: wooden, steel, plastic, glass, brick, stone, pottery

 f) flavours: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, rich, oily, buttery, creamy, bland

 
g) appearance: ugly, beautiful, cute, lovely, sweet, attractive, modern

 
h) age: new, quite new, not very old, quite old, old, very old, antique, ancient



There are some other ways to describe things too: 

a) It’s a kind of… / a type of

A Magnum is a kind of ice cream.

b) It looks like...

A briefcase looks like a suitcase, but it's smaller.

c) It is made of… / It is made from…

We use ‘It is made of’ to identify the material of something, for example:

A bottle is made of glass.  (It is still glass)

The chair is made of wood. (It is still wood)

We use ‘it is made from’ to describe the ingredients that are used to make something new or different.

Wine is made from grapes 

(It is now wine. It has been changed into something else)

Paper is made from wood. 

(It is now paper. It is not wood any more.)

A cake is made from flour, eggs and sugar. 

(It is now a cake)

 What is ice cream made from?

Ice cream is made from cream, eggs and sugar.

What is your shirt made of?

My shirt is made of cotton and polyester. (It is still cotton and polyester)

Utility and Function

When we describe the function of something we use: 

‘It is used for’/ ‘it can/could be used for’ (passive voice).

For example:

What is that sponge used for? (passive) 

What do you use that sponge for? (active)

A knife is used for cutting things. (‘for’ with a gerund)

*They used a knife to carve their names on the tree.  

                                         (‘to’ with an infinitive)

READING COMPREHENSION: PERSONALITIES

What the Way You Walk Reveals About Your Personality

A particular study carried out in 2017, by Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert, shared and compared the walking speed and styles with personality traits.

Read the text and do the activities.

A. The following categories distinguish how your walking style reveals your personality. Match them with the pictures.

Example: 1-A

1. THE EXECUTIVE

If you’re an executive, you normally walk very quickly with fast and focused strides. You walk with confidence with your head up and tend to be absorbed in your thoughts. You may easily bump into others. You’re goal-oriented and are great problem solvers, however, you can also come off as unfriendly and intense.

2. THE CORRECTOR

If you’re a corrector, you usually walk by taking small steps while hunched over. You also avoid making eye contact with those around you. This is because correctors are normally quite introverted and shy. They tend to be on guard before they make any strong or genuine connections.

3. THE POLITICIAN

If you're a politician, you often walk with liveliness with your head held high, chest forward, and shoulders back. You desire acknowledgment and appreciation. You also enjoy challenges and learning about new experiences but can get bored easily. You're a confident speaker and enjoy engaging with people.

4. THE WORRIER

If you're a worrier, you tend to walk very slowly and cautiously. You typically make short strides but may drag your feet. Worriers generally keep their eyes on the ground and seem unsettled. Worriers tend to be introverted and thoughtful, but they can also seem vulnerable and fearful.

5. THE CHILLER

Chillers are the easy-going type of walkers. They usually walk at a slow to medium pace with their body loose and their posture relaxed. Their gestures tend to be small and sometimes they can get caught up in an internal dialogue. If you're a chiller, you tend to focus on others more than your own tasks and might seem lost while walking. You're very calm and intuitive but can also appear to be a slacker and easily influenced.

6. THE SHOWBOAT

If you're a showboat, you tend to walk very confidently and with intent. You sway your arms and hips in an exaggerated way and enjoy attracting attention from everyone. If you find yourself in this group, your head is usually held high, your shoulders are back, and you're more focused on yourself. Showboats can come off as self-absorbed and unreliable with commanding and charismatic personality traits.

7. THE SUPPORTER

If you're a supporter, you tend to walk in medium-paced, confident strides. Supporters are also cooperative team players and good listeners who speak thoughtfully and value unity and relationships. They're helpful, loyal, and dependable.

A simple phone call from their loved ones can easily brighten their day. Similar to Politicians, they like gestures, making eye contact, and interacting with people while walking.

8. THE SHORT STRIDER

If you're a short strider, you usually take short strides and are more likely to be a self-centered and undemanding individual. However, for women, short strides might be due to aches in the calves and hamstrings or it could even be a sign of an emerging hip problem.

9. THE ARM CROSSER

If you're an arm crosser, it usually indicates that you prefer to be alone or even live alone. Walking while crossing your arms also signifies vulnerability. Communication experts highlight that crossing your arms while walking is dangerous, especially at night, since it could send a signal that you're weak and can be easy prey for attackers. 

10. THE STOMPER

If you find your walking style to be more of a stomp, you just might be a stomper. Stompers' walking style can signal anger, frustration, and persistence. But sometimes, walking with a stomp could mean your body is trying to send a signal to your brain. This can be due to the limbs' positioning and is usually a result of the loss of sensation in the limbs.

11. THE MULTITASKER

If you tend to be able to multitask and walk simultaneously, you're a multitasking type of walker. It's also quite unique and creative since this kind of person is imaginative as they walk. They can handle a number of things all at once, often answering a call, directing someone, and even crossing the road all at the same time. If you belong to this group of people, you're brave and a problem solver. You're always keen on helping your friends in need.

A

B

D

 

C

F

E

G

H

I

J

K

B. VOCABULARY

Match the words with their definitions and translations

Example

English	Definition	Spanish
1.wellness n	1. (physical and mental    health)	1. bienestar nm

2. traits                        footstep                                         reconocimiento

3. stride                       curved shoulders                           arrastrar

4. bump into               characteristic                                  darse contra

5. hunched                  recognition                                     ritmo

6. acknowledgment      leg tendon                                     rasgos

7. drag                         a lazy person                                 zancada

8. pace                        pull along the ground                     entusiasta

9, slacker                    enthusiastic                                    encorvado 10. hamstring              speed                                             tendón 11. keen                      collide with                                     holgazán                                                                                                                                                             https://www.wordreference.com/es/translation.asp C. SPEAKING/WRITING What does your walking style say about you?                                                                                                   Adapted from Bright Side ANSWERS

Describing People

Writing describing people from Elaboración Materiales

Words to describe yourself!

 Positive adjectives to describe yourself in an interview, a date or to write on the resume (CV) 

https://eslforums.com/words-to-describe-yourself/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com#Words_to_Describe_Yourself_Infographic

PEOPLE'S APPEARANCE

Let's play. Descriptions

Describing people

Translating

really easy

Parts of the Body

Idioms about Personality

Some Riddles to Describe your Personality

BRIGHTSIDE

Feelings

• When do you feel_________________?
• I feel ______________when __________________.
• How are you feeling today?
• I'm feeling _______________ because_______________...

Emojis: meaning

emoji

ɪˈməʊdʒi/

noun

plural noun: emojis

1. a small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication.

   "emoji liven up your text messages with tiny smiley faces"

Describing a Person’s Appearance

(eslbuzz)

Describing a Picture