EF p 10. Relationships and Personality. Speaking

 

 

 

A. Have a conversation as natural as possible with a partner about the topic. Use the pictures above and the questions below to help you.

1. Do you know anyone who is always trying to put people down?
2. Can you talk about a couple whose relationship could be described as rocky? Do they fight like cat and dog?
3. Think about someone who got divorced or split up. What turned their relationship sour?
4. Have you ever turned your back on anyone? Do you know anyone who has?
5. Think about someone you have never actually taken to. Do you try to keep them at arm's length?
6. Do you know any teachers who look down on their pupils?
7. Talk about someone you know that keeps himself / herself to himself / herself.

8. Sometimes people can be critical and judgmental without having the intention of hurting us. How do you deal with them?

9. What character traits do you particularly admire in the people you know? Is it openness to change? Admirable people are often open-minded and welcome change throughout their lives. Could it be: humility, loyalty, accountability, resilience, honesty, respectfulness, compassion....?

10.  Have you ever struck up a friendship with someone who is diametrically opposed to you, your values and views? Do you know two people who are like chalk and cheese? What do you do when you don't see eye to eye with somebody?

11. Who is the most gregarious member of your family? What do they do? Are there any members in your family who are very set in their ways? Who is the most headstrong of your friends? And the most opinionated? Does any of them want to be the centre of attention? Who is the life and soul of your family gatherings? Who would you describe as laid-back? Who is the most supportive and sympathetic?

12. Do you take after your mum or dad? Do you know anybody who is the spitting image of their father or mother?

13. Do you agree that nothing is more valuable than a tight-knit group of friends and relatives? 

14. How can you build good rapport with your colleagues? 

15. Do you sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to help others? 

B. MONOLOGUE

Student A

1.    Do you and your parents get on like a house on fire? Do you get on like a house on fire with anybody?

2.    What kind of problems can put a great strain on a relationship?

3.    Which of your acquaintances gets on your nerves? Why?

Student B

1.    Have you ever taken an instant dislike to anyone? Were you proved right or did you have to change your mind later on?

2.    Did any of your teachers ever have it in for you or any of your classmates? Why? What was the cause of this feeling?

3.    Can you tell us about the last time you took an instant liking to somebody?

 

Sample dialogue:

 

1. Have you ever had a friendship that went through a rough patch but managed to recover?

2. Is it possible to form a strong connection with someone whose personality or values are very different from yours?

3. Which personal qualities do you find most admirable or important in the people you surround yourself with?

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Emma: You know, I’ve been reflecting on how delicate friendships can be. Have you ever had one that hit a rough patch but somehow survived?

Josh: Yes, actually. A close friend and I had a serious disagreement a couple of years ago — it really put a (1)____________ on our relationship. However, with some honest communication, we managed to patch things (2)___________ in the end.

Emma: That’s reassuring. So, would you say that openness and willingness to compromise were the key factors?

Josh: Absolutely. Neither of us wanted to turn our (3)____________ on the friendship. To be fair, we’d always got along before the argument, (4)_____________ there was a solid foundation to rebuild upon.

Emma: I can relate. I drifted away from a friend a while back — nothing dramatic, but over time the relationship just turned a bit (5)____________. People sometimes change, and it’s hard to keep up.

Josh: Exactly. Change can make things complicated. Out of curiosity, do you think you’d ever try to reconnect with her?

Emma: Possibly, although she’s quite set in her (6)______________, whereas I’ve grown more open-minded and resilient. I prefer surrounding myself with people who are compassionate and supportive — those who inspire rather than put others (7)_______________.

Josh: I couldn’t agree more. I struggle to get along with people who are excessively opinionated or tend to look (8)____________ on others.

Emma: Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean. It can be so draining. But, on the flip side, have you ever struck (9)____________ a friendship with someone who’s completely different from you?

Josh: Funny you should mention that — yes! I became really close friends with a colleague who’s almost my opposite. We’re like (10)_____________ and cheese in terms of personality and outlook, but surprisingly, we still get on like a (11)____________ on fire.

Emma: That’s fascinating! What do you think makes that kind of friendship work despite the differences?

Josh: I’d say mutual respect and genuine support. He’s very headstrong, whereas I tend to be laid-back. Yet that contrast works in our favour — he’s fiercely loyal and would go to extraordinary (12)_____________ to help a friend.

Emma: That’s really impressive. It goes to show that differences don’t have to divide people — they can actually enrich a friendship.

Josh: Exactly. By the way, who would you say is the most gregarious person you know? I imagine you’ve got some lively friends.

Emma: Definitely my cousin — she’s the life and (13)___________ of every family gathering. She has this incredible ability to make everyone feel welcome. How about you?

Josh: Probably my sister. She’s extremely outgoing and has a tight-knit circle of friends. I, on the other hand, tend to keep myself to (14)____________, at least until I’ve built some rapport.

Emma: Really? I would never have guessed that — you come across (15)__________ very approachable.

Josh: Well, I suppose I am, but only with people I trust. (16)______________, I prefer to observe and stay in the background.

Emma: Fair enough. Not everyone wants to be the centre of attention. I think what matters most is authenticity — being genuine in your interactions.

Josh: So true. At the end of the day, honesty, humility, and kindness are what sustain any relationship.

Emma: I couldn’t have put it (17)___________ myself.

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

 

1. strain 

 

 

 

 

2. up 

 

 

 

 

3. backs 

 

 

 

 

4. so 

 

 

 

 

5. sour 

 

 

 

 

6. ways 

 

 

 

 

7. down 

 

 

 

 

8. down 

 

 

 

 

9. up 

 

 

 

 

10. chalk 

 

 

 

 

11. house 

 

 

 

 

12. lengths 

 

 

 

 

13. soul 

 

 

 

 

14. myself 

 

 

 

 

15. as 

 

 

 

 

16. Otherwise 

 

 

 

 

17. better