Lesson 2: Describing Personality Traits
What Are They Like?
In our last lesson, we learned words for feelings that can change from day to day. But what about a person's character? The qualities that make someone who they are? These are called "personality traits". This lesson will teach you more advanced adjectives to describe what a person is like in general.
Word Bank
Positive Personality Traits
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Personality Trait
A quality of a person's character.
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generous
Happy to give more than is expected.
Example: "He is very generous and always helps people in need." -
honest
Telling the truth; not cheating or stealing.
Example: "She is an honest person; I trust her completely." -
confident
Certain of your own abilities.
Example: "A good speaker is always confident." -
patient
Able to wait calmly without getting angry.
Example: "You need to be patient when learning a new skill."
Negative or Difficult Personality Traits
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lazy
Not liking to work or use energy.
Example: "He did not do his homework because he was feeling lazy." -
selfish
Caring only about yourself and not other people.
Example: "It is selfish to eat all the food and not share." -
rude
Not polite; speaking or behaving in a way that hurts others.
Example: "It is rude to interrupt someone."
Usage Note: Modifying Adjectives
Sometimes, you want to say how kind or how lazy someone is. We use "adverbs of degree" before the adjective to make our meaning stronger or weaker.
Look at the scale from less to more:
- He is a bit lazy. (a little lazy)
- He is quite lazy. (more than a little)
- He is very lazy. (a lot)
- He is extremely lazy. (the maximum level)
In Conversation
Srey and Bora are discussing their new manager.
Srey: So, what is your new manager like?
Bora: He's okay. He is very confident, which is good, but I think he is a bit selfish. He doesn't always listen to others' ideas.
Srey: Oh, that can be difficult. Is he friendly?
Bora: He's not rude, but he's not very friendly either. My old boss was so different. She was extremely generous with her time.
Srey: It's important to have a patient boss, especially when you are learning.
Bora: I agree! And I need to be less lazy and more honest about my work. I should tell him when I need help.
Check Your Understanding
- What is the opposite of 'generous'?
- a) honest
- b) selfish
- c) patient
Answer: b) selfish
- A person who never lies or cheats is ______.
- a) lazy
- b) rude
- c) honest
Answer: c) honest
- Which phrase means 'a little bit rude'?
- a) a bit rude
- b) extremely rude
- c) very rude
Answer: a) a bit rude
Your Mission
- Describe Someone: Think of a person you know well (a friend, family member, or famous person). Write two sentences describing their personality. (e.g., "My best friend is very kind and extremely funny.")
- My Personality: Write one honest sentence about your own personality. (e.g., "I am a patient person, but sometimes I can be a little lazy.")
- Speak: Your mission is to describe a character from a movie to a friend. Use at least two personality traits. (e.g., "The hero was very confident, but the villain was selfish.")