SPEAKING

DESCRIBING PEOPLE

SAMPLE TOPIC – DESCRIBING PEOPLE

Sample Topic

Describe a neighbor of yours

You should say: + who this person is. Describe him/ her+ how long you have known each other+ how you felt about him

and also say whether that person is a nice neighbor to have

WHAT SHOULD YOU TALK ABOUT?

General information (who is that person, how old is he or she, what’s his or her job?)

Appearance (how does he or she look?)

Character / Personality (how is he or she? Is he or she talkative / reserved / hot-tempered?)

Some special features (big round eyes / great smiles)

Sample notes

1. A neighbour named A. – about my age –works in a garment factory.Not beautiful (about 1.53 meter high, rather thin, dark complexion…) – a simple and sociable person speak with grace)

2. Known for 3 years – moved to the area.

3. Close relationship – good friend – willing to help the others.(look after my house/ pet when I am away, listen to me when…)

4. A neighbour that everyone wish to have.

VOCABULARY PRACTICE

What words can we use to describe a person’s

Appearance?

Character / personality?

Special features?

GENERAL INFORMATION

I. General Information

Name

E.g. His name is… /He is called … /whose name is…/ named…

Age

E.g. She is in her (late/ early) twenties.

E.g. He is about my age.

E.g. She looks younger than the age of…

Relationship

E.g. I’ve known her since we were in high school.

E.g. He was my form teacher in year 10.

E.g. We used to be neighbors for up to 10 years when...

II. Appearance

tall, tallish, short, medium height

slim, thin, plump, fat, skinny, well-built

young, elderly, middle-aged, teenager, in 20s, 30s

Face: round, oval, square, with wrinkles, sun-tanned

Eyes: big round blue, large, small, bright, narrow

Hair: straight, curly, spiky, wavy

III. Personalities / Characters

Positive adjectives

diligent / hard-working / devoted / energetic

sociable / understanding / sympathetic /

willing to help / nimble / active…

broad-minded / cheerful / confident / modest

Neutral/ Negative adjectives

curious / ambitious / strict / talkative

worried / stubborn

Details of appearance or character may not be as effective as one or two special features that you draw out to highlight your subject.

Those special features can be:

Big round eyes

Friendly smile

Expressive eyes

Sweet voice

Helpful person. Eager to give anybody a hand

Special Features

NOW LET’S PRACTICE

1. Describe a child that you know

well

You should say:

+ who the child is.

+ how old the child is

+ what is so special about him/ her

and how much you like this child

2. Describe a well-known person

you admire

You should say:

+ who this person is

+ what he/she does

+ why he/she is well-known

and why you feel admire this person

3. Describe a member in the family

that you have the closest

relationship with

You should say:

+ who this person is

+ what he/she does

+ what is special about him or her

and why this person is so special

to you