Level III

Task 5. Read the following text.

A. Make up a list of unknown words which you may use in your speech.

B. While reading the text find out what this text is about.

Your character traits

Both men and women usually choose one, or at least two or three colours (according to the sphere of application: clothes, furniture, car, etc). Your taste can change with time but in any case your favourite colour can say a lot about your character and temperament.

Some people are of the opinion that so-called "cold" colours (dark blue, green and their derivatives) are indicative of calmness, tenderness, apathy, melancholy and various shades of these conditions. The "warm" colours symbolize strength, power, activity and joy. You don't need to answer any questions to draw conclusions; you should only read following definitions.

WHITE is the synthesis of all colours, that's why it is a "dream colour". It includes different shades of meaning and can convey both the brilliance of light and the cold of ice. This colour can be chosen by any person with any character.

BLACK, on the contrary, symbolizes lack of self-confidence and dismal life perception. Those who prefer dressing in black (without taking into account the mourning symbolism which is the very essence of this colour) are frequently pessimistic, diffident and unhappy people, liable to depression, as they are absolutely sure that their ideas are unattainable. A frequent change of a black suit or frock to clothes of brighter colours is indicative of the transient nature of pessimistic moods.

GREY is a favourite colour of sober-minded and distrustful people who think twice before taking a decision. This is also a neutral colour, preferred by those who usually keep in the shade. Those who dislike grey possess an impulsive and light-minded character.

RED is the colour of passion. If a person prefers it he is courageous, volitional, masterful, hot-tempered and sociable by nature. Besides, he is an altruist. But if this colour irritates you, this means that you fear quarrels, and like solitude and stability in relations.

ORANGE is preferred by passionate dreamers with strong intuition. But according to heraldry this colour also signifies hypocrisy and pretence.

BROWN (the colour of earth) with all its tints is preferred by those who confidently stand on their own feet; they also value the family and traditions. But when this colour is unpleasant to some­body this speaks of pride, selfishness, and reticence.

YELLOW is a symbol of composure, ease of manners and refinement. If you like this colour you are a sociable, curious, bold, easily adaptable person who finds pleasure in attracting people's attention. If you dislike it you are a concentrated person of pessimistic inclination, difficult to mix with.

LIGHT-GREEN is the colour of strong-minded people who like to impose their will on others, at the same time trying to keep in the shadow, to avoid getting into difficulties.

ROSE is a colour of life and every living thing. It calls for love and kindness. People who like it are easily excitable. But at the same time this colour irritates pragmatic people.

VIOLET is characteristic of a very emotional and sensible person with high spiritual qualities and tact. Non-acceptance of this colour is a sign of a highly developed sense of duty and desire to enjoy the present day. This colour is typical of harmoniously developed people.

BLUE, the colour of the sky, is usually associated with high morals and purity. If this colour is your favourite, you are modest and melancholy. So you quickly get tired and have to rest frequently; you badly need people's goodwill, and self-confidence means a lot for you. The negative attitude to this colour exposes a person who pretends to be all-powerful, but in reality is an example of diffidence and reticence. Indifference to blue shows certain lightmindedness in the emotional sphere, although this may be good manners.

GREEN is the colour of nature, spring, the very essence of life. A person who prefers it is afraid of falling under somebody's influence and seeks ways of self-assertion which are vitally important for him. Those who dislike it are afraid of everyday problems, the vicissitudes of life and all difficulties on the whole.

C. Reread the following definitions of colours and complete the chart below.

Colour	Traits of Character
	If a person likes this colour	If a person doesn't like this colour
White	-	-
Black	Pessimistic, diffident	-
Grey	Sober-minded, distrustful	Impulsive, light-minded
Red	Corageous, volitional, hot-tempered, sociable, masterful	Peaceful, likes solitude and stability
Orange	Passionate dreamer with strong intuition, hypocritical	-
Brown	Self-confident, values family and traditions	Selfish, proud of himself/herself, reticent (скрытный)
Yellow	Sociable, curious, bold, easily adaptable, likes attention	Pessimistic, difficult to mix with, concentrated
Light-green	Strong-minded, avoids difficulties	-
Rose	Lively, kind, excitable	Pragmatic
Violet	Emotional, sensible, tactful. This colour is typical of harmoniously developed people.	Has highly developed sense of duty and desire to enjoy the present day
Blue	Modest, melancholy, you quickly get tired and have to rest frequently; you badly need people's goodwill	Pretends to be all-powerful, but in reality is an example of diffidence and reticence
Green	Afraid of falling under somebody's influence and seeks ways of self-assertion which are vitally important for him/her	Afraid of everyday problems, the vicissitudes of life and all difficulties on the whole

D. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think there is a connection between the colour people choose and their character? If yes, what? If no, why?

2. Does the information given in this questionnaire correspond to your character? Give your arguments.

Task 6. Read the text and say if you agree with the statement that the shape of your face can give a clue to your personality. What does yours say about you?

Small face

You don't enjoy people intruding into your personal life and invading your privacy. Reflective and intelligent, you are a passionate but firm personality, although you find these two traits in conflict at times. A tendency to be cautious means you don't trust too easily, but you do value a circle of close friends and family members.

Oval face

A good decision-maker, you have strength of character, lots of energy, and usually finish what you start. Affectionate and outgoing by nature, you can be a bit gullible.

Square face

You expect a lot from other people, but give as much in return. You're stubborn, strong-willed and quick to learn, but your staying power runs out when you lose interest. Highly sensitive to criticism, you're aggressive under pressure.

Thin face

You don't suffer fools gladly and have a great sense of humour. Energetic but able to balance action with thought, you're not one who follows the crowd. You enjoy competition in the love stakes and opt for a partner who's companionable as well as attractive.

Heart-shaped

Practical rather than a thinker, you have a degree of charm that can be devastating. Your romantic judgment can sometimes let you down, though. You appear placid and cool in most situations, but this hides a quick temper when crossed. Relationship may suffer if your partner can't live up to your high expectations.

Broad face

A strong sense of your own importance means you like to be taken seriously by friends. You can be kind and sympathetic, but won't waste it on those you feel don't deserve it. Affectionate and loving rather than passionate, yours is an energetic and intelligent nature with optimism high on your list of the important things in life.

Round face

Short and round shows you're slightly erratic and romantic. You're positive about your own aims, generous and an excellent host with close friends. You prefer mental activity to physical and there's a lazy streak that comes out now and then if you don't check yourself.

Task 13. Listen to the recording “Men more attracted to women in red”.