B. Match the word with its definition. (warm, hot weather)
1. close A. warm and uncomfortable
2. stifling B. hot and damp, makes you sweat a lot
3. humid C. warm at a time when it is normally cold
4. scorching D. very hot, often used in negative conUNITs
5. boiling E. hot, uncomfortable, you can hardly breathe
6. mild F. very hot, often used in positive conUNITs
C. Match the word with its definition. (mist and fog)
1. haze A. mixture of fog and pollution
2. mist B. cloudy air near the ground which is difficult to see through, associated with cold weather
3. fog C. light mist, usually caused by heat
4. smog D. light fog, often on the sea, or caused by drizzle
D. Match the word with its definition. (wet weather)
1. damp A. a very large amount of water that covers an area that is usually dry
2. drizzle B. heavy rain that doesn’t stop for a long time
3. downpour C. thunder and heavy rain
4. torrential rain D. high winds and rain together
5. flood E. a long period of dry weather when there is not enough water for plants and animals to live
6. storm F. a lot of rain that falls in a short time
7. thunderstorm G. weather that is a combination of light rain and mist
8. hailstones H. slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way
9. drought I. a small ball of frozen rain
Exercise 8. Say whether these sentences are true or false. Change the false sentences to make them true.
1. When it's foggy you need sunglasses
2. It gets quite chilly in the desert in the evening.
3. Thunder makes a noise.
4. Lightning can kill people.
5. A shower is a type of wind.
6. If it is humid, the air will be very dry.
7. Heavy rain means that it is pouring with rain.
8. It often pours with rain in the desert.
UNIT 4. APPEARANCE
It is useful to be able to estimate and describe characters. There are however, two aspects of the subject. Personal appearance, physical features, stature and build, clothes or individual details which make one person different from another. Such description is often given of missing persons. There will be little indication of character in these cases.
Yet clothes and appearance are often an index to character, not only the kind of clothes people wear, but how they wear them. A person who takes little interest in his or her appearance, is not likely to be a methodical or tidy person.
Characters may be described in several ways: by description, by suggestion, by conversation, or by action.
Simple description is perhaps the easiest, but also the least satisfactory method, e.g. you may say John Brown is a very methodical and tidy person, which is a plain statement of fact. If, however, you describe some of his habits which help to build character, such as his neatly- parted hair and clean shoes, his careful and accurate work, tidy desk, and so on, all this will suggest his character far better. If you wish to add that John is also cheerful and good-tempered, you can do so by describing what he says and what he does. If you listen to a person's talk, you soon have some idea of his character. You should remember, also, that "Actions speak louder than words" and by telling how people act, you will be indicating their character.
If you wish to describe people well, you should notice such things as habits, mannerisms, amusements or hobbies, clothes, particularly hats and shoes. Habits and amusements can also tell us much. Character shows itself through such details as one's voice, walk, features, eyes, mouth, hands, rouge, or other make-up.
Yet we cannot say that a person is wholly good or bad, any more than we can say that a high forehead always denotes intelligence or a big chin indicates a strong will.
(After "English Every Day" by R. E. Houseman)
EXERCISES
Exercise 1. Explain why it is useful to be able to estimate and describe character.
Exercise 2. Briefly state the four ways of describing character. Say which method the author finds the more satisfactory, and why. Express your agreement or disagreement.