A fair face may hide a foul soul

Itisacommontruth ;practicallyeveryonehasmetatleastsomeonewhosecharacterandappearancediffer radically.

Whenoneseesatall,broad-shoulderedyouth,oneexpectshimtobestrong-willedandbrave.Onethinks : « A model to follow ! »Howoftenagood-looking individualturnsouttobepetty,weak-willedorevencowardly.Thenonethinks: ‘Amediocrity !’

Atthesametimeeveryoneknowsthatalotofgreatpeoplewereof a poor build :shortandfragile.Itdidnotstopthemfromdisplaying intelligenceandcourage.Ingenuitydoesnotdependonone’scomplexionorconstitution.

Plumporfatpeoplecreateanimpressionofgenerousandkind personalities.Strangelyenough,notrarelytheymaybethriftyorevengreedy.Oneusuallythinks :’Ascrooge !’

Ontheotherhand,thinorslim nervousladiestendtobelavish.Theyliketobuyandneverthinktwicewhentheypay.Onethinks :’Iwouldcallheropen-handedandMotherwouldcallheraspendthrift’.Yes,mothersarealwaysstricter in judgements.

Hasiteverhappenedtoyouthatyoucometoanimportantofficeandseeanimportantboss?Youimmediatelyevaluate his looks:’Round-faced, small narrow eyes, dimples on the cheeksandan up-turned nose.Whatakind-heartedperson!Asimpleton!’Youtellthebossofyourtroublesandexpectimmediatehelp.Butthebossappearstoberude,harshandwilful.Younevergetyourhelpandthink:’Astone heartandaniron fist’.

Whensomeoneseesadelicately built pretty blondewithcurlyhair,blueeyes,astraightnoseandahighforehead,oneisinclinedtothinkthatthe beautyisintelligentandnice.Itmaybedisappointingtothinklater.’Whatastupid,capricious,impolite bore!’

Onthecontrary,whenoneseesaskinny brunettewithugly irregular features-a hooked nose, pointed chin, close-set eyesandthin lips,strangethoughtscometoone’shead;becauseitisthe image of evil people-cruel and cunning.Itmaybeareliefsometimelatertofindheraclever, gentle and good-manneredladyandthink:’Whatcharm!A heart of gold!’

Anothergeneralmisconceptionliesinthefactthatchildrenarealwaysexpectedtoresemble their parents.Andparentslikeitwhenchildrentake after them.Relativesliketocomparemoles,the shape of noses,etc.Thegreatestcomplimentis :’They are as like as two peas’.Thegreatestdisappointmentistofind nothing in common.Wewanttodenypeopletheirexclusiveness,wedon’twanttoadmitthatnaturehasselectedotheroptionsfromanenormousgenetic funddevelopedovergenerations.Whydowelikeourcopies ?Whoknows !

Naturelikestoplaytricksonus. (Y.M. Merkulova. English for University Students. СПб, 2002)

Ex. 12. Answer the questions on the text:

1. When do you think a person is a model to follow?

2. How do we call the constitution of fragile people?

3. What do intelligence and ingenuity depend on?

4. What are fat people like? Supposed to be?

5. Who can we call “a scrooge”?

6. What does a kind-hearted person look like?

7. What does a beauty look like?

8. Do intelligence and beauty correlate?

9. What are evil people like?

10. What is an ugly person’s appearance?

11. Who can be called “ a heart of gold”?

12. What is a general misconception about parents and children?

13. What is the greatest compliment / disappointment for parents?

Ex.13. Find the words in the text and translate them:

Пример для подражания, посредственность, плохое телосложение, хрупкий, исключительность, железный кулак, капризный, зануда, умный, судить по, оценивать, щедрый, расточительный, мот/ транжира, экономый/бережливый, простак/ простофиля, внешность, красавица, ничего общего, форма носа/ лица, умница/ золотой ребенок

Ex.14. Write down antonyms to the following words and phrases:

Cowardly -

Weak-willed-

Poor build -

Simpleton -

Spendthrift -

Thrifty -

Rude -

Strict -

Good-mannered -

Well-bred -

Exclusive –

Ex.15. Write down synonyms to the following words and phrases:

Open-handed –

Capricious -

Greedy -

Big-headed -

Hard-hearted -

Ex.16. Read the text. What other traits of character can correlate with the animals people resemble ?

THE ART OF PHYSIOGNOMY

Since ancient times people have practised the art of physiognomy, reading character from physical features. Ancient Greeks compared the human face with various animals and birds, such as the eagle and the horse. They believed people to share certain character traits with the animals they resembled. A person with a horse-like face was thought to be loyal, brave and stern. A person with an eagle-like nose was believed to be bold and courageous. Physiognomists study such features as the shape of the head, nose, mouth, eyes and chin, the length and thickness of hair. They believe that round-faced people are self-confident. Prominent cheekbones show the strength of character, while a pointed nose reveals curiosity. Heavy arched eyebrows belong to a decisive individual while thin, arched eyebrows signal a restless and active personality. Almond-shaped eyes belong to dreamers. Down-turned lips reveal a proud character, while a long, pointed chin indicates someone, who likes to give orders.