40 Character and personal qualities

A

B Talking about negative qualities

Leah What do you make of Natasha’s new boyfriend? He’s getting on1 a bit, isn’t he?!

Naomi Yes. He must be at least 20 years older than her. I must say I didn’t like him very much. His eyes were boring into2 me and it made me feel uncomfortable.

Leah I’m glad you felt like that too. He really scared me. Naomi Scared you? You need to toughen up3 a bit! You shouldn’t let anyone scare you. It’s not just his eyes, though, is it? He’s so outspoken4! In fact, he’s rude. Leah He swore at me the other day. I didn’t answer back though. I wouldn’t descend to5 his level. And how about the way he speaks about his sister? Naomi No wonder she’s a bit odd. Having a brother like that would screw me up6! Leah I’m amazed Natasha’s so keen on him. I had her down as7 a sensible person. Naomi You know, sometimes I think she’s like a teenage girl who needs to grow out of8 needing a father figure. I mean, she’s 30, not 13!

1 (informal, always continuous) becoming old

6 (informal) make someone feel confused and 2 looking very hard at unhappy about their life 3 become stronger and more able to deal with 7 (informal) thought that they were a particular problems (also transitive: toughen sb up) type of person (especially when they are not 4 having a tendency to express opinions even in fact like that) though they may offend people 8 stop doing something as you get older 5 behave so badly

Talking about positive qualities

Look at this speech by a company manager at a party for a colleague who is retiring.

Jack is leaving us today and I want to wish him a happy retirement. Having worked closely with him, I can personally vouch for1 his unswerving loyalty to the company over the last 21 years and his extraordinary skills as a personnel manager. Right from the beginning, his ability to handle people shone through2. He prided himself on3 the good relations he enjoyed with junior staff; he knew that good relationships mean everything in the workplace. It was always such a pleasure to see how his face would light up4 whenever he managed to solve a tricky personnel issue; for him, resolving a difficult situation was its own reward. Jack was also excellent at drawing out5 younger, less experienced members of staff, and he showed that rare talent for bringing out6 the best in all his colleagues. I’m sure everyone would agree that he always came across7 as calm, professional and committed to his staff. His departure will be a great loss to the company.

1 say that you know someone and that you can promise that they have a good character or good skills 2 became apparent 3 took pride in 4 look very happy 5 helping people to feel more confident 6 making qualities more noticeable 7 appeared to be

Tip

Note how the meaning of a phrasal verb can sometimes vary depending on whether it is used with an object or not. For example, come across (see above), when it is used with an object means ‘find or meet something/somebody by chance’: I came across an old photo of us when we were at university the other night. Make a note of any verbs whose meanings change in this way.

40.1

Look at these pages from Georgia’s private diary, where she writes about people she knows and works with. Complete the text using phrasal verbs or adjectives from A opposite.

MORE BAD NEWS FOR INVESTORS MON 17 SHELL-SHOCKED Investors, who are already suff ering from the financial crisis, are feeling nervous The a air with Chloe seems to have today as Southern Bank prepares to (1) Hugo up quite badly announce unexpectedly high losses. – he seems so unhappy and confused.

He’ll have to (2) up if he’s to cope with life and all the horrible things that can happen when you’re in love. Poor man.

WED 19

Funny, I

(5) Ava down as a fairly (6) person, but she’s actually the complete opposite, quite shy and quiet when you get to know her be er. The good thing is she seems to have (7) out of her girlish infatuation with that stupid man Henry at last. I guess she’s more mature now she’s turned 30!

MORE BAD NEWS FOR INVESTORS TUE 18 SHELL-SHOCKED Investors, who are already suff ering from the financial crisis, are feeling nervous today as Southern Bank prepares to announce unexpectedly high losses. Spent the evening with Victoria and her new partner. I don’t know how old Simon is, but he’s de nitely (3) on a bit and his hair’s going grey.

Bad day at the o ce – some documents got lost. The boss suspected me and Evie. His eyes just (4) into us in a very accusing way and he questioned us for a long time.

THU 20

Lydia and I almost had a serious row last night. She insulted me a couple of times and I felt furious, but I refuse to (8) to her level, even though it would be easy enough!

40.2

Complete these annual appraisal summaries, written by a personnel manager, with the correct particles.

1 Zoe sometimes comes as a little aggressive, but in general she has good relations with her colleagues and seems to bring the best in the staff she manages. 2 Elizabeth has had to overcome a great deal due to her physical disability, but her determination and will to succeed always shine despite the diff iculties. 3 Luke prides himself his ability to cope with huge amounts of stress and to meet deadlines. He has always met deadlines, though I can’t personally vouch his ability to deal with a major crisis. 4 It’s always so nice to see how Cameron’s face lights whenever he is praised for his achievements, and he has had some notable successes in the last 12 months. Let’s hope it continues that way. 5 Louis is very good at drawing the shyer and less confident members of staff . He seems like an excellent candidate for promotion in the next round.

Over to you

Try and find some job advertisements in English. Job descriptions oft en refer to personal qualities needed for the job. Note any phrasal verbs you find.