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C2 Sample Essay 39 (School or family shapes one's personality)

In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school.  In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner.  Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as

Speaking & Writing: Words to Describe People

Describing a person is a basic skill required when speaking a language which is why English tests contain both oral and written tasks that ask candidates to talk about a person they know or admire, someone who influenced them or is a close friend. 

 If you are simply learning English to be able to communicate, the list that follows will help improve your vocabulary. 

 For those preparing to take an English exam, the difference between a good answer and an exceptional one is vocabulary. Saying a person is "nice" and "kind" is not that bad, but using words like "trustworthy" or "demure" will certainly give you points for lexical range.

Teachers can distribute the following list, ask students to find the meanings of words and make sentences with them. Those who want to improve their English on their own can translate the words into their own language and practice using them with a speaking partner.

Speaking & Writing: Useful Vocabulary


Adjectives to describe people: 

  • amiable
  • good-tempered
  • soft-spoken
  • sociable
  • warm-hearted
  • polite
  • honest
  • trustworthy
  • confident
  • outspoken
  • stubborn
  • just
  • blunt
  • unreserved
  • unaffected
  • forthright
  • candid
  • sincere
  • principled
  • guileless
  • eccentric
  • whimsical
  • silly
  • witty
  • hilarious
  • nervous
  • anxious
  • jumpy
  • uneasy
  • hesitant
  • shy
  • timid
  • adventurous
  • meddling
  • rash
  • foolhardy
  • thoughtless
  • prudent
  • wary
  • conservative
  • passionate
  • meddlesome
  • greedy
  • possessive
  • uncaring
  • cold
  • (un)ambitious
  • disenchanted
  • modest
  • unimposing
  • showy
  • arrogant
  • insolent
  • shameless
  • impudent
  • cheeky
  • optimistic
  • sarcastic
  • ironic
  • tedious 
  • unamusing
  • uninspired
  • serious
  • demure
  • solemn
  • cheerful
  • upbeat
  • carefree




Nouns to describe people: 
  • entertainer
  • life of the party
  • extrovert
  • introvert 
  • recluse
  • eccentric
  • pest
  • nuisance
  • killjoy
  • grouch
  • wet blanket
  • thrillseeker
  • daredevil
  • show-off
  • prude
  • goody two-shoes
  • narcissist
  • busybody
  • chatterbox
  • bookworm
  • scholar
  • intellectual
  • jock
  • philanthropist
  • altruist
  • cynic
  • troublemaker
  • stick-in-the-mud
  • pessimist
  • optimist
  • romantic


For more vocabulary-related posts, click on the image: 

http://argutelegacy.blogspot.com/search/label/vocabulary


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