Peter Brown

Peter Brown is the kind of person everybody likes. In fact, he is so sociable and friendly that his friends and neighbours visit him constantly. Luckily he enjoys other people’s company. Almost everyone finds Peter charming and his attraction lies in the fact that he’s an optimist, always talking a positive view of life. In fact, many people find his optimism and mood infectious. People who are really troubled suddenly forget all their terrible worries and become full of life.

Another thing people like about Peter is that he is broad-minded and very tolerant about everything from religion through food to nationality. You have rarely met anyone with so few prejudices. Not surprisingly, although Peter lives alone, he always has company, so he never feels lovely.

On the other hand, he doesn’t need the help of anyone in spite of being over 80, and lives a very active and independent life.

Exercise 14. Answer the following questions:

1. Why do people like Peter Brown?

2. How does he live?

3. Why doesn’t Peter Brown need the help of anyone?

Note: prejudice [ ́pred3ədis] – забобон

Exercise 15.Read the composition and correct the statements given after it:

I’ll never forget the first time I met Mark. I was at a party, feeling a bit bored, when my eyes fell on this tall well-built young man in his mid-twenties. He had red shoulder-length hair and was really good looking. He was smartly dressed in a casual white cotton shirt and grey loose-fitting trousers. What really attracted me though, was his warm friendly smile. Of course, most people believe that his most stunning feature is almond-shaped green eyes. We started chatting and took to each other interest immediately.

Mark is a kind and understanding person who will always listen to you and offer help. He’s also very intelligent and mature enough for his age. Mark is really creative as he can come up with new ideas all the time. That’s why he’s very good at his job, although he’s not really obsessed with his career. Mark likes reading and travelling. As he’s very sociable and loves meeting new people, he’s got friends all over the world. Over the years, I’ve shared many good times with Mark. He’s one of the most cheerful people I’ve ever met, as well as one of my best and most trusted friends.

Vocabulary

smartly dressed – нарядно, модно одягнений

casual [ ́kæ3uel]– випадковий, недбалий

loose-fitting – широкий

stunning feature – приголомшуюча риса

almond-shaped [ ́a:mond]– мигдальної форми

mature [mə ́t∫uə] - витриманий

to be obsessed with his career – переживати за свою кар’єру

a loner – самотній

1. When the author first met his best friend at the party he was surprised that Mark looked bored.

2. When they met they were both teenagers.

3. Mark has always worn his hair cut short.

4. Mark was dressed in a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

5. The author was immediately attracted by the friendly look in Mark’s eyes.

6. Mark is a kind and understanding person and always offers good advice.

7. Mark always places his job responsibilities in the first place.

8. Mark is a loner.

9. The author and Mark both travel a lot.

Exercise 16. At a writing contest your task is to describe a person you see. Give a detailed portrait of the person, his/her beha­viour and your impression of him/her. Use the following description as an example: