Character & behaviour
15 words15 слов уровня C1 Advanced: assertive, conscientious, gullible, resilient, aloof, empathetic, tactful, impulsive, complacent, vindictive, gregarious, steadfast, condescending, frugal, unassuming. Для каждого слова даны транскрипция, определение, перевод и три примера, а в конце урока вас ждут короткая история со всеми словами и 23 вопроса для проверки.
When the head of the design team retired, two people applied for her job. Marcus was gregarious and confident, always the first to speak in meetings. Ruth was quieter and more unassuming, but everyone agreed she was the most conscientious member of the team.
At first Marcus seemed the obvious choice. He was assertive, full of ideas and quick to act, although sometimes a little too impulsive. Ruth, by contrast, was careful and frugal with the budget, and she never promised what she couldn’t deliver.
Things changed when a big project went wrong. Marcus blamed a junior designer and spoke to her in a condescending way; later he became almost vindictive, refusing to work with anyone who had questioned him. Ruth, meanwhile, was tactful and empathetic, and she remained steadfast in her support for the team.
In the end, Ruth got the job. ‘The team needs someone resilient,’ the director explained, ‘not someone who becomes aloof when things go badly.’ Marcus, who had grown a little complacent, admitted he had been gullible to think that charm alone would be enough.
adjective
confident and able to say what you want or think
уверенный в себе, напористый
Положительное слово, в отличие от aggressive. Существительное assertiveness.
“You need to be more assertive in meetings.”
“She gave a calm but assertive reply.”
“Assertive people find it easier to say no.”
adjective
careful to do things well and thoroughly
добросовестный
Не путать с conscious — в сознании, осознающий.
“He is a conscientious worker who never cuts corners.”
“Conscientious students check their work twice.”
“She was conscientious about answering every email.”
adjective
easily tricked because you believe what people tell you
доверчивый, легковерный
Синоним — naive, но gullible звучит резче.
“Scammers target gullible people online.”
“I was gullible enough to believe his story.”
“Don’t be so gullible — it’s an April Fool’s joke!”
adjective
able to recover quickly from difficulties
стойкий, жизнестойкий
Существительное resilience. Говорят о людях, материалах, экономике.
“Children are often more resilient than adults think.”
“The local economy proved remarkably resilient.”
“She is resilient and never gives up.”
adjective
not friendly and not interested in other people
отчуждённый, холодный
Часто после глагола: remain / stay aloof from.
“The new manager seemed cold and aloof.”
“He kept aloof from the other students.”
“Her aloof manner made her hard to get to know.”
adjective
able to understand how other people feel
чуткий, умеющий сопереживать
Также empathic. Существительное empathy. Ср. sympathetic — сочувствующий.
“A good nurse must be empathetic.”
“She listened in an empathetic way.”
“Empathetic leaders build stronger teams.”
adjective
careful not to say or do things that upset people
тактичный
Антоним — tactless. Существительное tact.
“It wasn’t very tactful to mention her age.”
“He gave a tactful answer to an awkward question.”
“Try to be tactful when you criticise someone’s work.”
adjective
doing things suddenly without thinking about the results
импульсивный
Impulse buying — импульсивные покупки; on impulse — под влиянием момента.
“He’s so impulsive — he bought a car without even test-driving it.”
“Impulsive decisions often lead to regret.”
“Teenagers can be impulsive and take risks.”
adjective
too satisfied with yourself and therefore not trying to improve
самодовольный, благодушный
Существительное complacency. Не путать с complaisant — угодливый.
“We won, but we mustn’t become complacent.”
“The team grew complacent after years of success.”
“Complacent drivers are more likely to have accidents.”
adjective
wanting to hurt someone who has hurt you
мстительный
Синоним — vengeful.
“His vindictive neighbour spread rumours about him.”
“Don’t be vindictive — just forgive and forget.”
“The decision seemed petty and vindictive.”
adjective
enjoying being with other people
общительный, компанейский
О животных — стадный: gregarious animals.
“She is outgoing and gregarious, the life of every party.”
“Gregarious people enjoy working in teams.”
“Sheep are gregarious animals.”
adjective
staying the same, loyal and determined
непоколебимый, верный
Steadfast support / loyalty; steadfast in your beliefs.
“She remained steadfast in her support for him.”
“He was steadfast in his refusal to resign.”
“Their steadfast loyalty was finally rewarded.”
adjective
behaving as if you are better or more important than other people
снисходительный, высокомерный
Глагол condescend to. Синоним — patronising.
“I can’t stand his condescending tone.”
“She was condescending towards the junior staff.”
“Don’t be condescending — I understand perfectly well.”
adjective
careful about spending money; simple and cheap
бережливый, экономный; скромный
A frugal meal — скромная еда. Ср. stingy — скупой (с осуждением).
“My grandparents lived a very frugal life.”
“Being frugal helped them save for a house.”
“We ate a frugal meal of bread and soup.”
adjective
quiet and modest, not trying to impress other people
скромный, непритязательный
Обычно с одобрением: a quiet, unassuming man.
“Despite his fame, he remained unassuming.”
“She was an unassuming woman who did a great deal of good.”
“The restaurant looks unassuming, but the food is superb.”
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