CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE

Appearances are deceptive. It is common truth; practically everyone has met at least someone whose character and appearance differ radically.

When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be strong-willed and brave. One thinks: A model to follow! How often a good-looking individual turns out to be petty, weak-willed or even cowardly. Then one thinks: A mediocrity!

At the same time everyone knows that a lot of great people were of a poor build: short and fragile. It did not stop them from displaying intelligence and courage. Ingenuity does not depend on one’s complexion or constitution. Plump or fat people create an impression of generous and kind personalities. Strangely enough, but sometimes they may be thrifty or even greedy. One usually thinks: A scrooge!

On the other hand, thin or slim nervous ladies often tend to be lavish. They like to buy and never think twice when they pay. One thinks: I would call her open-handed and mother would call her a spendthrift. Yes, mothers are always stricter in judgments.

Has it ever happened to you to come to an important office and see an important boss? You immediately evaluate his looks: round-faced, small narrow eyes, dimples on the cheeks and an upturned nose. What a kind-hearted person! A simpleton! You tell the boss of your troubles and expect immediate help. But the boss appears to be rude, harsh and willful. You never get your help and think: A stone heart and an iron fist.

When someone sees a delicately built pretty blonde with curly hair, blue eyes, a straight nose and a high forehead, one is inclined to think that the beauty is intelligent and nice. It may be disappointing to think later: What a stupid, capricious, impolite bore!

On the contrary, when one sees a skinny brunette with ugly irregular features — a hooked nose, pointed chin, close-set eyes and thin lips, strange thoughts come into one’s head, because it is the image of evil people — cruel and cunning. It may be a relief some time later to find her a clever, gentle and good-mannered lady and think: What charm! A heart of gold!

Another general misconception lies in the fact that children are always expected to resemble their parents. And parents like it when children take after them. Relatives like to compare moles, the shape of noses, etc. The greatest compliment is: They are as like as two peas. The greatest disappointment is to find nothing in common. We want to deny people their exclusiveness; we don’t want to admit that nature has selected other options from an enormous genetic fund developed over generations. Why do we like our copies? Who knows!

Nature likes to play tricks on us. But don’t you think it is a present on the part of nature? Life becomes not a boring routine, but a brilliant kaleidoscope of characters and appearances which often clash.

Exercise 1

Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

внешность обманчива; модель для подражания; слабого телосложения; проявлять ум и храбрость; зависеть от телосложения; быть щедрым, расточительным; простак; скряга; посредственность; добряк; быть похожим на родителей; быть похожими, как две капли воды.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1. Appearances are….

2. When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be….

3. Ingenuity does not depend on one’s….

4. Plump or fat people create an impression of….

5. Another general misconception lies in the fact that….

6. Relatives like to compare….

7. The greatest compliment is: ….

8. Nature likes….

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Do you agree that appearances are deceptive? Tell your classmates about your own experience.

2. Do you think it is worth judging by appearances? Give your reasons.

3. What impression do plump and fat people usually make?

4. What kind of people is usually considered to be cruel and cunning?

5. What is more important for you: people’s character or appearance?

 

 

APPLYING FOR A JOB

In different countries different conventions apply to the process of job application and interviews. In most parts of the world, it is common to submit a typed CV (curriculum vitae — British English) or resume (American English). This contains all the unchanging information about you: your education, background and work experience. This usually accompanies a letter of application, which in some countries has to be handwritten not typed. A supplementary information sheet containing information relevant to this particular job may also be required though this is not used in come countries.

Many companies expect all your personal information to be entered on a standard application form. Unfortunately, no two application forms are alike and filling in each one may present unexpected difficulties. Some personnel departments believe that the CV and application letter give a better impression of a candidate.

 

THE CURRICULUM VITAE

An excellent CV may help you get the job of your dreams and a poor CV may mean a lost opportunity.

Since this is the first piece of information a company will receive about you, it is critically important that your CV be well-written.

It should be presented at the beginning of any interview that you have with a company. Ideally, CV should not be longer than one page.

The contents of a CV can be roughly categorized as: 1) PERSONAL INFORMATION (address and telephone number), 2) JOB OBJECTIVE, 3) EDUCATION, 4) EXPERIENCE, 5) SKILLS, 6) EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, 7) REFERENCES.

The resume begins with PERSONAL INFORMATION, name, address, telephone number centered at the top page.

After your address, a statement of intent or JOB OBJECTIVE should be written. This objective should be well thought out from the very beginning since it will influence how you will write the rest of the resume. It should not be too general, e.g: ”To obtain a managerial position in a Western company.“

Think about your job search and career goals carefully, write them down in a way that shows you have given this much thought.

For example: ”Objective: To obtain a position in telecommunication that will allow me to use my knowledge of engineering and take advantage of my desire to work in sales.“

Notice that your desire to have a well-paid job is not included in this statement. A focus on money in your résumé’s first sentence will not make the best impression anywhere in the world, not just in Russia.

After the statement of intent, describe your EDUCATION.

List the universities, institutes and colleges you have attended in reverse chronological order.

Any studying you have done abroad should be included and courses that you have taken that are relevant.

If you graduated with honors, you should definitely include this. A ”red diploma“ can be called ”graduated with high honors“ in English. Do not include your high school.

Your working EXPERIENCE is the next section. List your experience starting with your most recent place of employment and work backwards.

Spell out the exact dates of employment, your position, and the name of the company you worked for.

Provide information about your responsibilities, emphasizing important activities by listing the most relevant to your objective. Do not use complete sentences! List your responsibilities in short statements that do not include the words ”my“ or ”I“.

Following experience, you should list your special SKILLS.

These include your language skills, computer abilities, and any other talent that relates to your statement of intent.

When describing your language abilities, it is best to be honest about assessing your level, ”Fluent English“, ”native Russian“, ”intermediate German“, and ”beginning French“ are all ways to describe your language abilities.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES should be included in the next section. Student or professional organizations you belong to, travel, sports and hobbies should be listed here.

Do not list ”reading“ or ”writing“ as an activity. It is assumed most people with a higher education do these things regularly.

The last section of your resume is the REFERENCE section. List at least two people, not related to you, who can describe your qualification for the job.

Their names, titles, places of work, and telephone numbers should be included. If you do not have space on your resume for this, write ”Available upon request.” “You will then be expected to give this information to a prospective employer if it is requested.

The style and format of a resume are extremely important. Your resume must be typed, preferably on a computer in order to format it most effectively. A neat and well-written resume with no spelling mistakes will give an employer the impression that you are accurate and take care of details.

A resume will not get you a job. An interview with a company will get a job. In order to have the opportunity of interviewing with a company you should send your resume with a cover letter.

Exercise 1

Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

устраиваться на работу; краткая автобиография; дополнительная информация; личные данные; бланк (форма заявления); получить должность; опыт работы; навыки; рекомендации.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1.In different countries different conventions apply to the process of …

2. CV contains all the unchanging information about you:…

3. An excellent CV may help you …

4. The contents of a CV can be roughly categorized as: …

5. When describing your language abilities, it is best to…

6. In order to have the opportunity of interviewing with a company you should…

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. What information should your CV contain?

2. How long should your CV be?

3. What are the main parts of CV?

 

Writing

Write a CV.

My Future Profession

Biotechnologists are researchers who use microscopic analysis and laboratory experiments to collect and analyze biological, microbiological, and biochemical data. They examine blood and tissue for signs of disease or viruses, and test the effects of different medicines on bacteria. Biotechnologists have made many discoveries that have led to improved human health. They can also work in forensics laboratories identifying and comparing materials such as blood, body fluids and hair.

The Things They Do:

· Collect samples and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses;

· Perform or assist in scientific experiments;

· Set up and maintain laboratory equipment;

· Analyze research information and prepare reports;

Duties may be related to a number of developing specialties in the field of biotechnology, including forensic sciences, genetic engineering and human cell culture.

Working Conditions:

Biotechnologists often work in sterile laboratories within research teams and alongside scientists. A great deal of time is spent working alone, over a microscope and/or working in front of computers. The work requires tremendous attention to detail and intense concentration.

Most Biotechnologists Work In:

· Government agencies;

· Food, chemical and drug manufacturing companies;

· Biotechnology companies;

· Health research facilities and natural resource companies;

· Universities;

· Pharmaceutical companies;

To follow biotechnology as a preferred profession, you must have a sound grounding in science from the early school days. You must have keen interest in various branches of science not just for the sake of study or for obtaining good grades. Rather, you must have a keen perception to understand scientific applications and even keep pace with the latest news from the scientific world.

Important traits for getting into this domain are a high degree of intelligence and a general aptitude for science and scientific applications.

Since biotechnology is redefining the boundaries of science, to become a part of such an innovative field you must posses an inherent attitude of originality and imagination. Other skills that will sail you through a successful and a fulfilling career in this path-breaking area are perseverance, immense patience, analytical proficiency, ability to work for long hours and team spirit.

Biotechnology assimilates in itself a number of disciplines. Further, there is a great demand for biotechnical experts in countless industries and sectors. The following are applications where biotechnological techniques are used extensively:

· Agriculture

· Animal Husbandry

· Environment Conservation

· Genetic Engineering

· Health Care

· Medicine

· Industrial Research and Development

Career opportunities for students in biotechnology abound. Those specializing in different sub-disciplines of this field can easily find jobs in both private and government sector undertakings. If you have acquired a post-graduate degree in biotechnology then you can easily find a suitable position in a number of industries.

Major recruiters include industries engaged in processing and developing agricultural and biological products, bio-processing industries, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. There are ample opportunities in industries producing healthcare products, textile industry, cosmetics and organisations engaged in different types of industrial research and development.

These days a growing number of qualified biotechnical professionals are engaged by different industries for environment protection activities and for the safe disposal of hazardous materials.

Exercise 1

Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

исследователи; собирать и анализировать сведения; собирать образцы; проводить биохимические тесты; проводить научные эксперименты; готовить отчеты; широкие возможности; деятельность по защите окружающей среды.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1.Biotechnologists are researchers who…

2. Biotechnologists often work in…

3. The work requires…

4. Most biotechnologists work in…

5. To follow biotechnology as a preferred profession, you must…

6. Major recruiters include industries engaged in…

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Who are biologists?

2. What do they do?

3. What can you tell about working condition of biologists?

4. Where are biotechnological techniques used extensively?

5. What are the career opportunities for students in biotechnology?

 

Discussion

Do yon agree or not? Comment on the following statements.

1. A good name is better than riches.

2. A little body often harbours a great soul.

3. A word is enough to the wise.

4. All that glitters is not gold.

5. Handsome is as handsome does.

6. He that is full of himself is very empty.

7. You cannot judge a tree by its bark.

Role-play

A Formal Gathering

Setting: A formal gathering in a grand villa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Situation: The Rich family invites a lot of people to their villa to the engagement of their son and the daughter of the Wealthy family. The guests hardly know each other. They entertain themselves by discussing the appearance and character of the people they see around. The host and the hostess circulate and hear what different people say about each other.

Characters:

Card I—II — Christopher and Christine, the fiancés.

Card III—IV — Mr. and Mrs. Rych, the owners of the villa.

Card V—VI — Mr. and Mrs. Wealthy, Christine’s parents.

Card VII—VIII — Franklin and Frances, newly-weds. Franklin is Christopher’s cousin. He owns a textile factory and is often away from home.

Card IX—X — Patricia and Flotilla — two middle-aged single women. They are Christine’s aunts. They never married because they could not find a good match.

Card XI—XII — Stephen and Stephanie, a married couple. Stephen is a distant relative to the Rich family.

Card XIII—XIV — Clement and Clementine, a married couple. Clement is a distant relative to the Wealthy family.

WRITING

Write an essay on one of the following topics:

1. My Self-Portrait.

2. What Kind of People Do You Get On with Best?

3. Looking through a Family Album.

 

 

Unit 2

Family Life

Family and Relatives

Topical Vocabulary

aunt

brother

cousin

daughter

father

grandchild

granddaughter

grandson

grandfather, grandpapa

grandpa

grandmother, grandmamma

grandma

grandparent (s)

great-grandchild

husband

ex-husband

in-laws

father-in-law

mother-in-law

son-in-law

mother

niece

nephew

parents

sister

son

step-father

step-daughter

step-son

twin

twin-brother

twin-sister

uncle

widow (woman)

widower (man)

wife

ex-wife

 

тетя; тетка

брат

двоюродный брат, двоюродная сестра

дочь

отец

внук; внучка

внучка

внук

дедушка

дедушка (ласкательное)

бабушка

бабушка (ласкательное)

дед и бабка

правнук; правнучка

муж

бывший муж

родители жены/мужа

свекор, тесть

свекровь, теща

зять (муж дочери)

мать

племянница

племянник

родители

сестра

сын

отчим

падчерица

приемный сын

близнецы

брат-близнец

сестра-близнец

дядя

вдова

вдовец

жена

бывшая жена

 

Consult the dictionary and translate the following words and word combinations:

Family

spouse

child, children

sibling

grandfather, grandmother, grandparents

great-grandfather, great-grandmother; great-grandchild

half-brother, half-sister

adopted son, adopted daughter, adopted child

foster family; foster father, foster mother, foster parents; foster son, foster daughter, foster child

Relatives

uncle, aunt; nephew, niece

cousin, first cousin, second cousin

my family, my relatives, my folks, my kin

Relatives by marriage

in-laws; father-in-law, mother-in-law; son-in-law, daughter-in-law

brother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, sisters-in-law

Age groups

child, baby, infant; teenager, adolescent; adult, grownup

young man, young woman; old man, old woman