Compound Personality Adjectives – Student Hand-

out
Student A

Read the questions and answer them yes, no or sometimes (Y/N/S)

1. Are you tight-fisted? Are you a person who doesn’t like to spend or give money?
2. Are you thin-skinned? Are you a person who is sensitive to criticism or insults?
3. Are you easy-going? Are you a relaxed and tolerant person?
4. Are you quick-witted? Are you a person who thinks and responds quickly?
5. Are you big-headed? Are you a person who thinks they are better than other people?
6. Are you self-assured? Are you confident in your own abilities and character? Are you a
person who doesn’t worry about what other people think of you?

Now ask them to your partner and see what you have in common.

Student B

Read the questions and answer them yes, no or sometimes (Y/N/S)

1. Are you thick-skinned? Are you a person who isn’t affected by criticism or insults?
2. Are you laid-back? Are you a person who is relaxed and casual about everything?
3. Are you absent-minded? Do you often lose or forget things?
4. Are you bad-tempered? Do you tend to get angry often?
5. Are you level-headed? Are you a responsible person who doesn’t get anxious in stressful
situations?
6. Are you self-conscious? Are you nervous or embarrassed about what other people think
of you?

Now ask them to your partner and see what you have in common.

Definition Match

Match the compound adjective (1-12) with the definition (a-l)

1. Tight-fisted a.Someone who worries what other people think of them.

2. Thin-skinned b.Someone who always forgets or loses things.
3. Easy-going c.Someone who hates spending/giving money.
4. Quick-witted d.An arrogant person.
5. Big-headed e.Someone who frequently gets angry.
6. Self-assured f.A responsible person who stays calm in stressful
7. Thick-skinned situations.
8. Laid-back g. Someone who is sensitive to insults/criticism.
9. Absent-minded h. Someone who thinks and responds quickly.
10. Bad-tempered i. A relaxed, tolerant person.
11. Level-headed j. Someone who is confident in their abilities.
12. Self-conscious k. Someone who isn’t affected by criticism.
l. Someone who is relaxed and casual about everything.
Which ones are positive and which are negative?

Positive Negative
Which compound adjective does each photo represent?

a b c d

e f g h
Put the 12 compound adjectives from the other page in the sentences.

1. I felt really _______________ on the first day of school. I didn’t know if the other kids would
like me.
2. My Maths teacher is so __________________, he gets so angry about the smallest things.
3. When negotiating it’s really important to be ____________________ if you get stressed you
can ruin the deal.
4. My best friend is so ____________________, sometimes I make fun of her just for a laugh
and she runs off crying.
5. You’re so __________________ Mani, you left your bag and all your books on the bus.
6. In politics you have to be ____________________ you can’t let all the insults or criticism
affect you.
7. Lots of Hollywood stars are so ____________________ they make one good movie and they
suddenly think they’re better than everyone.
8. Sometimes Arnau can be too _____________________, he has 3 exams tomorrow and he
hasn’t even started studying yet.
9. To be a comedian you have to be really ____________________, it’s hard to think of good
jokes quickly.
10. My parents are so ___________________they never give me any pocket money!
11. Our new teacher is really __________________ he lets us eat sweets in class.
12. In a job interview it’s important to act __________________, otherwise they won’t give you
the job.

Discussion

Which compound adjectives would you use to describe the people listed below? Discuss in pairs.

A good friend A good teacher A good boss Good parents A policeman

A bad friend A bad teacher A bad boss Bad parents A footballer

Agree Disagree Ask for opinion Express opinion

Absolutely. Hhhmm, I’m not so What do you think For me personally,
I couldn’t agree sure. about ….? As far as I’m
more. I take your point Where do you stand concerned,
You took the words but… on…? In my opinion,
right out of my I see what you What do you reckon I reckon that…
mouth. mean but… to…? I’d say that…
Uh-huh. I agree with you up
Yep, I’m with you on to a point but…
that. You must be
Totally. joking.
You’re absolutely Are you kidding?
right.
You can say that
again!