29. Describing People and Objects

Describing people and objects is an essential skill in learning any language, including English. At the A2 level, you are expected to be able to describe people’s appearances, personalities, and various objects in detail. This skill not only helps in everyday conversations but also enhances your ability to write descriptive texts, which is a crucial part of language proficiency.

Describing People

Physical Appearance

When describing someone's physical appearance, you can talk about different features such as height, build, hair, eyes, and general appearance. Here are some useful phrases and vocabulary:

• Height: tall, short, medium height
• Build: slim, athletic, overweight, muscular
• Hair: long, short, curly, straight, wavy, bald
• Hair color: blonde, brunette, redhead, black, gray
• Eyes: blue, green, brown, hazel, big, small
• General appearance: attractive, beautiful, handsome, plain, elegant, smart

For example:

"She is a tall and slim woman with long, curly brown hair and bright green eyes. She always dresses elegantly."

Personality

Describing a person's personality involves discussing their traits, habits, and behaviors. Here are some common adjectives used to describe personality:

• Positive traits: friendly, kind, generous, outgoing, cheerful, optimistic, hardworking
• Negative traits: shy, reserved, lazy, pessimistic, moody, selfish
• Neutral traits: quiet, serious, talkative, introverted, extroverted

For example:

"John is a very friendly and outgoing person. He is always cheerful and optimistic, even in difficult situations."

Combining Physical and Personality Descriptions

When you describe someone, you often combine both physical appearance and personality to give a fuller picture. For instance:

"Anna is a short, athletic woman with short black hair and dark brown eyes. She is very hardworking and serious, but once you get to know her, she's also quite friendly and funny."

Describing Objects

Physical Characteristics

Describing objects involves talking about their size, shape, color, material, and function. Here are some useful phrases:

• Size: large, small, medium, tiny, huge
• Shape: round, square, rectangular, oval, triangular
• Color: red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, colorful
• Material: wooden, metal, plastic, glass, fabric, leather
• Function: used for, serves as, functions as, designed for

For example:

"The table is large and rectangular, made of dark wood. It has a glossy finish and is used for dining."

Descriptive Language

Using descriptive language can make your description more vivid and engaging. Here are some examples:

• "The vase is a delicate piece of art, with intricate patterns painted in vibrant colors."
• "The old clock is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with its ornate design and antique finish."

Function and Usage

When describing objects, it's also helpful to mention their function or how they are used. This can provide more context and make your description clearer:

"The smartphone is a small, rectangular device with a sleek design. It is used for communication, taking photos, browsing the internet, and much more."

Practice and Application

Exercises for Describing People

1. Choose a person you know well. Write a paragraph describing their physical appearance and personality. Use at least five adjectives.

2. Look at a picture of a famous person. Write a description of their appearance and what you imagine their personality might be like.

Exercises for Describing Objects

1. Pick an object in your room. Write a detailed description of it, including its size, shape, color, material, and function.

2. Describe an object you use every day, such as a phone or a laptop. Focus on its design and how it helps you in your daily tasks.

Conclusion

Describing people and objects is a fundamental skill in mastering English at the A2 level. By using a variety of adjectives and descriptive language, you can create vivid and accurate descriptions that enhance communication. Practice regularly by observing the people and objects around you, and challenge yourself to describe them in detail. This will not only improve your vocabulary but also your ability to convey information clearly and effectively.

Remember, the key to becoming proficient in description is practice and exposure. Engage in conversations where you describe people and objects, and pay attention to how others do it. Over time, you will find yourself becoming more confident and skilled in this essential aspect of language learning.

Next page of the Free Ebook:

30Common Phrasal Verbs

5 minutes