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

When one sees atall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to bestrong-willed andbrave. One thinks: 'Amodel to follow!' How often agood-looking individual turns out to bepetty, weak-willed or evencowardly. Then one thinks: 'Amediocrity!'

At the same time everyone knows that a lot of great people were of a poor build: short andfragile. It did not stop them fromdisplay­ing intelligence andcourage. Ingenuity does not depend on one's complexion or constitution.

Plumporfat people create an impression ofgenerous andkind personalities. Strangely enough, not rarely they may bethrifty or evengreedy. One usually thinks: 'Ascrooge!'

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 heropen-handed and Mother would call her a spendthrift'. Yes, mothers are alwaysstricter in judgements.

Has it ever happened to you that you come to an important of­fice and see an important boss? You immediatelyevaluate his looks: 'Round-faced, small narrow eyes, dimples on the cheeks and anup­turned nose. What akind-hearted person! A simpleton!' You tell the boss of your troubles and expect immediate help. But the boss ap­pears to berude, harsh and wilful. You never get your help and think: 'Astone heart and aniron fist'.

When someone sees adelicately built pretty blondewithcurly hair, blue eyes,astraight noseanda high forehead,one is inclined to think that thebeautyisintelligentandnice.It may be disappoin­ting to think later 'What a stupid, capricious, impolite bore!'

On the contrary, whenone sees askinny brunette withugly ir­regular features — a hooked nose, pointed chin, close-set eyes and

thin lips, strange thoughts come to one's head; because it is theim­age of evil people — cruel andcunning . It may be a relief some time later to find her aclever, gentle andgood-mannered lady and think: 'What charm! A heart of gold!'

Another general misconception lies in the fact that children are always expected toresemble their parents. And parents like it when childrentake after them. Relatives like to comparemoles, theshape of noses, etc. The greatest compliment is:"They are as like as two peas'. The greatest disappointment is tofind nothing in common. We want to deny people theirexclusiveness, we don't want to admit that nature has selected other options from an enormousgenetic funddeveloped over generations. Why do we like ourcopies? 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.

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. Look at the pictures below and choose the right word from the lists to describe the shape of one's face, eyes, nose, chin, lips, forehead.

Face:

a) oval b) round c) long d) square

Eyes:

a) almond b) slanting c) round d) narrow

Nose:

a) aquiline b) hooked c) straight d) upturned

Chin:

a) protruding b) split c) double d) pointed

Lips:

a) thin b) plump c) thick d) heart-shaped

Forehead:

a) wrinkled b) narrow c) balding d) high

4. Find people among your relatives who resemble one another. Describe their appearance.

5. Say a few words about your character. Do you take after your parents?

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