1 Describing people

language to create mystery/suspense, reference to feelings/moods, etc) can be 
used when describing people in order to make your description more vivid and 
interesting. See how an ordinary beginning can be more exciting. 

---

Writing techniques
I first met my future wife, Heidi, in a cafe where 
I was doing my crossword on a warm afternoon 
in July.
I watched with a mixture of irritation and 
apprehension as the busker approached my 
table where I was doing the crossword on that 
balmy June afternoon. I felt irritated because I 
hate being disturbed when I’m enjoying my own 
company and apprehensive because I never 
know how to tell people politely to go away. To 
my surprise, however, the woman sat down 
opposite me and put her guitar down on the 
floor. “Can I play something for you?’ she said 
with a cheeky grain. Little did I know right then 
that this woman, Heidi Tierney, was to be my 
future wife.

---

Writing techniques
I first met Marione Browne, the famous writer, 
at a party where I hardly knew anyone. 
The room was crowded and smoky, and the 
sound of talking and laughter was almost 
deafening. I was standing alone in a corner, 
feeling like a fish out of water because I 
knew almost no one there, when a 
middle-aged woman approached me and 
said, "Feeling a bit out of things?" I smiled at 
her and nodded, then did a quick double 
take. I recognised her face from a book I'd 
just been reading. It was Marion Browne, the 
famous writer.

---

Writing techniques
The man who was to become the greatest 
influence in my life, William Morrison, was 
introduced to me by my boss.
When the first thing my secretary said 
that Monday morning was, 'The 
manager wants to see you," I thought 
for sure I was in trouble. I checked my 
hair, took a deep breath and went into 
Mr Wentworth's office. "Morning, 
Sandra", he said. "l'd like you to meet a 
very good friend of mine, William 
Morrison." I shook his hand politely, not 
realising that he was to become the 
greatest influence in my life.

---

Writing techniques
It was late on a cold January night two years ago when I first laid eyes on Chris Martin, after hearing a removal van in front of the 
vacant house next door. Curious to see who my new neighbour was going to be, I peered out from between the curtains. Under the 
street lamp there appeared to be a multi-coloured clown-like figure gesticulating wildly and shouting, "Be careful with that box! That's a 
ten-thousand-pound amp you've got there!"
When Chris came round to introduce himself the following play, I was rather taken aback to discover that his curious guise the previous 
night had not been a trick of the light, but that it was, in fact his "normal" appearance. His slender body was adorned in a comic book, 
superhero catsuit, cape and mask and his rainbow hair looked as if it had been styled with the aid of an electric socket and a wet 
finger. He introduced himself with a low bow then took my hand and gently kissed it before murmuring in a deep, husky voice, "Chris 
Martin, at your service, Madam."
In the months that followed, I soon realised that Chris was one of the politest, friendliest and most genuinely caring people I've ever 
met - although he has a strange way of showing this. For instance, on my birthday, he rang my doorbell, greeted me with a bow when I 
opened the door, said "This is for you," and handed me a photograph of a bouquet of flowers. He brings me chicken soup and 
Japanese tea when I'm ill, and I know he's always ready to listen to my problems and cheer me up. Once, when I was feeling a bit low, 
he said, ‘I know! Let's go to the zoo there's nothing like a nice elephant to make you feel better!"
Although Chris could never be described as ordinary, I enjoy having him as a neighbour. Just the other day he came round 
unexpectedly with an entire Thai meal beautifully laid out on a tray. When I thanked him, he merely shrugged and said, "What else are 
neighbours for?" It's this sort of thing that makes him such a valuable and unpredictable friend.

---

Describe a person you admire and explain why you admire him or 
her
The person I admire most is not famous at all, yet to my mind his achievements are as important as those of any historical figure. Gary Young is a fellow 
student of mine at college, and for him this fact itself is a major achievement.
Gary suffers from cerebral palsy, which makes it almost impossible for him to control his movements. As a result, he spends his life in a wheelchair, cannot 
write with a pen or pencil, and speaks so slowly and strangely that it takes patience to understand what he is saying. This, together with his thin, twisted 
body and awkward facial expressions, can often cause people to treat him as if he were a backward child.
However, behind his physical appearance, Gary is a warm, fun-loving, intelligent person. His disability affects his muscles, not his mind or personality. He 
enjoys the same things any student does - listening to music, meeting friends, and so on - and he is not only the best student in our class, but also has a 
wonderful sense of humour and genuine interest in other people. Unable to express himself easily in conversation, he uses a special typewriter to write 
letters to his friends, and beautiful poems which show the true depth of his thoughts and character. He lives a very regular life, studying every day and never 
allowing himself to fall behind in his schoolwork. Of course he enjoys going out as well, and he believes that a balance of work and play make life happy and 
fulfilling.
The main reason I admire him so much is that he is determined to lead a normal life, in spite of the physical difficulties he has to overcome. Although his 
condition prevented him from going to school, he gave himself an education by studying at home. He lives alone, cooking and cleaning with the help of 
equipment he designed himself, and he leads a full social life with his many friends, including visits to the theatre, or even (on one memorable occasion 
when I was wit; him) to the funfair.
Another reason I admire Gary, is the fact that he never feels sorry for himself. He says, for instance, that being unable to move around simply gives him 
more time to think. In fact, he always manages to see the bright side of any situation, so that, far from needing his friends to comfort him, he actually cheers 
us up when we are worried or depressed!
I would admire Gary as a person even if he didn't have any disability; the fact that he does, and refuses to let it spoil his life, makes him the most remarkable 
person I know

---

Describe a person who’s influenced your life and explain why you 
admire him/her
On my first day of work at Acrol Assurance I arrived nervous, soaking wet - and nearly half an hour late.I had forgotten to take an umbrella, had 
missed the bus and was now ready for a good scolding. It was then that I met Miriam Bellings, the Managing Director, who was to have an 
enormous influence on my life and career.
My first impression of her was one of politeness verging on stiffness. She was a small, birdlike woman, her appearance giving the impression of a 
nervous, easily-flustered person. I soon learnt, however, that her true character was calm, warm and kind, yet unbendingly professional. After 
reminding me that lateness would not be tolerated in the office, she laughingly confessed to me that she had been over an hour late on her first 
morning because she had lost her way, which was typical of her sympathetic character. She then proceeded to explain the workings of the office 
to me with such clarity and accuracy, and with such patience to my rather naive questions, that I was left with the impression that she was a sort 
of superwoman of office management.
During the years I worked with her, my admiration for Miriam steadily increased. No crisis in the office ever caught her off-guard, and on the rare 
occasions when she could not answer a question, she would make sure that she had an answer for you within the hour.
Her ability to deal with several matters at once seemed almost miraculous. I remember on one occasion when nearly everyone in the office had 
gone down with the flu, Miriam managed to keep the office running smoothly without seeming stressed or harassed in the least. We sometimes 
used to joke that if everyone in the office had been absent on the same day, Miriam would not even have noticed!
The most striking thing about Miriam, though, was her sensitivity towards others. Although she had never married, she seemed to have a deep 
understanding of family relationships, and could always tell when an employee was having problems at home. She was not a 
"pull-yourself-together" sort of boss at all. If she sensed that something was wrong, she would call you into her office and encourage you to talk. 
Not only was she a good listener, but the advice she offered was always sound as well.
All in all, Miriam is the most admirable person I’ve ever met. I lost touch with Miriam after her retirement, but I will always remember her as the 
"guiding light" in my working life, the woman who - through her example, help and advice - enabled me to be as successful as I am today.

---

Descriptions of people in different contexts

---

Descriptions of people in different contexts
1 Mary Gordon has changed a great deal since I first met her. This is not immediately apparent as she still looks very much 
the same. Her youthful face and slim figure remain unchanged, and her clothes are as elegant as ever. However, to people 
who know her well the change is obvious. She was once a carefree and even frivolous person, but the difficult 
circumstances of her life have made her a more serious, compassionate and understanding person.
2 The thing I most admire about Paul Williams is his determination. There is nothing he cannot succeed in once he sets his 
mind to it. As a student at university, he worked at weekends in order to help pay his way while completing his degree in 
business studies. He started out at the bottom of the company, but his dedication and determination have meant that after 
just ten years he is now a director. Over the years his positive qualities have brought him success repeatedly, and he has 
earned the admiration of all who know him
3 William Jones is a person, who, despite his good qualities, I find difficult to like. It's not that he's ever done anything to me 
or to any of our colleagues, but there's something about the way he looks at you that makes you feel uneasy. He is quite 
good-looking, but there is a rather sly, cagey look in his small brown eyes that makes you distrust him from the moment you 
meet him. He tends to be obsequious as well, telling everyone exactly what they want to hear and over-complimentary to 
anyone in a higher position than his. There may be no real basis for my dislike, but he is a person I simply cannot trust.