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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 4

Personality Patterns

Themed Conversation: Personality

Expression Chunks

I'm the kind of person who + clause

Meaning: Used to describe a characteristic pattern in your personality or behavior.

Sample sentence: I'm the kind of person who needs a little time before opening up.

Use it in your answer:

  • How would you describe the way you behave when someone needs help?Answer using: I'm the kind of person who...
  • When you have a choice between staying home and going out, what do you usually choose?Answer using: I'm the kind of person who...
  • What do you normally do when you enter a room where you don't know anyone?Answer using: I'm the kind of person who...
  • What is something you repeatedly forget, notice, or do for no clear reason?Answer using: I'm the kind of person who...
  • How do you usually handle responsibilities that other people are depending on you to finish?Answer using: I'm the kind of person who...

More often than not, + clause

Meaning: Means 'usually' or 'in most cases' and introduces what commonly happens.

Sample sentence: More often than not, I prefer listening to talking in a new group.

Use it in your answer:

  • How would you describe the way you behave when someone needs help?Answer using: More often than not,...
  • When you have a choice between staying home and going out, what do you usually choose?Answer using: More often than not,...
  • What do you normally do when you enter a room where you don't know anyone?Answer using: More often than not,...
  • What is something you repeatedly forget, notice, or do for no clear reason?Answer using: More often than not,...
  • How do you usually handle responsibilities that other people are depending on you to finish?Answer using: More often than not,...

For some reason, I always + base verb

Meaning: Used for a repeated behavior that you notice but may not fully understand.

Sample sentence: For some reason, I always remember people's faces but forget their names.

Use it in your answer:

  • How would you describe the way you behave when someone needs help?Answer using: For some reason, I always...
  • When you have a choice between staying home and going out, what do you usually choose?Answer using: For some reason, I always...
  • What do you normally do when you enter a room where you don't know anyone?Answer using: For some reason, I always...
  • What is something you repeatedly forget, notice, or do for no clear reason?Answer using: For some reason, I always...
  • How do you usually handle responsibilities that other people are depending on you to finish?Answer using: For some reason, I always...

Question Chunks

Would you say that + clause?

Sample question: Would you say that you're good under pressure?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

What are you like when + clause?

Sample question: What are you like when you meet someone for the first time?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: Personality

open up

Definition: become willing to share feelings

Sample sentence: It takes me time to open up to people I have just met.

Practice questions:

  • Who do you find it easiest to open up to?
  • How long does it usually take you to open up to someone new?
  • What helps people open up in a conversation?
  • Are there topics you find difficult to open up about?
  • Do you think people open up more easily online or face to face?

stand out

Definition: be noticeably different

Sample sentence: A good sense of humor can make someone stand out.

Practice questions:

  • What makes a person stand out when you first meet them?
  • What makes a job applicant stand out?
  • Who stood out to you when you were at school, and why?
  • Do you like to stand out or blend in?
  • What makes a place stand out in your memory?

get along with

Definition: have a good relationship with

Sample sentence: I tend to get along with people who are easygoing.

Practice questions:

  • What kind of people do you get along with easily?
  • Who do you get along with best in your family?
  • Is there a personality type you find hard to get along with?
  • Do you think coworkers need to get along with each other to work well together?
  • What helps two very different people get along?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • How would your closest friends describe your personality?
  • Are you different around close friends than you are around new people?
  • Do you find it easy to open up to people?
  • What kinds of people do you usually get along with?
  • What personality trait do you value most in a friend?
  • What kind of personality tends to annoy you?
  • Have you become more outgoing or more reserved as you’ve gotten older?
  • Do first impressions usually turn out to be accurate?
  • What makes someone stand out to you when you first meet them?
  • If you could change one part of your personality, would you? Why?