1.

Character and personality

Game

Are we the kind of people we are because of the time of the year we were born? See if
you can complete the adjectives below. Each one has a clue beside it to help you and a
dot for each letter that you need to add.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)

You won't find him in the corner at the party. Outgoing

That's her doing the can-can on the table. Extrovert

She has no problems. Carefree

He never frowns. Light-hearted

She tells no lies. Truthful

He has few secrets. Open

He'll tell you if he doesn't like your make-up. Candid

She'll tell you if she doesn't like your after-shave. Frank

He's the person to ask for that five pounds you are owed. Easy-going

TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 20)

He knows what he wants and he usually gets it. Strong-willed

She never gives up without a fight. Determined

He knows he's good. Self-assured

She knows she's as good. Self-confident

She likes to be the boss, the one on top. Dominant

He wants to be even bigger, even better — the best ambitious

and expects high standards of performance from others. Demanding

He works 18 hours a day, jogs, and plays squash. Energetic

She hates to lose, in business or at tiddlywinks. Competitive

She thinks she's good. Proud

He thinks he's superior to everyone. Arrogant

'As the most experienced and sensible person present, I...' Pompous

'Of course, I could have beaten him even more easily, but I wanted to give him a
chance.' Boastful

She won't share her presents with her sister. Selfish

He spends half the day in front of the mirror. Vain

She thinks the whole world revolves around her. Self-centred

He thinks he's the centre of the universe. Egocentric

She looks down on anyone who hasn't got a heated indoor swimming pool at home.
Snobbish

CANCER (Jun 21 - Jul 20)

She seems to enjoy finding fault with others. Critical

He'll take off marks if you don't dot your i's. Petty

She can only ever see one side of things. Narrow-minded

He always likes the fat taken off his bacon. Fussy

He's like a donkey. Stubborn

She's like a mule. Obstinate

He loves money, loves having 'things'. Materialistic

Oh yes, he'll help you - if you make it worth his while. Mercenary

She never lets her husband out of her sight. Possessive

LEO (Jul21-Aug21)

You never know what he's going to do. Unpredictable

He never knows what he's going to do. Indecisive

There are two things I don't like about her - her face! Two-faced
Be careful what he's saying about you behind your back. Hypocritical

Be careful what she's doing while your back is turned. Dishonest

He behaves like the weather in April. Changeable

She behaves like the proverbial primadonna. Temperamental

He says what I want to hear, not what he thinks. Insincere

He never does all the things he says he'll do. Unreliable

VIRGO (Aug 22 - Sep 22)

Other people's points of view always impress him. Impressionable

She'd believe you if you told her pizzas grew on trees. Gullible

She lacks will-power. Weak-willed

He lacks courage. Cowardly

He doesn't do much — he just sits back and watches. Passive

She'll do what she's told. Obedient

You never know what he's thinking. Secretive

It was an honour just to be on the same court as McEnroe. Humble

How I beat him 6-0, 6-0, 6-0? It was just luck.' Modest

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22)

He uses his common sense. Sensible

She never does silly things under pressure. Level-headed

She's like the Libran symbol of the scales. Well-balanced

She'd solve all the problems on a desert island, Practical

and nothing would upset her. Calm

He'd be a good judge or referee. Fair-minded

She's got both feet on the ground and is really down-to-earth. Realistic

His heart rarely rules his head. Rational

SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 22)

Keep out of her way when she loses her temper. Aggressive

He's always the first one to put his fists up, Violent

and he's quick to use them - to the full. Brutal

He may even add a boot or two for good measure. Vicious

She won't let anything stand in her way. Ruthless

He has no principles about hurting other people. Unscrupulous

He almost seems to enjoy causing trouble. Malicious

She's a strong believer in an eye for an eye, Spiteful

and a tooth - or, in her case, teeth - for a tooth. Vindictive

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 20)

Those with some Latin blood in their veins. Passionate

They are fiery and emotional. Hot- blooded

She's not afraid to go mountain climbing, Brave

or to join a mountain rescue team. Courageous

He wants to go to wild and unexplored places. Adventurous

They're vivacious, like champagne bubbles. Lively

She puts her heart and soul into her profession. Dedicated

On the sinking ship, the dog never left its master's side. Devoted

These friends do not desert you in a crisis. Loyal

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 - Jan 19)

He'd always stop to help a disabled person across the road. Considerate
That's her on the beach wiping oil off the sea-birds' feathers. Tender

She wouldn't hurt a fly. Gentle

He leaves £10 tips. Generous

He wouldn't mind if she dyed her hair green. Tolerant

She lets him sleep when he gets back from a hard day's work. Understanding

He defends her in any argument. Protective

She kisses him on the cheek every minute or so. Affectionate

She always sends a card on her parents' anniversary. Thoughtful

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

If she likes you, she'll fling her arms around you and say so. Impulsive

He jumps into the bath without testing the water. Impetuous

Lose your way with her in the car? You'd better not! Impatient

He's constantly like a child on Christmas Eve. Excitable

He's a typical 'angry young man'. Rebellious

She's Trotsky, Castro and Guevara all rolled into one. Revolutionary

He's got a memory like a sieve. Forgetful

He thought a double brandy would help the baby sleep. Irresponsible

If she gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her. Uncontrollable

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

There she is, over there, on her own in the corner. Shy

He's afraid that the whole world is looking at him. Self-conscious

She peeps round her front door like a mouse. Timid

He's always the last to introduce himself. Reserved

Be careful not to upset her. It's easily done. Sensitive

He can see beauty in a pile of rubbish. Imaginative

I was moved to tears by the beauty of his sculpture. Emotional

He doesn't know who he is, where he is, what to do or why. Unstable

Practice

Ladies and gentlemen, which of these traits of character do you most dislike in a
partner? Place them in order.

Vanity (11) hypocrisy (2) pomposity (15) stubbornness (13)

Obstinacy (12) selfishness (6) dishonesty (1) pettiness (7)

Arrogance (9) snobbishness (10) timidity (16) possessiveness (14)

Shyness (17) meanness (5) rashness (4) aggressiveness (3)

Ladies and gentlemen, which of these qualities is most important for you in a partner?
Place them in order of importance.

Compassion (11) vivacity (9) frankness (1) self-assurance (6)

Tolerance (12) patience (4) generosity (10) ambition (16)

Sincerity (2) imagination (15) passion (14) humility (5)

Modesty (7) sensitivity (3) courage (8) creativity (13)

Discuss or write down the personal characteristics (good and bad) that you would
expect to find in these people.

1 a nurse – Empathetic, Restless, Charming, Obstinate

2 the chairman of a multinational company – Possessive, Innovative, Arrogant, Sociable

3 an actor – Enthusiastic, Ambitious, Friendly, Two-faced

5 a teacher – Tolerant, Innovative, Rigorous.

Look at the following words:

thoughtful perceptive obsessive inspirational over-ambitious

conscientious obstinate neurotic open-minded prejudiced

apathetic insensitive solitary rebellious mature inquisitive

Find a word in the box above to describe someone who:

1 notices things quickly and understands situations and people's feelings well.
Perceptive

2 has an unreasonable dislike of a thing or a group of people. Prejudiced

3 is not interested or willing to make the effort to do anything. Apathetic

4 is determined not to change their ideas, behaviour or opinions. Obstinate

5 deliberately disobeys people in authority or rules of behaviour. Rebellious

6 spends a lot of time alone because they like being alone. Solitary

7 is unreasonably anxious or afraid. Neurotic

8 is willing to consider or accept other people's ideas or opinions. Open-minded