Speaking Boost · B1 · Lesson 2 of 50
Speaking Boost B1 · Block 1: Who I Am

Can you judge a person in seven seconds?

Science says we decide what someone is like in the blink of an eye. Talk about first impressions, learn how to describe the way people seem, judge three online profiles, and practise making a great first impression yourself.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Seven seconds

Answer and give a real example for each one.

  1. How long does it take you to decide if you like someone?
  2. What do you notice first about a new person: clothes, face, voice, or something else?
  3. Have you ever been completely wrong about someone? What happened?
  4. What first impression do you think you make on people?
  5. Do you prepare for important first meetings (interviews, dates, meeting a partner's parents)? How?
  6. Which is more important for a first impression: what you say or how you say it?
2

Words and phrases

10 min
2.1

Words for first impressions

For each word, think of a real situation or person and say a sentence about it.

2.2

Who is it?

Choose the word that fits each situation.

  1. He spoke only about himself and didn't ask me a single question.
  2. She smiled, asked my name and made me feel welcome straight away.
  3. His clothes were old and dirty, and his hair was a mess.
  4. Everyone in the room went quiet when the strict new director walked in.
  5. I would give her my house keys after five minutes. She just feels honest.
  6. Nobody knew what to say, so we all stared at our phones.
  7. He kept touching his face and his voice was shaking.
  8. He told funny stories and everyone at the party loved him.
2.3

Opposites

Choose the opposite of each word, then press Check answers.

  1. approachable
  2. scruffy
  3. warm
  4. relaxed
  5. humble
  6. confident
2.4

Phrases for impressions

Use each phrase to tell a short true story about meeting someone.

  • My first impression of ... was that...Моє перше враження про ... було, що...My first impression of my boss was that she was very strict.
  • He / She came across as...Він / Вона справив(-ла) враження...He came across as arrogant, but he was just shy.
  • At first I thought..., but actually...Спочатку я думав(-ла)..., але насправді...At first I thought she was cold, but actually she's really warm.
  • It turned out that...Виявилося, що...It turned out that he was the owner of the company.
  • I couldn't tell if...Я не міг (не могла) зрозуміти, чи...I couldn't tell if he was joking or serious.
  • What struck me was...Мене вразило те, що...What struck me was how calm she was.
  • I got the impression that...У мене склалося враження, що...I got the impression that they didn't like us.
  • You never get a second chance to...Другого шансу ... не буде.You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

A tenth of a second

Read the article. Hover over the dotted words for help.

How fast do we judge a face?

You walk into a room and see a stranger. Before you have even said hello, your brain has already decided whether this person is friendly, competent and trustworthy.

In a well-known experiment at Princeton University, people looked at photos of faces for just one tenth of a second. Then they rated how trustworthy, likeable and competent each person looked. Surprisingly, their answers were almost the same as when they could look at the faces for as long as they wanted. More time made people more confident, but it didn't really change their opinion.

The problem is that these quick judgements are often wrong. Psychologists talk about the "halo effect": if we like one thing about a person, for example their smile or their clothes, we tend to believe that everything about them is good. A good-looking candidate can seem more intelligent than he really is.

First impressions are also very sticky. Once we have decided what someone is like, we notice the things that prove we are right and ignore the rest. It can take many meetings to change a bad first impression.

So what can you do? Smile, make eye contact, and remember the other person's name. And when you meet someone new, try to give them more than a tenth of a second.

3.2

True or false?

  1. People needed a long time to decide if a face looked trustworthy.
  2. More time made people more sure of their opinion.
  3. The "halo effect" means we judge a person by one positive thing.
  4. According to the article, first impressions are easy to change.
  5. The article suggests using the other person's name.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Has the halo effect ever worked for you or against you?
  2. Do you think good-looking people have an easier life? Give examples.
  3. Have you ever changed your opinion about someone after a bad first impression?
  4. Should companies hide candidates' photos and names during hiring? Why?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Talking about how people seem

look / seem + adjective

For opinions based on what you see or feel.

She looks tired. He seems nice.

look like + noun

When someone is similar to a type of person.

He looks like a teacher. She looks like her mum.

look as if / as though + clause

For a guess based on what you see.

He looks as if he hasn't slept for days.

Also: sound (what you hear) and come across as (the impression you give). She sounds angry on the phone. He comes across as very professional. Remember: ✗ He looks like tired.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. She
    really happy today.
  2. He
    a famous actor.
  3. You
    stressed. Is everything OK? I can hear it in your voice.
  4. They
    very friendly.
  5. It
    it's going to rain.
  6. She
    very confident in meetings.
  7. That
    a great idea!
  8. He
    a nice guy at first.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. He looks like very tired. →
  2. She looks as her mother. →
  3. It seems like he is knowing the answer. →
  4. You are sounding nervous today. →
  5. He comes across like arrogant. →
  6. They look as if they are wanting to leave. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use look, seem, look like, look as if, sound and come across as.

  1. Describe someone in your family: who do they look like, and what do they seem like to strangers?
  2. What do you think you look like to people who see you on the street? What job might they guess?
  3. Think of a celebrity. What do they come across as in interviews? Do you think it's real?
  4. Describe a time when someone looked as if they were in trouble. What did you do?
  5. What does a person's voice tell you? Who has a voice that sounds very trustworthy?
  6. Who in your life seemed one way at first and turned out to be completely different?
5

Online first impressions

7 min
5.1

Online first impressions

Look at each profile. What impression does this person give? Would you trust them, hire them, or meet them? Explain which details made you think so.

Profile 1

The holiday flat host

  • Photo: smiling with a dog on a mountain
  • "Superhost" for 6 years
  • Bio: "I love meeting people from all over the world. Ask me about the best local coffee!"
  • Answers messages in 5 minutes
Profile 2

The job candidate

  • Photo: black and white, no smile, expensive suit
  • Job title: "Visionary. Disruptor. Leader."
  • 12 jobs in 8 years
  • Posts motivational quotes every day
Profile 3

The dating app

  • 5 photos, all with sunglasses
  • Bio: "Not here for drama. Swipe left if you're boring."
  • Favourite book: none
  • Hobbies: gym, travel, gym
5.2

Your turn

  1. Describe your own profile photo on social media or messenger. What impression does it give?
  2. What would you write in a two-line bio about yourself for a new team at work?
  3. Which mistakes do people make with online first impressions?
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. What was your first impression of your best friend?
  2. What first impression did you make at your current job?
  3. What do you do to make a good impression at an interview?
  4. Do you dress differently when you want to impress someone?
  5. Have you ever made a terrible first impression? What happened?
  6. Are you good at remembering names? Any tricks?
  7. Do you trust your first feeling about people?
  8. What kind of people make you feel awkward?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who made the strongest first impression on you in your life?
  2. What makes a teacher or doctor seem trustworthy?
  3. Which is worse: someone who seems arrogant or someone who seems fake?
  4. What do people in Ukraine notice first about foreigners?
  5. Do men and women make first impressions in different ways?
  6. What does a handshake tell you about a person?
6.3

Part III: Thinking deeper

  1. Is it fair to judge people by their clothes?
  2. Should employers look at candidates' social media?
  3. Do first impressions matter more in big cities than in small towns?
  4. Can you "fake" a good first impression? For how long?
  5. Is it better to be liked or to be respected at a first meeting?
  6. Do you think AI could judge people better than humans?
7

Roleplay

10 min
7.1

Speed networking

You

Professional at an event

You are at a business networking event. You have 60 seconds with each person to make a great first impression. Introduce yourself in a different way to each person:
  • who you are and what you do
  • one interesting fact about you
  • why it would be good to stay in touch
Do three 60-second introductions. Change your style for each person.
Your teacher

Three different people

Plays three people, one after another, and asks one or two short questions each time:
  1. A serious investor who looks bored
  2. A friendly new neighbour in your building
  3. Your future boss in a lift
7.2

The interview coach

You

Interview coach

Your friend has a very important job interview tomorrow and is very nervous. Give them a full plan for the first five minutes of the interview:
  • what to wear and why
  • what to do when they walk in (body language, eye contact, handshake)
  • what to say in the first minute
  • what to avoid
You do most of the talking. Use: Make sure you... · Don't forget to... · The worst thing you can do is... · If they ask..., say...
Your teacher

Nervous friend

Asks worried questions, for example:
  1. What if my hands are shaking?
  2. Should I make a joke?
  3. What if I forget their name?
  4. What if they look bored?
8

Debate

7 min
8.1

Agree or disagree?

"You should never judge a book by its cover."

Ideas for

Looks can lie. Many kind people look scary, and many dangerous people look charming. Judging quickly is unfair.

Ideas against

Our instincts protected people for thousands of years. Clothes and body language show real information. We don't have time to know everyone deeply.

Round 1: give your real opinion for 1–2 minutes. Round 2: defend the opposite side for 1 minute. Use: I'm convinced that... · To be fair, ... · Let me give you an example... · At the end of the day...

9

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

approachableintimidatingscruffyeye contactbody languagecharmingawkwardtrustworthy
  1. He never looks at you when he talks. He doesn't make .
  2. Crossed arms are an example of negative .
  3. Our boss is very . You can always talk to her.
  4. Don't go to the interview in those old trainers!
  5. There was an silence when nobody laughed at his joke.
  6. The judge was so that I forgot what I wanted to say.
  7. She's so — everyone wants to sit next to her at dinner.
  8. I'd never buy a car from him. He doesn't seem .
H2

look, look like, or look as if?

  1. You great in that dress!
  2. He a professional footballer.
  3. She she's been crying.
  4. That a terrible day.
  5. They happy together.
  6. It nobody is home.
  7. Your plan interesting.
  8. He a bit arrogant.
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. She looks like very happy.
  2. He seems like a nice person.
  3. You sound tired today.
  4. It looks as if it will snow.
  5. They look as their parents.
  6. He comes across as shy.
  7. She is seeming nervous.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. My first impression of her was
  2. At first I thought he was rude,
  3. It turned out that
  4. What struck me was
  5. I couldn't tell if
  6. I got the impression that
  7. You never get a second chance

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.