Reading (Gateway B1+ Unit 1)

Re​ad the article and the personality profiles (1–5). Match the people in the text to the friends they would choose from the personality profiles.

The importance of friendship What makes a best friend?

We all know that friendship is one of the most important things affecting our well-being and happiness, and it can even reduce stress. Being with people who make us feel good about ourselves and are interested in what we have to say makes us feel more confident. But what is the definition of a true best friend?

We’d like to hear from you! What qualities do you look for in a friend and how do you form good friendships? Do you choose friends who have similar personalities to you? Let us know!

Replies:

Susan: I need to know that my friends are loyal and that they will always be there for me in good times and bad. I prefer to have a small group of really close friends. I know my best friend, Tania, will always support me. She’s the first person I go to when I’m feeling down. I can tell her anything!She always offers lots of suggestions and does her best to help.

Josh: Generous people are often happier with their lives, and are likely to have more close friends. But being generous doesn’t just mean that you buy your friends a coffee or lunch from time to time, or let them wear your favourite clothes for a party. It really means giving up your time for them, to help them fix their bicycle or go and see them when they’re ill. This is what I look for in my friends– someone who really cares about me.

Lily: It’s important to me that my friends are cheerful and optimistic. I don’t like being with people who are negative and always see the glass half empty! Spending time with happy friends,who don’t complain about things, helps me see the world in a positive light.

Reuben: I like friends who are reliable. They do what they say they are going to do, and arrive when they say they are going to arrive! It’s very annoying when you make plans and your friends forget all about them or arrivereally late. It shows that they don’t respect you or value your time.

Dan: My best friend stend to be very easy-going like me. They want to have fun and be adventurous, but at the same time, they don’t worry too much. You can’t let your worries and fears stop you from doing stuff. Then life passes you by and you don’t get to do all the things that you dream of doing! ‘Just go with the flow.’That’s what I always say, and my friends agree with me.

Jo: I’m a really relaxed person. I never worry much about things. You need to enjoy every day. I like trying new things and always say yes when my friends suggest doing something.        [Susan, Josh, Lily, Reuben, Dan]

Re​ad the article and the personality profiles (1–5). Match the people in the text to the friends they would choose from the personality profiles.

The importance of friendship What makes a best friend?

We all know that friendship is one of the most important things affecting our well-being and happiness, and it can even reduce stress. Being with people who make us feel good about ourselves and are interested in what we have to say makes us feel more confident. But what is the definition of a true best friend?

We’d like to hear from you! What qualities do you look for in a friend and how do you form good friendships? Do you choose friends who have similar personalities to you? Let us know!

Replies:

Susan: I need to know that my friends are loyal and that they will always be there for me in good times and bad. I prefer to have a small group of really close friends. I know my best friend, Tania, will always support me. She’s the first person I go to when I’m feeling down. I can tell her anything!She always offers lots of suggestions and does her best to help.

Josh: Generous people are often happier with their lives, and are likely to have more close friends. But being generous doesn’t just mean that you buy your friends a coffee or lunch from time to time, or let them wear your favourite clothes for a party. It really means giving up your time for them, to help them fix their bicycle or go and see them when they’re ill. This is what I look for in my friends– someone who really cares about me.

Lily: It’s important to me that my friends are cheerful and optimistic. I don’t like being with people who are negative and always see the glass half empty! Spending time with happy friends,who don’t complain about things, helps me see the world in a positive light.

Reuben: I like friends who are reliable. They do what they say they are going to do, and arrive when they say they are going to arrive! It’s very annoying when you make plans and your friends forget all about them or arrivereally late. It shows that they don’t respect you or value your time.

Dan: My best friend stend to be very easy-going like me. They want to have fun and be adventurous, but at the same time, they don’t worry too much. You can’t let your worries and fears stop you from doing stuff. Then life passes you by and you don’t get to do all the things that you dream of doing! ‘Just go with the flow.’That’s what I always say, and my friends agree with me.

Alfie: People describe me as having a sunny personality. I never really feel sad about things. I always look on the bright side of life. Things aren’t always perfect, but there’sno point in being so serious about it all.        [Susan, Josh, Lily, Reuben, Dan]

Re​ad the article and the personality profiles (1–5). Match the people in the text to the friends they would choose from the personality profiles.

The importance of friendship What makes a best friend?

We all know that friendship is one of the most important things affecting our well-being and happiness, and it can even reduce stress. Being with people who make us feel good about ourselves and are interested in what we have to say makes us feel more confident. But what is the definition of a true best friend?

We’d like to hear from you! What qualities do you look for in a friend and how do you form good friendships? Do you choose friends who have similar personalities to you? Let us know!

Replies:

Susan: I need to know that my friends are loyal and that they will always be there for me in good times and bad. I prefer to have a small group of really close friends. I know my best friend, Tania, will always support me. She’s the first person I go to when I’m feeling down. I can tell her anything!She always offers lots of suggestions and does her best to help.

Josh: Generous people are often happier with their lives, and are likely to have more close friends. But being generous doesn’t just mean that you buy your friends a coffee or lunch from time to time, or let them wear your favourite clothes for a party. It really means giving up your time for them, to help them fix their bicycle or go and see them when they’re ill. This is what I look for in my friends– someone who really cares about me.

Lily: It’s important to me that my friends are cheerful and optimistic. I don’t like being with people who are negative and always see the glass half empty! Spending time with happy friends,who don’t complain about things, helps me see the world in a positive light.

Reuben: I like friends who are reliable. They do what they say they are going to do, and arrive when they say they are going to arrive! It’s very annoying when you make plans and your friends forget all about them or arrivereally late. It shows that they don’t respect you or value your time.

Dan: My best friend stend to be very easy-going like me. They want to have fun and be adventurous, but at the same time, they don’t worry too much. You can’t let your worries and fears stop you from doing stuff. Then life passes you by and you don’t get to do all the things that you dream of doing! ‘Just go with the flow.’That’s what I always say, and my friends agree with me.

Lisanne: My close friends are very important to me. I don’t have a lot of friends, so I always have time for the friends I have. I’m a good listener and I don’t mind hearing people’s problems.        [Susan, Josh, Lily, Reuben, Dan]