1.1 Personality traits  (Page 6/2)

Life orientation

Grade 8

Self-esteem

Module 2

Personality traits

Mirror, Mirror…

Read the short poem carefully.

I look in the mirror

And what do I see?

Two bright eyes

Twinkling back at me

I look in the mirror

And what do I see?

Two dull eyes

Trying not to be

I look in the mirror

And what do I see?

Careless eyes

pretending to be free

Answer the following questions

1. Do you recognise yourself and your friends in the short descriptions in the poem? Which of the descriptions fit you best?

2. If you had to choose one word to describe the person in each of the stanzas (verses), what would the three words be? Try to think of words on your own first. If you cannot pinpoint the exact words, look at the words listed below and then choose from the list.

Stanza 1:

Stanza 2:

Stanza 3:

[LO 3.1]

Word list:

Cheerful, dopey, sad, insecure, confident, positive, negative, clever, stupid, bad

This is about new pupils arriving at a new school

Martin feels his stomach lurch when he spots the group of boys waiting at the entrance of the schoolgrounds. It is clear that they regard themselves as the main guys - die manne! They discuss the newcomers loudly and without mercy, laughing at their own witty remarks. The target at this moment is a thin, pale boy with a very neat (and recent) haircut. His school uniform is obviously new and a little bit too big for him - which unfortunately draws the attention to his bony knees and thin legs. "Look at Chicken Little here, he must be looking for the primary school. His mother must have dropped him here by mistake." The pale boy blushes furiously and shuffles past the group.

Martin approaches the group slowly, as nonchalantly as possible. What will they see when they look at him? He tosses his hair backwards. His hair is sun-bleached and slightly too long. His shoes are quite scruffy and his shirt is not tucked in properly. His tie has been in his hand since his mother dropped him on the corner at his request. "Aw, Mom, the guys will think I'm a softie if you take me to the gate."

"Come and have a look, Beth. We've got a new surfer boy here. Hello Pretty Boy." They make chirruping noises. A very well-developed girl in the shortest school uniform Martin has ever seen, undulates towards him. She looks him up and down. "Now, he is just another wannabe. His mommy gave her little boy a big old kiss at the corner. Yes, Mummy, No Mummy..." The others roll with laughter at Beth's impersonation of Martin. Martin feels his ears get hot and red. For a moment he almost let his anger get the upper hand. His father did warn him about ragging at new schools - and fighting. He tries to leave the semi-circle of fiends, but the girl blocks his way. A sharp and clear voice cuts through the air. "You are a very pretty girl. It's a pity that you are so nasty and common." Everybody freezes in shock and surprise. Chicken Little!

Answer the following questions:

1. Was Martin calm and self-confident while approaching the boys? Quote to motivate your answer.

2. Would you feel like Martin under similar circumstances? Explain your answer briefly.