Level 1 Spring - L & S Supplementary Materials - Describing physical appearance

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

Supplementary language materials for the “English Firsthand Success” unit 1 (Level 1, Spring). Focuses on describing people’s physical appearance through targeted vocabulary (height, build, age, hair, face, complexion, eyes, and general attractiveness). Includes word-table completion, fill-in-the-gaps practice with “is/has,” matching descriptions to pictures, short writing tasks, and pair-work speaking activities where one student listens and draws while guessing the person.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Describing physical appearance

Word lists and vocabulary practice

“is” and “has” gap-fill descriptions

Matching descriptions to pictures

Writing tasks

Drawing and speaking pair work

Level 1 Spring / L & S Supplementary Materials / Relates to ‘English Firsthand Success’ unit 1 This covers language not included in the text book. Could also be used in Speaking Task 1 prep, & to supplement units 1 & 2. Describing physical appearance (page 1/3) * These words describe physical appearance. Add them to the table below. skinny slim muscular overweight not very goodlooking medium length long sideburns a moustache a beard freckles dark wears glasses narrow narrow in her 50s bald | Words that describe physical appearance | | | --- | --- | | Height | short, average height, tall | | Build | small, average build | | Age | around 25, in his 30s | | Hair | short, long
straight, wavy, curly, a ponytail
white, grey, blond, light/dark brown, red black | | Face | square, round, plain, wide | | Complexion | light, white, olive-skinned | | Eyes | green, blue, brown, black
beautiful, big | | General | beautiful, pretty, handsome, sexy, cute, good looking | | other | | * Can you think of any more words? Modified from: ‘Talk a Lot’ 2nd edition / Martin / ELP Press Level 1 Spring / L & S Supplementary Materials / Relates to ‘English Firsthand Success’ unit 1 This covers language not included in the text book. Could also be used in Speaking Task 1 prep, & to supplement units 1 & 2. Describing physical appearance (page 2/3) * Read these descriptions. What are the missing words? Write is or has. A She is around 20. She is tall, slim and beautiful. She has long straight black hair. B He .......... average height and average build. He .......... a ponytail. he .......... handsome. C She .......... really cute. She .......... medium length wavy hair, and big beautiful eyes. D He .......... average height and average build. He .......... a ponytail. He .......... handsome. E She .......... around 60. She .......... short curly hair, and wears glasses. F He .......... a wide face and a dark complexion. He .......... very muscular. | * Now match the descriptions with the pictures. | | --- | | | Writing * Write a description of the people in the pictures. A B C | A | | | --- | --- | | B | | | C | | Modified from: ‘Talk a Lot’ 2nd edition / Martin / ELP Press Level 1 Spring / L & S Supplementary Materials / Relates to ‘English Firsthand Success’ unit 1 This covers language not included in the text book. Could also be used in Speaking Task 1 prep, & to supplement units 1 & 2. Describing physical appearance (page 3/3) Drawing * Draw a picture of a friend or relative in the‘My picture’box. You have a maximum of 5 minutes to draw the picture! | My picture | My partner’s picture | | --- | --- | | | | Speaking Pair work * Sit back-to-back with your partner. Describe the person in your picture. Your partner will listen, and draw the picture on their paper. Do not show your paper to your partner! Writing * Think of a famous person. Write a short description of that person’s physical appearance. Do not write his/her name! | | | --- | | | | | | | Speaking * Now walk around the class, and read your description to other students. They have to listen, and guess who it is! Modified from: ‘Talk a Lot’ 2nd edition / Martin / ELP Press

FAQs

What vocabulary does the material provide for describing physical appearance?

It lists words and phrases for height, build, age, hair, face, complexion, eyes, and general appearance (e.g., skinny, tall, long straight hair, glasses).

How is “is” or “has” practiced in the descriptions?

Students read short character descriptions with blanks and complete sentences using “is” or “has” (for height/build, hair, and other features).

What speaking and drawing activities are included?

Students sit back-to-back, describe a person in their picture, and their partner listens to draw. Another activity involves walking around, reading a description, and having classmates guess the person.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel