ESL Describing People Conversation

There are a couple of ESL describing people conversations on this page as well as tasks for you to do that will help you have a conversation with other people where you need to describe a person. It is important to prepare to speak to other people, and this page will help you do that.

You can use the ESL describing people conversation examples and exercises to practice using the describing people vocabulary when speaking.

To begin with there are two example ESL describing people conversations on this page. You can read each one to see the type of vocabulary that might be used by a native speaker. These conversations have also been turned into a couple of simple cartoons so you can also see pictures to give you clues to the meaning. If you need any help understanding the vocabulary used you can look at the ESL describing people vocabulary page.

Then following the first part of the page, in the second part, there are the three following tasks for you to do to:

  • Fill in the blanks in a conversation.
  • Write a conversation.
  • Conversation topics.

Conversation 1

Situation: Jane meets Lucy in a clothing store.

Jane: Hello Lucy. I need your advice.
Lucy: I'll help if I can.
Jane: I can’t decide which T shirt to buy. The blue one has long sleeves, while the green T shirt fits but I don't like the low neck line. I have a long neck.
Lucy: Do they have a blue T shirt in a different size?
Jane: No, the arm length in all the T shirts is too short for me.
Lucy: I have a similar problem. When I buy trousers and find a pair the correct length, the waist size is too big.
Jane: You are very tall.
Lucy: Have you tried some of the other stores on the High Street?
Jane: Yes, but the quality is not as good as here.
Lucy: I recently bought a cardigan and the sleeves ended just below the elbow. The sales person said it was the fashion to have sleeves that length.
Jane: Well, I suppose I could buy the blue shirt and tell everyone it is the latest fashion to have shorter sleeves.
Lucy: Yes and it will allow your bracelet to be seen and not hidden by a long sleeve.
Jane: Thanks, I'll buy the blue T shirt.

Conversation 2

Situation: Tui loses her car keys.

Tui: Oh no! It's not possible!
Jane: What's happened?
Tui: I can't find my car keys. I'm going to be late for work.
Jane: Do you have a spare set?
Tui: Yes, but I don't know where they are.
Jane: Try your coat pockets.
Tui: I already have. Can't you make a more sensible suggestion?
Jane: It's no good getting cross with me. I was only trying to help.
Tui: Get out of my way!
Jane: Calm down. Think. When did you last have them?
Tui: I don't know. I can't think.
Jane: Stop panicking. You look in the bedroom and I'll check the kitchen.
Tui: They're not in the bedroom. This is terrible.
Jane: I've found them.
Tui: Oh you are wonderful! Where did you find them?
Jane: You'd left them in the car.
Tui: What a relief! I must dash. I'm very late. I hope the traffic won't be too congested.
Jane: Calm down. Take a deep breath and drive carefully. It's better to be late than have an accident.

ESL Describing People Conversation Exercises

The next part of this ESL describing people conversation page has three exercises for you to do that will let you practice using the vocabulary needed in conversations. By doing these exercises now you will be better prepared when you really need to talk to someone. 

Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

In the first ESL describing people activity you need to read the following conversation and then decide which option (A-D) in each question is the best to fill the gaps. When you have finished you can use the get score button to see how many you got correct.

Situation: Tui is late for work.

Tui: Sorry I'm late.
Manager: __________[1]__________. This is the second time this week that you have arrived late!
Tui: I lost my car keys.
Manager: How did you get to the shop if you lost your keys?
Tui: My friend found them for me. __________[2]_________.
Manager [Laughing]: Oh Tui! You are such a scatter brain!
Tui: I'm really sorry. There were traffic jams all the way and all ___________[3]_________ as I approached.
Manager: Alright. Now calm down. ___________[4]__________.Try and leave home tomorrow ten minutes earlier and the traffic may not be so congested.
Tui: Thank you for being so understanding.
Manager: The shop has only jst opened and we have not had many customers yet.
Tui: I sometimes think it would be quicker to ___________[5]___________.
Manager: You are lucky as you have a parking space allocated to you in the car park.
Tui: I'll will start work now and make sure I help all the customers.

ESL Describing People Conversation

Choose the best option (A-D) in the following five questions to fill in the blanks in the describing people conversation given above.

        A) You are 15 minutes early
        B) You are 15 minutes late
        C) You are 20 minutes late
        D) You are never late
        A) They were in the bedroom
        B) They were in my coat pocket
        C) They were in the car
        D) They were in my bag
        A) The traffic lights seemed to go to green
        B) The traffic lights were not working
        C) The traffic lights seemed to take ages to change
        D) The traffic lights seemed to go to red
        A) I can see you are very stressed
        B) I can see you are happy
        C) I can see you are sad
        D) I can see you are very cross
        A) Come to work by bus
        B) Cycle to work
        C) Walk to work
        D) Live closer to work

Score =

Correct answers:

Exercise 2 – Writing a Conversation

In the second ESL describing people task you need to write a conversation of your own. You can use the above conversations as examples. You just need to write what the people having the conversation would say to each other. Try to use as much of the describing people vocabulary as you can. When you have finished you can find a few friends and all practice your speaking by acting out the conversation.

Exercise 3 – Conversation Topics

For the final ESL describing people conversation exercise you need to use the two following conversation cards to have a conversation with a friend. Each of you should have one of the cards, and then take it in turns to ask each other questions. Try to speak as much as possible and use as much of the vocabulary as you can when answering. At the end you can swap the cards and start again so you can both get practice answering all the questions.

If you like these conversation cards, I have an ebook – 80 ESL Conversation Cards – that you can download and use at home.

Question set A

  • How would you describe yourself?
  • Describe one of your teachers?
  • What do you think is the nicest hair colour?
  • What are the most useful features when describing someone?
  • Describe your parents or other relatives?

Question set B

  • Describe your best friend?
  • Describe your favourite movie star?
  • What are the sort of differences in people who come from different places?
  • Explain what can make someone difficult to describe?
  • In what ways are you similar to your parents?

› Describing people

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