Personal Characteristics · TOEFL Essential Vocabulary List

calm and not easily worried or annoyed

"My boss is easy-going."

"My easy going boss never gets angry and always listens to our suggestions and concerns about work."

acting in a way that goes against accepted moral standards or principles

"Lying is immoral."

"Lying to your customers is immoral and will eventually destroy your reputation as a business owner."

(of a person) having trust in one's abilities and qualities

"You look self-confident."

"The self confident young woman walked into the interview room and answered every question with ease."

expressing love and care

"My dog is affectionate."

"The affectionate cat rubbed against my legs and purred loudly when I petted her soft fur."

focusing with interest or concentration

"The waiter is attentive."

"The attentive student listened carefully to the teacher and took detailed notes on everything that was said during the lecture."

(of a person) careful to avoid danger or mistakes

"Be cautious."

"The cautious driver slowed down at every intersection even when the light was green because she had seen too many accidents caused by reckless drivers."

doing things or moving in a way that lacks control and care, usually causing accidents

"He is so clumsy."

"The clumsy waiter tripped and spilled a tray of drinks all over the surprised diners."

brave enough to take risks and do dangerous things

"The stunt was daring."

"The daring rescue mission saved the climbers who had been stranded on the mountain for three days."

not fully developed mentally or emotionally, often resulting in behaviors or reactions that are childish

"His behavior is immature."

"His immature behavior at the meeting embarrassed everyone because he acted like a little child."

displaying kindness and patience when interacting with others

"He is good-natured."

"The good natured dog wagged its tail and licked the hand of every visitor who came to the house."

prone to annoyance or frustration

"She is irritable."

"The irritable old man shouted at the children who were playing near his house because their laughter and shouting bothered him while he was trying to nap."

willing to give money, time, or resources to help others, especially those less fortunate

"He is charitable."

"The charitable organization provides food and shelter to homeless people and helps them find jobs and housing."

having an original and authentic nature

"This is genuine leather."

"Her genuine concern for the environment motivated her to start a recycling initiative."

thinking deeply about oneself and one's experiences, often resulting in new understandings or realizations

"He bought me a thoughtful gift."

"He bought her a thoughtful gift that showed he had been paying attention to her interests and hobbies throughout their time together as friends."

able to remain calm, especially in challenging or difficult situations, without becoming annoyed or anxious

"The teacher is patient."

"The patient teacher explained the math problem three times until every student in the class understood the solution."

enjoying interaction with others

"She is an extrovert."

"My friend is an extrovert who loves parties and meeting new people all the time."

quiet and shy and wanting to spend time with oneself instead of with others

"He is an introvert."

"He is an introvert and prefers reading alone at home to going out to loud parties."

able to be relied on to do what is needed or asked of

"My car is dependable."

"My car is dependable and has never broken down in the ten years I have owned it."

having an excessive and intense desire for something, especially wealth, possessions, or power

"The man is greedy."

"The greedy businessman raised prices unfairly and his customers switched to competitors who offered better value for their money."

showing respect to what other people say or do even when one disagrees with them

"We must be tolerant of others."

"We must be tolerant of others even when their beliefs are different from our own."

morally good and deserving respect

"She is an honorable person."

"The honorable judge was known for her fairness and integrity on the bench, earning the respect of all."

willing to give one's energy and time to something because one believes in it

"She is committed."

"The volunteers are deeply committed to improving the community's environmental conditions through their dedicated efforts."