Task 8. Read a conversation between two people gossiping about their colleague. For questions 65 – 73 choose a word from the list (A – N) to complete the conversation below. There are more words than you will need.
Criticizing People
Gloria: Jason behaves as he wants to without being influenced by others.
Betsy: I think he is his own (65) ______ . Nobody can make him do anything he doesn’t want to.
Gloria: And he is always saying how wonderful he is.
Betsy: I know. He never stops blowing his own (66) _______ .
Gloria: And I don’t like the fact that he is sure that he is head and shoulders
above the rest.
Betsy: Doesn’t he believe that he is in a (67) ________ of his own?
Gloria: I’m sure his behaviour will cause him a lot of trouble.
Betsy: Definitely. And he’s digging his own (68) _______, isn’t he!
Gloria: It’s his own fault that he’s so unpopular.
Betsy: I know, it’s of his own (69)________.
Gloria: Moreover, for me he is very indecisive. If he is allowed to do what he
wants without helping him or trying to control him, he often takes the wrong decisions.
Betsy: Exactly! When left to his own (70) ________ he wouldn’t bother to lift a finger.
Gloria: Besides, when faced with problems, he protects only himself, regardless of others.
Betsy: Yes, and his colleague don’t expect him to support them - he only wants to save his own (71) ________.
Gloria: Everyone thinks he’s using his position to make money dishonestly.
Betsy: Yes, they suspect him of feathering his own (72) ______.
Gloria: The trouble is, it encourages others to use the same methods as he does.
Betsy: That’s right. I suppose they’re trying to play him at his own (73) _____.
Gloria: Yes, they want to get revenge by showing him how unpleasant it is.
65.