ESL Podcast 286 – Describing Facial Features

I was mugged while I was walking home last night. This morning, I was at the police station with a sketch¹ artist to see if we could come up with a picture of what the thief looked like.

Sketch artist: Okay, you said that this was a man in his 40’s. Can you tell me what shape his face was: thin, round, oval, or square?

Anna: His face was long and thin, I think.

Sketch artist: Were his eyes more round, bulging², or squinty³?

Anna: Well, I think they were round, but not too round, and he had bushy eyebrows⁴. He also had a pointed⁵ nose, not a hooked one.

Sketch artist: Take at look at this so far. Is this right?

Anna: His nose in the sketch is a little too turned up. It was more straight.

Sketch artist: What about his ears? Were they big or small? And his mouth? Did he have thin or thick lips?

Anna: His ears were average size and they didn’t stick out too much. His lips were more thin than thick.

Sketch artist: We’re almost done. What about his hair? Did he have long or short hair?

Anna: Oh, didn’t I tell you? He’s bald.

Sketch artist: Okay, then. I’m done. What do you think? Is this the guy?

Anna: Wow, you’ve done a great job. Yeah, that’s him. That’s the guy who stole my wallet.

Sketch artist: You know, he looks familiar. I have a feeling I’ve seen him before.

Anna: I hope so. Maybe you can help find him.

Sketch artist: Yeah, now if only I could remember where I’ve seen him before...


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 sketch   

n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述

参考例句：

• My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
• I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。

2 bulging   

膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱

参考例句：

• Her pockets were bulging with presents. 她的口袋里装满了礼物。
• Conscious of the bulging red folder, Nim told her,"Ask if it's important." 尼姆想到那个鼓鼓囊囊的红色文件夹便告诉她：“问问是不是重要的事。”

3 squinty   

斜视眼的，斗鸡眼的

参考例句：

• He looked with squinty eyes. 他眼睛斜视。
• Her eyes were squinty andflaring, as though about to dispense tissues through the nose. 她被触怒了，七窍生烟，仿佛真的要从鼻子下分发纸巾一般。

4 eyebrows   

眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
• His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。

5 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。