Unit 3 You are what you wear
Vocabulary Task
Script and Answers
1. A: You look great recently.
B: Thank you. I have finally worked out what style matches my body and personality.
A: You really look nice in these lively colored dresses. You should stick to it.
B: It’s very kind of you to say so.
2. A: You look a little down. What’s the matter with you?
B: I didn’t do well on one of my college entrance tests. I feel rather blue.
A: I’m so sorry for you. But, cheer up! Try these festive looking clothes. Clothing that feels good can boost your morale.
B: Thank you for reminding me.
3. A: I’d like to look at a classic business suit, an all-occasion suit that never goes out of style.
B: What do you think of this one with a light pin stripe.
A: Yes, it looks good. But I prefer a solid color.
B: Here, try this three-piece dark worsted. That looks almost tailor-made for you.
4. A: Hi, Sue. It’s Mary, Mary Graham.
B: Oh hi, Mary. How are you?
A: Listen, um ... I want to ask you some questions about Jim Wilson. Um, is he a, a formal kind of guy, or does he dress casually?
B: Oh, he is a guy who is often dressed to kill. He always wears three-piece suits and ties 行 dressed very much in style.
5. A: Why are you looking like you?e on cloud nine, dear?
B: Yes, I am. Guess what, I’ve invited the professor and his wife to dinner.
A: How wonderful. I’m really happy for you.
B: Thank you, dear. You’d better put your glad rags on.


Listening Task

1) First Listening
Answers
□ That clothes often define the person means clothes can reveal personality, status and attitude to life.
□ Clothing not only tells something about the wearer but also affects the way others think of the person.
□ Clothing may often betray what is within.

2) Second Listening
Answers
1. An opportunity for individuality/ independence vanishes.
2. No.
3. Through the clothing he or she wears.
4. Clothes should be carefully chosen so as not to reveal what is within.
5. Clothing can help older people feel better about themselves and present a positive image to those around them.

Script

Clothes make the man
“Clothes make the man? runs the old proverb. If you believe that, you might feel that clothing enhances appearance, increases independence, allows for function, and provides comfort. What’s more, clothing that is neat and clean, fits well, and feels good can boost anyone’s morale.
People express their personality in many ways, including through their clothing, hair style, and accessories. That’s why clothes often define the person. Clothes can indicate personality, status, and attitude to life. A man may have worn a beard all his life, a woman may have worn makeup. If their ability to choose their appearance is taken away, then an opportunity for independence/individuality vanishes. Keeping some familiar clothes and personal articles helps them retain some sense of self-control over what is happening. Research shows that when a woman dresses for success, it does not guarantee success, but if she dresses poorly or inappropriately, it almost always ensures failure.
Our clothes are very much part of our personality. Clothing protects people from humidity, heat, and cold, and helps them feel physically comfortable. Clothing at the same time gives the wearer a sense of well-being. It tells something about the person. Clothing also affects the way others see, think of, and react to the person. A person can be comfortable or uncomfortable wearing a certain garment or type of clothing in a social situation. Social comfort may be involved when a person wishes to “make an impression” through the clothing he or she wears. So, clothes should be carefully chosen so as not to reveal what is within.
Before making choices about clothing, it is important to understand how clothing affects people. For example, making decisions about clothing can increase older people’s sense of independence and help them feel better about themselves. The stereotype says older people don’t care about their appearance. But, research shows that most older people think of themselves as younger than they are, their sense of fashion reflects their youthful thinking and the fashion of earlier years when they were younger, and they like clothing that looks good on them. Clothing can help older people feel better about themselves and present a positive image to those around them. Sending positive appearance messages may increase older people’s opportunities for social interaction.

Real World Listening

1. Predict
Answer
□ The outfits she should take along for her trip.

1. Get the Main Ideas
Answers
T ____ Sue has a conference to attend in a Northern European country.
T ____ In addition to the conference, Sue may have many other social activities to attend.
F ____ Ann suggests Sue not bring any wool, because the worsted is out of date.
F ____ Sue plans to get one or two brand-name gowns because she wants to draw undue attention.
F ____ According to Ann, the synthetic blend dress is especially convenient for travel. But Sue thinks it will make her look out of place.

Sue
□ Stick to conservative colors and patterns.
□ Coordinate some skirts and blouses.
□ Wear the same outfit in several different ways.
□ Add a few cardigans and a scarf for different occasions.
□ Get one or two designer gowns so as not to look out of place.

Ann
□ Need several changes of business suits.
□ Evening dresses for social gatherings and parties.
□ A smartly tailored navy blue suit has a casual look.
□ A white or blue blouse that matches the blue suit gives a professional look.
□ A synthetic blend dress is convenient for travel.
□ Lively colored dresses will provide a nice change from time to time.

Script and Answers to Self-study

Clothes for a special occasion
Sue: Ann, I need your help.
Ann: What do you need, Sue? I’m always pleased to help.
Sue: I have an international conference to attend in Norway, and I’m going to stay there for two weeks. But I have no clothes for that cold climate. I know you’ve been to Northern Europe, so I need your suggestions about the (1) outfits I should take along.
Ann: OK. You’ve found the right person. Let’s see. You’ll be gone for two weeks, so you’ll need (2) several changes of business suits. No doubt, there’ll be a few parties and (3) social gatherings while you?e there, so you’ll need some evening dresses for those special occasions. Am I right?
Sue: Yes, I’m sure you are. But what should I wear for those rather (4) elegant banquets and dances during the conference?
Ann: No problem. I’ll help (5) outfit you completely before you go. Let’s start with your business suits and dresses. You’ll want them warm, of course, but you won’t want them to be too much trouble to care for, so (6) all wool is out.
Sue: I guess I’d better (7) stick to conservative colors and patterns, and I’d like to (8) coordinate some skirts and blouses so that I can wear the same outfit in several different ways.
Ann: That’s exactly what I had in mind. I think a (9) smartly tailored navy blue suit would suit you. It has a (10) casual look, yet it can be worn with a matching white blouse or light blue blouse to give it a more professional look. You can wear it to any of your meetings, with or without the blouse.
Sue: If I add a few (11) cardigans and a scarf to go with it, I can wear it on different occasions. How about something in blue?
Ann: What do you think of a (12) synthetic blend dress? It’s warm, yet quite lightweight. It’s especially convenient for travel. And the best thing is that you can wash it right in your hotel room, hang it up, and it will dry (13) wrinkle-free overnight.
Sue: I think I’ll also get one or two designer gowns. I won’t look out of place in them there, will I?
Ann: No, you won’t. Though you don’t want to (14) draw undue attention, you’ll want to look (15) professional and festive at the same time. A couple of lively colored dresses will give you a nice change from time to time.
Sue: Right. I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m going to buy several new outfits and double my wardrobe -- all for a two-week trip!