II. Listening Skills

Dialog 1

Girl 1: What do you think of this miniskirt, Amy? Pretty hot stuff, eh?

Girl 2: Wow…it’s pretty short. My mom would never let me wear something like that.

Girl 1: My mom’s cool. She lets me make my own decisions about clothes.

Girl 2: Not my mom. She’d be mad if I came home in a skirt like that.

Girl 1: Let’s both got one; then maybe your mom wouldn’t be so upset if we both wore the same skirt.

Girl 2: Well…maybe.

1.D   2. The first girl(The girl who suggests wearing the short skirt.)

 

Dialog 2

Mother: Lily, where did you get that skirt? You can’t wear that. It’s much too short! What will others think?

Lily:   You don’t understand fashion. It’s what everyone is wearing. I think it looks very attractive.

Mother: Nonsense, it’s only suitable for a supermodel on the catwalk. It’s not meant for ordinary people like us. Your dad is sure to say the skirt is far too revealing!

Lily:   But it’s really in high fashion; everyone is wearing clothes like this.

Mother: Not everyone. Your friend Amy would never wear a skirt like that!

[Amy comes in, wearing the same style of short skirt!]

Lily:   Look, Amy has come. She’s wearing the same skirt!

Mother: My God, I give up.

1. B   2. No, she hasn’t.

III. Listening In

Task 1: A Woman’s Funny Dress

Lily:    Mom, look at that woman. Her dress looks funny.

Mother: I wouldn’t say that, Lily. It looks fine to me.

Lily:   Are you kidding? She’s out of fashion. That’s last year’s style.

Mother: Oh, come one, as long as it looks good on her.

Lily:   Wow, you’re really as out-dated as she is.

Mother: You’re right. I’m out of date. So what? What’s the point of following the fashion?

Lily:   No wonder you never buy me new dresses.

1.       looks funny

2.       looks fine to her

3.       is behind the times

4.       went out

5.       looks good on her

6.       out-dated

7.       keeping herself in style

8.       no wonder

Task 2: How is fashion decided?

Fashion designers design and make fashionable clothes for men and women. They deign trends and create new styles. Paris has been the traditional center of world fashion, though recently British designers have had great influence in setting new styles, and so have certain designers in the United States and Italy. French designers guard the secrets of their new designs until their collections are shown to the public. Then pictures of the styles are published in newspapers and magazines all over the world. People from many countries travel to Paris to buy the clothes and copy the newest ideas. In January they go to see the spring clothes; and in July, to see the autumn designs. Many dress manufacturers from other countries buy the original clothes of the famous French designers. They then take them back to their own sewing rooms, where the clothes are copied and made up in great numbers. That’s why you may be able to buy in your town the clothing that is in the latest style without paying a very high price for it. Other manufacturers use the Paris styles simply as a starting point for their own ideas. Still others may adapt only a part of the French design into their own styles.

1. F   2.F   3.T   4.T   5.F

Fashion designers             design fashionable clothes,

                            begin trends and new styles,

                            and their work is copied all over the world.

Paris                        is the center of the world fashion, where the secrets of the new designs are guarded until they are shown to the public

People and manufacturers      come to Paris to buy and copy new clothes, in January and July. Then the clothes are copied and made up in large numbers, for which one does not have to pay a high price.

                             Other manufacturers use Paris styles simply as a starting point for their own ideas.

                             Still others adapt only a part of the French design

Task 3: Dreaming of Being a Fashion Model

Top fashion models travel all over the world, earn huge salaries and live exciting lives. If you want to be a model, you should know the basic rules. Girls are usually picked to be models when they are between 15 and 22 years old. Ideally, they are tall, long-legged, and thin. The minimum height is about 5’8”, and the average weight is 108-125 pounds. A few other important things for a fashion model are clear skin, healthy hair, straight teeth, and a well-shaped body. You’ll also need ambition, intelligence, confidence, independence, and will-power.

If you’ve got the right looks but are worried over not being tall enough or fit enough, Kimi is the answer. Kimi is the magic key to developing your fashion model potential. Kimi is a computer-designed stimulator. It massages your feet to stimulate a part of your brain that produces more growth hormones. This will give you the fashion model kind of height. You should also go in for some sports like running or basketball. These increase the benefits of using Kimi.

Make an important decision today. Order Kimi right now! Don’t you think having the hegith and shape of a fashion model would be wonderful? Yes, Kimi helps you realize your dream.

1.D   2.B   3.A   4.B     5.C

Top fashion models…..earning large salaries

Future models…..being at least 5’8” tall

Kimi…………..massaging one’s feet

A part of the brain……producing growth hormones directly

Customers…….buying Kimi

IV. Speaking Out

Model 1 How did you like the fashion show?

Laura: How did you like the fashion show last night?

John:  It was dumb. I think it’s stupid of women to wear clothes like that.

Laura:  I didn’t see anything wrong with the clothes; they looked pretty nice to me.

John:  Do you really think people can wear that stuff and walk around the streets?

Laura: Yes, I do. At least, some people certainly can. They wear high-fashion clothes to show off their sense of style and wealth.

John:  Well, I still think they’re dumb. It makes more sense to spend the money on more practical purposes.

Now Your Turn

A: What did you think of the low-cut dress at the fashion show yesterday evening?

B: I think it’s not decent for Chinese girls to wear a dress like that.

A: The dress seemed quite al right to me. In fact, they looked pretty nice to me.

B: Do you really think people can wear that stuff and walk around the streets?

A: Yes, I do. Don’t forget this is already the 21^st century. Some people wear high-fashion clothes to show off their sense of style as wealth.

B: Well, I still think low-neck dresses are wrong. It would be better to spend the money on high-quality, traditional clothes.

Model 2 I’m looking for a light jacket.  

Salesman: What can I do for you?

John:    I’m looking for a light jacket.

Salesman: Please come this way; they’re just over here. What size do you like?

John:    I’m not sure.

Salesman: ok, I’ll measure you. Well, you are size 42. What color do you like?

John:     Light blue, please.

Salesman: OK, try this one on.

John:     Yes, that’s comfortable. And the color goes well with my jeans. How much is it?

Salesman: $24.99.

John:     I’ll take it. Can I pay with a credit card?

Salesman: Sure, we take both debit and major credit cards.

Now Your Turn

A: Can I help you?

B: Can you show me a pair of jeans?

A: OK. What size do you wear?

B: I don’t know.

A: No problem, I’ll take your measurements…OK, what color do you like?

B: Dark blue, please.

A: Please try this one on…How does it feel?

B: Yes, that’s comfortable. And the color matches my jacket. What does it cost?

A: $79.90.

B: I’ll take it. Can I pay with a credit card?
A: Sorry, we accept only cash.

Model 3 Could you show me a pair of running shoes?

Salesman: Good morning, see anything you like?

John:     Not yet, I’ll look around first…Excuse me, could you show me a pair of running shoes? Are any of these on sale?

Salesman: The price of the Reeboks won’t change, but the Nikes go on sale this afternoon:25% off. That’s a good deal.

John:    No, I don’t like Nikes at all.

Salesman: Well, why don’t you try on this pair of Reeboks and see how they feel?

John:    Okay. But I think they are going to be on the small side. Oh, there, I’m afraid are a bit too tight. Do you have a size 24?

Salesman: I’m sorry, they’re all sold out. But I’ll be glad to order a new pair of you.

John:    How long will it take?

Salesman: Three days.

John:    Then don’t bother. Thank you anyway.

 

Now Your Turn

A: May I help you?

B: I want to buy a dress. Can I have a look at the green one?

A: Sure. Please try it on and see how it feels.
B: OK…I think it’s a bit too large. Do you have a smaller one?

A: I’m sorry, this is the smallest one. How about the blue one?

B: No, I don’t like the color. Thanks.

V. Let’s Talk

The Miniskirt

Mary Quant was a famous dress designer in the 1960s. Her main contribution to fashion history was the miniskirt. During the 1960s many young people were starting to think women could do more in life than be wives and mothers. Clothes became a weapon in the battle between generations. Anything different and daring was soon popular. During this period miniskirts attracted the world’s attention. It was teenagers and very young girls who bought short shirts that displayed their legs. Ms. Quant said that at her fashion shop, young women began demanding shorter and shorter skirts. “If I didn’t make them short enough, the girls that had wonderful legs would take scissors and shorten the skirts themselves.” She said. Eventually, Ms. Quant’s skirts, which arrived in the United States in the mid-60’s, were reduced to about five inches. In parts of Europe and North America the miniskirt represented loose morals. Members of the older generation believed good girls would never appear in miniskirts. But in Ms. Quant’s opinion, short skirts worn with heavy pantyhose would make the girl look childlike. Lately, feminists have come to see mini as a symbol of women’s liberation, as a powerful weapon against the traditional stereotype of the woman simply as wife and mother.

1.D   2.D   3.A   4.C   5.B

VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking

Task 1: Paying for the New Clothes

Daughter: Mom, I need some new clothes. Everything I have is out of date. The new semester will be starting soon—can we go shopping?

Mother:  You have a closet full of clothes that are still in very good condition. Your father and I already have to pay you university tuition…and there’re the books too.

Daughter: But everyone else will be wearing the latest Levis. And I will look stupid wearing the same old skirts I wore in high school. They are so long. People will think I came form the middle ages.

Mother:  But…

Daughter: Maybe I could get a part-time job to help pay for the new clothes.

Mother: No, you need to study. But university is a new experience…maybe we can look for something not too expensive.

Daughter: Wonderful, at least we can have a look.

The daughter wants to buy new clothes, but the mother disagrees, saying she still has a lot of clothes in good condition and the parents have to pay for the university tuition. The daughter argues that she needs clothes in fashion, so as not to look as if she had come form the middle ages. The daughter then suggests getting a part-time job to cover the expenses. Not wanting to affect the daughter’s studies, the mother finally agrees to buy new clothes.

Task 2: A Model’s Description of Her Work

Before the fashion show started, we had a rehearsal. In a small room we were each given a space. A dresser got us into the fashion clothes, then an assistant checked that the style was right—the correct number of buttons undone, the trousers pulled to the right height. Once dressed, we queued up in order by the door. The fashion designer checked that the clothing was as the he wanted. The music started, and we went out. We posed for the photographers, turned and walked back. It was a breeze. I walked back into the room, too excited to realize I was meant to hurry. In the few steps from the door you can throw off quite a few layers of clothing. By failing to do so, I almost missed my next turn.

At 8:30p.m., with the audience in place, we were back in the clothes. We went out again, to a full house. The music was loud, but clear. You could hear the talking—fashion shows are not theatre, and people don’t keep quiet. Journalists discuss what to write about; buyers discuss whether they can make a profit from the clothes. And although you have been chosen for your looks that are suitable for certain dresses, as a model, you are just an advertisement for the designer. So you walk through conversations, unable to stop or react. You are not a creative human being, just a smiling doll.

1.T   2.F  3.T   4.F   5.F

Task 3: Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-dot Bikini

She was afraid to come out of the locker

She was as nervous as she could be

She was afraid to come out of the locker

She was afraid that somebody would see

One, two, three, four, tell people what she wore

 

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini

That she wore for the first time today.

An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini

So in the locker she wanted to stay.

Two, three, four, stick around we’ll tell you more

 

She was afraid to come out in the open

And so a blanket around her she wore

She was afraid to come out in the open

And so she sat bundled up on the shore

Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore…

Speaking

Buying an Expensive Dress

Nancy: Your new low-cut dress is wonderful.

Jill:   Thank you, Nancy. I just bought it on sale. It was marked d9own 50%.

Nancy: Where did you get it?

Jill:    Lane Crawford. They had a year-end sale that was too good to pass up.

Nancy: I heard about this store. They have all the high-end stuff.

Jill:   Nothing good in life is cheap.

Nancy: Well, let’s go shopping then. And don’t forget to bring it.

Jill:   Bring what?

Nancy: Your credit card.