Ready for C1 p 34. Fashion Trends. Article. Word Formation

TASK description:

A magazine is inviting readers to write an article about the fashion trends people follow. You decide to write an article commenting on why people follow fashion trends, and assessing if people use fashion as a form of self-expression or not.

Sample answer

Following Fashion- Why Do We Do It?

Is fashion important to you? For most people it is, at least to some extent. From those who wear (1)________ (TREND) ripped jeans and loose-fitting T-shirts to those who wear smart (2)___________ (TAILOR) suits and expensive designer outfits, each individual can have their own style. But why are people following fashion? And what impact can this have on their self-expression?

(3)___________ (ARGUE), one factor that influences what people wear is the need to impress others. People who dress well and keep up with the latest styles seem to be more noticed than those who are not concerned about their (4)____________ (APPEAR). For this reason, people wear fashionable clothing and assume an identity which makes them feel they impress. Yet, by copying general looks, people actually suppress their (5)_____________ (ORIGIN), leading to a conscious or subconscious (6)________________ (SUPPRESS) of their individuality.

At the same time fashion is perceived by some as a tool for success and one that denotes wealth or prestige. For instance, people (7)__________ (INTENTION) try to elevate their status by wearing famous brands or expensive clothes which are admired by others. These clothes are not actually giving a personal statement of the (8)___________ (WEAR) as they are just the means to promote a specific image of power and control. In this case, fashion does not express personal individuality but could perhaps be said to give a false (9)____________ (IMPRESS) of appearance for a specific purpose.

That being said, following fashion may not have anything to do with copying current trends but with using them as an inspiration to create outfits expressing individuality. An example of this is reforming fashionable pieces and making small (10)______________ (PERSONAL) changes. Adding glam here and there, rolling up a pair of trousers or even wearing two different shoes can be considered a form of self-expression demonstrating originality.

Having considered all this, to my way of thinking fashion can be used as a means of communication and a way to communicate your self-image to people around you. As a famous (11)___________ (DESIGN) once said, "Fashion is instant language." 

KEY

1. trendy

 

 

 

2. tailored

 

 

 

3. Arguably

 

 

 

4. appearance

 

 

 

5. originality

 

 

 

6. suppression

 

 

7. intentionally

 

 

 

8. wearer 

 

 

9. impression

 

 

10. personalised 

 

 

11. designer

Open World p 180. Multiple Choice Cloze

 Do the Multiple Choice Cloze

conjure something up      ​to make something appear as a picture in your mind. Synonym evoke.

E.g.

That smell always conjures up memories of holidays in France.         

He strained to conjure up her face and voice, but they had vanished.

Dieting always seems to conjure up images of endless salads.

The movie conjures up the excitement of being a teenager in 1960s London.  Sp. La película evoca la emoción de ser adolescente en el Londres de 1960.

lodge: 

1. to provide someone with a place to stay for a short time. Accommodate.

E.g.

a building used to lodge prisoners of war

lodge somebody in/at something  

The refugees were lodged in old army barracks.

2. to pay to live in a room in somebody’s house.

E.g.

lodge at/with etc  

John lodged with a family in Bristol when he first started work. 

The backpackers lodged at the hostel for the night.      Los mochileros se alojaron en el albergue por la noche.

a far cry from something      ​a very different experience from something. synonym remote         

E.g. All this luxury was a far cry from the poverty of his childhood.

course of action: /ˌkɔːs əv ˈækʃn/ a way of acting in or dealing with a particular situation. A way of proceeding.

E.g. 

They have not yet decided on a particular course of action.

The course of action chosen by her doctor was successful.  Sp. El procedimiento adoptado por el doctor dio buenos resultados.

look back: to think about something in the past. synonym reflect      

E.g.

to look back on your childhood     

They look back at the 1970s as the good old days.

When I look back on those days I realize I was desperately unhappy.

residential care a system in which people who are old or ill live together in a special house and are looked after by professionals.

E.g. a residential care facility.

prohibitively adverb   /prəˈhɪbətɪvli/   ​at such a high price that people are prevented from buying something or doing something. synonym exorbitantly  /ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtəntli/

E.g.

Car insurance can be prohibitively expensive for young drivers

turn out: (used with an adverb or adjective, or in questions with how) to happen in a particular way; to develop or end in a particular way.

E.g.

 Despite our worries everything turned out well.     

You never know how your children will turn out.     

+ adj. If the day turns out wet, we may have to change our plans.

The forecast is good, but it is too soon to say how it will turn out.  Sp. El pronóstico es bueno, pero aún es muy temprano para saber cómo terminará todo.

Open World p 173. Multiple Choice Cloze

 Do Ex 2

at the expense of somebody/something      ​with loss or damage to somebody/something   Sp. en detrimento de, a expensas de.     

E.g.

He built up the business at the expense of his health.         

an education system that benefits bright children at the expense of those who are slower to learn

draw on/upon something  ​to use a supply of something that is available to you . Sp. recurrir a

E.g.

I'll have to draw on my savings.         

The novelist draws heavily on her personal experiences.

stop short of something/of doing something      ​to be unwilling to do something because it may involve a risk, but to nearly do it         Sp. estar a punto de.

E.g.

She stopped short of calling the president a liar.         

The protest stopped short of a violent confrontation.

    I was furious with her, but I stopped short of saying something I'd regret. Sp. Estaba furioso con ella y estuve a punto de decir cosas de las que me hubiera arrepentido.

Roadschooling is a growing trend in which families pack up their belongings and take their homeschooling on the road. Many families who embrace this lifestyle integrate what they are seeing and experiencing into their child's homeschool curriculum.

 

concede: /kənˈsiːd/ to admit that something is true, logical, etc. after first denying it or resisting it. Sp reconocer, admitir.

E.g.

+ speech ‘Not bad,’ she conceded grudgingly.     

concede (that)… He was forced to concede (that) there might be difficulties.     

concede something I had to concede the logic of this.

Open World WB p 56. Key Word Transformations

 Do Ex 1

there’s no knowing: it is impossible to know  

E.g.

There was no knowing who might have read the letter.