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.
First
designer of Mary Quant miniskirts
During the 1960s anything different and daring was Causes of
soon popular, and miniskirts attracted the world's
the rise of
attention. Teenagers and very young girls bought short miniskirts
skirts to display their legs. Young women began demanding shorter and shorter Development
skirts.The skirts in the United States in the mid-60's
of miniskirts
were reduced to about five inches. In parts of Europe and the miniskirt represented loose morals. North America Members of
Opinions of believed good girls would never appear the older
miniskirts in miniskirts.
generation
thought short skirts worn with heavy
Ms. Quant pantyhose would make the girl look childlike. Feminists
see miniskirts as a symbol of women's liberation, as a powerful weapon against the traditional stereotype of the woman simply as wife and mother.
VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking Task 1: 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 2: 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 …
Task 3: 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 closet full of clothes in good condition and the parents have to pay for her university tuition. The daughter argues that she needs clothes in fashion, so as not to look as if she has 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 that are not too expensive.
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?