I Look Like a Sack of Potatoes

Pre-listening:

You will hear 2 people who choose some clothes for a date

1.1.Before listening, pay attention to the following words and phrases:

v to look like a sack of potatoes;

v to borrow smth from smb.;

v to lend shoes to go with;

v thanks a million;

v I’d better get moving.

1.2.Do you think the speakers are men or women? Why?

1.3.Try to guess what the subject matter of the speakers’ conversation may be.

After-listening:

2.1. Mark the statements true (T) or false (F):

v Kate is going out with Tom tonight.

v Jan hasn’t got anything to wear.

v Kate says her green dress makes her look like a sack of potatoes.

v Jan wore a green silk dress to Andy’s party.

v Kate’s feet are bigger than Jan’s.

v Kate had a new jacket.

v Kate finds it normal to borrow Jan’s things.

v Kate ironed the dress herself.

2.2.Choose the wrong item of clothing Kate borrowed from Jan:

a. a pair of shoes	c. a skirt
b. a dress	d. a jacket

2.3.Find the correct variant of Jan’s full name:

a. Jennifer	c. Janet
b. Jean	d. Jane

2.4.Answer the questions:

v Who finds the red dress lovely?

v What’s wrong with the red dress?

v What does Jan suggest to her friend who’s got nothing to wear tonight?

v How many items of clothing did Kate borrow?

v Why is Kate in a hurry?

v Who will iron the dress?

2.5.Whose utterances are the words mentioned in task 1.1.

2.6.Have you ever borrowed things from your friends? What was the occasion?

2.7.What makes you look like a sack of potatoes? Do you know how to avoid it?

2.8.If your friend looks like a sack of potatoes, can you tell it to her directly?

 

 

Tapescript 3

Fake Fur

Pre-listening:

You will hear a talk about fake fur

1.1.Before listening, pay attention to the following words and phrases:

v a trend;

v its attraction lies in the fact that;

v to be in evidence;

v PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals);

v Manhattan Fashion Week.

1.2.What do you know about PETA?

1.3.Do you know anything about Manhattan Fashion Week?

After-listening:

2.1. Mark the statements true (T) or false (F):

v Fake fur is a trend which shows no sign of abating.

v The point of fake fur is that it is blatantly fake.

v Its attraction lies in the fact that it looks like real fur and you can’t recognize it as fake.

v Fake fur has all the luxurious softness and realistic movement of real one.

v You can’t look great without killing real animals.

v The show is sponsored by PETA.

v The fake fur coats set a trend for tattered luxury.

2.2.Find the odd attribute to characterize the fake fur coats collection:

a. arid	c. shocking pink
b. wild	d. fresh

2.3.Answer the questions:

v What colours did the designers use in the fake fur collection?

v What makes fake fur attractive?

v What is the style of the coats presented in NY for Manhattan Fashion Week?

v What is the young market set for?

2.4.What’s the fashion observer’s attitude to the NY Fashion Week main trend?

2.5.What’s your attitude to fake fur? Do you wear it? Why? Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

2.6.Do you think the term ‘ tattered luxury ’ is an oxymoron? Is it possible to look luxurious wearing a fake fur coat?

 

 

Tapescript 4

 

Fashionable Things

Pre-listening:

You will hear information on 4 fashionable things.

1.1.Before listening, pay attention to the following words and phrases:

v smoke-coloured lenses;

v Levi Strauss;

v Hindi;

v Coco (Gabriel) Chanel.

1.2.Make a guess what fashionable items you will hear about.

1.3.What do you know about Coco Chanel and Levi Strauss?

After-listening:

2.1.Find the odd fashionable item (according to the text):

a) sunglasses	d) shampoo
b) jeans	e) perfume
c) eye shadows	f) lenses

2.2. Mark the statements true (T) or false (F):

v The first dark glasses had nothing to do with the fashion and the sun.

v Glasses with smoke-coloured lenses were worn by cooks in China more than 600 ago.

v People couldn’t see the eyes of the dark glasses wearers.

v Levi Strauss designed perfume for miners and cowboys.

v Jeans were not fashionable at the beginning of the last century.

v The history of modern liquid shampoo is quite short.

v Coco Chanel was the leading shampoo manufacturer in the early 20^th century.

v Levi Strauss was completely bald.

v Chanel № 5 was introduced in the early 40^th of the twentieth century.

v Figure 5 was Coco’s lucky number.

2.3.Answer the questions:

v When and where did the first sunglasses appear?

v What were the first glasses aimed at?

v When does the history of blue jeans begin?

v Who designed the first jeans?

v What language does the word shampoo come from?

v When did John Breck become the world’s leading shampoo manufacturer?

v What was special about Breck’s appearance?

v What were the two reasons to give Chanel’s perfume the tag ‘№ 5’?

2.4.Do you like to wear sunglasses? Do you often change them? Are there any disadvantages of wearing sunglasses?

2.5.Did you ever wear a Levi Strauss? Are the jeans expensive?

2.6.Did you ever use Channel № 5? Would you like to?

2.7.Make-up your own list of the 4 fashionable things you can’t do without.

 

Tapescript 5

 

Successful Fashion Designer

Pre-listening:

You will hear a successful fashion designer talking about his career.

1.1.Before listening think of the possible subjects a designer should learn at college to be a success.

1.2.Before listening, pay attention to the following words and phrases:

v managing money;

v types of cloth;

v to be cost;

v a fashion house;

v to end up;

v to start a company.

1.3.Make a guess what the designer is going to speak about.

After-listening:

2.1. Mark the statements true (T) or false (F):

v Fashion was something the speaker always wanted to do.

v The designer’s parents fully supported their son’s future career.

v The designer did a two-year business course first.

v The designer liked the business course at once.

v Unlike other students of the art college the speaker knew much about business.

v The young designer had a part-time job in a local restaurant.

v At the age of 17 the designer had to stay home because London is a very expensive place for a student.

v The designer spent 9 months in a college in London.

v The first designer’s work was well-paid but stressful.

v The designer enjoys his stressful work in his own company.

2.2.Find the place where the designer did not work:

 

a) Milan	c) London
b) Paris	d) NY

2.3.Find the odd activity the designer had at his business college:

a) using a word processor;	c) talking about business;
b) managing money;	d) making on a sewing machine.

 

2.4.Answer the questions:

v Why did the speaker’s parents find it difficult to accept that fashion is a serious career?

v What clothes did the factory where the designer worked part-time make?

v What was the thing that gave the young designer the opportunity to study in London?

v What was the advantage in studying in London?

v What company had the designer been working for three months before he left college in London?

v Why was the job in NY terribly stressful?

v What does the designer do at present?

2.5.What qualities do you think a person should possess to become a designer?

2.6.What Italian/London and American fashion houses do you know? Which one do you think the designer might have worked for before he started his own company?

2.7.Speak about your favourite designer (in pairs).

 

Tapescript 6

 

Fashion Show

Pre-listening:

You will hear some talking on the radio about a fashion show.

1.1.Before listening, think what collections and show location will be mentioned in the conversation.

1.2.Before listening, pay attention to the following words and phrases:

v a top hairdresser;

v to be reserved by ringing.

After-listening:

2.1.The show will take place at(in):

 

a) the sport’s stadium	c) Hyde Park
b) the railway station	d) the Zoo

 

2.2. Mark the statements true (T) or false (F):

v Geraldine Smith is going to tell about this autumn’s fashion show.

v 12 art colleges are taking part in the show.

v The show will be in the open-air theatre on the 26^th of October.

v At seven thirty the public can get a piece of advice from a top hairdresser.

v Visiting the show you’ll be enabled to buy almost anything from sports clothes to winter coats.

v Visitors will be able to buy shoes after the show.

v This year’s prize for the winner is money.

v Those willing the visit the show can go there by three busses specially provided.

 

2.3.You will not find in this year’s collection items in:

 

a) pearl-gray	c) red or orange
b) light blue	d) navy

 

2.4.Answer the questions:

v When do they usually have the show?

v When will the show start?

v What tasks are set to the participants of the show?

v What will the top hairdresser talk about?

v What’s the purpose of having stalls around the stadium?

v When will the winner of the show’s name be announced?

v Why is it necessary to provide busses for the show visitors?

2.5.Do you think fashion shows are useful? Who usually visits them? Have you ever been to them?

2.6.Would you like to participate in the fashion show? What would you like to do in particular?

2.7.Do you think there’s some point (no point) in the chief task to the art students (to create clothes of only two colours)? What task would you set if you were asked to run a fashion show?

 

 

HOME LISTENING

Tapescript 1

 

Corporate Image

1. You will hear some information about creating a corporate image.

1.1. Pay attention to the following vocabulary and explain their meaning:

v a corporate image;

v smart and casual;

v to dress down;

v the IT (information technologies) sector;

v to project a specific image of a company.

1.2.Reproduce the situations in which the vocabulary was used.

 

2.1.Choose the correct answer:

 

	The presenter is dressed in (a)…	a) T-shirt; b) shorts; c) suit; d) casual wear.
	It’s necessary to wear a suit to…	a) meet a client;b) meet friends; c) a party on Friday; d) a cinema.
	On Friday Americans are dressed…	a) more formally; b) less formally; c) smartly; d) in designer clothes.
	The way you are dressed depends on…	a) your mood; b) day of the week; c) the business you’re in; d) your style.
	The ‘Dress Down Friday’ concept is closer to people employed in…	a) IT sector; b) police; c) banks; d) hospitals.

 

2.2. Is the statement true or false?

-The speaker was wearing casual clothes because it wasn’t a formal presentation.

-The speaker believes there are special occasions when you have to wear a suit.

-The speaker supposes the recent fashion trend has been picked up from the Italians.

-Quite a lot of people wear jeans to their work.

-Customers and general pubic feel frightened about someone in a uniform.

2.3. Answer the questions:

-Which way is the speaker dressed?

-What’s the purpose of his presentation?

-What makes a person wear a suit or a uniform?

-What does a uniform (a suit) have to do with?

-What do people do wearing business clothes?

2.4. Write the summary of the speaker’s idea using the vocabulary.

3.1. What is your idea of a corporate image? Which way should a teacher/ interpreter dress?

Tapescript 2

 

Casual Attire

1. You will hear some information about casual things.

1.1. Pay attention to the following vocabulary and explain their meaning:

v a blast of mightiness;

v a (top) dress consultant;

v loser wear;

v to lose the fashion battle;

v a no-no;

v dungarees;

v snazzy;

v cotton chinos;

v a mesh tie;

v John Wayne;

v brogues.

1.2. Reproduce the situations in which the vocabulary was used.

 

2.1. Choose the correct answer:

 

	The problem is that many workers and businessmen confuse casual wear with…	a) designer clothes; b) dress-wise wear; c) evening wear; d) loser wear.
	Women can sabotage themselves just as well as men when it comes to….	a) casual power dressing;b) leather skirts; c) pajamas; d) T-shirts.
	The office is off-limits for any kind of…	a) dresses; b) jean garments; c) casual attire; d) suits.
	Another taboo in the office is…	a) open-toe shoes; b) cotton; c) leather; d) dress suits.
	You can judge a male by his…	a) shoes; b) long-sleeved shirt; c) jacket; d) blazer.

 

2.2. Is the statement true or false?

-Jean skirts are a no-no in the office.

-Men make the grade wearing blazers and snazzy jackets.

-Women still cram themselves into leather mini-skirts and think they look professional.

-Leather jackets are not so bad for men.

-Short-sleeved shirts and blouses ate out of place in the office.

2.3. Answer the questions:

-What is the main problem with dressing down on Friday?

-What factors should a person consider choosing clothes to wear in the office?

-Can you wear sandals and cowboy boots to your work?

-What is the proper shirt to create a good impression in the office?

-What action can guaranty a perfect look in the office on Friday morning?

2.4. Write the summary of Sarah’s pieces of advice.

3.1. Do you totally agree with Sarah’s ideas about wearing casual things in the office? If no, express you view point.

3.2. Which way do businessmen and workers dress in your country?

 

 

Tapescript 3

 

Language of Clothes

1. You will hear some information about the importance of wearing proper clothes.

1.1. Pay attention to the following vocabulary and explain their meaning:

v to dress to impress;

v to fit into a group;

v dressing up;

v taste in clothes;

v to want acceptance;

v to go against group style;

v to lose one’s looks;

v to retain one’s look at any cost.

1.2. Reproduce the situations in which the vocabulary was used.

 

2.1. Choose the correct answer:

	Nowadays even at work people are dressed for…	a) pleasure; b) success; c) prestige; d) comfort.
	‘Power’ dressing is only really found in areas like…	a) sales;b) army; c) teaching; d) IT.
	Dressing up or down depends on…	a) money; b) circumstances; c) social status; d) relatives.
	People dress extremely smartly and expensively when they feel…	a) confident; b) gloomy; c) insecure; d) good.
	Trying to retain good looks at any cost makes old people look…	a) ridiculous; b) special; c) smart-casual; d) attractive.

 

2.2. Is the statement true or false?

-The kinds of things people wear nowadays are more ‘smart-casual’ than formal.

-A more casual look is out of the question for people in the highest positions.

-If people around you wear designer clothes you’re likely to do it too.

-The factor that plays the decisive role in what Johanna wears is group style.

-Children insist on wearing clothes of a particular style or brand because they need acceptance.

-Nick thinks attractive people are more successful in life.

-Beauty is an enormous advantage in life.

2.3. Answer the questions:

-What are the areas where formal clothes are still popular?

-What is a more and more common sight on TV?

-What are other factors that influence people’s choice of clothe (apart from their work place)?

-When does Johanna wear colourful clothes?

-What does the lady wear feeling not very self-expressive?

2.4. Write the summary of Johanna’s and Nick’s ideas.

3.1.Do you think the clothes you wear really enable people ‘read’ your personality?

3.2.Do you agree that taste in clothes is ‘a pretty subjective issue’? Why?

3.3.Is dressing correctly far more difficult than dressing formally or informally? Can you recollect a case when your style let you down/ improved the situation?

 

 

Tapescript 4

 

Fashion Museum

1. You will hear some information about a fashion museums.

1.1. Pay attention to the following vocabulary and explain their meaning:

v to be made by hand;

v Coco Chanel;

v Christian Dior;

v ‘New Look’;

v Mary Quant;

v flower power fashion.

1.2. Reproduce the situations in which the vocabulary was used.

 

2.1. Choose the correct answer:

 

	The Morecamber Fashion Museum guide starts the excursion with clothes for…	a) the present; b) sportsmen; c) the future; d) the past.
	In the past rich men and women wore jackets, trousers and dresses made…	a) specially for them;b) in Paris; c) in factories; d) by designers.
	Many people think Coco Chanel	a) started making clothes; b) influenced fashion in the 20th century; c) introduced a short skirt; d) initiated a ‘New Look’ fashion.
	Things like shorts and tennis clothes became popular in…	a) 1900; b) 1908; c) 1920; d) 1960.
	Short skirts went with…	a) up to the knee boots; b) sandals; c) military boots; d) saddle shoes.

 

2.2. Is the statement true or false?

-The guide showed some slides on the screen.

-The exhibition is devoted to clothes of the future.

-Only people of high incomes are interested in fashion

-The picture shoes a young man trying on his brother’s old jacket.

-In the past Ladies’ clothes were short and made of light materials.

-Even today when people want to look smart they wear 17^th century clothes.

-In the next picture the guide pays the public’s attention to a pair of white shiny skates.

2.3. Answer the questions:

-When and were did Coco Chanel start making clothes?

-What sort of clothes did Coco produce?

-Who made skirts longer again?

-When were ‘flower power’ and student fashion popular?

-Who introduced short skirts?

3.1. Write the summary of the excursion.

3.2.Would you like to visit the museum? If yes, say what exhibit you would like to put on.

Tapescript 5

 

Males and Fashion

1. You will hear some information about males attitude to fashions.

1.1. Pay attention to the following vocabulary and explain their meaning:

v lace-up shoes;

v a slavish fashion follower;

v quality fabrics;

v the width of the lapel.

1.2. Reproduce the situations in which the vocabulary was used.

 

2.1. Choose the correct answer:

 

	Men never get bored with…	a) shopping; b) choosing shoes; c) wearing ties; d) wearing the same clothes.
	Speaker 2 loves the feel of…	a) quality fabrics;b) lace-up shoes; c) fashion magazines; d) the buttons on the suit.
	Speaker 3 thinks that when shopping men feel less….than women.	a) necessity; b) self-confidence; c) tired; d) experienced.
	Men want to look…	a) smart-casual; b) mighty; c) reasonably good; d) fashionable.
	Speaker 6 believes that it’s….that drives women to look for comfort and fashion.	a) insecurity; b) self-assurance; c) vanity; d) market research.

 

2.2. Is the statement true or false?

- Men do not want to worry about putting together a different outfit every morning.

-Once a man finds a style he likes, he’ll stick to it unless the body shape changes.

-Speaker 1 wore a hundred of shirts for 10 years.

-Speaker 2 was a slavish fashion follower in 1990.

-Speaker 4 thinks men don’t notice any change in fashion.

-Speaker 5 claims men visit different shops when buying clothes.

-Speaker 6 thinks women tend to much more care about other people’s opinion than men.

2.3. Answer the questions:

-When do men generally find their own style?

-What do men have to feel parting with their money?

-Which way can men’s fashion change?

-What happens to men after 15 minutes of aimless shopping?

-Do sales and stores of male and female clothes differ in number? Which way?

3.1. Write the summary of the speakers’ opinions.

3.2. What’s your attitude to the so-called: a) metrosexuals; b) retrosexuals?

3.3. Describe an ideal men’s winter/summer outfit.

 

 

MOVIES

THE BLING RING

Inspired by actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities' whereabouts in order to rob their homes.

 

Director: Sofia Coppola

Writers: Sofia Coppola, Nancy Jo Sales (based on the Vanity Fair article "The Suspect Wore Louboutins" by)

Stars: Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson

Full synopsis

Quiet teenager Marc Hall (Israel Broussard) arrives as a new student at Indian Hills High School in Calabasas, California. He is befriended by the fame-obsessed Rebecca Ahn (Katie Chang). While at a party at Rebecca's house, the pair check unlocked vehicles on the street, taking valuables such as cash and credit cards.

 

When Marc mentions that one of his wealthy acquaintances is out of town, Rebecca suggests they go to his house that night and rob it. Marc is very uncomfortable trespassing, but Rebecca (who seems to have a slight sociopath personality) does not show any nervousness at all. Rebecca steals a handbag, mentioning that her idol, Lindsay Lohan, has the same one. She also takes an amount of cash, and the keys to a Porsche, which the pair use to flee the scene. With the cash, the two go on a shopping spree, affording themselves the luxury lifestyle they admired in magazines.

 

Another night later, Marc visits a nightclub with Rebecca and her friends Nicki (Emma Watson), her adopted sister Sam (TaissaFarmiga), and Chloe (Claire Julien), where they rub shoulders and mingle with celebrities such as Kirsten Dunst and Paris Hilton. While researching Hilton on the Internet, Marc and Rebecca realize that she will be out of town. Finding the key under the doormat, the pair goes through Hilton's belongings, taking some small items of jewelry. Rebecca then flaunts a stolen bracelet to Nicki, Sam, and Chloe at a party.

 

At Nicki's request, Rebecca and Marc take her, Sam and Chloe back to Hilton's house. The group marvels at the excess of Hilton's lifestyle, and steals shoes, bags, dresses, cash, and jewelry. Marc and Rebecca return to rob Hilton's house on a third occasion. The pair also decides to rob the home of AudrinaPatridge, once again using the Internet to determine when she will not be home. The entire group uses the same method to burgle the home of Megan Fox, with Nicki's younger sister Emily (Georgia Rock) squeezing through a pet door to gain access to the home.

 

The group enters the home of Orlando Bloom and his girlfriend, Miranda Kerr. The girls proceed to steal her usual items, while Marc finds a case filled with seven of Bloom's Rolex watches along with a roll of cash. Chloe then helps Marc sell the watches to her boyfriend, Ricky. Marc (revealed to be a closeted homosexual) keeps a pair of women's high-heeled shoes and clothes to wear for himself around his house. Another night or two later, the group returns once again to Hilton's house, with Sam's boyfriend Rob, who also steals from the home.

 

A news report releases captured CCTV footage from the robbery at AudrinaPatridges home. This concerns Marc, but Rebecca is undeterred and her recklessness and egomania only grows. Rebecca next instigates a burglary at the home of Rachel Bilson. Word spreads amongst the group's social circles, and the girls proudly boast of their accomplishments at parties, also posting photographs of the stolen items on social media sites. The group ultimately robs the home of Lohan, Rebecca's celebrity idol. Shortly after, Rebecca moves to Las Vegas with her father due to troubles at home, leaving some of her stolen items with Marc, who inadvertently helps Rebecca transfer stolen items across state lines.

 

News reports of the Hollywood Hills burglaries intensify, with the media labelling the group "The Bling Ring". CCTV from several robberies in addition to the evidence on social media allows authorities to identify the group. The police arrest Marc, Nicki, Chloe, Rebecca, Rob, and Ricky, however Sam is not identified in the footage and avoids arrest. Marc cooperates with the police, informing them on the details of the burglaries, much to the chagrin of Rebecca, who has been identified as the ringleader. A Vanity Fair journalist interviews Marc, who is remorseful, and Nicki, who vehemently suggests the others were at fault, and that she was simply involved with the wrong people. Rebecca, being the sociopath, shows no remorse for her actions and, like the others, tries to pass the blame for all of this on Marc and others of her group. The group is ultimately prosecuted, receiving varying amounts of jail time and being ordered to collectively pay millions of dollars in restitution for the stolen items.

 

The group serves its jail time, and Marc and Rebecca each go into seclusion from the press... never speaking to each other again. The film then cuts to a few months later where Nicki is on a talk show talking about her time in jail. She reveals that her cell was next to Lohan's. After digressing, she turns to the audience (and the viewers) as she finds a way to enhance her newfound notoriety, telling them to visit her now-popular website detailing her life after The Bling Ring.

True facts

Prior to shooting, Sofia Coppola got the cast to fake-burgle a house to see what mistakes they'd make.

Sophia Coppola had lunch several times with real-life convicted Bling Ring burglar Nick Frank Prugo, the basis of the film's character Marc. Prugo, and his gang of thieves, reportedly stole over $3 million from celebrity homes. After serving a year in jail, Prugo claimed, as of May 2013, that he had not seen the film yet.

The scene taking place at Paris Hilton's home was actually filmed there.

Kirsten Dunst's cameo as herself was not written into the script. Instead it was incorporated into the movie after she decided to pay an unplanned set visit to Sofia Coppola.

 

The Bling Ring

Vocabulary

to be a huge learning lesson for smb.

to lead an organization (a country)

to do home school

suave

to intern in the Teen Vogue

an exemplary student

an A-list looking guy

to have self-loathing and anxiety issues

a bunch of cash

the law of attraction

to make vision boards

a lesson on character development

to look awesome

to host a party

to look classy

the truth will come out

to be weird

a bronzer

a nightclub room

to stay on lookout

to speed up

to be loaded (about a gun)

to fix one’s hair

a break-in

to stress out

to keep texting smb.

a self-boost

to project smth on smb.

an attorney

to fight back against an accusation

to be obsessed with smth.

a search warrant

the court of law

to conduct an investigation

the ring leader

a disconnect

tumultuous experience

to take a stand for people

a sick fascination

to be found guilty on four counts of first-degree residential burglary

to be sentenced to four years of state jail