Language practice

Exercise 2.Give the meanings of the words and phrases below, comment on their register and expressiveness and suggest synonyms of various degrees of formality. Think up appropriate contexts with them:

to be groomed (to perfection) / to ride on sth. (fig.) / adage, n / garish / to draw role-models from / to peddle / mane, n / to enthuse/ ‘something with character’ / temperamental (smb. or sth.) / attire, n / to take a direct hit / to look frayed (lit. and fig.) / skimpy / to get to grips with sth. / to be ‘if-y’ about sth. / to have one’s act together / sartorially / to be a Godsent / to be in line for / creepy / sloppy.

Exercise 3.Identify the cultural information, things and stereotypes that come through in the text and comment on them. An up-to-date dictionary on language and culture or any reference book will help you do it better. Note: you are expected to be able to sort out factual information from the author’s emotional attitude and evaluation.

Exercise 4.Phrasal Verbs Practice.

Write out all the sentences with phrasal verbs and their derivatives, look them up in a recent dictionary and write out more sentences with them. Translate the sentences in writing, possibly with a number of options for different speech situations.

Exercise 5.What other language from the text would you like to select for intensive study and why?

Exercise 6.Make up a list of casual names for different articles of clothing, accessories, and colour terms, explain and practise them with your classmates.

Exercise 7.

a) Using a map of London and an ‘Eat Out’ Guide, follow the Ameri-wife on her shopping and eating tour of the city.

b) OUTSIDE RESEARCH PROJECT (HIGHER LEVEL)

Complete and extend the chart

Shopping (uk)

CHAIN STORES	EXCLUSIVE SHOPS	SUPERMARKETS
Woolworth’s … …	Food: … Non-food: Harrods … …	Budgeons … … …

Below you will find names of some American stores/ company names. Use them (and choose more yourself if you want) to complete a similar chart on shopping in the US. You can think up your own parameters to classify the American retail industry.

Market Basket / Leeds / Kodak / White Front / Sears / Levy / Vons / Revlon / Saks / Wal-Mart / Clarks/ General Electric / Ralphs / A & P / American Express / Stater Bros …

c) Complete the supermarket floorplan by filling in the rest of the sections:

	Meat and fish
Liquor
	Checker	Checker	Checker	Checker
IN OUT				IN OUT

Speaking

Exercise 8.Use your outside reading, personal experiences, TV and video-watching, etc. to support, expand on or question the points and observations made in the chapter. Use compelling evidence and appropriate language to sound convincing.

Writing

Exercise 9.Write a 350-word commentary explaining the cultural things and stereotypes involved.