5 Oral Practice
5.1 Do you know how to compliment people on clothes and appearance? Let’s learn to do this.
Speech Patterns: Replies/ Answers
Yoy do look nice/smart in/with that Do you like it (them)?
I (do) like your … I’m glad you like it (them)
It really suits you. Do I? in reply to you (do) look
Does it?
Yes, I’m quite /rather pleased
with it (myself)
While waiting for the bus to come I heard two young women talking about clothes. They met after a holiday. This is what I heard.
Helen: Hello there!
Frieda: Oh, hello, Helen! How glad I am to see you! What lovely gloves you are wearing! What soft leather they are made of!
Helen: Do you really like them, Frieda? Do you think they match my boots and handbag?
Frieda: Yes, they are. And they go very well with your hat too. You have very good taste in clothes.
Helen: Thank you. And you’re looking very smart in that new costume.
Frieda: Do you think it suits me?
Helen: Yes, and I like the colour too. Where did you buy it?
Frieda: In Paris when I went there for holidays.
Helen: Oh, I see. You got a bargain there.
Read the dialogue, learn it and reproduce with another student / your partner.
5.1.1 Substitution Drills Practise in constructing the sentences.
a) Compliment your friend using the words from each column.
nice in that dress
You (do) smart with those tailored suit
look elegant sweater
attractive coat
handbag
shoes
hat
hair style
b) Tell your friend that the parts of her/his clothes match each other.
gloves handbag well
belt dress very well
shoes hat beautifully
Your jumper match your skirt perfectly well
tie matches suit
blouse costume
T-shirt shorts
buttons
5.1.2 Using the prompts in brackets compliment a friend on:
1) his tie (very smart; matches his suit perfectly);
2) her handbag (of the latest style; matches her shoes and hat perfectly well);
3) her coat (of very good cut and colour; this style is just the fashion now);
4) a new raincoat he/she is wearing (looks very nice);
5) her tailored suit (very elegant; fits her figure perfectly well).
5.1.3 Now do exercise 5.1.2 again with your partner paying the compliments to you. Respond to them with suitable replies.
5.2 Look at the following statements about clothes to wear at work and say if you agree with them or not. Discuss these statements in the group. You should have reasons for your answers.
1) The way people dress at work usually indicates how competent they are at their jobs.
2) People should be allowed to wear exactly what they want to at work.
3) Firms who want employees to wear particular clothes should pay for these clothes.
4) In most firms the way you dress will affect your chances of promotion.
5) People work best in the clothes they feel most comfortable in.
6) People wearing unusual extravagant clothes to work give a bad impression to clients.
7) As long as a person is good at his job, it shouldn’t matter what he/she wears.
8) I object to senior female staff wearing trousers.
9) Sloppy clothes mean sloppy work.
10) I wouldn’t have faith in an executive who wears jeans to work.
11) Men shouldn’t be allowed to take off their jackets at work even in the summer.
12) Bosses should always be smartly dressed.
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New words: to indicate - показывать; particular - особый; особенный; promotion - продвижение (по службе); to object - возражать, быть против; senior - старший (по возрасту, положению); faith - вера; executive - начальник, руководитель; as long as - пока (поскольку).
Lesson FIVE
