The Press at Work

C. Terry, a schoolboy, talks about how Press handled coverage of an incident at his school. Answer the following questions using information provided on the tape.

1. Which men were at the school when Terry got there?

2. What were they trying to do?

3. How were they trying to do this?

4. Were they successful?

5. Did the true story emerge in the papers?

6. What is Terry’s opinion of the press reports?

Talking Points a. Read the extract, and answer the questions which follow

Like all other fashion editors in the land, I get enough hate mail and takings-to-task at parties to be in no doubt that, as a nation our attitudes to clothes are particularly and often violently screwed up

Confused, uncomfortable, or ambivalent might be kinder words for it, but whatever the trouble, the expression of it always comes out in a boiling stream of anger. Why do fashion editors only use young, slim models? Why do we show expensive designer clothes? How can we print frivolous articles on fashion when children are starving in Ethiopia?

It is useless to argue that the British fashion industry is the fourth largest in the country and deserves coverage and support on the grounds of the employment it generates. Fashion is a moral mine­field spiked with all kinds of nameless dangers, temptations and vic­es. The dread seduction of clothes touches terrible British sensitive­ness to do with class, snobbery, puritanism, parsimony, sex and Right and Wrong.

(Sarah Mower, The Guardian)

What do you learn from this piece about:

1. British attitudes to clothes?

2. The British fashion industry?

B. Discuss in groups:

What kind of clothes do you prefer to wear?

Are you influenced by the social occasion?

What is your image?

Are you happy with the image you think you project?

How different is the real you from the image?

Job Application

You are Lesley Smith, aged 17, and you are thinking of applying to university. You have seen the following advertisement in The Post newspaper.

Department of Industry

Are you hoping to begin a science or engineering degree in the next academic year? Are you interested in financial and career sponsorship?

The Department of Industry could offer you sponsorship for the whole of your degree, with additional opportunities of vocation em­ployment and the prospect of full employment at the end of your course.

Write to us at: Г

Department of Industry

10th Floor West

Barchester Towers

7 Framley Street

London SE1 9TT

telling us why we should consider you for our sponsorship scheme.

There are some notes you have made about yourself.

Secondary school from 11 to 16:

Wendover Comprehensive School,

Wendover.

From: Wendover Sixth Form College

GCSE passes: English Language, History, Maths, French, Phy­sics, Biology, Chemistry, Music.

Studying for 'A' levels: Physics, Maths, Chemistry.

Interests: photography, helping in a school for handicapped children.

University studies: want to do physics.

Write a letter to the Department of Industry, indicating why you be a suitable candidate for their sponsorship scheme.

Hints

1. Information:

Give full details of your schooling and examinations taken or to betaken.

Talk about your interests and activities out of school, where these show you in a positive way.

2. Style:

Be formal, but informative and positive.

3. Presentation:

Make sure you present yourself and the information about you in the best way.