3 Read the dialogue.
YESTERDAY’S LUXURY IS TODAY’S NECESSITY
(John and Mary Brown; Helen - Mary's friend)
Helen: How do you manage to do all the work by yourself, Mary, with a family of four?
Mary: Well, the housework keeps me, busy, you know. As soon as one job is finished there is another waiting to be done. The children are too small to help.
John: Don't forget to say that I do my share. I'm always willing to lend a hand.
Helen: Oh, John, I haven't seen you doing much housework.
John: Oh, haven't you? Who helps with the washing up? Who mends anything that gets broken? And when the electric lights go out who changes the bulbs or mends the fuses? I think I do my share.
Mary: Yes, he's very useful, Helen. Besides, he helps with the children.
John: And I must admit that housekeeping is much easier than it used to be. Times have changed. Now we don’t think what a blessing electricity is. We soon become accustomed to new things and take them for granted. Nobody thinks of electricity as a luxury now. Yesterday’s luxury is today's necessity.
Mary: I don't know what I should do without my vacuum cleaner, washing machine or refrigerator, to say notning of television and the telephone.
Helen: Will you show me yor TV set, John?
John: It’s a new model. With a very stylish silvery body and a liquid-crystal color 800x600 dot resolution TFT screen. The resolution is not large but we like its design; and Mary says it siuts our interior and it’s wall mountable.
Mаrу: That's true. We have no reason to regret. And now let me show you my new washing machine. We’ve purchased it in credit. And I like it so much!
Helen: Is it so special?
Mary: Yes! First of all it uses less energy than most other machines of its class. Then you know how much I loathe ironing. So, the innovative steam programme continuously sprays steam and gently rotates the drum to effectively remove creases and odours from the fabric between washes.
Helen: And what is the capacity?
Mary: This machine has a large 8kg capacity drum to allow you to wash bigger loads and bulkier items at one go.
Jonh: 9 different washing programmes, and for me it’s just press a couple of buttons and Bob’s your uncle!
Mary: But still... It’s a pity that no one has invented an ironing machine yet.
4 Practise the dialogue with your partner.
A.: I’m afraid I’ve got a complaint to make about my washing machine.
B.: I’m sorry to hear it. What’s the matter with it, exactly?
A.: Well, when I turned it on yesterday, there was a blue flash and then it just stopped. So I haven’t been able to finish the wash.
B.: I see. And is it still under warranty?
A.: Yes, we bought it about two months ago.
5 Make up more dialogues using the following clues.
a) Complaint about a refrigerator: Nature of complaint: sudden peculiar noise, motor cut out, had to cook and eat all the frozen food. When bought: three months ago.
b) Complaint about a gas cooker. Nature of complaint: automatic timer is broken, thermostat has stopped working, too; yesterday's dinner was ruined. When bought: six months ago.
c) Complaint about a television set. Nature of complaint: making strange buzzing sound for two days, smell of burning last night, had to switch off — family missed favourite show of the week. When bought: ten days ago.
6 Read the dialogues.
At the Hairdresser’s
Mary: Darling, I hope you haven't forgotten about the party we were imrited to last week?
Jоhn : Certainly not, my dear. I was just going to remind you of it.
Marу: Yen needn’t remind me of such things, John. But you can't expect me to goat to the party looking like that.
John: What's wrong about your appearance? I think you look quite nice.
Mary: That is man all over! He calls it nice with my hair hanging in strands and my fingers that need a manicure.
John: I dare say you are right, Mary. As to me, I need a shave badly. Look here! There is nothing to worry about. We have plenty of time yet before the party.
(No sooner said than done. Mary goes to a hairdresser's.)
Hairdresser: Good afternoon, madam. Would you sit here, please. What would you like?
Mary: I want my hair shampooed and set.
Hairdresser: Very well, madam. Could I help you to put on this cape?
Mаrу: Shall I lean over?
Hairdresser: Yes, please. Would you like a colour rinse or tinting?
Marу: No, thank you. Dyed hair is not very much in yogue now. My hair is naturally auburn. So, after washing it’ll look fine.
Hairdresser: All right. Now I'll just dry your hair and set it. Do you prefer this latest style?
Marу: Oh, no. It may be beautiful but the trouble is there are so many women going about with this hair style. They look so much alike that one can't tell them apart.
Hairdresser: Well, would you like to have it done in a knot at the back? I'm sure it'll look nice on you, madam.
Mary: I am not sure, but, good, I rely on you.
(Meanwhile John is having a talk with a barber.)
Barber: Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?
John:I want a shave and a haircut.
Barber: Yes, sir.
John: Be careful, my skin is very tender.
Barber: Don’t worry, sir. It happened only once that I cut a customer. He jerked his head and I cut his cheek. But I soon stopped the bleeding. Would you like a hot towel massage?
John: Yes, please. I want to have my moustache and beard trimmed.
Barber: Very good, sir. Now, for the haircut. How short would you like it?
John: Not too close. Don't take too much off on the top.
Barber: I see. Your hair is getting rather thin.
John: Yes. Soon I'll have a splendid bald patch on my top. Just think ot it, once I used to have a mop of hair really: How time flies!
Barber: May I advise you to change your parting? Would you like it on the right side, sir?
John: Good.
(An hour later John and Mary meet at home.)
John: Oh, Mary, you are a regular beauty with this new hairdo. It's awfully becoming to you!
Mary: It is, isn't it? Aren't you a darling too? Looking so young and prosperous. I'm sure all the girls at the party will fall in love witn you at first sight.
At the Tailor's
William: My suit is terribly worn; the cuffs are frayed and the seat of the trousers is shiny; in fact, it’s just about treadbare in parts.
Charles: Yes, I noticed you were .getting rather shabby. I could do with a suit myself, too. You know, I can never find anything suitable in the stores. Perhaps, my figure is not standard and the size is never regular. If you like we can call in at the tailor's this afternoon?
William: Right! I'm on.
(At the tailor's)
Tailor: Good afternoon, gentlemen, are you being attended to?
William: No, I just want to look at patterns of cloth, I'm wanting a new suit — a tweed, I think; rather heavy, it's for sports wear.
Tailor: Certainly, sir; we have some very good new tweed suitings in brown and grey.
Wi11iam: I had thought of brown.
Tailor: Very good, sir. Will you just look through this book of patterns?
Charles: I am in a hurry for my suit — I'm going away tomorrow. Have you good ready-made suits?
Tailor: Yes, sir, we have a fine range in ready-to-wear clothes; we can guarantee_ you a good fit. If you will kindly go into the nexy department with this assistant he will show you our stock.
(Charles exits)
William: This pattern seems about right, but you never can tell what this big check pattern looks like when it is made up. Have you the piece in stock?
Tailor: Yes, we have a roll of that cloth here; I'll just get it down and you can see it.
William: Yes, I like that; will it wear well?
Tailor: You will get three or four years of good hard wear out of that.
William: Very well, you can make me a suit of that cloth.
Tailor: Will you just step into the fitting-room and the fitter will measure you?
* * *
Tailor: Now what style do you want, single-breasted or double-breasted?
William: I think double-breasted seems more fashionable at present.
Tailor: Double-breasted; very good, sir. Three buttons on the coat, outside breast pocket, and two side pockets, and inside breast pocket, I suppose?
William: Yes, and a hip pocket in the trousers, and a small buttoned pocket in front for money.
Таilor: Now about the trousers, do you like them wide?
William: Not too wide, just what is being worn at present.
Tailor:Permanent turn-ups, I suppose.
William: Oh, yes! They are usual, aren't they? Now, when can I come to be tried on?
Tailor: Let me see; today is Thursday - shall we say next Monday?
William: Very well, that will suit me all right.
(Charles enters)
William: Hi! Did you get fixed up with you suit?
Charles: Yes, they have a very good stock here. I got a suit thet might been made for me – it fits perfectly. They are sending it to me this afternoon, and I’ll wear it when I travel tomorrow. When is your fitting?
William : Monday! You are lucky, getting out of it, but ready-made suits won't fit my figure at all.
* * *
William:I have called to be fitted on for my suit.
Tailor: Oh, yes! Will you come this way, please, and I'll send for the fitter and the cutter? Here is your suit; will you try on the coat and waistcoat! How does that feel?
William: Yes, it's not bad. I think this sleeve is rather on the short side — could you lengthen it?
Tailor: Yes, it is a bit short; I’ll make it half an inch longer.
William: The coat's tight under the armpits.
Tailor: Yes. I'll let it out a little there and take it in at the waist, it is rather too full there. Apart from that, I think it is very good.
William: Does it sit well on the shoulders? I am always difficult to fit there.
Tailor: Yes, it sits quite snugly there. This is the lining we are putting in; do you like it?
William: Yes, I think that will look very well; when will you have finished?
Tailor: Can you call next Friday for a final fitting? It will be finished then, but we can see if any further alterations are needed.
William: Very good. Have a nice day then. And see you on Friday.
Tailor: Have a nice day too, sir, and thank you.
6.1 Answer the questions.
1 Why do William and Charles call in at the tailor's one afternoon? 2 What pattern does William choose for his suit? 3 What style does he want? 4 Why doesn't Charles have a suit made-to-measure? 5 William can't wear ready-to-wear clothes, can he? Why not? 6 When is William to come for the first fitting? 7 What alterations must be made? 8 Why is a final fitting necessary?
6.2 Make up a short dialogue between:
(a) a tailor and a customer who is choosing a pattern of cloth for his suit;
(b) a dressmaker and a customer who has come for the first fitting.
6.3 Points for discussion.
1 Give an imaginary account of how you decided to have an evening dress (trouser-suit, coat) made to measure.
2 Some people say that fashionable clothes are often unpractical. Do you agree with them? Prove your point.
3 Which do you prefer: ready-to-wear clothes or clothes made to measure. Why?
7 Fill in the blanks with the proper words. There is one odd word here. Use each word only once.
●arranging ●bleaching ●combs ●complex ●creating ●curly ●drying ●dyed ●hair●occupation ●present ●simple ●variety ●vogue ●wave ●wigs
Hairdressing is the custom of cutting and (1) ... the hair, practised by men and women from ancient times to the (2) ... Early records indicate that the ancient Assyrians wore elaborate (3) ... hair styles; by contrast, the ancient Egyptians, men and women alike, shaved their heads and wore (4) ... Whether ornate or (5) ..., hairdressing has been employed by nearly every society. In 400 BC some Greek women (6) ... their hair; in the Roman period dying and (7) ... were common. Japanese women used lacquer (a precursor of modern-day (8) ... spray) to secure their elaborate coiffures. The wig has come in and gone out of (9) ... throughout history.
Beginning with the crude curling iron used by women of ancient Rome in (10) ... their elaborate hair styles, hairdressing came to be associated with a (11) ... of technological accoutrements, ranging from simple (12) ... and hairpins to hold the hair in place to complex electrical appliances for (13) ... and grooming the hair and chemical processes to tint, (14) ..., curl, straighten, and condition the hair. By the 20th century, hairdressing itself and the manufacture of materials and equipment had become an (15) ... and practical art of large proportions.
●among ●brand ●defining ●depressed● described ●designer ●emphasis ●expensive ●first ●graduating ●native●stylish ●took ●triumph ●wear ●win
Calvin Klein is an American fashion (1) ... noted for his womenswear, menswear, cosmetics, bed and bath linens, and other designer collections.
Klein studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and, after (2) ... in 1962, went to work as an apprentice designer for a coat-and-suit manufacturer in the New York garment district. In 1968, when he opened his own company, the fashion industry was in a (3) ... period, with casual hippie-style clothing and the miniskirt (4) ... the range of fashions. The direction Kleim (5) ... ; was to provide simple, understated clothing. Though noted at (6) ... for suits and coats, he gradually placed more (7) ... on sportswear, particularly interchangeable separates.
He was the first designer to (8) ... three consecutive Coty Awards for womenswear (1973-75) and was the youngest designer of ready-to-wear clothes ever elected to the Coty Hall of Fame (1975). Klein (9) ... his design philosophy as the making of "simple, comfortable but (10) ... clothes - but with nothing oveiscale or extreme". His clothes were relatively (11) ..., classic, elegant, and easy to (12) ..., and they struck a responsive chord (13) ... buyers in the United States and other countries. His achievements were said to represent not only the (14) ... of his particular (15) ... of classical styling but also the maturation of the American fashion industry.