Speaking

Situation 3 Choosing a Suitable Outfit

Sample Dialogue 1

Riley: Alright,tell me what you think.

Jackson: Don't you think it's a bit bright?

Riley: Yeah,maybe you're right.How about this outfit?

Jackson: The dress looks lovely on you,but it's not very practical,is it?

Riley: No,I don't have any plans to go to a formal dance any time soon,but I love the way it looks.I just have to try it on!What do you think of this?It's casual,yet sophisticated.

Jackson: I like the jeans,but you need something to go with the top.It's too plain on its own.

Riley: How about this scarf,these earrings,and an anklet?

Jackson: That might be going overboard a bit.How about just that scarf with a bracelet?

Riley: That's a good idea.You have a lot of good fashion sense.

Jackson: Thanks.You'd be OK on your own.There are loads of fashion victims out there,and you are not one of them.Have you tried it on yet?

Riley: Yep.Here it is.What do you think?

Jackson: That looks great.Just one more thing—you need some high heels with those jeans.Do you want a pair with a plain pattern or ones with a leopard print on them?

Riley: The leopard print sounds fabulous.Are they a name brand?

Jackson: No,they're a Prada knock-off for 1/10 of the price of the real thing.

Riley: That's even better than the real thing.

Jackson: If I were you,I'd buy that now while it's on sale.If you spend more than $100,you get a $50 voucher for more clothes.

Riley: It's so bad I did all that shopping yesterday!

Task 5

Pair work.Start a conversation with your partner according to the situation:

Mary will attend a cocktail party tonight.She is talking about the clothes for the party with her friend Jimmy.

Situation 4 Dressing for Your Job

Sample Dialogue 2

Mary: Even if our company didn't have a dress code,I still think people should wear formal clothing to work.

Tom: I wouldn't be so sure…People want to wear what they feel most comfortable in.

Mary: Maybe that's true for some positions,but I think the marketing and sales staff would definitely not agree.They dress for success!You can't go out on a sales call if you are dressed in jeans.It's just not respectful to your client.

Tom: I think what you wear is so overrated.I would rather have a down-to-earth,honest and solid sales person than a painted,patent leather,designer suite salesman.

Mary: It's not as simple as that.People judge you by your appearance,whether you like it or not.So dressing professionally is being professional.The image that you portray to others is so important in business.It's your image and how others perceive you that makes the difference between landing and losing a sale.

Tom: Maybe you're right,but I'll take my sneakers and jeans every day!

Task 6

Pair work.Role-play a talk with your partner according to the situation:

Lisa has a new job.She is talking with Betty about the appropriate way of dressing for work.

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