Part 1
1. Would you say you are well-built, slim, or somewhere in between? How else could you describe your appearance?
2. Were you a lanky teenager? At what age did you put on weight?
3. Can you think of a time when someone's appearance really caught your eye? What was it about them that stood out?
4. How do you feel about the word "chubby"? Do you think it's a neutral term or can it be offensive?
5. What kinds of skin complexion do your family members have? Are any of them very light or dark skinned?
6. What are your thoughts on cosmetic procedures? Do you believe they can enhance one's appearance or do they more often lead to unnatural results?
7. Have you ever met someone who had a physique that really turned heads? What was unique about their appearance?
8. Do you think chubby kids look cute? Do you think chubby kids should be encouraged to lose weight?
Part 2
9. In your family or circle of friends, do you think you resemble any of your relatives in terms of appearance? How so?
10. What impression do you get when you meet someone who has a scruffy or unkempt look?
11. What foods would you recommend to someone who is naturally skinny if they’d like to increase muscle mass?
12. Have you ever worn a suit that made you feel exceptionally confident? Do you think appearance really affects people’s self-confidence?
13. When it comes to personal taste in clothing and style, do you think it reflects a person's personality or is it purely a matter of preference?
14. How do you feel about the concept of "body positivity"? Do you think it's an important movement, or does it potentially encourage unhealthy habits?
15. What are your thoughts on our current societal standards of beauty? Is there anything you would change?
16. Do you believe that a person's appearance can significantly influence the way they are treated or judged in society?’
17. Is it ever acceptable for companies to require a certain figure, complexion or build when recruiting new employees?
VOCABULARY
Topic Vocabulary:
androgynous (adjective):
Definition: Having characteristics that are neither clearly masculine nor feminine.
Example: In the 1920's an androgynous style came into fashion, and some women began to dress more like men.
clean-cut (adjective):
Definition: Having a very neat and tidy appearance.
Example: The young man had a clean-cut appearance with his crisp shirt and neatly combed hair.
clean-shaven (adjective):
Definition: Having no beard or moustache; smooth and free of facial hair.
Example: After shaving, his face felt smooth and clean-shaven.
complexion (noun phrase):
Definition: The appearance of someone's skin, in terms of colour.
Example: He had a fair complexion and burnt easily in the sun
figure (noun [c]):
Definition: The shape of the body (especially for women).
Example: Despite being in her 50's she has an athletic figure.
lanky (adjective):
Definition: Tall and thin, often with long legs and arms.
Example: The lanky teenager had to bend down to avoid hitting his head on the door frame.
physique (noun [c]):
Definition: The size and shape of a body.
Example: He has a toned physique from regular exercise and a healthy diet.
resemble (verb):
Definition: Someone or something that looks similar to another person or thing.
Example: The two sisters resembled each other closely
rugged (adjective):
Definition: Having a rough, tough appearance; often associated with a natural, outdoorsy look.
Example: The farmers had a rugged appearance.
scruffy (adjective):
Definition: Having an untidy or messy appearance.
Example: He had scruffy hair and messy clothes after sleeping on his friend's sofa.
skinny (adjective):
Definition: Having a very thin or slim body.
Example: She was so skinny that her parents wanted her to see a doctor.
slender (adjective):
Definition: Having a thin and graceful physique; being gracefully thin.
Example: The slender cat was able to squeeze through the small gap in the fence.
stand out (phrasal verb):
Definition: To be noticeable, clearly different from others.
Example: Her bright red dress made her stand out in the crowd.
toned (adjective):
Definition: Having well-defined muscles and a firm physique due to exercise or physical activity.
Example: Her arms were toned from regular workouts at the gym.
turn heads (idiom):
Definition: To attract attention or make people look at you because of your appearance.
Example: Her striking beauty was enough to turn heads wherever she went.
unkempt (adjective):
Definition: Having a messy or untidy appearance, not well-groomed.
Example: His unkempt hair and scruffy clothes suggested he hadn't been home all night.
voluptuous (adjective):
Definition: Curvy and full-figured in an attractive way.
Example: Marilyn Monroe was known for her voluptuous figure and hourglass shape.
well-built (adjective):
Definition: Having a strong and muscular physique.
Example: The athlete had a well-built physique from years of training and exercise.
well-groomed (adjective):
Definition: Neat, tidy, and carefully maintained in appearance, including hair, clothing, and personal hygiene.
Example: With his well-groomed beard and polished shoes, he looked ready for the job interview.
well-trimmed (adjective):
Definition: Neatly and precisely cut or shaped, often referring to hair or facial hair.
Example: Despite having a long beard, he looks smart, as he always keeps it well-trimmed.
Exercise 1: Gap-fill Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate vocabulary word from the list provided.
1. She has a tall and slender ___________.
2. He has a very distinctive style; he always likes to ___________ in a crowd.
3. The actor's ___________ appearance makes him a popular choice for action roles.
4. She prefers men with a more ___________ look, with short hair and clean shaven.
5. Despite his ___________ clothes, the candidate was given the job.
6. The fashion model's ___________ features make her a versatile choice for different types of campaigns.
7. He's known for his ___________ physique, which he maintains through regular exercise.
8. Her ___________ hair and casual clothing give her a laid-back, approachable vibe.
well-built
clean-cut
stand out
androgynous
rugged
scruffy
unkempt
figure
Exercise 2: Matching Exercise
Match the vocabulary with its corresponding definition below.
1. clean-shaven
2. complexion
3. voluptuous
4. lanky
5. physique
6. toned
7. slender
8. turn heads
a. Having a thin and graceful physique; being gracefully thin.
b. To attract attention or make people look at you because of your appearance.
c. The size and shape of a body.
d. The natural colour, texture, and appearance of a person's skin, especially the face.
e. Having a tall and thin, often awkward, build.
f. Curvy and full-figured in an attractive way.
g. Having no beard or moustache; smooth and free of facial hair.
h. Having a strong and muscular body.
Exercise 3: Positive or Negative Connotation
Decide whether the word usually has a positive, neutral or negative meaning.
a. clean-cut
b. lanky
c. rugged
d. scruffy
e. skinny
f. slender
g. stand out
h. turn heads
i. unkempt
j. voluptuous
k. well-built
Vocabulary Exercise Key:
Exercise 1: 1. figure, 2. stand out, 3. rugged, 4. clean-cut, 5. scruffy, 6. androgynous, 7. well-built, 8. Unkempt
Exercise 2: 1g, 2d, 3f, 4e, 5c, 6h, 7a, 8b
Exercise 3: a. positive, b. negative, c. neutral, d. negative, e. negative, f. positive, g. positive, h. positive, i. negative, j. positive, k. positive
Advanced Discussion Questions
4. Appearance
SPEAKING
