Topic Vocabulary & Exercises
4. Appearance
VOCABULARY
Audio File
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