TEENAGERS & FASHION

Teenagers get a hard time about their fashion choices.

The Disney actress Bella Thorne was criticised by the 1. Say if these statements are True or False. Quote
media a few months ago for wearing a wacky minidress, the evidence from the text.
but a little later she won fashion plaudits for attending an
awards ceremony in a floor-length gown. Let’s get real: a. People didn’t like Bella Thorne’s evening dress.
which outfit do you think she wanted to head out in? I ………………………………………………………
doubt it was the billowing silk tent, but I guess she …………
decided to conform to the adult world's idea of age- b. Teenagers are usually self-confident.
appropriate clothing. What to wear – or what not to wear ………………………………………………………
– as a teenager is a hot topic for adults and a no-win …………
situation for teenagers. c. The author’s mother likes her appearance.

It's hardly surprising we want to stay in bed all day, 2. Answer the questions about the text in your own
because the moment we get dressed in anything other words.
than a sack we get scrutinized and judged. Adults don't
want their children to grow up. I'm 14 and want to wear 1. Why does the author say teenagers like staying in
decent clothes when I go out. I like wearing long bed?
necklaces, detailed collars, lots of rings, check shirts, 2. Give reasons to support the idea that being a
high-waisted shorts, blazers, skinny jeans, knee-high teenager is really hard.
socks, dresses with elasticized waistlines, wacky tights,
Converse and vintage shoes.
3. Find words in the text that mean the same as these
I think my look is normal with splashes of crazy, but I
can't believe the reaction of grownups sometimes when I
a. conform……………… b. examined
dress up. My mum rarely says I look nice. I see a flicker
……………
of a sort of "gosh", but she looks mainly alarmed and in a
c. decorous ……………… d. suggesting
cross voice (she denies this) says I need to dress
……………
appropriately for my age and that I look too grown up.
My friends all have the same problem. It seems a
miniskirt sets off some parental warning bell. 4. Rewrite the sentences without changing the
meaning.
It's hard being a teenager: you feel a bit unsure of
yourself, even without your mother implying every time 1. “You shouldn’t wear this sweater, Mandy; it’s too
you make an effort to look nice that your life is about to old-fashioned.”
turn into an episode of Girls. Parents need to realize that Tony advised
teenagers don't suddenly become different or too old for ……………………………………………
their years because they put on a bit of eyeliner. ………………………………………………………
…………
Teenagers today are working like crazy to adhere to the 2. Mike spends a lot on clothes.
pressure that we've got to be all-singing, all-dancing I wish
academic whizzes – so it would be nice when we go out ………………………………………………………
occasionally to be free, and encouraged to wear what we 3. The dressmaker has taken up the hem of my
want. I feel I am meant to be ashamed that I am growing
up and starting to experiment with grown up clothes. I
might make mistakes. I might look silly sometimes. But
let teenagers be teenagers.

(Adapted from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/fashion-

blog/2013/may/08/teenagers-hard-time-fashion-choices)

5. Write a composition (100-120 words) on the

topic:
“Are you a fashion-victim?”