choices. The Disney actress Bella Thorne was 1. Say if these statements are True or False. criticised by the media a few months ago for Quote the evidence from the text. wearing a wacky minidress, but a little later she won fashion plaudits for attending an awards a. People didn’t like Bella Thorne’s evening ceremony in a floor-length gown. Let’s get real: dress. which outfit do you think she wanted to head out ………………………………………………………………… in? I doubt it was the billowing silk tent, but I guess b. Teenagers are usually self-confident. she decided to conform to the adult world's idea of ………………………………………………………………… age-appropriate clothing. What to wear – or what c. The author’s mother likes her appearance. not to wear – as a teenager is a hot topic for adults …………………………………………………………………… and a no-win situation for teenagers. 2. Answer the questions about the text in your It's hardly surprising we want to stay in bed all day, because the moment we get dressed in anything own words. other than a sack we get scrutinized and judged. Adults don't want their children to grow up. I'm 14 1. Why does the author say teenagers like and want to wear decent clothes when I go out. I staying in bed? like wearing long necklaces, detailed collars, lots of 2. Give reasons to support the idea that being a rings, check shirts, high-waisted shorts, blazers, teenager is really hard. skinny jeans, knee-high 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 a. conform……………… b. examined …………… when I dress up. My mum rarely says I look nice. I c. decorous ……………… d. suggesting …………… see a flicker of a sort of "gosh", but she looks mainly alarmed and in a cross voice (she denies this) says I need to dress appropriately for my age and that I 4. Rewrite the sentences without changing the look too grown up. My friends all have the same meaning. problem. It seems a miniskirt sets off some parental warning bell. 1. “You shouldn’t wear this sweater, Mandy; it’s too old-fashioned.” It's hard being a teenager: you feel a bit unsure of Tony advised …………………………………………… yourself, even without your mother implying every ………………………………………………………………… time you make an effort to look nice that your life is 2. Mike spends a lot on clothes. about to turn into an episode of Girls. Parents need I wish ……………………………………………………… to realize that teenagers don't suddenly become 3. The dressmaker has taken up the hem of my different or too old for their years because they put trousers. on a bit of eyeliner. I ………………………………………………………………
Teenagers today are working like crazy to adhere to
the pressure that we've got to be all-singing, all- dancing academic whizzes – so it would be nice when we go out occasionally to be free, and encouraged to wear what we 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. 5. Write a composition (100-120 words) on the topic: “Are you a fashion-victim?”