2 a) R

 ead this text about British subcultures in the 20th century. For each paragraph (1–4), choose
the heading (A–F) that best describes the topic. There are two letters you do not need.

Subcultures are in Britain’s DNA; these groups came about as an act of youth rebellion against
various social and political events, and they have also left a lasting mark on music and fashion
industry. Let us have a look at some of the British subcultures which have helped shape the world
we know today.

(1) ____
Teenagers imitate the people they look up to, and the 1950s Teddy Boys were the mirror image
of their idol, Elvis Presley. They were dancing the jive, listening to rock ’n’ roll, and openly defying
conservative society. The story behind their name proves the common belief that fashion repeats
itself: the Teddy Boys’ characteristic long jacket was, in fact, a restyled item of clothing popular
during King Edward VII’s reign! And, since the King’s nickname was Ted, this entire youth movement
got the name ‘Teddy Boys’,or ‘Teds’. To match the jackets, they wore tight trousers with exposed
socks and heavy shoes known as ‘creepers’. These fashionable teenagers are considered to have
created Britain’s original teen subculture, which paved the way for those that were yet to come.

(2) ____
Young people in the early 1960s who welcomed their newfound financial freedom were referred
to as ‘Modernists’ or ‘Mods’. They dressed smartly and listened to jazz and soul music as an act
of rebellion against their working-class parents. Their clothing style – which included slim-fitting
suits, thin ties, polo-neck jumpers and branded T-shirts – was heavily influenced by Italian fashion
and was considered very sophisticated. The pattern designs they wore were very bold, usually
checked or striped, and in bright colours. Their trademark and preferred mode of transport was
the scooter, usually the Italian Vespa. They slicked their hair back using hair cream or oil to make
sure it stayed in place while they rode around on scooters wearing green parkas, which protected
their expensive clothing underneath.

(3) ____
One of Britain’s most distinctive youth movements, Punk exploded in the 1970s as a sign of
resistance against the government in power. Their hair spikes dyed in violently bright colours and
clothing covered in safety pins and anarchic slogans came as a reaction against the youth styles
that preceded them. The cultural revolution started with Malcolm McLaren, a British musician, and
his partner, Vivienne Westwood, a fashion designer. The two created an unbreakable connection
between music and fashion. McLaren was the manager of the Sex Pistols, a band which became the
voice of oppressed youth, while Westwood was the mastermind behind their image and costumes.
She gave the movement its recognizable visual identity, which has never gone out of style, and thus
became known as the ‘Godmother of Punk’.

(4) ____
Something was stirring in the dark, moving in to take over the punk era in the late 1970s and
early 1980s. A new youth culture called the Goths appeared as a mixture of various fashion styles,
predominantly punk. Its elements could be found in their make-up, hairstyles and love of black
clothing, which is probably the first thing people still associate with the Goths. Indeed, they looked
striking with their hair dyed black, the contrast between their dark eyeliner and white foundation,
and outfits made of velvet, lace and fishnet. They were known for their fascination with novels such
as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dark themes can also be found in many
great 80s songs performed by the most popular Goth bands of the time: The Cure, The Cult and
The Sisters of Mercy.
2

4 IZZI TEST 3 READING COMPREHENSION

 A Slick, stylish and fast
B The magic of darkness
C Parents as role models
D Cults and the doomed
E Anything but glamour
F Pioneers of British youth culture

___ / 4

2 b) Read the text again. For each question (1–6), choose the correct answer: A, B or C.

1 According to the article, fashion has a tendency to

A disappear.
B reappear.
C expire.

2 Teddy Boys got their name because of the Edwardian influence on the subculture’s
A music.
B views.
C fashion.

3 Mods preferred clothing that was

A tight-fitting.
B loose-fitting.
C oversized.

4 Much of the Mod culture was centred on

A the way they danced.
B the vehicles they owned.
C their trips abroad.

5 The Punk movement began primarily as a rebellion against

A political and social norms.
B moral and ethical norms.
C fashion and gender norms.

6 According to the text, Vivienne Westwood’s legacy is

A a reinvention of music and style.
B the creation of fashion that stands the test of time.
C her design of stage clothes for a band.

7 Goth style was

A unique and new.
B an equal mix of various styles.
C mostly taken over from the one that preceded it.

8 Goths used make-up to achieve

A a natural complexion.
B a pale complexion.
C a tanned complexion.
___ / 8

IZZI TEST 3 READING COMPREHENSION 5