UNIT 1 OUTSTANDING PEOPLE

1 BEFORE YOU WATCH

a Look at the pictures. Answer the questions. Make notes.

1 What kind of event is it?

2 Why do you think people attend?

3 Have you ever been to an event like this?

• If yes, what was it like?

• If no, would you like to go? Why / Why not?

b Compare your answers with a partner.

c Match the words in bold (1–7) with the meanings (a–g).

1 This Saturday’s game will be the young player’s debut for a
professional football team.
2 I like natural fabric, such as cotton or wool, because it’s more
comfortable to wear.
3 The old buildings are an important part of the region’s heritage.
4 With a pencil, she quickly sketched a design of their new house.
5 My friends worked behind the scenes to make the event
a success.
6 She comes from a noble family and is often invited to events
at the royal palace.
7 My time living in Nigeria enriched my life and view of the world.
a without most people knowing about it
b describing a person or thing belonging to a high social
position in society
c to make a simple drawing of something
d the first time someone appears or does something in public
e cloth or material used to make clothes
f to improve the quality of something
g a cultural tradition from the past

Empower Second Edition B2 Video Worksheets © Cambridge University Press 2022 1

UNIT 1 OUTSTANDING PEOPLE
2 WHILE YOU WATCH
a Watch the video about Imane Ayissi’s fashion show. Tick () the correct information.

Imane Ayissi African fabrics and design sketches

1 He works for the fashion house Chanel.

2 He’s the first Black man from sub-Saharan Africa to be invited to Paris Fashion Week.
3 He uses a lot of traditional African fabrics in his designs.
4 He often makes his own fabrics for his designs.
5 He’s influenced by both French and African cultures.
6 His clothes include influences from different cultures around the world.

b Watch again. Connect details 1–7 with a–g.

1 Paris Fashion Week a from Madagascar
2 Ayissi has tried three times b a huge hit in high fashion
3 raffia fabric c made from tree bark
4 obom fabric d to get an invitation to Paris Fashion Week
5 bògòlanfini fabric e imported by the Dutch
6 printed wax fabrics f only 41 houses are invited
7 a modern mix of African and French cultures g from Mali, coloured with mud

c Watch again. Read the phrases. Add the extra information that you hear after each phrase (1–8).
1 Ayissi feels proud because he can
2 The aim of haute couture is to
3 His mother was a former Miss Cameroon and an airline flight attendant who
4 Previously, Ayissi had successful careers in dance and modelling that
5 Kente is a noble fabric that
6 Ayissi doesn’t include printed wax fabrics in his designs because
7 Ayissi believes it’s important for him to show his work because
8 The name of his show is Akuman, which

3 AFTER YOU WATCH

a Read the sentences about fashion. Do you agree or disagree? Why / Why not? Make notes.
1 Clothes are a part of your personality and show the kind of person you are.
2 Most people spend far too much money on clothes.
3 Life would be much easier if everyone wore the same kind of clothing, like a uniform.
4 At different ages in your life, some clothes are suitable, but others are not.
5 Shopping for clothes is one of the most boring things to do.
6 A fashion designer is an interesting job.

b Work in small groups. Compare your ideas. Are they similar or different?

Empower Second Edition B2 Video Worksheets © Cambridge University Press 2022 2