FCE Course – Lesson 42. We have arrived at the last lesson and I would like to talk a little about the latest changes to the first certificate Cambridge B2 exam. Now the exam is called B2 First, the B2 First shows that you have the necessary linguistic skills to communicate with confidence in an English environment. It is aimed at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
If you are not ready for a B2 exam, rest assured. You have to do a review of this course and take a look at our English B2 course!
Dialogue First Certificate Cambridge B2 listening with subtitles.
Dialogue 42:
An interview about models on the runway.
Fashion designer John George has been commended for his decision to use plus-size models in his latest catwalk.
Here reporter Lucy Gallagher talks with him about his reasons behind the decision and the reaction he has received.
So John, you caused quite a stir at London Fashion Week.
Why did you decide to use curvier women to showcase your latest designs?
Well, because I’m so proud of my latest range and I wanted the most beautiful women to showcase it. To me there is nothing more beautiful than a natural woman.
Do you think there is still an overuse of size zero models on runways nowadays?
Yes, of course, I’m sick and tired of designers choosing the skinniest of girls to wear their pieces. These skinny girls are representing a body image which an everyday woman ultimately cannot achieve unless they starve themselves. I know that I couldn’t sleep at night if I felt like I was contributing to something like that.
If only more designers had that mentality, John. Why do designers use size zero models?
Honestly, I don’t know. Listen, supermodels have always been slim. If they are slim and healthy, then fine. But this epidemic of the size zero model is upsetting. The fashion industry has this exclusive and elite prestige which teenage girls are obsessed with. So if stick-thin models continue to be used, this obsession can lead to serious issues like eating disorders.
As designers we have a responsibility to reflect a healthy female body image. I don’t want to see a girl’s ribcage sticking out. I’d rather see a bit of fat hanging over her trousers. She should have a little cellulite, curves and a smile. Things which show she has accepted her femininity. She is a proud and happy woman despite her imperfections. Well, the things that society is telling her are imperfections.
Is the fashion world only closer to leaving the size zero period behind?
Well, I’d like to think that my show has made a difference, but we all know that there is still such a long way to go. Fashion in its nature is a superficial industry but we can change that. As well as showing that bigger girls look amazing in the clothes.
My past three lines have all been in the cheaper price range for people with a lower budget. So no matter what, ladies can put these pieces on and feel beautiful. That’s the very least they deserve.
Vocabulary first certificate Cambridge B2
| ENGLISH | SYNONYM or DEFINITION | SPANISH |
| to curl up | (figurative) to make oneself cosy | |
| to fall for someone | to be attracted to someone | |
| to go off the rails | to begin behaving in a strange, abnormal or wildly uncontrolled way | |
| the aisle (of a church) | lateral walkway in a church | |
| a cutout | a shape of a person cut out of cardboard or another material | |
| to blush | to redden | |
| picky | (person:) very selective | |
| a lozenge | a medicated sweet | |
| to woo | to attract romantically, to court a woman | |
| adamant | insistent | |
| love at first sight | instant romantic attraction to someone |
Exercises first certificate Cambridge B2 42
Exam Tip for Lesson #42
EXAM TIP FOR FCE LESSON 42
FCE Exam Tip 42. Grammar checklist for the FCE.
Make sure that you have reviewed as many of the following grammatical points as possible, to be fully prepared for the 4 parts of the FCE.
- Tense review
- Adjectives, adverbs (formation, comparison)
- Auxiliary Verbs
- Modal Verbs
- Genitive
- Demonstrative
- Possessive
- If-Clauses (Conditional Clauses / Sentences)
- Infinitive
- Gerund
- Nouns (including articles, plural and possessive forms)
- Passive Voice
- Participles
- Phrasal verbs
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Question Tags
- Relative Clauses
- Reported Speech
- Short Answers
- Word Order (Sentence Structure)
Recommended Grammar and Vocabulary Video(s)
Go back to previous lesson: FCE Lesson 41: Listening practice and a Vocabulary checklist for the FCE
Volver a la lección anterior: Curso FCE Lección 41: Vocabulario esencial para el FCE
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