[Pathways 4] Unit 3: Beauty & Appearance

Since the beginning of history, people have been concerned with the way they look. The clothes and other things we use to cover our bodies constitute an important aspect of this concern.

The word constitute is closest in meaning to ____.

• accept

• form

• spread

It’s obviously true that standards of beauty and fashion evolve over time.

2. The word evolve is closest in meaning to ____.

• 2. carefully study and understand

• 2. clearly demonstrate or show

• 2. gradually change and develop

In the past, it was considered fashionable to wear a wig, a head covering made of hair, called a peruke. These wigs were very distinct because of their white color and powdered appearance.

2. The word distinct is closest in meaning to ____.

• 2. clear or different in appearance

• 2. easy or quick to manufacture

• 2. useful or practical to possess

What makes a person look distinctive?

In the past, perukes were not worn exclusively by one gender but by both men and women.

2. The word exclusively is closest in meaning to ____.

• 2. never

• only

• rarely

If you knew someone who was excessively concerned with physical appearance, what can you say to convince him or her that attractiveness is not exclusively physical?

These days, we no longer perceive wearing a peruke as attractive.

5. The word perceive is closest in meaning to ____.

• 5. learn or study

• 5. see or consider

• 5. try or do

it’s hard for people to envision wearing such a strange item as peruke on their heads.

5. The word envision is closest in meaning to ____.

• 5. discover

• enjoy

• imagine

If you asked a random teenager on the street what constitutes beauty, what might he or she say? What celebrities might the teen envision?

Are there any modern trends that you find alarming?