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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 26

Reframing Ideas

Themed Conversation: Beauty, Appearance & Social Media

Expression Chunks

It's not so much + noun/clause + as + noun/clause

Meaning: Corrects or reframes an explanation by saying the second factor is more accurate or important.

Sample sentence: It's not so much appearance as confidence that makes someone memorable.

Use it in your answer:

  • What matters more in making someone attractive: appearance or confidence?Answer using: It's not so much ___ as ___.
  • Is personal style mainly about fashion, or about self-expression?Answer using: It's not so much ___ as ___.
  • What do you think social media changes most about the way people see themselves?Answer using: It's not so much ___ as ___.
  • Are first impressions mostly about looks, or about behavior?Answer using: It's not so much ___ as ___.
  • What is the biggest problem with comparing yourself with people online?Answer using: It's not so much ___ as ___.

It's less about + noun/-ing + and more about + noun/-ing

Meaning: Shifts emphasis away from one factor and toward another.

Sample sentence: It's less about looking perfect and more about feeling comfortable with yourself.

Use it in your answer:

  • What matters more in making someone attractive: appearance or confidence?Answer using: It's less about ___ and more about ___.
  • Is personal style mainly about fashion, or about self-expression?Answer using: It's less about ___ and more about ___.
  • What do you think social media changes most about the way people see themselves?Answer using: It's less about ___ and more about ___.
  • Are first impressions mostly about looks, or about behavior?Answer using: It's less about ___ and more about ___.
  • What is the biggest problem with comparing yourself with people online?Answer using: It's less about ___ and more about ___.

The thing about + noun + is that + clause

Meaning: Introduces an important point, complication, or characteristic about a topic.

Sample sentence: The thing about social media is that comparison can happen without us noticing it.

Use it in your answer:

  • What matters more in making someone attractive: appearance or confidence?Answer using: The thing about ___ is that...
  • Is personal style mainly about fashion, or about self-expression?Answer using: The thing about ___ is that...
  • What do you think social media changes most about the way people see themselves?Answer using: The thing about ___ is that...
  • Are first impressions mostly about looks, or about behavior?Answer using: The thing about ___ is that...
  • What is the biggest problem with comparing yourself with people online?Answer using: The thing about ___ is that...

Question Chunks

How much of a difference does + noun + make?

Sample question: How much of a difference does appearance make in life?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Do you think + noun + matters more than + noun?

Sample question: Do you think confidence matters more than physical appearance?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: Beauty, Appearance & Social Media

dress up

Definition: wear more formal or attractive clothes

Sample sentence: I enjoy dressing up for special occasions.

Practice questions:

  • What occasions do you enjoy dressing up for?
  • Do you like dressing up, or do you prefer casual clothes?
  • When was the last time you really dressed up?
  • Did you enjoy dressing up in costumes as a child?
  • Would you dress up for an event even if nobody else did?

work out

Definition: exercise

Sample sentence: Even carefully made plans don't always work out.

Practice questions:

  • How often do you work out?
  • What kind of exercise do you do when you work out?
  • Do you prefer to work out alone or with someone?
  • What motivates you to work out consistently?
  • Where do you usually work out?

show off

Definition: display something to impress others

Sample sentence: Some people use social media to show off their lifestyle.

Practice questions:

  • Do you know anyone who likes to show off?
  • What kinds of things do people show off on social media?
  • Have you ever shown something off because you were proud of it?
  • When does sharing an achievement become showing off?
  • Why do some people feel the need to show off?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • How much attention do you personally pay to clothes and appearance?
  • Do you enjoy dressing up for special occasions?
  • What makes someone attractive besides physical appearance?
  • Do you think confidence changes how attractive a person seems?
  • Has social media changed the way people think about beauty?
  • Do filters and edited photos affect how people see themselves?
  • Is there too much pressure to look young?
  • Do you think people judge others too quickly based on appearance?
  • When does sharing your achievements online start to feel like showing off?
  • If you could change one beauty standard in society, what would you change?