Plaid Fashion Vocabulary and Expressions preppy worsted yarn nerd culture Gaelic suspender stereotypical lumberjack prep fashion pocket protector flannel shirt the punk rock movement versatilityPlaid Fashion Thinking about plaid brings a number of different images to mind. Some might think about the Scottish Highlands, others might imagine preppy school girls in boarding school, still others might think of edgy, punk rockers, or even lumberjacks. Plaid is ubiquitous; you can see it anywhere and everywhere nowadays. The pattern actually has a very interesting history. Plaid arrived in Scotland in the 16th century and since then it has become a prominent part of Scottish culture. In fact, the word “plaid“ is actually derived from the old Gaelic word “plaide“, which means blanket. Certain patterns became associated with different parts of the Highlands and individual families began to associate themselves with different patterns. To this day, plaid is still a celebrated part of Scottish history. Perhaps the most popular form of plaid is the flannel shirt. Flannel is a soft fabric woven out of wool or worsted yarn. Somehow, over the ages flannel shirts began to be printed with plaid, and they have been inseparable ever since. In popular culture, lumberjacks are always pictured with a long-sleeved plaid flannel shirt and suspenders, possibly because many early lumberjacks wore flannel for its warmth. Flannel shirts are also associated with Southerners, as the style was very popular with farmers in the American South. In the later part of the 20th century, plaid became associated with a number of different groups. Plaid became an important aspect of prep fashion as they began to branch out into more colorful clothing. However, plaid was also important in the punk rock movement, with many wearing plaid skirts or pants to imitate the style of their British counterparts. And, who can forget the contribution of plaid to nerd culture? The stereotypical nerd wears thick glasses, suspenders, and a short-sleeved plaid shirt with a pocket protector. Despite all the different ideology, cultural value, and fashion sense, plaid seems to have worked its way into all social groups. Perhaps the versatility of plaid is what has led to its recent comeback.

Moscow Condemns Arrest of Alleged Russian Spy in NYC Vocabulary and Expressions condemn strain indict resort to casino provocation espionage recruit unwinding swapMoscow Condemns Arrest of Alleged Russian Spy in NYC Russia condemned the United States for the arrest of an alleged Russian spy, condemning the move as a “provocation“ that would further damage already strained ties. U. S. counterintelligence agents arrested a Russian national and charged him with espionage. Evgeny Buryakov, 39, and two other Russians—Igor Sporyshev and Victor Podobnyy —were indicted on charges of spying and attempting to recruit people already living in the United States, including employees of major corporations and women connected to a major university. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman denied the charges, saying the U. S. was resorting to “anti-Russian campaigning. “ He said “no evidence which would support such information has been presented. It seems that the American authorities have once again decided to resort to a favorite practice of unwinding espionage. “ According to a U. S. Justice Department complaint filed in federal court, the defendants were tasked by Russian authorities “ to gather intelligence on, among other subjects, potential United States sanctions against Russian banks and the United States’ efforts to develop alternative energy resources. “ Prosecutors said U. S. authorities gathered physical evidence and electronic data from many meetings, including several in which Buryakov met with an FBI agent posing as a wealthy investor intending to develop casinos in Russia. In past two years, the FBI observed Buryakov and Sporyshev meeting 48 times in outdoor setting. Several of the meetings “ involved Buryakov passing a bag, magazine or slip of paper to Sporyshev. “ The investigation followed leads from a previous case resulting in the arrest of 10 covert agents working in the United States. All 10 pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to conspiracy charges and were extradited as part of a spy swap for four people convicted of betraying Moscow to the West. The three Russian suspects each face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. According to Justice Department officials, more than 20 years after the end of the Cold War, Russian spies continue to work in the U. S. and are a direct threat to U. S. national security.

An American Building Designer Vocabulary and Expressions architect marbleAn American Building Designer Louis Kahn, who helped define modern architecture, is considered one of the most important American building designers of the twentieth century. Louis Kahn’s buildings have many influences. Some experts say his trip to Rome, Italy in 1951 influenced him the most. Kahn spent a few months as an architect with the American Academy in Rome. He also traveled through other parts of Italy, Greece and Egypt. There, he saw the ancient Greek and Roman ruins that also would influence his works. They helped influence him to develop an architecture that combines both modern and ancient designs. Other experts believe Kahn was also influenced by the factory buildings with large windows in Philadelphia, the place where he grew up. This industrial design is apparent in several of Kahn’s early works. One of Kahn’s important buildings is the Salk Institute, a research center in La Jolla, California. It was built in the 1960s. This structure further shows how Kahn was able to unite form and function, which means his buildings were beautiful and also useful. The Salk Institute has two structures that surround a marble garden area or courtyard. This outdoor marble area is almost completely bare. The only detail is a small stream of water running through the middle of the square towards the Pacific Ocean. This simple design is very striking. Inside the building are many rooms for laboratories. Kahn was very careful to make sure they all received natural light and a view of the ocean. He linked the indoor and outdoor spaces in a very beautiful way. He used sunlight and bodies of water to create a truly special building. Kahn once said “The building feels... that I had nothing to do with it... that some other hand did it. “ The architect seems to say that he was helped by some higher influence, and that is why many people feel that his architecture has a very spiritual and timeless quality.

A Case of Identity: Earnest Hemingway Vocabulary and Expressions explosive Nobel Laureate reappraisal bonfire posthumous bewilderment filth the Hemingway SocietyA Case of Identity: Earnest Hemingway The recognition of Hemingway as a major and representative writer of the United States of America, was a slow but explosive process. His emergence in the western canon was an even more adventurous voyage. His works were burnt in the bonfire in Berlin on May 10, 1933 as being a monument of modern decadence. That was a major proof of the writer’s significance and a step toward world fame. To read Hemingway has always produced strong reactions. When his parents received the first copies of their son’s book In Our Time (1924), they read it with horror. Furious, his father sent the volumes back to the publisher, as he could not tolerate such filth in the house. Hemingway’s apparently coarse, crude, vulgar and unsentimental style and manners appeared equally shocking to many people outside his family. On the other hand, this style was precisely the reason why a great many other people liked his work., A myth, exaggerating those features, was to be born. After his death in 1961, the literary position of the 1954 Nobel Laureate changed significantly and has, in a way, even become stronger. This is partly due to several posthumous works and collections that show the author’s versatility — A Moveable Feast (1964), By-Line (1967), 88 Poems (1979), and Selected Letters (1981). It is also the result of painstaking and successful Hemingway research, in which The Hemingway Society (USA)has played an important role since 1980. Another result of this enduring interest is that many new aspects of Hemingway’s life and works that were previously obscured by his public image have now emerged into the light. On the other hand, posthumously published novels., such as Islands in the Stream (1970)and The Garden of Eden (1986), have disappointed many of the old Hemingway readers. However, rather than bearing witness to declining literary power, the late works confront us with a reappraisal and reconsideration of basic values. They also display an unbiased seeking and experimentation, as if the author was losing both his direction and his footing, or was becoming unrestrained in a new way. These works reveal a complexity that may cause bewilderment or relief, depending on what perspective one adopts.

The English Pub Vocabulary and Expressions tavern darts board on tap hard tack alehouse pool table ale cane camaraderie strip showThe English Pub England has, over the years, become known for its pub culture. Pubs (short for Public Houses)grace almost every street and are known for their tradition and heritage. They date back to the time of Roman occupation in England, when the Italians had their taverns in which they would drink alcoholic beverages and socialize. When the Anglo-Saxons were in command, they had alehouses, which served a similar purpose. Today, pubs are still social hubs in which alcohol is consumed and friends are made. Some pubs also serve meals, which are usually hearty, tasty dishes that are simple and filling. The pub culture dictates that there are, invariably, ’ locals’. These ones usually live and/or work close to the pub and frequent it, often sticking to the same drink each time they come. The various locals get to know one another and establish a warm culture of camaraderie. The pub is owned by a landlord. Some pubs offer entertainment, invariably keeping its drinkers there for longer. This may include something simple, such as a television that shows sports, or something more exciting, like a darts board or a pool table. Some even have stand-up comedy performances, karaoke or strip shows. In England, smoking has been banned in all indoor areas. Therefore, it is now illegal to smoke inside the pub or at the bar. Beer is the most commonly drunk beverage at pubs. Therefore, they are usually well-stocked with many different brands and types of beer, both bottled and on tap (draught). In addition to ale, pubs also stock various wines as well as hard tack, such as brandy, whiskey, gin, cane, and so on. By law, pubs can only open at 11:00 and can only serve drinks until 23:00 from Monday to Saturday and until 22: 30 on Sunday. Nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to consume alcohol in England and such ones will not be served.

Which of the following is NOT true about the history of plaid?

Who are associated with flannel according to the passage?

Why does the speaker mention “the punk rock movement“ in the passage?

What is true about plaid according to the passage?

What is the passage mainly about?