Reading
Throughout history and around the world, people have been searching for beauty. Even in ancient times, Egyptians painted their nails and wore makeup, while the Maya of Central America believed crossed eyes were beautiful. In 18th-century France, wealthy noblemen wore large wigs to look attractive. People from different cultures have gone to great lengths to achieve beauty.
Today, people still spend a lot of time and money on their appearance. A recent report shows that one out of three consumers worldwide are spending more money on beauty and health care products than ever before. Makeup, dieting, hair and skin care products, gym memberships, and cosmetic surgery generate billions of dollars each year.
Being attractive has its advantages. Studies suggest that good-looking people tend to make more money, get called on more in class, and are seen as friendlier.
But what exactly is beauty? It's hard to define, but we know it when we see it. Some psychologists say beauty is a sign of good health and the ability to pass on genes. Even babies seem to recognize attractiveness. In studies, six-month-old babies looked longer at attractive faces than unattractive ones.
Researchers have found that men and women have preferences for certain physical features in a potential partner. Men tend to prefer women with larger eyes, clear skin, fuller lips, and a smaller nose and chin. Women, on the other hand, prefer men with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. These preferences are believed to be linked to the idea of good health and genetic well-being.
However, not everyone agrees with these ideas. Cultural expectations can influence what is considered attractive. For example, Western fashion magazines often feature thin women, but this may not be the ideal body type in other cultures. Studies have shown that native peoples in southeast Peru prefer shapes that are considered overweight in Western cultures.
Hairstyles also play a role in beauty across cultures. In the Huli culture of Papa New Guinea, men grow their hair long as a symbol of health and strength. They learn from a young age to style and decorate their hair, which is usually associated with women in many cultures. In this culture, men are the ones who are considered beautiful, especially when they dress up and paint their faces for festivals and celebrations.
Beauty is a complex concept that is difficult to define. While there are some physical traits that are universally appealing, beauty is also influenced by a person's cultural background. Ultimately, beauty is subjective and varies from person to person. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
1. What is this reading mainly about?
a. what people think about beauty
b. the history of beauty
c. the world's most beautiful people
d. how beauty is power
2. The main idea of paragraph 2 is
a. some cultures have more beauty than others
b. each culture has different ideas about what is beautiful.
c. Everyone is beautiful
3. Which word can be used to replace the word " beauty"?
a. Attractiveness
b. Decorate
c. ideal
4. The babies in the study
a. looked at photos of college students
b. were entered in a beauty contest
c were rated for their beauty
d. preferred the attractive faces more than unattractive faces
5. What determines the beauty of a Huli man in Papua New Guinea?
a. how young he is
b. how well dressed he is
c how strong he is
d. how big his mask is
6. What do you think the saying in the last sentence means?
a. Beauty is subjective and is different for different people.
b. Beauty is something that first appeals to sight.
c. Beauty is something that is held in high esteem.
d. The beauty of a person depends on their eyes.
7. According to the writer, perceptions of beauty_
a. change over time
b. are the same for every person
.c have little influence on a person's success d. can be easily defined
- 5 March 2024, 1:49 PM