PLASTIC SURGERY: BEAUTY OR BEAST 

Some psychologists are worried about the psychological impact on those who undergo drastic
cosmetic surgery— and also on those who don't and, consequently, may feel inadequate.
Although radical transformations are rare, some psychologists plan to investigate the surge in
cosmetic procedures and whether these surgeries have any lasting psychological
consequences. The number of cosmetic operations increased by 44 percent from 2003 to 2004,
according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgeons conducted a
record 11.9 million procedures last year, both non-surgical (like Botox) and surgical (like breast
augmentation or liposuction). 
How do such practices affect patients psychologically? Social workers have made a recent
analysis of 37 studies on patients' psychological and psychosocial functioning before and after
cosmetic surgery. It suggests positive outcomes in patients, including improvements in body
image and possibly a quality-of-life increase too. But the same research— published in April
2005—also found several elements of poor outcomes, especially for those who
hold unrealistic expectations or have a history of depression and anxiety. The researchers
found that patients who are dissatisfied with surgery may request repeat procedures or
experience depression and adjustment problems, social isolation, family problems, self-
destructive behaviours and anger toward the surgeon and his or her staff. 
(A) COMPREHENSION (4 points)
a) ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-2 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE
TEXT. USE YOUR OWN 
WORDS. (1 point per answer) 
1) How may plastic surgery affect patients? Suggest positive outcomes in patients

2) Are all patients psychologically prepared for plastic surgery? No, people

sometimes have behaviors negatives towards.

b) ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE

PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT.

3) Radical transformations are frequent after cosmetic surgery. True

4) Botox is a cosmetic technique used by surgeons True
5) Plastic surgeons conducted the analysis of 37 studies on patients’ psychological
reactions False
6) People suffering from depression usually react well after surgery. False

7) Find in the text a synonym for:

depression – dissatisfied – unrealistic – undergo – anger – expectations
- RESULT Outcome
- ANNOYANCE Anger
- DISSAPOINTED Dissatisfied
- EXPERIENCE Undergo

8)WRITE A COMPOSITION (80-100 WORDS). CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

OPTIONS. SPECIFY YOUR OPTION.

a) What is your opinion about changes in physical appearance? 

b) The importance of being beautiful. Discuss. 
 
 
 
 
Reading 
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow. 

A Decide whether the following sentences are T (true) or F (false). Find evidence
in the text to support your answers. 
1) You have to hold the mobile phone in order to talk. False (A hand-free
mobile phone)
2) The person wearing the leather jacket can see the computer screen. False
(So everyone except the person)
3) The leather jacket has already been used. True (Microsoft has already
tried them out at a recent trade show)

B Find words in the text that mean the same as: 

1. arrived on (paragraph I) .......................... Hit 
2. vary (paragraph I) .......................... Range
3. wore (paragraph II) .......................... Sported
4. work out (paragraph III) .......................... Solve

C Choose the correct answer. 

1. The denim jacket costs: 
1. under €997. 
2. over €997. 
3. exactly €665. 
2. The leather jacket: 
1. has advertised films. 
2. runs on electricity. 
3. aandb. 
3. Trevor Baylis is trying to: 
1. walk more. 
2. design a new electrical jacket. 
3. create a special pair of boots.
 
Writing: Write an e-mail to a friend in another city. Describe some of the fashion
trends at your school and give your opinion of them. Remember to check word
order, grammar and punctuation and to use suitable connectors.

Hello Juana

I am very happy to talk to you again, I wanted to send you this email to inform you about the fashion
trends in my new institute, so you can compare them with those of your country. Lately the boys
dress in very unquirky jackets of feathers and very wide pants valued at 200$, not to mention the
price of the jacket… they usually combine it with different types of multicolored shoes, a whole
picture this new fashion, but at the same time very cool.
On the other hand, the girls dress in black dress to witch we each add to our liking the accessories to
give color to the outfit, as well as boots, long earrings, rainbow scarves… This looks like carnival in
Spain! I hope you were glad to know these curiosities, you tell me how you are going.

A kiss for everyone.

Your friend Pepa😘