EOI a Distancia de Canarias C2-Unit 2

Colours

1 Subtle colours
Match the subtle colours on the left with the things that they describe.

1. Violet a. a cashmere sweater

2. Beige b. a flamingo
3. Cream c. amethyst, grapes
4. Turquoise d. flames
5. Scarlet e. military uniforms
6. Olive f. red wine
7. Burgundy g. the oceans
8. Pink h. yoghurt

2 Describing colours
Study the sentences below. What do the words in bold mean? Which of the colours in Exercise 1 does each
sentence describe?

1. It is a vivid red colour with a tinge of orange.

2. It is an off-white colour.
3. It is a greenish blue colour.
4. It is a dark yellowish green colour.
5. It has a bluish-purple hue.
6. It is a brownish yellow colour.
7. It is a pale red colour.

Describe what you are wearing using vocabulary from this page and any other colour words.
EOI a Distancia de Canarias C2-Unit 2

3 Colour verbs
Study the words below and complete the sentences with the verbs in their correct forms.

Dye char dim fade glow stain tint

1. I don’t like the colour of my hair. I want to dye it blond.

2. After the accident, her clothes were _____________ with blood.
3. The bottom of the ocean is pitch black, but some animals are able to _____________ in the dark.
4. The steak was _____________ on the outside after being cooked at a high heat.
5. It is too bright in here. Can you _____________ the lights?
6. The artist decided to _____________ the paint colour with a little yellow.
7. If you wash black clothes too often, you will _____________ them.

4 Talking point
Answer any of the questions below:

1. What colours do people traditionally wear in your country?

2. Which colours have a special meaning in your country or culture?
3. Do you think a person’s taste in colour reflects their personality?

5 Colour idioms
Study the sentences. Match the underlined idioms with their meaning below.

1. Martin was black and blue after being attacked by the hooligan.
2. The thief was caught red handed by the shop’s security.
3. We only go out for dinner once in a blue moon.
4. I hadn’t heard from Mark in ages, then I got a phone call from him out of the blue.
5. George passed his driving test with flying colours.
6. I’ve never seen you behave like this before. You’ve finally shown your true colours!

A. bruised and beaten

B. easily and excellently
C. in the act of doing something wrong or illegal
D. real self
E. unexpectedly
F. very rarely

Invent your own sentences with each of the idioms.