Page 200 - English Vocabulary In Use upper intermediet and advance
P. 200
Exercises
Look at this rather sexist advertisement for an airline. Change the wording to make it more
neutral.
Now! Eagle Airlines offers even more to the businessman who needs comfort.
Let us fly you to your destination in first-class And, what's more, your wife can travel with
comfort, looked after by the best-trained air you on all intercontinental flights for only
hostesses in the world. Any businessman 25010 of the normal fare! Your secretary can
knows that he must arrive fresh and ready for book you on any flights 24 hours a day on
work no matter how long the journey. With 0557-465769. All she has to do is lift the
.2 Here are some more names of jobs and occupations. Are they marked for gender either in
the form of the word itself, or 'socially' marked as typically male or female? How are they
translated into your language, by neutral or by gender-marked words?
1 conductor 4 typist 7 general 10 milkman
2 shepherd 5 station master 8 detective 11 tailor
3 cheerleader 6 dressmaker 9 monk
These words include some that many people consider sexist. Put the words into appropriate
pairs with their neutral alternatives.
cabin attendant man-hours unmanned air hostess unstaffed spinster
human beings single woman mankind person-hours
Change gender-marked words into neutral ones.
1 We shall have to elect a new chairman next month.
2 Several firemen and policemen were hurt in the riots.
3 A spokesman for the store said the manageress had decided to resign.
4 I wonder what time the postman comes every day.
5 I can't see a barman anywhere. Shall I press this bell and see if someone comes?
6 Her brother's a male nurse, and she's an authoress.
Make this letter more neutral.
The Manager
Frinstowe Engineering Ltd
Dear Sir,
I am a spinster aged 22 and am seeking employment. I saw your
advertisement for part-time workers in The Globe last week.
However, your 24-hour answering service seemed to be unmanned
when I tried it. Could you please send me application forms
by post? Thank you.
/-- Yoyrs sincerely,
)
I sally Hewings (Miss
English Vocobulory in Use 195