Is the Tie a Necessity?
Ties, or neckties, have been a symbol of politeness and elegance in Britain for centuries. But the casual Prime Minister Tony Blair has problems with them. Reports suggest that even the civil servants may stop wearing ties. So, are the famously formal British really going to abandon the neckties?
Maybe. Last week, the UKs Cabinet Secretary Andrew Turnbull openly welcomed a tieless era. He hinted that civil servants would soon be tree of the costliest 12 inches of fabric that most men ever buy in their lives.
In fact, Blair showed this attitude when he had his first guests to a cocktail party. Many of them were celebrities (知名人士) without ties, which would have been unimaginable even in the recent past.
For some more conservative British, the tie is a must for proper appearance. Earlier, Labor leader Jim Callaghan said he would have died rather than have his children seen in public without a tie. For people like Callaghan, the tile was a sign of being complete, of showing respect. Men were supposed to wear a tie when going to church, to work in the office, to a party - almost every social occasion.
But today, people have begun to accept a casual style even for formal occasions.
The origin of the tie is tricky. It started as something called simply a band. The term could mean anything around a mans neck. It appeared in finer ways in the 1630s. Frenchmen showed a love of this particular fashion statement. Their neckwear (颈饰)impressed Charles II, the king of England who was exiled(流放)to France at that time. When he returned to England in 1660, he brought this new fashion item along with him.
It wasnt, however, until the late 18th century that fancy young men introduced a more colorful, flowing piece of cloth that eventually became known as the tie. Then, clubs military institutions and schools began to use colored and patterned ties to indicate the wearers membership in the late 19th century. After that, the tie became a necessary item of clothing for British gentlemen.
But now, even gentlemen are getting tired of ties. Anyway, the day feels a bit easier when you wake up without having to decide which tie suits you and your mood.
1 The tie symbolizes all of the following except
A respect
B elegance
C politeness
D democracy
2 Why does Blair sometimes show up in a formal event without a tie?
A Because he wants to make a show,
B Because he wants to attract attention.
C Because ties are costly.
D Because he wants to live in a casual way.
3 Which of the following is NOT a social occasion?
A Going to church.
B Going to work in the office.
C Staying at home.
D Going to a party.
4 Who brought the Frenchmens neckwear to Britain?
A Tony Blair.
B Charles ll.
C Jim Callaghan.
D Andrew Turnbull.
5 When did British gentlemen begin to wear ties regularly?
A After the late 19th century.
B In the 1630s.
C In 1660.
D In the late 18th century.
参考答案
1 D 2 D 3 C 4 B 5 A
国内英语资讯:Senior official stresses comprehensive management in curbing COVID-19 epidemic
国内英语资讯:China capable of, confident in winning battle against COVID-19: state councilor
国际英语资讯:Irelands lower house of parliament fails to elect new PM for country
国际英语资讯:German govt passes law against right-wing extremism, hate crime on internet
English Novels and Movies 英文小说和电影
折叠屏手机可能没那么美好
国内英语资讯:China issues guideline for enhancing educational supervision, guidance
国内英语资讯:Chinese authorities stress protecting, caring for medical workers
体坛英语资讯:2021 Club World Cup opening and final time to be approved by FIFA Council
国内英语资讯:Commentary: Repeating same old China threat benefits no one
威廉王子坐经济舱 被赞“很棒很谦逊”
国际英语资讯:Mexican president says foreign investors keen to boost stake in wake of trade deal
国内英语资讯:Chinese state councilor meets ASEAN secretary-general, Philippine, Singapore FMs on coronavi
体坛英语资讯:Atletico Madrid upset Barca to book Spanish Super Cup final with Real Madrid
国际英语资讯:Leaders from over 160 countries express support for Chinas efforts to defeat COVID-19: dip
国际英语资讯:Realizing Syrians dream for peace still has long way to go: UN envoy
国内英语资讯:WHO-led team in China to travel to Wuhan on Saturday
体坛英语资讯:China striker Zhang Yuning ruled out of AFC U-23 Championship with foot injury
中国电影的国际化战略
研究:早餐吃饱、晚餐吃少有助减肥
国内英语资讯:Xi chairs leadership meeting on COVID-19 control, economic development
国际英语资讯:Syria voices solidarity with China in fighting new coronavirus
国内英语资讯:Chinese hospitals discharge 20,659 recovered patients of coronavirus infection
体坛英语资讯:PSG crush Saint-Etienne 6-1 to reach League Cup semis
计算机翻译会取代人工翻译吗?
Lonliness 寂寞
国际英语资讯:South Sudan president to reappoint rebel leader Machar in unity govt
国内英语资讯:China, Vietnam vow to promote ties, jointly advance Lancang-Mekong cooperation
国内英语资讯:Chinese authorities push for protection, care of frontline medics
体坛英语资讯:Madrid reaches Spanish Super Cup final by beating Valencia 3-1