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the ARTICLE (for teachers)

Have Bonus, Will Botox


City of London financiers have discovered the perfect way to splurge their annual bonuses. They are opting for
cosmetic surgery to maintain a youthful appearance in a fiercely competitive job market. Business is booming in
nose jobs, wrinkle fillers, liposuction, and botox relaxants as a means to repair or slow the ravages of time.

Operations rose by a third to over 22,000 last year, and it isn't just women who are electing for cosmetic surgery.
Eleven percent of this total comes from men, and the number has been rising steadily. Mel Braham, chairman of
the Harley Medical Group, said there is a greater overall awareness that men have as much right as women to
look as good as possible.

But there's more to it. Braham explained that a man who is approaching 50, but looks more like 60, feels
concern over his job stability. He doesn't want to be ousted in favor of younger blood, and so cosmetic surgery
would give him another 10 years in the chair. Even better is to start treatments early rather than late, to give
yourself the best chance of looking good. "Better to attack the small blemish first," he added.

Although the most requested surgeries include nose reshaping and the removal of love handles, next on the
horizon is an effective remedy for baldness. It would give the already thriving industry an enormous boost. Trials
are already underway in Britain for a hair regeneration treatment, the challenge of which is to make sure the hair
grows quick enough, and thick enough, to be cosmetically acceptable.

Prices range from 200 for botox injections to 6,000 for a facelift.

Teacher's Notes:

* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson.

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WARM-UPS
Select one or all of the following warm-up activities.

1: Define: What does "cosmetic surgery" mean? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you give examples?

2: Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "cosmetic surgery" for 2 minutes.
Spend another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together.

3: Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Have Bonus, Will Botox."

4: Speculate: Write in the missing words for today's article title: "( ) Bonus ( )
Botox." Why did you choose these words for the blanks?

5: Do you agree or disagree? Why?


a. I'm very concerned with my appearance. I don't want to grow old!
b. I would consider cosmetic surgery to make myself more attractive to the opposite sex.
c. I would consider cosmetic surgery if I could get paid more.
d. Cosmetic surgery is a waste of money!
e. Only someone who is shallow and vain would consider cosmetic surgery.

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VOCABULARY
Select one of the following vocabulary acquisition activities.

1: Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the article) with the
best choice in column B.
a. financier q. general
b. splurge r. banker
c. fierce s. intense
d. ravage t. mark
e. elect u. remove
f. overall v. destroy
g. oust w. revive
h. blemish x. flourish
i. thrive y. opt
j. regenerate z. spend

2: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
electing regeneration ousted overall financiers
blemish fiercely splurge thriving ravages
a. City of London ( ) have discovered how to spend their bonuses.
b. They have discovered the perfect way to ( ).
c. They want cosmetic surgery to look young in a ( ) competitive job market.
d. Nose jobs, wrinkle fillers, liposuction, and botox relaxants repair or slow the ( ) of time.
e. It isn't just women who are ( ) for cosmetic surgery.
f. There is a greater ( ) awareness that men have as much right as women to look good.
g. An older man doesn't want to be ( ) in favor of younger blood
h. Start treatments early rather than late, and attack the small ( ) first.
i. A remedy for baldness would give the already ( ) industry an enormous boost.
j. Trials are already underway in Britain for a hair ( ) treatment.

3: Define: Define each word, correctly pronounce it, explain the meaning and/or usage, and offer an example
sentence to the class.
a. financier c. fierce e. elect g. oust i. thrive
b. splurge d. ravage f. overall h. blemish j. regenerate

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WORD RECOGNITION
1: Word Search: Find the target words (in bold). Time yourself, and see how many words you can find in three
minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes.
electing regeneration ousted overall financiers
blemish fiercely splurge thriving ravages

R K G Y I B M T S E W Z M D U
M E E N L Y I S L L Y F U J U
R O G E I Y L E C R E I F I E
Z T M E T V C V W L R N B X P
Q S C I N T I A D N P A O I L
H R K E I E M R M K O N D P B
S Q A N L H R O H V O C B A H
A L G V L E W A I T H I Q O U
Q U D U A B B S T S B E I U G
O S T I R G V N I I V R S S I
B J Q J E X E M K A O S C T M
D C F R V A E S R L R N I E K
Q H E B O L S P L U R G E D F
B N G F B V I R H T K N N V M
W W Y B R Y I I R S X E N G F

2: Target Word Pool: Find the target words (in bold) with their exact match. Time yourself, and see how many
words you can find in three minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes.
electing regeneration ousted overall financiers
blemish fiercely splurge thriving ravages

rejuvenation ravage regeneration


brandish
financier finish fiercen
oust savage
regenerate splurge pierce ravaged
electing driving
fierce financial ours
ouster selecting
purge overawe
splurging financiers blue-ish restitution
thrifty finance
overarch thrive ousted fiendishly
splurged
elected ravages overact
overall
flemish degeneration election
surge
fiercely financing detecting blemish
ousting overarm thriving thrived
ravishing

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pre- or post-COMPREHENSION
1: Word Association: Brainstorm words associated with today's topic for two minutes. Present to the class.

2: Brainstorm Questions: Brainstorm questions that you would like to ask about today's topic. Answer the
questions without looking at the article.

3: True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false.
If false, correct the sentence.
a. London financiers are opting for cosmetic surgery because they are worried about job stability. T/F
b. Eleven percent of men had cosmetic surgery last year, which is less than the year before. T/F
c. Cosmetic surgery would give an older man 10 more years of job security. T/F
d. It's better to start cosmetic treatments while young. T/F
e. The number of men opting cosmetic surgery will definitely grow beyond eleven percent. T/F

4: Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension.


a. What are financiers doing in the City of London?
b. Why is the number of men who get cosmetic surgery rising?
c. Why is it better to begin cosmetic surgery while still young?
d. What are some of the most common types of surgery mention in the article?
e. What reason does the article give for a future boost to the cosmetic surgery market?

5: Vocabulary: In pairs/groups, remember how the words were used in today's article.
a. financiers c. fiercely e. electing g. ousted i. thriving
b. splurge d. ravages f. overall h. blemish j. regeneration

6: Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.
a. Business is booming in nose jobs, wrinkle fillers, liposuction, and botox relaxants as...
b. Eleven percent of this total comes from men, and...
c. Braham explained that a man who is approaching 50, but looks more like 60, feels...
d. Although the most requested surgeries include nose reshaping and the removal of...
e. Trials are already...

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post-COMPREHENSION
1: Vocabulary: Circle any additional unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your
dictionaries to understand the meanings. Present to the class.

2: Class Questions: Read through the article once more, and write down any questions that you would like to
discuss in pairs/groups or as a class. Discuss.

3: Summarize: Work with a partner to summarize the article in your own words.

4: Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
a. Did you like this article?
b. What are your feelings about cosmetic surgery?
c. What are your feelings about a job that would force you to consider cosmetic surgery?
d. For what reasons would you consider having cosmetic surgery?
e. Would you ever elect to have cosmetic surgery (or have you)? Why/not?
f. Do you know anyone who has ever had cosmetic surgery? If yes, what was your opinion?
g. What kind of jobs requires cosmetic surgery? Would you want any of these jobs if you could?
h. Michael Jackson had a lot of cosmetic surgery. Do you think it helped or harmed his career? Why?
i. Isn't it fair that older people step aside for the next generation to take control? Why/not?
j. Why do you think more and more people are so concerned with cosmetic surgery in general?

5: Role-play: Let's have cosmetic surgery! You are a family of three who each wants to have some form of
cosmetic surgery. But there is only enough money in the bank for one of you. Assume the roles and discuss
who should have the surgery.
Dad: You're almost fifty, and are very worried about the young go-getters in the company. You've
noticed that they have begun to exclude you from e-mails and meetings, and you even heard one of
a.
them referring to you as "grandpa." A face-lift and liposuction would make you look 10 years younger,
and might save your job.
Mom: You feel old! In fact, the other day at a restaurant with friends, the waiter told you about the
senior discount special! Many of your friends have had cosmetic surgery, and they look great.
b.
Furthermore, their husbands have taken a new interest in them... something you wish your husband
would do.
Daughter: You definitely need a nose job, and breast enhancement surgery isn't a bad idea either. You
c.
can't get any boyfriends, and the spring dance is coming soon!

6: Google Search: Type "cosmetic surgery" into Google news and read additional articles on this topic. Discuss
or write an essay about your findings.

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STUDENT HANDOUT (the article)

Have Bonus, Will Botox


City of London financiers have discovered the perfect way to splurge their annual bonuses. They are opting for
cosmetic surgery to maintain a youthful appearance in a fiercely competitive job market. Business is booming in
nose jobs, wrinkle fillers, liposuction, and botox relaxants as a means to repair or slow the ravages of time.

Operations rose by a third to over 22,000 last year, and it isn't just women who are electing for cosmetic surgery.
Eleven percent of this total comes from men, and the number has been rising steadily. Mel Braham, chairman of
the Harley Medical Group, said there is a greater overall awareness that men have as much right as women to
look as good as possible.

But there's more to it. Braham explained that a man who is approaching 50, but looks more like 60, feels
concern over his job stability. He doesn't want to be ousted in favor of younger blood, and so cosmetic surgery
would give him another 10 years in the chair. Even better is to start treatments early rather than late, to give
yourself the best chance of looking good. "Better to attack the small blemish first," he added.

Although the most requested surgeries include nose reshaping and the removal of love handles, next on the
horizon is an effective remedy for baldness. It would give the already thriving industry an enormous boost. Trials
are already underway in Britain for a hair regeneration treatment, the challenge of which is to make sure the hair
grows quick enough, and thick enough, to be cosmetically acceptable.

Prices range from 200 for botox injections to 6,000 for a facelift.

Notes:

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STUDENT HANDOUT (fill in the blank)
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
ousted splurge regeneration although electing
operations possible overall blemish financiers
fiercely thriving cosmetic ravages enormous
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City of London (a. _______________) have discovered the perfect way to (b. _______________) their
annual bonuses. They are opting for cosmetic surgery to maintain a youthful appearance in a
(c. _______________) competitive job market. Business is booming in nose jobs, wrinkle fillers,
liposuction, and botox relaxants as a means to repair or slow the (d. _______________) of time.

(e. _______________) rose by a third to over 22,000 last year, and it isn't just women who are
(f. _______________) for cosmetic surgery. Eleven percent of this total comes from men, and the number
has been rising steadily. Mel Braham, chairman of the Harley Medical Group, said there is a greater
(g. _______________) awareness that men have as much right as women to look as good as
(h. _______________).

But there's more to it. Braham explained that a man who is approaching 50, but looks more like 60, feels
concern over his job stability. He doesn't want to be (i. _______________) in favor of younger blood, and
so (j. _______________) surgery would give him another 10 years in the chair. Even better is to start
treatments early rather than late, to give yourself the best chance of looking good. "Better to attack the
small (k. _______________) first," he added.

(l. _______________) the most requested surgeries include nose reshaping and the removal of love
handles, next on the horizon is an effective remedy for baldness. It would give the already
(m. _______________) industry an (n. _______________) boost. Trials are already underway in Britain for
a hair (o. _______________) treatment, the challenge of which is to make sure the hair grows quick
enough, and thick enough, to be cosmetically acceptable.

Prices range from 200 for botox injections to 6,000 for a facelift.

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STUDENT HANDOUT (notes)

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ANSWER KEY

Vocabulary
1. Vocabulary Match: 2. Fill in the Blanks:
a. r f. q a. financiers f. overall
b. z g. u b. splurge g. ousted
c. s h. t c. fiercely h. blemish
d. v i. x d. ravages i. thriving
e. y j. w e. electing j. regeneration

pre- or post-Comprehension
1. True or False: 2. Fragments:
a. T a. a means to repair or slow the ravages of time.
b. F b. the number has been rising steadily.
c. T c. concern over his job stability.
d. T d. love handles, next on the horizon is an effective remedy for baldness.
e. F e. underway in Britain for a hair regeneration treatment.

Student Handout
1. Fill in the Blanks
a. financiers i. ousted
b. splurge j. cosmetic
c. fiercely k. blemish
d. ravages l. although
e. operations m. thriving
f. electing n. enormous
g. overall o. regeneration
h. possible

2. Extended Listening
a. nose jobs, wrinkle fillers, liposuction, and botox relaxants as a means to repair or slow the ravages of time.
b. a greater overall awareness that men have as much right as women to look as good as possible.
c. cosmetic surgery would give him another 10 years in the chair.
d. the most requested surgeries include nose reshaping and the removal of love handles,
e. from 200 for botox injections to 6,000 for a facelift.

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