The history of pink
1. Warm-up discussion
Discuss these questions:
- What is your favorite color and why? Does it have a special meaning to you?
- How important is color in your daily life? Think about the clothes you wear, the food you eat, or your home decor.
- Do you think colors can affect people's moods? Give an example.
2. Listening: The history of pink
Watch the video and fill in the gaps with the exact words you hear.
Scan for direct video link:
In 1927 Time Magazine took a of all the major department stores across the country. They wanted to know which colors they with girls in their clothing lines. It was only after the war that pink got the association that we have today. Mamie Eisenhower came out in this rhinestone-studded pink ballgown. It was a very decision that she just loved pink, and everybody else decided this is the color that lady-like women wear.
3. Key vocabulary from the video
Drag the terms from the word bank to match them with their correct definitions.
4. Grammar focus: Past simple passive
When we talk about history, the person or thing that performed the action is often unknown or less important than the action itself. In these cases, we use the Past Simple Passive.
Structure: was/were + past participle
Example (Active): "Time Magazine took a survey."
Example (Passive): "A survey was taken by Time Magazine."
Choose the correct sentence structure:
1. In 1927, a survey _______ by Time Magazine.
2. Mamie Eisenhower _______ for her love of pink.
3. Much simpler styles _______ by women during the war.
4. Around this time, pink _______ a popular color in homes.
5. The 'glass ceiling' _______ by women to achieve equality.
6. The pink ballgown _______ by Mamie Eisenhower at the inauguration.
5. Practice with idioms
Colors are often used in idioms to describe feelings and situations. Complete the sentences using the idioms below.
2. When he saw the scratch on his new car, he started to
3. She's been ever since she heard the sad news.
4. I was when I saw her beautiful new apartment.
6. Vocabulary in context
Use the vocabulary words from exercise 3 to complete the sentences below.
2. The color red is often with passion and danger.
3. A dove is of peace.
4. They live in an house with ten bedrooms.
5. His decision to quit his job was completely ; he had no plan.
6. The king decided to his enemies from the kingdom.
7. Grammar practice: Active to passive
Rewrite the following sentences in the past simple passive. Be careful with singular and plural subjects.
(Passive)
2. (Active) Mamie Eisenhower wore an enormous pink ballgown.
(Passive)
3. (Active) People decided that pink was the color for lady-like women.
(Passive)
8. Speaking practice: What's in a name?
Discuss these questions with a partner. Use the vocabulary and phrases from this lesson.
- The video discusses how colors got their meanings. Do you think colors have different meanings or associations in your culture compared to what was discussed?
- The video mentions "Mamie pink," a color named after Mamie Eisenhower. Do you know of any other colors or trends named after people or famous events?
- The video shows how pink's meaning changed over time. Can you think of other things (e.g., symbols, clothing styles) whose meanings have changed over time?