Passage 2 The Importance of Dress There is probably no sphere of human activity in which our values and lifetimes are reflected more vividly than they are in the clothes that we choose to wear. The dress of an individual is a kind of "sign language" that communicates a complex set of information and is usually the basis on which immediate impressions are formed. Traditionally, a concern for clothes was considered to be a feminine preoccupation, while men took pride in the fact that they were completely lacking in clothes consciousness. This type of American culture is gradually changing as masculine dress takes on greater variety and color. Even as early as 1955, a research in Michigan revealed that men attached rather high importance to the value of clothing in daily life. White collar workers in particular viewed dress as a symbol capable of manipulation, that could be used to impress or influence others, especially in the work situation. The white-collar worker was described as extremely concerned about the impression his clothing made on his superiors. Although blue-collar workers were less aware that they might be judged on the basis of their clothing, they recognized that any difference from the accepted pattern of dress would draw ridicule from fellow workers. Since that time, of course, the patterns have changed; the typical office workers may now be wearing the blue shirt, and the laborer a white shirt; but the importance of dress has not diminished. Other investigators in recent years have helped to establish its significance in the lives of individuals at various age levels and in different social and economic status groups. Comprehension of the Text 1. Our values and lifestyles are probably reflected most vividly in . A) any sphere of human activity B) the sign language C) the clothes that we choose to wear D) a complex set of information 2. In a world of changes, men's clothes have become . A) various and colorful B) fashionable C) feminized D) influential 3. Traditionally, people thought that . A) men cared very much for clothes B) both men and women paid great attention to their clothes C) women concerned greatly about what they wore while men didn't D) neither men nor women showed interests in clothes 4. Blue-collar workers pay great attention to their clothes because . they extremely concern about the impression their clothes make on their superiors they want to impress and influence others they know very clearly that people will judge them on the basis of their clothing they don't want to be laughed at 5. The passage mainly suggested that . men pay more attention to their clothes than women do people have paid more and more attention to the importance of dress women always like beautiful dresses American culture is changing greatly