TOEIC - Level 2

Tags: toeic

My friends have dyed their hair bright colors like orange, purple, blue and pink. I asked my mother if I could try green hair, but I promised to use only temporary food coloring, and she said it was a silly fad and that I should keep my natural color for now. When I suggested other changes, such as a nose ring or a tattoo, she also said “no.” She explained that trends come and go, and what is popular today may not be tomorrow. So I will wait until I am older before deciding whether I want green hair or any other bright color.

dye

Definition: To change the color of one's hair using pigments.
Example: “I told my mother that I would like to dye my hair green.”

fad

Definition: A short‑lived fashion or trend that quickly loses popularity.
Example: “My mother said that dyeing your hair was a silly fad.”

green

Definition: The particular hair color the speaker wishes to have.
Example: “I would like to dye my hair green.”

hair

Definition: The strands growing on a person’s head that can be colored or styled.
Example: “Many of my friends have dyed their hair different colors.”

friends

Definition: Peers whose behavior influences the speaker’s desire to color hair.
Example: “I tried to tell her that all my friends were doing it.”

Which colors are mentioned as hair dyes used by the narrator’s friends?

orange, purple, and blue
red, green, and pink
black, brown, and blonde
teal, magenta, and yellow

How does the narrator plan to achieve green hair?

By using food coloring
By applying permanent hair dye
By spraying paint on the scalp
By soaking hair in tea

What was the mother’s response when the narrator suggested getting a nose ring?

“no.”
“maybe later.”
“that’s a great idea.”
“let’s discuss it.”

What did the narrator’s father say when Joan arrived with bright pink hair?

“nice hair, Joan.”
“your hair looks strange.”
“I love the color.”
“please sit down.”

Which question did the mother ask regarding friends and cliffs?

“if all your friends were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?”
“do you want to try cliff diving with them?”
“should we go to the beach together?”
“will you invite them to a party?”

Do you agree with the mother’s view that dyeing hair is just a silly fad? Why or why not?
What do you think would happen if the narrator had dyed his hair green with food coloring?
Should parents allow their children to try bold hairstyles or body modifications like nose rings or tattoos? Explain your opinion.
If you could give the mother one piece of advice about allowing personal expression, what would it be?
How does the narrator’s friend Joan’s pink hair affect the family’s reaction? What does this show about how people judge others?
Imagine you could redesign the ending of this story. How would you end it, and why?
If the narrator’s friends all started a new fad, like wearing bright shoes, would you join them? What would influence your decision?
Why do you think the mother compares the hair‑dyeing fad to “jumping off a cliff”? What point is she trying to make?
Do you think it is fair for the mother to say the narrator can dye his hair when he is an adult but not now? Discuss the pros and cons.
If you could interview the narrator, what three questions would you ask about his thoughts on style and family rules?

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100

2 years, 3 months and 12 days ago Level: Intermediate (B1)

I Want to Dye My Hair Green

Many of my friends have dyed their hair different colors.

I don’t mean normal hair colors like brown or black.

My friends have dyed their hair orange, purple and blue.

I told my mother that I would like to dye my hair green.

I explained to my mother that I would only use food coloring.

The green would not last forever.

My mother said that dyeing your hair was a silly fad.

She said that I would not look good with green hair.

I said that if I couldn’t dye my hair green, maybe I could get a nose ring.

My mother said “no.”

I said that maybe a tattoo on my arm would be nice.

My mother said “no way”.

My mother said that she did some crazy things when she was a young girl. said that she used to iron her hair to make it straight.

That sounds quite boring to me.

My friend Joan came over.

Her hair is dyed bright pink.

My father said “nice hair, Joan.”

I don’t think that he really meant it.

My mother says that when I am an adult I can dye my hair whatever crazy color I like, but for now she would like me to leave my hair its natural color.

I tried to tell her that all my friends were doing it.

My mother asked, “if all your friends were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?”

I said “no.”

I think I’ll have to wait to have green hair, but maybe by the time I’m old enough to dye my hair green, I won’t want it that color.

My mother says that fads change all the time.

One day something might be popular, and the next day it’s not in style at all.

I’ll just have to live without green hair for now.

I wonder what the fad will be next month.