Download this free B2–C1 English worksheet PDF for adult learners and English teachers. This lesson is based on a Guardian feature about workplace appearance, dress codes, lookism, attractiveness and professional judgement.
Students practise reading comprehension, useful vocabulary, phrase matching and speaking skills through a real-world work and society topic about appearance pressure, grooming, dress codes, credibility, tattoos, video calls, social media and promotion decisions. The worksheet is suitable for private English lessons, online classes, advanced conversation practice and homework before a discussion lesson.
The article explains that workplace appearance used to be discussed mainly through dress codes, but the pressure now reaches further. Students read about workers from a range of occupations, including lawyers, builders, welders and media professionals, and how clothes, grooming, age and attractiveness can shape working life.
This worksheet encourages learners to discuss how much weight appearance should carry at work. Students consider whether employers should be allowed to set strict dress rules, whether attractiveness gives people an unfair advantage, and whether polished presentation can help someone get ahead even when another candidate is more competent.
The article also explores the limits of professional appearance standards. Students discuss when dress codes are reasonable for safety or staff identification, when they become discriminatory, and whether promotions should ultimately come down to competence, reliability and results rather than subjective judgements about looks.
The PDF includes a B2–C1 reading article, True / False questions, Phrase Match, Synonym Match, a task where students use new language, discussion questions and a full answer key. It helps learners discuss lookism, credibility, competence, appearance standards, public-facing roles, image-conscious industries, bias and how remote work is changing professional presentation.
Level: B2–C1
Date: 17 August 2026
Focus: reading, vocabulary, work, appearance, dress codes, bias and speaking
This free worksheet includes:
- a B2–C1 reading text about appearance at work
- True / False comprehension questions
- Phrase Match practice with useful expressions
- Synonym Match vocabulary practice
- a sentence-writing task using new language
- discussion questions for Student A and Student B
- full answer key
The worksheet includes useful phrases such as dress up, fit in, stand out, size up, play down, live up to, get ahead, carry over, draw the line and come down to. It also practises vocabulary such as expectations, scrutiny, attractiveness, competence, credibility, appearance, narrow, subjective, bias and presentation.
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