Academic English

Name five different types of cosmetic surgery and discuss why people select these procedures.

1. People should be free to change their appearance through surgery.
2. Cosmetic surgery can improve self-confidence.
3. Society puts too much pressure on people to look perfect.
4. Teenagers should not be allowed to get cosmetic surgery.
5. Cosmetic surgery is more about beauty than health.
6. Celebrities influence others to consider cosmetic procedures.
7. It’s okay to get cosmetic surgery if it helps your career.
8. Insurance should never cover cosmetic surgery unless it’s for medical reasons.
9. Natural beauty is more valuable than surgical beauty.
10. People should be open about having cosmetic surgery, not hide it.

“facelift” = a surgical procedure in which doctors tighten the skin on the face to remove wrinkles
“I’m sure that the actress had a facelift so would look younger than she really is.”

“nose job” = an operation to improve the appearance of one’s nose
“He’s considering a nose job because he says people always comment on his nose.”

Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:

• evoke (verb): bring up, call to mind
  – Seeing children in need of reconstructive surgery often evokes feelings of sympathy and concern.
• alter (verb): change
  – The woman thought she could alter her looks and personality by undergoing plastic surgery.
• congenital (adjective): present at birth
  – Some congenital defects can be corrected with reconstructive surgery.
• disfigurements (noun, also a verb, “disfigure”): a part of the body that has been damaged
  – The fire in the crash left her face and hands disfigured, and now she is seeking cosmetic surgery to repair the damage and give her more mobility to her fingers.
• afford (verb): have the financial means to do something
  – A great number of people around the world are in need of reconstructive surgery to improve their lives, but they can’t afford the expense of such procedures.
• self-sufficient (adjective): able to provide for your own needs
  – Many health care workers in developing countries are still learning to become self-sufficient in terms of handling the medical needs of their people.
• ostracize (verb): expel or cast out from a group
  – The local community ostracized the young boy and his family because of his medical condition.

Do research on an organization that provides medical services, particularly cosmetic surgery, to people in developing countries. Report on the organization’s mission, the regions of the world where the organization has performed such care, and how everyday people can become involved. Would you consider volunteering if you had the expertise to perform cosmetic procedures for the needy?