Summative Assessment for the Unit
"Clothes' journey"
Subject: English
Grade: 11
Unit topic: Clothes' journey
Total marks: 15
Duration: 40 minutes
Learning objectives:
11.1.8 — Develop intercultural awareness through reading and discussion
11.4.7 — Recognise patterns of development in lengthy texts [inter-paragraph level] on a range of more complex and abstract general and curricular topics
11.5.3 — Write with grammatical accuracy on a wide range of general and curricular topics
11.5.6 — Write coherently at text level using a variety of connectors on a wide range of familiar general and curricular topics
Task 1. Reading and intercultural awareness (6 points)
Read the text below about the global journey of the qipao (cheongsam). Then answer the questions.
From Shanghai to the World: The Qipao's Cultural Odyssey
[1] The qipao, a body-hugging dress with a high collar and side slits, originated in 1920s Shanghai. Initially worn by wealthy socialites, it symbolised modernity and feminine independence. By the 1930s, it had become a national garment, blending Manchu and Han Chinese influences.
[2] After the Communist Revolution in 1949, the qipao fell out of favour in mainland China, seen as bourgeois. However, it found a new life in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities. In the 1950s and 1960s, Hollywood films and Western fashion icons began to romanticise the qipao, often associating it with mystery and glamour.
[3] The late 20th century witnessed a qipao revival. Designers like Vivienne Tam and Yves Saint Laurent incorporated qipao elements (mandarin collars, frog buttons) into their collections. Today, the qipao is not only a symbol of Chinese heritage but also a global fashion statement, worn by celebrities on red carpets and adapted by fast-fashion brands. Its journey reflects the complex dialogue between tradition and globalisation, cultural appropriation and appreciation.
Questions:
- Identify two distinct intercultural influences on the qipao mentioned in paragraph 1. (2 points)
- How did the qipao's meaning change between the 1930s and the 1950s–1960s? Refer to specific historical events from the text. (2 points)
- Explain what the text suggests about 'cultural appropriation' versus 'cultural appreciation' in the context of the qipao's modern journey. Use evidence from paragraph 3. (2 points)
Marking criteria for Task 1
| № | Descriptor / Expected answer | Mark | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identifies any two of: Manchu influences, Han Chinese influences, Western (Hollywood) influence, modern global fashion influence. | 2 | 1 point for one correct influence. Accept precise phrasing. |
| 2 | In the 1930s it was a national garment (symbol of modern China). After 1949 Communist Revolution it was suppressed as bourgeois; later in Hong Kong/Taiwan/Hollywood it became associated with glamour / exoticism. | 2 | 1 point for describing the shift; 1 point for linking to historical events (Revolution, Hollywood). |
| 3 | Text suggests that when global designers incorporate qipao elements respectfully (e.g., Vivienne Tam, YSL), it can be appreciation. But fast-fashion adaptation may blur into appropriation. The phrase "complex dialogue between tradition and globalisation" indicates tension. | 2 | 1 point for showing difference (appreciation vs appropriation); 1 point for textual evidence. |
| Total for Task 1 | 6 |