Kirstie Allsopp criticises 'superwomen' who pretend they do it all themselves

Kirstie Allsopp, the TV property guru, has criticised "superwomen" who "pretend they don't have help" from domestic staff to enable them to juggle hectic careers with familly life.

Miss Allsopp, a mother of two young children, makes no secret of the fact that she is assisted by a nanny, cleaner, agent and personal assistant. She said it would be "disingenuous" to pretend that she was going home to face a pile of ironing.

Miss Allsopp, 41, said she did not want women to think she manages all aspects of her life on her own, since it would lead to mothers setting themselves unrealistic goals.

She told the Daily Mail: "If you portray yourself as some sort of superwoman, it is unfair on other women. It is intimidating, it is not truthful."

The Location, Location, Location presenter has two sons - Bay, six, and Oscar, four with her partner, property developer Ben Andersen, 51. The couple also share custody of his nine and 12-year-old sons from his previous marriage. The family live in London in the week and spend weekends at a rural property in north Devon. Miss Allsopp's busy schedule includes, apart from her TV work, helping a number of charities and working as a brand ambassador for B&Q.

Miss Allsopp said: "I couldn't do it all myself. And if I pretended I was doing it all myself - which a lot of people do - I wouldn't do anyone any favours. I'm not going to name names, but a lot of people pretend they don't have help. "You see masses of pictures of famous people walking through airports with their child in their arms, and you think 'Where is the bag with the bottles, the wipes, the clothes with stains from where they've been sick?' "There is someone, somewhere carrying that bag. And that person is out of shot. It is not giving a true picture."

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Kirstie Allsopp is truthful about the help she has at home.

b. Miss Allsopp and her partner share their home with two children.

c. Miss Allsopp dedicates her professional life exclusively to being  a TV presenter.

d. Miss Allsopp criticises famous people who admit they have domestic help.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. What reasons does Miss Allsopp give for speaking honestly about the support she receives at home from other people?

b. What do we learn about Miss Allsopp's personal family life from the text?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. busy (para.1)

b. establish (para.3)

c. lots of (para.6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. She said it was 'disingenuous' to pretend that she was going home to face a pile of ironing.

    “ It.................................................................................................................,”she said.

b.If you portray yourself as some sort of superwoman, you will be misleading mothers.

   If you portrayed.............................................................................................. .

c. You see masses of people walking through airports with their child in their arms.

     Masses........................................................................................................ .

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

What do you think will be the best way to balance your professional life with your family life?