Shopping & Clothes – A2 English Listening Exercise

1  (B) Sweaters and scarves.

• Explanation: The announcer clearly states, “all sweaters and scarves are half price!” Option (A) is the trap; the announcer specifically says the discount does not apply to coats or boots. Option (C) is also a trap because not all winter clothes are on sale.

2  (C) 50% off.

• Explanation: This question tests vocabulary paraphrasing. The announcer says the items are “half price” and repeats “fifty percent off.” Option (A) is a number trap; “thirty” is mentioned, but it is for the time (30 minutes), not the discount percentage. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3  (A) For 30 minutes.

• Explanation: The announcer says, “For the next thirty minutes only…” and later reminds shoppers that the sale “ends in exactly half an hour.” Option (B) is the trap (using the number 50 from the discount percentage). Option (C) is incorrect because it is a very short flash sale.

Announcer: Attention all shoppers! Welcome to Star Department Store. We have a special flash sale for you right now. Winter is coming, so it is time to get warm. For the next thirty minutes only, all sweaters and scarves are half price! That’s right, fifty percent off all sweaters and scarves in the winter clothing section on the ground floor. Please note, this discount does not apply to winter coats or boots. Hurry, the clock is ticking! This amazing sale ends in exactly half an hour. Thank you for shopping with us!

1  (A) Some basic T-shirts.

• Explanation: Chloe says, “I went to the mall today to buy some basic T-shirts.” Option (B) is the trap; she bought the green dress, but it was not her original plan. Option (C) is a plausible shopping item but is not mentioned in the monologue.

2  (B) $15

• Explanation: This uses a number trap. Chloe says, “You probably think it costs fifty dollars (Option A – trap). Well, I only paid fifteen dollars for it!” Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

3  (C) The store didn’t have her size.

• Explanation: This is “The Twist.” Chloe says she wanted a blue jacket, “but they didn’t have my size,” so she bought a pink one instead. Option (A) is a trap because she actually wanted the blue one. Option (B) is a plausible reason for not buying something, but it is not her reason.

Chloe: Hi guys, welcome back to my channel! Today I have a huge shopping haul for you. I went to the mall today to buy some basic T-shirts, but I found some amazing things on sale instead! First, look at this beautiful green cotton dress. It looks like a famous designer dress, right? You probably think it costs fifty dollars. Well, I only paid fifteen dollars for it! It’s so cheap! Next is this pink jacket. Um, it feels like soft wool, but it’s actually just polyester. Still, it’s very warm. I originally wanted to buy a blue jacket, but they didn’t have my size. Anyway, I am so happy with my new clothes!

1  (C) A new shoe store.

• Explanation: The announcer invites listeners to “the biggest new sneaker store in the city.” Option (A) is a context trap; it is a radio advertisement, but they are not advertising a radio station. Option (B) is a trap because the audio mentions “running” and “walking,” but it is a store, not a gym.

2  (A) Sneakers.

• Explanation: The announcer explicitly states that they have “hundreds of colorful sneakers.” Options (B) and (C) are plausible types of footwear, but they are not mentioned in the advertisement.

3  (B) A pair of socks.

• Explanation: This question contains multiple traps. The announcer clearly says, “The first fifty customers will get a free pair of socks!” Option (A) is the main trap; the announcer asks, “Are we giving away free shoes?” and immediately answers “No.” Option (C) is a number trap; the number “50” refers to the number of customers, not a money discount.

Announcer: Hey, city listeners! Are you looking for the perfect pair of shoes? Come to Super Steps, the biggest new sneaker store in the city! We are opening our doors this Saturday at 9 AM. We have hundreds of colorful sneakers for running, walking, or just looking cool. And here is the best part! Are we giving away free shoes? No, but we have a special gift. The first fifty customers will get a free pair of socks! That’s right, free socks for the first fifty people. So, don’t be late! See you at Super Steps this Saturday!

1  (B) Long dresses.

• Explanation: The audio guide clearly says, “Women always wore very long dresses that touched the floor.” Option (A) is the trap; the speaker mentions short skirts but says they “did not exist” back then. Option (C) is a trap because wool jackets were worn by men, not women.

2  (C) On Sundays or for weddings.

• Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. The speaker says you often see men in tall top hats in pictures, “However, they only wore those expensive hats on Sundays or for special weddings.” Option (A) is the rejected trap for top hats (they didn’t wear them every day). Option (B) uses the word “walking”, which was mentioned when talking about women’s dresses.

3  (A) A simple flat cap.

• Explanation: The audio guide says, “For everyday work, most men just wore a simple flat cap and a wool jacket.” Option (B) is the trap; top hats were for special days, not for everyday work. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.

Audio Guide: Welcome to Room 4 of the City History Museum. Let’s look at the clothes from one hundred years ago. In the past, fashion was very different. For women, short skirts did not exist. Women always wore very long dresses that touched the floor. They looked beautiful, but they were not very comfortable for walking. What about the men? In old pictures, you often see men wearing tall, black top hats. However, they only wore those expensive hats on Sundays or for special weddings. For everyday work, most men just wore a simple flat cap and a wool jacket. Please move to the next room to see the children’s clothes.

1  (B) You should only buy them if you need them.

• Explanation: Emma says, “don’t buy a shirt just because it is fifty percent off. You should only buy it if you really need it.” Option (A) is the trap because she specifically tells you not to do this. Option (C) is too extreme and not what she said.

2  (A) Because it might feel terrible to wear.

• Explanation: Emma warns that “Some sweaters look beautiful online, but they feel terrible when you actually wear them.” Option (C) is a trap; she mentions clothes looking beautiful online, but not that they have the best materials. Option (B) is not mentioned.

3  (C) The receipt.

• Explanation: Emma asks what happens if you want to return shoes, and advises: “Always keep your receipt in a safe place!” Options (A) and (B) are plausible things you might need to keep when returning clothes, but they are not mentioned in the audio.

Emma: Welcome to the Smart Shopper podcast. I’m your host, Emma. Today, we are talking about buying clothes. Here are my top three tips. First, people love sales. But don’t buy a shirt just because it is fifty percent off. You should only buy it if you really need it. Second, always check the material. Some sweaters look beautiful online, but they feel terrible when you actually wear them. Always touch the fabric first! Finally, what if you buy a pair of shoes and want to return them later? You can’t do it without a special piece of paper. Always keep your receipt in a safe place! Thanks for listening.