Shopping & Clothes – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between a cashier and a customer. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the man’s problem at the beginning of the conversation?
(A) He lost his credit card.
(B) His credit card does not work.
(C) He forgot his wallet at home.
2 How much cash does the man have in his wallet?
(A) $60
(B) $40
(C) $45
3 What does the man decide to buy at the end?
(A) Only the sweater.
(B) Only the black trousers.
(C) Both the sweater and the trousers.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) His credit card does not work.
- Explanation: The cashier says his card was “declined,” and Mark tries again but says, “it’s still not working.” Option (A) and (C) are incorrect because he has his card and his wallet with him at the store.
2 (C) $45
- Explanation: Mark clearly states, “I only have forty-five dollars in cash.” Option (A) is the trap; $60 is the total price for both items. Option (B) is also a trap; $40 is the price of the sweater.
3 (A) Only the sweater.
- Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. Mark originally wanted to buy both items (Option C – the trap). Because he doesn’t have enough cash, he changes his plan and says, “I’ll just take the sweater today. I will leave the trousers here.” Option (B) is the item he leaves behind.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Your total is sixty dollars, sir. Oh, wait. I’m sorry, but your credit card was declined.
Mark: Declined? That’s strange. Let me try again… Um, no, it’s still not working. Let me check my wallet.
Emma: Take your time, sir. We also accept cash.
Mark: Well, I only have forty-five dollars in cash. I wanted to buy the sweater and the black trousers. But I don’t have enough money for both.
Emma: The sweater is forty dollars, and the trousers are twenty.
Mark: Okay, I’ll just take the sweater today. I will leave the trousers here.
Emma: No problem at all, sir. That will be forty dollars in cash, please.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a customer and a shop assistant. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the problem with the white shirt?
(A) It is the wrong size.
(B) It is missing a button.
(C) It has a dirty spot on it.
2 What color is the shirt that Peter finds in the stockroom?
(A) White
(B) Light pink
(C) Brown
3 What does Lily decide to do at the end?
(A) Buy the pink shirt instead.
(B) Buy the dirty white shirt with a discount.
(C) Wait for new white shirts to arrive.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) It has a dirty spot on it.
- Explanation: Lily shows Peter the shirt and says, “There is a dirty brown spot on it.” Option (A) is the trap; Peter asks if it is the wrong size, but Lily says the size is perfect. Option (B) is a plausible problem for clothes but is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) Light pink
- Explanation: Peter checks the stockroom and says, “We only have medium in light pink.” Option (A) is the trap; Lily wants a white shirt, but Peter says they don’t have any more. Option (C) is also a trap; “brown” is the color of the dirty spot, not the color of the shirt in the stockroom.
3 (B) Buy the dirty white shirt with a discount.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist” of the situation. Peter offers the pink shirt (Option A – the trap), but Lily rejects it. Instead, she decides to take the white one because she can wash it, and asks, “Can I get a discount…?” Peter agrees to give her 10% off. Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Lily: Excuse me, I want to buy this white shirt, but there is a problem.
Peter: Oh, let me see. What’s wrong with it? Is it the wrong size?
Lily: No, the size is perfect. But look at the collar. There is a dirty brown spot on it. Do you have another medium in the stockroom?
Peter: Let me check… I’m really sorry. We don’t have any more white ones in the back. We only have medium in light pink.
Lily: Hmm, I don’t really want pink. I think I can just wash the spot out at home. Can I get a discount for the dirty shirt?
Peter: Yes, I can give you ten percent off.
Lily: Great, I’ll take it.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a husband and wife. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the problem with the blue dress?
(A) It is the wrong color.
(B) It is too big for Lisa.
(C) It is too expensive.
2 What size does Lisa usually wear?
(A) Small
(B) Medium
(C) Large
3 When will they go to the store to exchange the dress?
(A) Today
(B) Tomorrow
(C) On Saturday
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) It is too big for Lisa.
- Explanation: Lisa says, “A Medium will be too big for me.” Option (A) is a trap; Lisa actually says, “I really love the color.” Option (C) is a plausible problem for a gift, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (A) Small
- Explanation: Lisa clearly states, “I usually wear a size Small.” Option (B) is the trap; Medium is the size of the dress Mark bought, not the size Lisa wears. Option (C) is not mentioned.
3 (C) On Saturday
- Explanation: This question uses the “Twist” technique. Lisa asks if Mark can go “tomorrow” (Option B – the trap). However, Mark changes the plan because he has a meeting, saying, “So, let’s go together on Saturday morning instead.” Option (A) is the day he gave her the gift, not the day they will exchange it.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Happy anniversary, Lisa! I bought this blue dress for you on my way home from work.
Lisa: Oh, Mark, it’s beautiful! I really love the color. But… wait, this is a size Medium.
Mark: Yes. Is that wrong?
Lisa: I usually wear a size Small. A Medium will be too big for me.
Mark: Oh no, I’m sorry. I can take it back to the store and exchange it.
Lisa: That’s okay! Can you go tomorrow after work?
Mark: I have a late meeting tomorrow. So, let’s go together on Saturday morning instead.
Lisa: Perfect. We can get some coffee afterward.
Listening 4
Listen to the telephone conversation between a customer and a customer service representative. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why is the man calling customer service?
(A) He received the wrong size.
(B) He received the wrong color.
(C) He wants to cancel his order.
2 What color shoes did the man order?
(A) Black
(B) Blue
(C) White
3 What will the company do tomorrow?
(A) Give the man his money back.
(B) Send him the new black shoes.
(C) Pick up the blue shoes from his house.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) He received the wrong color.
- Explanation: David says he ordered black shoes but received blue ones. Option (A) is the trap; Nina asks if he got the wrong size, but David says, “No, the size is fine.” Option (C) is a plausible reason to call, but he just wants an exchange, not a cancellation.
2 (A) Black
- Explanation: David clearly states, “I ordered a pair of black shoes.” Option (B) is the trap; blue is the color he received by mistake, not the color he ordered. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
3 (C) Pick up the blue shoes from his house.
- Explanation: This question tests careful listening of timelines. Nina says, “I will send a driver to pick up the blue shoes tomorrow.” Option (B) is a trap; the company will send the new black shoes on Wednesday, not tomorrow. Option (A) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Nina: Hello, FastShop Customer Service. How can I help you today?
David: Hi. I’m calling about an order I received this morning. There is a big mistake.
Nina: I’m sorry to hear that. What is the problem, sir? Did you get the wrong size?
David: No, the size is fine. I ordered a pair of black shoes. But when I opened the box, the shoes inside were blue! I don’t wear blue shoes.
Nina: Oh, I apologize for that mix-up. We can easily exchange those for you. I will send a driver to pick up the blue shoes tomorrow.
David: Thank you. And when will I get my black shoes?
Nina: We will send them to you on Wednesday.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between two people on the street and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What happened to the woman’s shopping bag?
(A) She left it in the clothing store.
(B) It broke because it was too heavy.
(C) A stranger took it from her.
2 Which item was the woman worried about losing?
(A) Her white shirts.
(B) A red jacket.
(C) A yellow scarf.
3 What does the man give the woman at the end of the conversation?
(A) A plastic bag.
(B) A paper bag.
(C) A new jacket.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) It broke because it was too heavy.
- Explanation: Mark says, “your paper shopping bag broke!” and Sarah explains that she bought too many clothes “and the bag was too heavy.” Option (A) and (C) are plausible problems, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) A yellow scarf.
- Explanation: Mark picks up the red jacket and white shirts (Options A and B – the traps). Then, Sarah changes the focus (The Twist) by saying, “But wait… where is my new scarf? I bought a yellow scarf, too.” Mark finds it under a car.
3 (A) A plastic bag.
- Explanation: Because Sarah’s bag is broken, Mark asks, “do you need a plastic bag? I have an extra one right here.” Sarah says yes. Option (B) is the trap; a paper bag is what broke at the beginning of the story, not what Mark gives her. Option (C) is incorrect.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Oh no! Oh, my goodness!
Mark: Excuse me, are you okay? Oh, your paper shopping bag broke!
Sarah: Yes, I bought too many clothes today, and the bag was too heavy. Now my clean clothes are all on the dirty street.
Mark: Don’t worry, let me help you pick them up. Here is your red jacket and your white shirts.
Sarah: Thank you so much. But wait… where is my new scarf? I bought a yellow scarf, too.
Mark: Hmm… Ah, is it this one under the car?
Sarah: Yes, that’s it! Thank goodness it’s not dirty.
Mark: You’re welcome. Hey, do you need a plastic bag? I have an extra one right here.
Sarah: That would be perfect. Thank you for your help!