Fashion & Trends – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (B) It is slightly too tight around her middle.

• Explanation: The customer states that the medium size is “too restrictive around my waist,” which is paraphrased as “too tight around her middle.” Option A is a trap because the customer actually says, “I really love the fabric.” Option C is also a trap because she mentions the style is “exactly what I was looking for.”

2 (A) A bigger size and a different color.

• Explanation: The customer agrees to try “the next size up” (a large) and asks for it “in black” instead of dark navy. This perfectly matches option A. Option B is a trap because she is currently wearing dark navy and wants to change it. Option C is a trap; she loves the current style and just needs a bigger size, not a new style.

3 (C) From the storage area in the back.

• Explanation: The assistant says the last pair is “back in the stockroom,” which is paraphrased as “the storage area in the back.” Option A is plausible in a real-life situation but is never mentioned in the audio. Option B is a trap because the assistant specifically notes that they “don’t have any left on the display racks.”

Customer: Excuse me? Could you give me a hand for a second?

Assistant: Absolutely. How are those trousers working out for you?

Customer: Well, I really love the fabric, and the style is exactly what I was looking for. However, this medium is just a bit too restrictive around my waist. I can barely button it up comfortably.

Assistant: I completely understand. Some of our new seasonal items do have a more tailored fit. Would you like me to grab the next size up for you to try?

Customer: Yes, please. A large would probably be much better. Oh, and instead of this dark navy, do you happen to have it in black? I think that neutral shade will match more of my tops at home.

Assistant: Let me quickly check the inventory on my tablet. Um… okay, we don’t have any left on the display racks, but it looks like there’s one last black pair in a large back in the stockroom. Give me just a minute to go fetch it for you.

Customer: Take your time. I’ll wait right here by the fitting rooms.

1 (B) She keeps tripping over the extra material.

• Explanation: The customer states that the skirt is “way too long” and she keeps “stepping on the fabric,” which is paraphrased as “tripping over the extra material.” Option A is a trap; she stepped on it, but she didn’t tear it. Option C is a trap because the “wedding” is mentioned as the event she is attending, but it is not the reason she needs the length shortened.

2 (A) Making the middle part of the dress tighter.

• Explanation: The customer mentions the dress is “quite loose around the middle” and asks to “take the waist in,” which the tailor confirms means to “make it tighter.” Option B is a trap; the tailor mentions adjusting the “side seams,” but says nothing about a zipper. Option C is the exact opposite of the truth; she lost weight, not gained it.

3 (C) On Thursday.

• Explanation: The customer explicitly states, “I’d like to pick it up by Thursday.” Option A is not mentioned in the audio. Option B is a trap; “next Saturday” is the day of the wedding, not the day she will collect the dress from the tailor.

Customer: Hi there. I recently bought this dress for an upcoming wedding, but it doesn’t fit quite right. I was hoping you could make some alterations for me.

Tailor: Of course, let’s take a look. Oh, it’s a beautiful piece. What seems to be the problem?

Customer: Well, um, first of all, the skirt is way too long. I keep stepping on the fabric when I walk. Could you shorten the hem by about two inches?

Tailor: Sure, taking up the hem is no problem at all. We can pin it up now to get the exact length. Anything else?

Customer: Yes. It’s also quite loose around the middle. I’ve actually lost a little bit of weight recently, so it doesn’t hug my figure like it should. Can you take the waist in a bit?

Tailor: I see. Yes, we can definitely make it tighter. I’ll need to adjust the side seams to do that. Let me grab my measuring tape. Do you need this done by a specific date?

Customer: The wedding is next Saturday, so ideally, I’d like to pick it up by Thursday. Is that possible?

Tailor: Thursday? Yes, that gives us plenty of time. I’ll write up your ticket now.

1 (A) He needs an outfit for a business-related party.

• Explanation: The customer says he is attending a “company gala,” which is paraphrased in option A as a “business-related party.” Option B is a trap; his “brother’s wedding” is mentioned, but that was a past event where he wore his old tuxedo. Option C is a trap because he wants to rent a navy suit, not buy a black tuxedo.

2 (B) If it covers the cost of additional clothing and accessories.

• Explanation: The customer asks, “does that fee cover everything? I mean, are the dress shirt and the necktie included…”. The shirt and tie are paraphrased as “additional clothing and accessories.” Option A is a trap; the “weekend” rental is mentioned, but he does not ask for a discount. Option C is plausible but never mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) Rent only the basic suit because he owns the other items.

• Explanation: The customer decides to just take the “jacket and trousers” (the basic suit) because his budget is tight and he says, “I already have plenty of white shirts at home” (he owns the other items). Option A is the trap representing the $110 package, which he explicitly rejects. Option C is a plausible action for someone with a tight budget, but it is not what he does.

Customer: Hi there, I’m attending a company gala next weekend, so I need to rent a suit. I initially thought about wearing my old black tuxedo from my brother’s wedding, but it doesn’t fit me anymore. Do you have anything in a dark navy blue?

Assistant: We certainly do, sir. Navy is incredibly popular this season for formal events. I see you’re looking at the rack over there. That particular two-piece suit is an excellent choice.

Customer: It looks very sharp. How much does it cost to borrow this for three days?

Assistant: That premium wool suit is $85 for the weekend rental.

Customer: Okay, that sounds reasonable. But wait, does that fee cover everything? I mean, are the dress shirt and the necktie included in that $85?

Assistant: Actually, no. The base price is strictly for the jacket and the trousers. However, we do offer a complete package for $110, which adds a crisp white shirt, your choice of silk tie, and matching cufflinks.

Customer: Ah, I see. Well, my budget is a bit tight right now, and I already have plenty of white shirts at home. So, I’ll just take the jacket and trousers, please.

1 (A) It relies on strong substances that can ruin the material.

• Explanation: The cleaner says dry cleaning uses “strong chemicals that can actually damage the natural fibers.” This is paraphrased as “strong substances that can ruin the material.” Option B is plausible but is never mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap; shrinking is a major concern in the audio, but the cleaner says the heat of the dryer causes shrinking, not the dry cleaning process itself.

2 (B) Wash it with cold water and avoid twisting the fabric.

• Explanation: The cleaner explicitly instructs the customer to “use cold water” and “Don’t wring it out or twist it.” Option A is a trap because the cleaner specifically says “never warm or hot” water. Option C is a trap; the “machine” is mentioned later when discussing drying, but the cleaner rejects using it.

3 (C) Place it horizontally on top of a towel.

• Explanation: The cleaner tells the customer to “lay it completely flat on a dry towel.” “Lay it completely flat” is a synonym for “place it horizontally.” Option A is the trap; the customer asks if she can put it in the machine on a “low setting,” but the cleaner says “definitely not.” Option B is a plausible way to dry clothes, but it is not what the cleaner suggests (hanging a wet sweater can stretch it out).

Customer: Hi, I need some advice. I just bought this expensive wool sweater, and I’m terrified of ruining it. The label says “hand wash only,” but I’m worried it might shrink if I do it myself. Should I just dry clean it here?

Cleaner: Let me see. Ah, this is a beautiful merino wool piece. Well, um, dry cleaning uses strong chemicals that can actually damage the natural fibers over time. It’s usually better to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Customer: Really? So hand washing is actually safer? How do I prevent it from shrinking, then?

Cleaner: The trick is the water temperature. You must use cold water, never warm or hot. And gently press the soapy water through the fabric. Don’t wring it out or twist it.

Customer: Okay, cold water, no twisting. What about drying it? Can I put it in the machine on a low setting?

Cleaner: Oh, definitely not. The heat will shrink it immediately. You need to lay it completely flat on a dry towel. It takes a bit longer, but it keeps the shape perfectly.

Customer: That makes sense. I’ll wash it at home this weekend. Thanks for the tips!

1 (B) She doesn’t know how to match her new brightly colored skirt.

• Explanation: The customer says she bought a skirt with a “vibrant floral pattern” (paraphrased as “brightly colored”) and has “no idea how to style it” (doesn’t know how to match it). Option A is a trap; “summer” is mentioned, but she never mentions a party. Option C is a trap; she bought a skirt, not a blouse.

2 (B) A pale-colored, tight-fitting shirt.

• Explanation: The stylist recommends a “soft pastel shade” like “light pink or baby blue” (paraphrased as pale-colored) and says a “fitted top” (tight-fitting) would be best. Option A is the trap; the customer suggests a black silk blouse, but the stylist rejects it because it looks “too heavy.” Option C is a trap; the stylist mentions “baggy,” but warns that it will make the outfit look “untidy.”

3 (A) To create a better shape since the skirt is already loose.

• Explanation: The stylist explains that the skirt is “quite flowing and relaxed” (loose), so a fitted top helps “define your waist” (create a better shape). Option B is a plausible real-world fashion rule but is not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap; they go to the basics section, but there is no mention that they only sell tight shirts there.

Customer: Hi, excuse me. I just bought this skirt from the front display, but I’m having second thoughts. It has such a vibrant floral pattern. I honestly have no idea how to style it.

Stylist: Oh, that’s a gorgeous piece! It’s been very popular for the summer. Um, well, since the bottom half is so colorful and busy, you definitely want to balance it out with a solid color on top.

Customer: Right. So, maybe a plain black top? I have a black silk blouse at home.

Stylist: You could do black, but honestly, it might look a bit too heavy for this season. Instead, I highly recommend going with a soft pastel shade. A light pink or baby blue top would complement those flowers beautifully without competing for attention.

Customer: Ah, I see. A pale pink shirt sounds lovely. And what about the fit? Should it be loose or tight?

Stylist: Because the skirt is quite flowing and relaxed, a fitted top would be best. It helps define your waist. If you wear something baggy on top, the whole outfit will look a little untidy.

Customer: That makes perfect sense. Do you have any fitted pink tops in stock?

Stylist: Yes, we do. Let me show you a few options over in the basics section.