Fashion & Trends – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 Correct Answer: (B) It looks too professional for the location.

• Explanation: Sam says the suit makes Alex look like he is “heading to an important business meeting” and agrees it is “too formal” for a casual restaurant.
• Trap: Option (A) is wrong because Sam actually compliments the suit, calling it “sharp.” Option (C) is a trap because physical comfort is only brought up at the very end regarding the second outfit, not the first.

2 Correct Answer: (B) A white T-shirt and a jean jacket.

• Explanation: Alex changes into his “favorite vintage denim jacket with a plain white tee” (tee = T-shirt, denim = jean material). This tests the student’s ability to recognize paraphrased vocabulary.
• Trap: Option (A) is the first outfit that they decided to reject. Option (C) is plausible for a date but was never mentioned in the audio.

3 Correct Answer: (B) By changing his footwear.

• Explanation: Sam tells Alex to “swap the sneakers for those brown leather boots,” which means he should change the shoes he is wearing.
• Trap: Option (C) uses the word “leather,” which is mentioned in the audio, but the leather item is boots, not a belt. Option (A) is not mentioned at all.

Alex: Hey Sam, thanks for coming over to help. I’m so nervous about my date with Mia tonight. I really need your honest opinion. How does this look?

Sam: Um… well, the dark suit is definitely sharp, Alex. You look like you’re heading to an important business meeting, though. Isn’t the restaurant pretty casual?

Alex: Yeah, it’s that new Italian place by the river. You think it’s too formal?

Sam: A bit, yes. You want to look nice, but also like you’re relaxed. You don’t want Mia to feel underdressed. Why don’t you try the other outfit you mentioned on the phone?

Alex: Okay, hang on a second. (pause) Alright, what about this? It’s my favorite vintage denim jacket with a plain white tee and khaki pants.

Sam: Ah, much better! It shows off your personal style without trying too hard. But maybe swap the sneakers for those brown leather boots you bought last month? It adds a touch of elegance.

Alex: Good call. The boots definitely make the whole thing look a bit more put-together. Thanks, Sam. I actually feel a lot more comfortable in this anyway.

1 (A) It is currently out of fashion and too small for her.

• Explanation: The script mentions the jacket is “outdated” (paraphrased as “out of fashion”) and the sleeves are “way too short” / “doesn’t fit well anymore” (paraphrased as “too small”). Option B is a trap because “college” is mentioned, but only as a past memory. Option C is plausible but not mentioned in the audio.

2 (C) She believes the design doesn’t match her current lifestyle.

• Explanation: Emma says it is “not my style anymore” and “too formal for my everyday routine,” which perfectly matches option C. Option A is a trap because she actually says it is too formal, not too casual. Option B is a trap because she explicitly states she “never really liked the pattern.”

3 (B) Lily will save it because it is trendy again.

• Explanation: This is the twist. While they are putting clothes in the donation box, Lily decides to keep the dress because “Vintage looks are making a comeback” (paraphrased as “trendy again”). Option A is the trap representing their original, general plan for the old clothes. Option C is incorrect because Emma rejected the dress.

Emma: Wow, this closet is a total disaster. We really need to sort through these clothes today. If we don’t wear them anymore, they’re going into the donation box.

Lily: Agreed. Oh, look at this denim jacket! I used to wear it all the time in college.

Emma: Yeah, but that was ages ago. It’s pretty outdated now, don’t you think? Plus, the sleeves are way too short for you.

Lily: I guess you’re right. It doesn’t fit well anymore. Let’s give it away. What about this floral dress?

Emma: Um, honestly, I never really liked the pattern. But more importantly, it’s just not my style anymore. It feels a bit too formal for my everyday routine.

Lily: True. You’re mostly in jeans and sweaters nowadays. But wait, I might actually keep it. Vintage looks are making a comeback, and it fits me perfectly.

Emma: Really? Okay, suit yourself. Just put it in your pile. Let’s pack up the rest of this stuff and drop it off at the charity center before it gets dark.

1 (A) He was hired for a role at a new company.

• Explanation: Alex explains that he “started a new position at a marketing agency,” which is paraphrased in option A. Option B is the trap; Jamie mentions he used to look like he was going to the gym, but that is not his current goal. Option C is plausible, but he already has the job; he isn’t interviewing for one.

2 (B) She is highly impressed by his sophisticated look.

• Explanation: Jamie praises Alex by saying his look is “elegant,” “amazing,” and that he looks “like a CEO” (paraphrased as “highly impressed by his sophisticated look”). Option A is a trap because the word “messy” (untidy) is mentioned in the audio, but Alex uses it to describe his old hair, not his new look. Option C is not mentioned.

3 (B) It requires less effort to get ready every day.

• Explanation: Alex states that the new haircut “saves me so much time in the morning,” meaning it takes less effort to get ready. Option A is a trap because while the tailored coat is mentioned as part of his new style, it is not the reason he gives for the haircut. Option C is plausible for a professional setting, but the audio never mentions his manager asking him to do it.

Alex: Hey, Jamie! Over here!

Jamie: Alex? Wow, it’s been ages! Let me look at you. You look… completely different!

Alex: Haha, good different or bad different?

Jamie: Oh, definitely good! I almost didn’t recognize you. What happened to the oversized hoodies and sneakers? You always looked like you were about to work out at the gym.

Alex: Well, um, I started a new position at a marketing agency last month. I felt it was time to upgrade my wardrobe, you know? I wanted to go for something a bit more professional and polished. Hence the tailored coat and leather boots.

Jamie: It really suits you. It’s very elegant. And you chopped off your hair, too!

Alex: Yeah, ah, the long hair was just getting too messy. I wanted a cleaner cut. Honestly, it saves me so much time in the morning before I commute.

Jamie: Well, the whole transformation is amazing. You look like a CEO!

Alex: Thanks, Jamie. Let’s go grab a coffee, I want to hear all about what you’ve been up to.

1 (B) He thinks the items there are far too expensive.

• Explanation: Sam states that new leather jackets from the mall are “ridiculously overpriced,” which is paraphrased as “far too expensive.” Option A is a trap; while he found a 90s style at the thrift store, he never said the mall didn’t have that style. Option C is a trap because the “clearance sale” happened at the thrift store, not the mall.

2 (A) She dislikes spending a lot of time looking for good quality items.

• Explanation: Mia says she avoids second-hand shops because “it takes hours to find something decent.” This matches the idea of disliking spending time looking for good items. Option B is plausible in real life but is never mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap because she asks if Sam’s jacket cost a fortune, but it is not her stated reason for avoiding the stores.

3 (C) Go shopping at the thrift store with Sam.

• Explanation: At the end of the conversation, Mia says, “I might have to join you next time,” indicating she wants to go thrift shopping with him. Option A is plausible, but she intends to replace her coat at the thrift store, not the mall. Option B is a trap; she mentions her winter coat is “worn out” (old), but she is not giving it to Sam.

Sam: Hey Mia, check this out! I just got back from the thrift store downtown.

Mia: Oh wow, is that a leather jacket? It looks amazing! Wait, didn’t you say you were saving up for a brand new one from the mall?

Sam: Yeah, I was. But honestly, new leather jackets are ridiculously overpriced. Plus, I stumbled upon this beauty completely by accident. It’s an authentic vintage piece from the nineties, and it fits me perfectly.

Mia: Let me guess, it still cost a fortune even though it’s second-hand?

Sam: Not at all! That’s the best part. I only paid twenty bucks for it. The shop was having a massive clearance sale this morning.

Mia: You’re kidding! Twenty bucks? That’s a steal. I usually avoid second-hand shops because it takes hours to find something decent.

Sam: Well, um, it does require some patience. You really have to dig through piles of clothes, but finding a unique gem like this makes it totally worth the effort.

Mia: You know what? I might have to join you next time. My winter coat is getting a bit worn out anyway.

1 (A) He thinks it looks too plain and uninteresting.

• Explanation: Mark states that his outfit is “a bit dull” and “too basic,” which is paraphrased in option A as “plain and uninteresting.” Option B is plausible but never mentioned. Option C is a trap because the word “loud” (bright/flashy) is used to describe the first tie, not his jacket; his jacket has a “subtle” pattern.

2 (B) Wearing a piece of neckwear from his own collection.

• Explanation: Dave says, “How about a tie? I have a couple you can choose from. Let me check my closet.” “Tie” is paraphrased as “a piece of neckwear,” and his closet represents his “own collection.” Option A is not mentioned. Option C is a trap; the word “patterned” is mentioned, but Dave offers a patterned tie, not a shirt.

3 (C) It doesn’t match the design of his current jacket.

• Explanation: Mark rejects the first tie because it is “too loud” and might “clash” with the “check pattern” on his jacket. This means the designs do not go well together. Option A is a trap because Mark actually accepts the dark red (burgundy) tie. Option B is a trap; the tie is made of silk, which is usually high-quality, not cheap.

Mark: Hey Dave, do you have a minute? I need a second opinion.

Dave: Sure, man. Oh, looking sharp! Getting ready for the company dinner?

Mark: Yeah. But honestly, I feel like this outfit is a bit… I don’t know, a bit dull? The grey suit and white shirt just look too basic. I was wondering if I could borrow an accessory to jazz it up a bit?

Dave: Absolutely. You definitely need something to make it pop. How about a tie? I have a couple you can choose from. Let me check my closet. Um… okay, here’s a patterned silk one. It’s quite eye-catching.

Mark: Ah, I think that one is a little too loud. My jacket already has a subtle check pattern on it, so a busy tie might clash.

Dave: Good point. Well, what about this solid burgundy tie? It’s classic, and the dark red will bring some warmth to the grey suit without being overwhelming.

Mark: That is exactly what I’m looking for! It adds just the right amount of color. Thanks, Dave, you’re a lifesaver.

Dave: No problem. Have a great time at the event!