Fashion & Trends – B1 English Listening Exercise

1 (C) There is some damage to the stitching on the upper part.

• Explanation: The customer mentions a “loose thread and a small tear right here along the shoulder seam.” This is paraphrased as “damage to the stitching on the upper part.” Option A is a trap; the cashier asks if it doesn’t fit well, but the customer says “the size is actually perfect.” Option B is a trap because the customer explicitly says, “I really like the pattern.”

2 (A) His original proof of purchase from the store.

• Explanation: The cashier asks, “Did you happen to bring your receipt?” A receipt is paraphrased as “proof of purchase.” Option B is a trap; the word “refund” is mentioned later by the customer, but the cashier never asks for a credit card. Option C is a plausible store policy requirement, but it is not mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) Exchange it for an identical, undamaged item.

• Explanation: The customer asks, “Could I just swap it for another one exactly like it?” “Swap” is paraphrased as “exchange,” and “exactly like it” means “identical.” Option A is the trap; getting money back means a “refund,” which the customer explicitly rejects (“I don’t want a refund”). Option C is plausible, but repairing the shirt is never discussed.

Customer: Hi, I was here just yesterday and bought this button-up shirt. But when I got home and tried to put it on this morning, I noticed a problem.

Cashier: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What seems to be the issue? Does it not fit well?

Customer: No, the size is actually perfect. It’s just that, um, there’s a loose thread and a small tear right here along the shoulder seam. It looks like it wasn’t stitched properly at the factory.

Cashier: Let me take a look. Ah, yes, I see the damage. I apologize for the inconvenience. Our quality control usually catches things like that. Did you happen to bring your receipt?

Customer: Yes, I have it right here in my wallet. I really like the pattern, so I don’t want a refund. Could I just swap it for another one exactly like it?

Cashier: Absolutely. Let me scan this for you… Okay, we do have a few more of these in a medium. Give me just a second, I’ll run and grab a fresh one from the display rack for you.

1 (A) He spilled a hot drink on his clothing.

• Explanation: Mark says he “spilled half my coffee down my front” and it left a “brown stain on a perfectly white shirt.” This is paraphrased as spilling a hot drink on his clothing. Option B is a trap; his “presentation” is mentioned, but he didn’t lose his notes. Option C is a trap; he spilled the coffee on himself, not just dropped the cup on the floor.

2 (C) Use cold water to gently clean the area.

• Explanation: Lisa’s first piece of advice is to “dab it with some cold water and paper towels.” Option B is a trap; putting on her dark jacket (blazer) is her second suggestion, only after Mark says the water won’t work. Option A is plausible in real life but is never mentioned in the audio.

3 (B) He worries that it might be slightly too small for him.

• Explanation: Mark asks, “Won’t it be a little tight on my shoulders?” “Tight” is paraphrased as “too small for him.” Option A is a trap; the word “unprofessional” is used by Mark, but he thinks his stained shirt looks unprofessional, not her black jacket. Option C is not mentioned in the conversation.

Mark: Oh no, no, no! This is a complete disaster!

Lisa: Mark, calm down. What happened? Are you okay?

Mark: Look at my shirt! I was walking back to my desk and I just spilled half my coffee down my front. It’s a huge brown stain on a perfectly white shirt. And I have that major presentation with the board members in twenty minutes!

Lisa: Okay, um, take a deep breath. First, let’s go to the restroom and try to dab it with some cold water and paper towels. Don’t rub it, or it will just spread.

Mark: It’s no use. It’s too dark and obvious. I can’t stand in front of the executives looking like this. They’ll think I’m incredibly unprofessional.

Lisa: Wait, I have an idea. I brought my black blazer to work today, but I’m not wearing it. Why don’t you put it on? If you button it up halfway, it will completely hide the spot.

Mark: Are you sure? Won’t it be a little tight on my shoulders?

Lisa: It might be a bit snug, yes, but nobody will notice the coffee mark. You’ll look perfectly fine.

Mark: You’re an absolute lifesaver, Lisa. Thank you so much!

1 (A) She feels awkward and considers leaving to put on different clothes.

• Explanation: Mia states that it’s “slightly embarrassing” (paraphrased as feeling awkward) and says she wants to “go home and change into something else” (paraphrased as leaving to put on different clothes). Option B is a trap because taking a photo happens later in the conversation, not initially. Option C is plausible for this type of situation but is never mentioned in the audio.

2 (B) She believes it simply shows they both have excellent style choices.

• Explanation: Chloe tells Mia that it “proves that we both have fantastic taste in fashion,” which is paraphrased as having “excellent style choices.” Option A is a plausible way to handle the situation, but they do not suggest lying to other guests. Option C is a trap; Chloe tells her not to change, but does not offer her a jacket.

3 (C) The choice of jewelry she used to match the clothing.

• Explanation: Mia compliments Chloe by saying, “I really love how you paired it with those gold earrings.” Earrings are a type of “jewelry.” Option A is not mentioned in the audio. Option B is a trap because while she says Chloe looks “amazing,” the specific detail she admires is the earrings, not the fit of the dress itself.

Chloe: Oh, um, hi! I was just coming over to get some drinks and… wow.

Mia: Oh my goodness! Look at us. We are wearing the exact same outfit. The emerald green wrap dress.

Chloe: I know! I can’t believe it. I was so excited to wear this tonight. I guess it’s a pretty popular design right now.

Mia: Yeah, well, it’s slightly embarrassing, isn’t it? I almost want to go home and change into something else.

Chloe: No, don’t be silly! Please don’t leave. Honestly, it just proves that we both have fantastic taste in fashion. You look absolutely gorgeous in it, by the way.

Mia: Aw, thank you! You look amazing, too. I really love how you paired it with those gold earrings. I didn’t even think of doing that.

Chloe: Thanks! Hey, since we’re basically style twins tonight, we should definitely take a picture together for social media.

Mia: That is a brilliant idea! Let’s go find some good lighting over by the window.

1 (B) The fastener on her clothing refuses to move.

• Explanation: Emma says the “zipper on the back is completely jammed” and “won’t go up or down”. A zipper is paraphrased as a “fastener”, and “jammed” means it “refuses to move”. Option A is a trap; Sophie asks if the dress is too small, but Emma says it “fits perfectly”. Option C is a trap; Emma warns Sophie not to “rip the silk”, but it hasn’t happened yet.

2 (A) Use too much physical force while trying to help.

• Explanation: Emma tells Sophie, “Don’t pull too hard”. This is paraphrased as “Use too much physical force”. Option B is a plausible fear in this situation, but Emma never explicitly warns Sophie not to leave. Option C is a trap; a “sewing kit” is mentioned later, but Emma doesn’t warn Sophie about needles.

3 (C) They will use small metal clips to temporarily close the dress.

• Explanation: Sophie suggests grabbing a couple of “safety pins” to “pin the back together”. Safety pins are paraphrased as “small metal clips”. Option A is a trap; Sophie’s “purse” (bag) is mentioned, but Emma is getting a sewing kit out of it, not an extra outfit. Option B is plausible but not mentioned in the audio.

Emma: Sophie, I need your help right now! I’m stuck in this dress.

Sophie: What’s wrong? Did you buy a size that is too small?

Emma: No, the dress fits perfectly. But the zipper on the back is completely jammed. It won’t go up or down, and I can’t take the dress off!

Sophie: Let me see… Oh dear, the fabric is caught in the teeth. Hold still, let me try to pull it gently.

Emma: Be careful! Don’t pull too hard or you’ll rip the silk. This dress was really expensive.

Sophie: It’s no use. The zipper is completely broken now.

Emma: What am I going to do? I can’t walk out of the restroom with my back wide open! Everyone at the party will see.

Sophie: Don’t panic. Look in my purse. I always carry a little emergency sewing kit. Grab a couple of safety pins. We can just pin the back together from the inside.

Emma: Oh, thank goodness you brought those. You’re a genius!

1 (A) He is wearing clothing that is not suitable for the sudden drop in temperature.

• Explanation: Mark is freezing because he is wearing a “thin cotton t-shirt” despite the sudden cold wind. This is paraphrased as “clothing that is not suitable.” Option B is a trap; Sarah mentions “catching a cold” as a future worry, but he doesn’t have a cold yet. Option C is a trap; they are walking to the restaurant, not leaving it.

2 (B) He assumed the bright, pleasant weather from earlier would last.

• Explanation: Mark explains that “it was so sunny this morning” and he thought “it was going to stay warm all day.” This matches option B perfectly. Option A is a trap; Sarah scolds him because he didn’t check the forecast. Option C is plausible for why people underdress, but it is never mentioned in the audio.

3 (C) They will quickly visit a nearby shop to purchase an extra layer of clothing.

• Explanation: Mark suggests they “pop in” to a “clothing boutique” to buy a “light jacket or a sweater” (paraphrased as an extra layer of clothing). Option A is a trap; the “six blocks” to the restaurant are mentioned, but they don’t plan to run. Option B is a trap; they left the “apartment” earlier, but they are not going back there.

Mark: Brrr! It’s absolutely freezing out here all of a sudden. I can’t stop shivering.

Sarah: Well, I told you to check the forecast before we left the apartment! It’s late October, Mark. You can’t just wear a thin cotton t-shirt and expect to be comfortable outside.

Mark: I know, I know. But it was so sunny this morning. I honestly thought it was going to stay warm all day. Um, I clearly misjudged it, and now I’m paying the price.

Sarah: We still have another six blocks to walk to get to the restaurant. We can’t have you catching a cold before dinner.

Mark: Wait, look across the street. Isn’t that a clothing boutique? Let’s just pop in there for a second. I desperately need to buy a light jacket or a sweater, just to survive the rest of the walk.

Sarah: Ah, good idea. They usually have some affordable basic layers in the front section. Let’s hurry up, the wind is picking up again!