Shopping & Clothes – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why does Anna decide NOT to wear the long red dress?
(A) It is too small for her.
(B) She is going to a bowling alley.
(C) She doesn’t like the color.
2 What will Anna wear to the party?
(A) A long red dress.
(B) Blue jeans and a white shirt.
(C) Black jeans and a white shirt.
3 What does Ben think about the long red dress?
(A) It is more elegant.
(B) It is much more comfortable.
(C) It is a bit too expensive.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) She is going to a bowling alley.
- Explanation: Anna says she cannot bowl in a dress. Option (A) and (C) are plausible reasons in a clothing context, but they are not mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) Black jeans and a white shirt.
- Explanation: This is the “Twist.” Option (A) is the first trap; the red dress was mentioned but rejected because of the activity. Option (B) is the second trap; Ben suggested the blue jeans, but Anna changed the plan at the very end to black jeans because they “look a bit nicer.”
3 (A) It is more elegant.
- Explanation: Ben explicitly says the red dress is “more elegant.” Option (B) is a trap; Ben uses the words “much more comfortable” to describe the jeans, not the dress. Option (C) is not mentioned.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Anna: Um, Ben, I really need your help. I don’t know what to wear to Sarah’s birthday party tonight.
Ben: Well, what about that long red dress? It looks great on you, and it’s more elegant.
Anna: Yeah, I thought about wearing the red dress. But, ah, the party is at a bowling alley. I can’t bowl in a dress!
Ben: Oh, right. That’s true. So, maybe just your blue jeans and a white shirt? That is much more comfortable.
Anna: Good idea. Actually, I think I’ll wear my black jeans instead of the blue ones. They look a bit nicer for a party.
Ben: Perfect! You’ll look great.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between two sisters and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why are the sisters looking at the website?
(A) To buy a gift for their mother.
(B) Because there is a one-day sale.
(C) To sell their old sneakers.
2 How much do the white sneakers cost now?
(A) $45
(B) $80
(C) $60
3 Which sneakers does Lily decide to buy at the end?
(A) The blue sneakers.
(B) The white sneakers.
(C) Both pairs of sneakers.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Because there is a one-day sale.
- Explanation: Emma says “These sneakers are on sale for one day only” right at the beginning. Options (A) and (C) are not mentioned in the dialogue.
2 (C) $60
- Explanation: Emma mentions two prices for the white sneakers: $80 (the old price – “they were eighty dollars”) and $60 (the current price – “now they are only sixty dollars”). Option (A) is the price of the blue sneakers.
3 (A) The blue sneakers.
- Explanation: This is “The Twist”. Lily says she likes the white ones because they are “nicer,” but then she says “BUT I want to save money” and finally chooses the blue ones because they are the “great price” ($45). Option (B) is what she liked initially but rejected. Option (C) is incorrect because she only chooses one pair.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Emma: Lily, look at this website! These sneakers are on sale for one day only.
Lily: Oh, let me see. I really like those white sneakers. They look so cool. How much are they?
Emma: Let’s see… they were eighty dollars, but now they are only sixty dollars.
Lily: Hmm, that’s not bad. What about the blue ones next to them?
Emma: The blue ones are even cheaper! They are only forty-five dollars today.
Lily: Well, the white sneakers are nicer, but I want to save money for my summer holiday.
Emma: So, which pair do you want to buy?
Lily: I’ll take the blue ones. Forty-five dollars is a great price!
Emma: Good choice! Let’s put them in the shopping cart now.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a husband and wife and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the main problem with the green sweater?
(A) It is the wrong color.
(B) It is too tight for Mark.
(C) It is dirty and broken.
2 What does Mark decide to do with the brown boots?
(A) He will keep them for gardening.
(B) He will put them in the donation box.
(C) He will give them to his friend.
3 What will happen to the green sweater at the end?
(A) Mark will wear it today.
(B) Sarah will throw it in the trash.
(C) They will donate it to charity.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) It is too tight for Mark.
- Explanation: Mark tries the sweater on and says, “It’s way too tight around the arms.” Option (A) is not mentioned. Option (C) is a trap because Sarah says the boots are dirty, not the sweater.
2 (A) He will keep them for gardening.
- Explanation: This is a “Twist.” Sarah suggests they are old, but Mark rejects the idea of getting rid of them, saying “I’ll keep those” to use for gardening.
3 (C) They will donate it to charity.
- Explanation: Although the sweater is too small, Mark says “Let’s put it in the donation box.” Option (B) is the trap because Sarah asks if they should “throw it away,” but Mark says “No.”
AUDIO SCRIPT
Sarah: Mark, we really need to clear out this closet today. It’s completely full!
Mark: You’re right, Sarah. Um, look at this green sweater. I bought it ten years ago. I still love it.
Sarah: But Mark, you haven’t worn that in years. Try it on. I think it’s too small for you now.
Mark: Let me see… Oh, you’re right. It’s way too tight around the arms.
Sarah: See? And what about these brown boots? They look very old and dirty.
Mark: Well, they are old, but I can still wear them for gardening. I’ll keep those.
Sarah: Okay. But this green sweater… should we throw it away?
Mark: No, it’s still in good condition. Let’s put it in the donation box for the charity shop.
Sarah: Good idea. Let’s continue!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between two colleagues and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Where did David buy his new jacket?
(A) At the new mall.
(B) From an online store.
(C) At a local supermarket.
2 Why didn’t David go to the shopping mall?
(A) The mall was closed.
(B) The weather was bad.
(C) He was too busy with work.
3 How much did David pay for the jacket?
(A) $100
(B) $25
(C) $75
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) From an online store.
- Explanation: David says, “I just ordered it online.” Option (A) is the trap (bẫy); Lisa asks if he went to the new mall, and David planned to, but he changed his mind. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) The weather was bad.
- Explanation: David explains that he didn’t go to the mall because “it was raining heavily.” Options (A) and (C) are plausible reasons for not going shopping, but they are not mentioned in the conversation.
3 (C) $75
- Explanation: This question uses a number trap. David explicitly says, “I only paid seventy-five dollars.” Option (A) is the trap; $100 is the regular price, not the price he paid. Option (B) is a plausible mathematical distractor (the discount amount: 100 – 75 = 25), but it is not the amount he paid.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Lisa: Wow, David! Is that a new jacket? It looks really great on you.
David: Thanks, Lisa! I just bought it over the weekend.
Lisa: Where did you get it? Did you go to the new mall in the city center?
David: I planned to go there, but it was raining heavily on Saturday. So, I just ordered it online.
Lisa: Oh, online! Was it expensive? It looks like real leather.
David: It’s not real leather, actually. The regular price was one hundred dollars, but I got a discount. I only paid seventy-five dollars.
Lisa: That’s a fantastic price! I want to buy one, too.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a mother and her son, then choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What is the weather going to be like in Chicago?
(A) Sunny and warm.
(B) Freezing and snowing.
(C) Rainy and windy.
2 What did Tommy originally pack in his suitcase?
(A) A thick wool sweater.
(B) Winter boots and a jacket.
(C) T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers.
3 What does Tommy’s mom tell him to put in the bag instead?
(A) A thick sweater and winter boots.
(B) His favorite sneakers and T-shirts.
(C) A warm coat and a scarf.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Freezing and snowing.
- Explanation: The mother says, “It’s going to be freezing and snowing this weekend!” Option (A) is the trap; Tommy mentions it is “sunny here” (at their current location), not in Chicago. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (C) T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers.
- Explanation: Tommy says, “I packed five T-shirts, my blue shorts, and my favorite sneakers.” Option (A) and (B) are what he needs to pack later, not what he originally packed.
3 (A) A thick sweater and winter boots.
- Explanation: This tests the “Twist” (the change of plans). Because of the weather, the mom tells him to pack his “thick wool sweater and your winter boots… instead.” Option (B) is the trap; these are the items he must take out or not use. Option (C) contains plausible winter clothes, but they are not mentioned in the dialogue.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mom: Tommy, are you almost finished packing your suitcase for the trip to Chicago?
Tommy: Yes, Mom. I packed five T-shirts, my blue shorts, and my favorite sneakers.
Mom: Oh, Tommy, you can’t wear those. I just checked the weather forecast. It’s not going to be warm. It’s going to be freezing and snowing this weekend!
Tommy: Really? But it’s so sunny here.
Mom: I know, but you need to take out the shorts. Put your thick wool sweater and your winter boots in the bag instead.
Tommy: Okay, okay. I’ll pack the sweater and the boots right now. Good thing you checked!