BIFIE Viena English Reading B2

CEFR Illustrative Tasks: Reading
Level: B2
Providing Institution:
Read the text about consumer habits in times of economic weakness, then choose the co-
rrect answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-7. Put a cross ( x ) in the correct box on the answer
sheet. The first one (0) has been done for you.
Fashion during recession

Current economic trends present an opportunity “We all just got a little wiser and started
for many people to look at fashion in a way they exercising the power of the purse,” Hall states.
haven’t before. “We are shopping smarter. The new differentiator
Many consumers are looking for fashion that is is value along with the best price.”
not only affordable, but stylish as well. According Lovell agrees. “I believe from a consumer point
to some fashion experts, this has forced of view, they are looking for pieces to add to their
designers and retailers to lose the excess fluff wardrobes that will take them further and have
and get back to the meat and potatoes of their more staying power,” she offers. “Classic pieces
lines and offerings. That can mean clothes with have been trending well.”
a better fit and designs that are more in tune To keep them looking up-to-date, many
with their target markets, says Amanda Lovell, designers just give them a slightly newer spin.
department chair of Fashion Design at The Art “Pieces such as the basic cardigan are receiving
Institute of New York City. a face-lift with added bobbles and trimmings and
“By making less and offering less, there is a simple touches in updating the buttons, or the
stronger focus on producing items that are cut,” Lovell comments. “This is an example of a
known sellers,” Lovell says. “Designers and classic piece that women can wear and depend
retailers need to get the most out of every on year round. I see customers buying these
purchase a customer makes, due to the fact pieces that they can get more wear out of.”
that customers are thinking twice before buying Classic items aren’t the only things popular in the
excess pieces.” down economy. Many thrift stores are seeing a
Each fashion brand, designer, and retailer has boost in sales. According to a member survey by
items that are known sellers, Lovell explains. “For the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops,
example, the Gap most likely sells their short- slightly more than 64% of stores had an average
sleeve Crewneck or V-neck, black fitted T-shirts increase in sales of 31%.
for both men and women season after season Lovell also says there’s a resurgence of people
regardless of the economy or forces in the trend mending their clothes and accessories before
cycle,” she offers. replacing them with new items. “For example,
Designers also have responded by offering shoe repair shops have noticed an increase in
lower-priced bridge lines, adds Mary Hall, business, as consumers bring in their shoes to be
who provides money-saving tips on fashion, repaired as opposed to purchasing a new pair,”
dining out, and entertainment in her blog The she explains.
Recessionista. “Overall, trends in consumer buying behaviors
“There are fewer and fewer high-end collections change with what is going on socially, politically,
with high prices coming out,” says Hall, a Los and economically in the world. The fashion
Angeles marketing manager. “Now we have industry just needs to ride out this wave and
Norma Kamali at Walmart, Vera Wang and consumers will soon be spending in excess as
Dana Buchman at Kohl’s, and the annual H&M before,” Lovell opines.
designers. It makes fashion so much more However, some say the recession has prompted
accessible to consumers.” them to become more responsible in their
And as fashion focuses on getting more bang for spending habits – a change that could be
the buck, shoppers are on the hunt for versatile permanent for many consumers.
clothing items that have a long shelf life.
———————————————————— CEFR Illustrative Tasks; Reading and Listening—————————————————————

0 Economic developments have made fashion professionals
A look for new consumer groups.

B focus on more basic things again.
C use only cheap materials.
D design more stylish clothes.
1 As designers reduce the range of products, they
A increase the price consumers have to pay.

B have to sell double the amount of goods.
C have their sales a little earlier than usual.
D put more emphasis on what consumers buy.
2 As the number of expensive designs is decreasing,
A fashion is more readily available.

B people worry less about the costs.
C more people work as designers.
D fashion has become more important.
3 As consumers think more carefully about what they buy, they
A limit the number of clothes they own.

B spend more time shopping for clothes.
C focus more on quality and cost.
D prefer cheaper prices over quality.
4 It has become a trend to
A design or change your clothes yourself.

B make traditional clothes more fashionable.
C combine knitwear with other types of clothes.
D stick to the same clothing style for one year.
5 Another trend is to
A fix old clothes rather than get new ones.

B spend more on accessories rather than clothes.
C sell your old shoes to repair businesses.
D exchange broken or damaged things for new ones.
6 Lovell believes that after the recession
A fashion trends will become very different.

B shoppers will be buying as much as ever.
C the social and political world will improve.
D the fashion industry will continue to suffer.
7 Experts think that through the economic crisis
A people care less about their lifestyle.

B saving money has become harder.
C consumers prefer to shop online.
D shopping habits have improved.
Answer key: 0-B, 1-D, 2-A, 3-C, 4-B, 5-A, 6-B, 7-D
———————————————————— CEFR Illustrative Tasks; Reading and Listening—————————————————————

BIFIE Viena English Reading B2

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CEFR Illustrative Tasks: Reading

Fashion during recession

———————————————————— CEFR Illustrative Tasks; Reading and Listening—————————————————————

A look for new consumer groups.

1 As designers reduce the range of products, they

A increase the price consumers have to pay.

2 As the number of expensive designs is decreasing,

A fashion is more readily available.

3 As consumers think more carefully about what they buy, they

A limit the number of clothes they own.

4 It has become a trend to

A design or change your clothes yourself.

A fix old clothes rather than get new ones.

6 Lovell believes that after the recession

A fashion trends will become very different.

7 Experts think that through the economic crisis

A people care less about their lifestyle.

———————————————————— CEFR Illustrative Tasks; Reading and Listening—————————————————————

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