Weddings are expensive. How about a grocery store cake

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What did Anna say about her Costco cake?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It was decorated with fresh flowers.
   2. It tasted satisfying to her.
   3. It cost more than $1,000.
   4. It came from a specialty baker.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It tasted satisfying to her.

   The report specifically emphasizes her positive reaction to its taste.

   Anna Holleran, who married in California’s Bay Area this year, chose Costco for her cake and said she was pleased with the taste.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What happened when Lily’s co-workers learned about the cake?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They asked her to change the decorations.
   2. They were surprised by its grocery-store origin.
   3. They complained about the flavor.
   4. They ordered matching cakes.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They were surprised by its grocery-store origin.

   Their reaction highlights how unexpected the cake’s source seemed.

   Her co-workers were surprised when they learned where the cake came from.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which flavors are included in Publix’s tasting flight?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Red velvet and carrot cake
   2. Chocolate and lemon only
   3. Vanilla and strawberry only
   4. Coffee and almond only
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Red velvet and carrot cake

   The sentence names red velvet and carrot cake as two available flavors.

   Publix also offers a tasting flight with four flavors, including red velvet and carrot cake.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can increase the prices of suits, catering, and flowers?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Tasting flights and decorations
   2. Inflation and tariffs
   3. Traditional ceremonies
   4. Lower guest numbers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Inflation and tariffs

   The recording identifies inflation and tariffs as pressures on these costs.

   Couples may choose to spend more on venues or popular reception trends, while inflation and tariffs can increase the cost of suits, catering, flowers, and wedding clothing.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What percentage of surveyed couples might spend less on cake and dessert?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. About one-quarter
   2. About one-third
   3. About one-half
   4. About two-thirds
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   About one-third

   The report gives approximately one-third as the survey result.

   About one-third of couples surveyed by Zola said they would consider spending less on cake and dessert.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What decoration connected Lily’s cake to the venue?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Baby’s breath
   2. Red velvet icing
   3. Carrot-shaped ornaments
   4. Fresh seasonal fruit
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Baby’s breath

   The cake decorations drew inspiration from flowers used at the venue.

   For Lily Alana Stewart, who married last year in central Alabama, Publix cake included decorations inspired by baby’s breath used at the venue.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What result did the final example demonstrate?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Couples must abandon traditional ceremonies to save money.
   2. Grocery stores always provide better cakes than bakeries.
   3. A traditional centerpiece can remain despite reduced spending.
   4. Wedding guests usually reject inexpensive desserts.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A traditional centerpiece can remain despite reduced spending.

   The example shows tradition can remain while spending choices change.

   The example shows how couples can preserve the ceremony’s traditional centerpiece while making a different financial choice.

What to review next

Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.

Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?

The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.