Why People Follow Trends
Explore how friends, social media, practical needs, and personal taste shape everyday trends.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Escolhe a resposta correta.
Why does Maya want the blue hoodie?
Maya: My hoodie still fits, but everyone in my group has a blue one now. I don't want to be the only person without one.
- She needs something warmer.
- She wants to feel part of the group.
- She wants to replace a damaged hoodie.
Notice what she says about the other people.
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- She wants to feel part of the group.
Wearing similar clothes can help people feel that they belong.
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2. Escolhe a resposta correta.
Why did Nina switch apps?
Nina: I liked our old app, but my book club moved to a new one. They share all the meeting plans there, so I switched too.
- She wanted an app with fewer group messages.
- She wanted to try the app before her friends.
- She needed to keep up with her group's plans.
Think about where the club shares information.
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- She needed to keep up with her group's plans.
An app becomes more useful when the people you communicate with also use it.
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3. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What inspired Leo's new haircut?
Leo: My favorite singer has this haircut. I loved how it looked, so I showed a picture of it to the stylist at the salon.
- The appearance of someone he admires.
- Advice from the person cutting his hair.
- A request from his friends.
Where did he first see the haircut?
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- The appearance of someone he admires.
People sometimes copy a public figure's style as a way to express their admiration.
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4. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What makes this cooking trend useful for Ava?
Ava: I tried those one-pan dinners people keep sharing. Everything cooks in one pan, so there's less to wash after a busy day.
- She can stop buying vegetables.
- She has less cleaning to do.
- She can cook without heating the food.
Focus on what happens after cooking.
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- She has less cleaning to do.
A trend can spread because it solves a small, everyday problem.
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5. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What attracts Jess to the pink drink?
Omar: Does that new pink drink taste good?
Jess: I'm not sure, but it looks great in photos. I want to post a picture of it on my page.- Its appearance would make a good post.
- She already knows it tastes better than other drinks.
- It costs less than her usual drink.
What does Jess plan to do with the drink?
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- Its appearance would make a good post.
Some trends attract attention because they are easy to show in photos.
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6. Escolhe a resposta correta.
Why is Ben considering going to the concert?
Ben: I'm not a big fan of the band, but my friends are all going. If they have an amazing night, I'll regret missing it.
- He wants to hear his favorite band.
- He expects it to be his cheapest evening out.
- He worries about missing an enjoyable experience.
Think about the feeling he expects afterward.
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- He worries about missing an enjoyable experience.
Fear of missing out can encourage people to join activities they would not otherwise consider.
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7. Escolhe a resposta correta.
Why is Sara waiting to buy the smartwatch?
Sara: I'd like the smartwatch everyone is talking about, but my bus pass comes first this month. Maybe I'll get the watch when it's on sale.
- She has lost interest in the watch.
- She needs to pay for something more important first.
- She is waiting for her friends to approve.
Notice which purchase comes first.
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- She needs to pay for something more important first.
Being interested in a trend does not mean someone can afford to follow it immediately.
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8. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What does this exchange show about fashion?
Ella: Look at this old photo of Dad. His jacket looks like the ones in stores now!
Max: He kept it. He could wear it again and look fashionable.- Older styles can become popular again.
- Fashionable clothes must always be newly made.
- A style can only be popular once.
Compare the old photo with today's stores.
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- Older styles can become popular again.
Fashion often brings back older styles, sometimes with small changes.
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9. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What is Priya's plan?
Priya: Those tiny bags look fun, but I'm not sure my things will fit. Could I borrow yours this weekend before I buy one?
- To keep her friend's bag permanently.
- To stop carrying a bag altogether.
- To test the trend before spending money.
Why does she want to borrow one first?
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- To test the trend before spending money.
Trying a trend briefly can help someone decide whether it fits their daily needs.
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10. Escolhe a resposta correta.
How is Dana responding to the fashion trend?
Dana: I like the wide-leg pants people are wearing, but not the bright colors. I'll get a black pair that I can wear to work.
- She is rejecting every part of the trend.
- She is adapting the trend to her own situation.
- She is copying the whole look exactly.
Notice what she keeps and what she changes.
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- She is adapting the trend to her own situation.
Following a trend can be flexible: people can take one part and leave another.
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11. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What has made it easier for Will to get things fixed?
Will: I used to replace small appliances when they broke because I didn't know where to get them fixed. Now there's a repair shop next to my grocery store, so I take them there.
- He now has a convenient place to get things fixed.
- New appliances have become cheaper.
- He has learned to repair things on his own.
Compare his old difficulty with the new location.
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- He now has a convenient place to get things fixed.
A behavior can spread more easily when local services make it convenient.
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12. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What is guiding Luis's decision?
Luis: I've never been to either cafe, but that one has a long line. If so many people want its coffee, it might be worth trying.
- His own experience of drinking coffee there.
- Advice from someone who works there.
- The choices of other customers.
What information does he have before going in?
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- The choices of other customers.
People often use a crowd's choices as a clue, although popularity does not guarantee quality.
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13. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What seems to be changing Mia's mind?
Mia: I didn't like those sneakers at first. But they keep showing up in videos, and now I'm starting to want a pair.
- A lower price is making them attractive.
- Seeing them repeatedly is making them more appealing.
- Trying them on has shown her they are comfortable.
What has changed since she first saw them?
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- Seeing them repeatedly is making them more appealing.
Repeated exposure can make a style feel familiar, which may increase interest in it.
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14. Escolhe a resposta correta.
What does this exchange suggest about trends?
Alex: Everyone at my office has a small backpack. They're everywhere now!
Rae: Really? I haven't seen anyone with one where I live.- A style becomes popular everywhere at the same time.
- A style cannot be a trend if one person has not seen it.
- A style can be common in one group but rare elsewhere.
Are they describing the same group of people?
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- A style can be common in one group but rare elsewhere.
What feels like a widespread trend may mainly reflect the people and places around us.
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15. Escolhe a resposta correta.
Why might Lena want another opinion before buying the shoes?
Lena: This video creator says these shoes are the best he's ever worn.
Noah: The shoe company paid him to make the video.
Lena: Then I'll check what other people who bought them say too.- The creator has a financial reason to promote the shoes.
- The payment proves that the shoes are uncomfortable.
- The payment means the creator has never worn the shoes.
Think about how payment could affect a recommendation.
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- The creator has a financial reason to promote the shoes.
A paid recommendation may be honest, but it is also advertising. Other opinions can give a fuller picture.