Read the passage carefully and answer the following question: “The narrator would prefer to be seen wearing all of the following types of clothes, except which one?”

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Those with the CHRISTIN BIOR label.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question focuses on the narrator's preferences regarding clothing labels. In the passage, the narrator explains what kinds of labels or clothes are acceptable in her workplace and which are not. The question asks which type of clothing she would not want to be seen wearing, even though the other types are acceptable or even desirable.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The passage states that the narrator's coat came from a flea market and had a label “CHRISTIN BIOR”. The narrator cuts this label out and notes that at her workplace, one can wear a genuine vintage Christian Dior label, something Japanese, or clothes made personally from retro fabrics. However, one cannot have “CHRISTIN BIOR” in one's coat. We assume that the narrator cares about authenticity and style rather than about price alone.


Concept / Approach:
We must distinguish between genuine labels, stylish alternatives, and fake labels. Genuine Christian Dior is acceptable and even fashionable. Japanese brands are also listed positively. Clothes made at home from retro fabrics are presented as a creative and acceptable option. The only thing singled out as unacceptable is the fake or misspelt designer label “CHRISTIN BIOR”, which the narrator finds embarrassing in her professional environment.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the acceptable types mentioned explicitly: genuine vintage Christian Dior, something Japanese, and self made clothes from retro fabrics. Step 2: Notice the clear negative statement: “But not CHRISTIN BIOR.” This shows that the narrator rejects this type of label. Step 3: Match these possibilities with the options: Christian Dior label corresponds to option (a), Japanese brands to option (b), self stitched clothes to option (c), and “CHRISTIN BIOR” label to option (d). Step 4: Since the question uses the word “except”, we must choose the one type of clothing the narrator does not want to be seen wearing. Step 5: That type is clearly the fake label coat with “CHRISTIN BIOR”, so option (d) is correct.


Verification / Alternative check:
Re read the key sentences in the passage. The narrator says she cut out the “CHRISTIN BIOR” label as soon as she got home and insists that the workplace would not accept that label. In contrast, the narrator describes Christian Dior, Japanese brands, and handmade clothes in a positive and aspirational tone. This contrast confirms that the coat with “CHRISTIN BIOR” is the only unacceptable option.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Those with the Christian Dior label” are explicitly described as acceptable and stylish in the passage.
“Any Japanese brand” is also mentioned as a fashionable and acceptable alternative, not as a problem.
“Clothes stitched by herself” from retro fabrics are praised as a creative and admired option.
Only “Those with the CHRISTIN BIOR label” represent the embarrassing fake copy the narrator wants to avoid.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes misunderstand “except” questions and mistakenly choose something that appears most luxurious or most unusual instead of focusing on textual evidence. Another pitfall is ignoring negative markers like “but not” or “cannot”, which clearly indicate disapproval in the passage. To avoid such mistakes, always underline or mentally note contrast words in reading comprehension texts, because these often signal the correct answer to such questions.


Final Answer:
The narrator would not want to be seen wearing those with the CHRISTIN BIOR label.

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