5B A better fit

A Complete the text by putting the verbs in brackets into the correct passive forms.

Recent research has revealed that roughly 40% of clothes

which 1 (buy) online end up
2
(return). In many cases, the reason why the clothes
3
(send back) is that the customer is unhappy
with the fit. For retailers, this naturally means a lot of time and money
4
(waste) and it is therefore unsurprising that they are
seeking ways to alleviate the problem.

Some have already managed to do this thanks to ground-breaking technology,

which 5 (recently/develop) by the Fits.me
company. The technology, which 6 (create) by
two Estonian universities, 7
(compose) of a ‘Virtual
Fitting Room’ and shape-shifting robots, which 8 (know)
as FitBots. The company has tested numerous items of clothing on these robotic
models, to map how different brands would look on people of varying shapes and sizes.

To enable the Internet shopper to ‘try on’ the clothes, his or her body measurements
9
(must/firstly/key in). Once this data 10 (enter), the Fits.me
technology allows the robot to adjust to the body shape, making it possible for the shopper to visualise how a
certain item will fit. Amazingly, around 100,000 different body shapes 11 (can/take on)
by the robots, although only about 2,000 12 (currently/use) for
commercial purposes.

The world’s largest online fashion retailer 13 (attract) by the technology early on,
as were stores in the US and the UK. Feedback so far has been extremely positive, with retailers reporting that
sales 14 (significantly/boost), while the number of returned goods has
dropped noticeably.

B Complete the questions using the correct passive forms of the verbs in the box.

encourage make replace sell send use

1 Would you be more inclined to order clothes from an online retailer if Fits.me technology ?
Why/not?
2 In your opinion, what kinds of goods best online?
3 Why do you think more and more people to shop online these days?
4 Have you ever ordered an item on the Web and something you weren’t happy with? Give details.
5 In what ways do you think Internet shopping even easier in the future?
6 In your view, could shops ever completely by Internet selling?

C Work in pairs. Ask and answer the questions from B. Make sure you support your opinions with reasons and examples.

Solutions 2nd edition  Upper-Intermediate © Oxford University Press • Photocopiable

 5B A better fit

Aims  To review and practise passive forms. To encourage

students to share opinions and ideas.
Time  10−15 minutes
Materials  1 handout for each student
• Give each student a handout and tell them to complete task
A. Check answers as a class, taking the opportunity to review
rules for using the passive.
Answer Key
1 have been bought/are bought 8 are known
2 being returned 9 must firstly be keyed in
3 are sent back 10 is entered/has been entered
4 are wasted 11 can be taken on
5 has recently been developed 12 are currently being used
6 was created 13 was attracted
7 is composed 14 have been significantly
boosted
• Tell students to complete task B. Check answers as a class.
Answer Key
1 was used 4 been sent
2 are sold 5 will/could be made
3 are (being) encouraged 6 be replaced
• Working in pairs, students complete task C. Get feedback
from the class on their opinions and personal experiences.

Solutions 2nd edition  Upper-Intermediate © Oxford University Press