Why is the answer 'backs'? Is is the substitute for 'body'?

[Eirene]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #124 "Real Life: Accessories and Clothing (1)", question 4

Both men and women wear shirts on their ..........

(a) necks
(b) feet
(c) backs
(d) eyes

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #124 "Real Life: Accessories and Clothing (1)", answer 4

Both men and women wear shirts on their backs.

Correct answer: (c) backs

Your answer was: correct
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Hello.
I'd like to ask the explanation for the answer. Why is the answer 'backs'? Is is the substitute for 'body'?
Thanks for your explanation.

[Kitosdad]

Yes it is, but a very confusing one, as your question illustrates. Body would have been preferable.
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[Carlsoak]

it`s the seventh time i have to recognise that given answers were switched ( here : backs vs. bodies ). And this is very annoying as a general rule clearly points out that it`s totally confusing for candidates categorized as "beginners" - and thereupon nobody cares and answers.

[Carlsoak]

back = totally wrong . who has had the idea to place this answer into the multiple choice tableau ? back = the backside of a body. thats it and the people wear halved shirts - an interesting fashion feature for the upcoming summer season. ridiculuos, abusively

[Linda]

I don't think "backs" is wrong here.
Example: "He loves me so much that he would give me the shirt off his back."
This is a very common idiom.
Body indicates a larger area. Your body entails your back, chest, head, feet, buttocks etc.
And, I'm not sure what Carlsoak is referring to here. Back and bodies have not been switched (as far as I can see).
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[Carlsoak]

Body indicates a larger area. i agree with this argument at all. but elementary categorised users unfortunately don`t know a lot of very common
idioms.

[Torsten]

That's why Linda wrote this test and that's why she answering your questions.

TOEIC short conversations: Two friends update each other on their schedules

[Linda]

Elementary users are confused because they don't know the English language well. The point of these tests is to choose the best answer out of the choices that you are given and then study and learn from the questions and the correct answers. "Backs" is the right answer (even when compared to body as well as the other options given). "Body" is too general and is, therefore, a very confusing option. It doesn't even give users a clue about where "a shirt" might go on the body.
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[OxfordBlues]

That whole thing is definitely weird as you wear a shirt on your torso, not just your back (that would be a quite tricky thing to accomplish).
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[Linda]

True - you do wear shirts on your torso. However, in English, native speakers do say "take the shirt off my back," for example.
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[OxfordBlues]

This is true, but the idea of selecting a best answer when none are correct has always seemed quite absurd to me. It would probably be best to remove this question or reword it entirely.
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[Linda]

Example of this used in the headline of a recent article:
"Giving back by putting shirts on backs of Haitians"
Posted: Jan 26, 2010 7:04 PM PST Updated: Jan 27, 2010 6:24 AM PST"

Here's another advertisement:
"T-shirts from Breckenridge and Keystone, Colorado!
Welcome to The Shirt Off My Back. We have incredible Colorado, Breckenridge, and Keystone silk-screened and embroidered t-shirts....."

Shirts are also often advertised with terms such as "low-cut backs....." etc.
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[Linda]

There is a correct answer (in my opinion). I don't think that removing the entire question or re-wording it is necessary.
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[OxfordBlues]

Yes but these are plays on the idiomatic usage of 'the shirt off one's back". This question is not in idiomatic form. One of the most challenging things about writing tests and exercises is making sure that there is only one correct answer; this question fails to pass muster in that regard.
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[Linda]

I don't agree. A shirt does rest on a person's back. Therefore, they are worn a person's back. So, there is a correct answer.
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