Text 25 How Big Is Your Family?

The most common type of household in England, Scotland and Wales today is two people, either married or living together, without children.

Twenty-seven per cent of households consist of people who live on their own. Most people living alone are widows, but there has been a big increase in the number of men who live alone. This is because a large number of couples get divorced, whereas women often live with the children.

Nowadays, nine per cent of families are lone parents with children. Women are usually the head of this type of household. Just over 17 per cent of families with children are headed by single mothers, with about one per cent headed by a lone father.

Nowadays, if two people are living together, they are not necessarily married. Eighteen per cent of unmarried people aged between 16 and 59 years old are living with someone.

People still get married, often after living together, but there is increasing chance that the marriage ends in divorce.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the most common type of household in Britain? 2. Do British people often live together without getting married?

Text 26 Shops and Shopping

In the centre of most towns and villages there is a main street with lots of different shops. This street is usually called the High Street. The high streets of Britain are beginning to look more the same. This is because they are full of branches of big chain-stores.

One of the best-known chain-stores is Marks & Spencer, which sells clothes and food. The company has over 700 stores world-wide and has a reputation for good quality. If you buy something that you decide you don’t like, you can take it back and get your money back.

In most high streets there is a charity shop. All the profits from the things sold go to charity. Oxford is the best-known chain of charity shops and it sells second-hand clothes and books.

Department stores are found in all big cities. They are big shops where you can find almost everything you want and which offer a wide choice of things. The most famous British department store, Harrods, started as a small grocery shop in 1849. The present store has more than 300 departments and a staff of over 4000 people. The display in the food hall is amazing.

Street markets are both fun and cheap. Most markets sell fruit and vegetables, clothes, things for the house, records and jewellery. In London, there are about 40 or 50 markets. Some specialize in flowers, pets or second-hand books.

Some towns are called market towns: a market is held there, usually once a week. People come from the surrounding villages to do their shopping.

Eight-seven per cent of British people live less than a mile from their local corner shop. A corner shop is a small shop on, or near, a street corner. Many are run by Indian or Pakistani families. Most corner shops sell food and newspapers. They are open until late in the evening, as well as on Sundays.

Answer these questions:

1. What is there in the centre of most towns and villages? 2. What do you know about Marks & Spencer? 3. Is there a charity shop in most high streets? 4. Where are department stores found? 5. What can you find there? 6. What do street markets sell? 7. How many markets are there in London? 8. Why do people come from the surrounding villages? 9. Where are corner shops?