Englich for Talking. Учебно-методическое пособие

Unit 6

SHOPS AND SHOPPING

W o r d l i s t

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Text 1.

Big cities are wonderful places to go shopping. The range and variety of goods is immense and the prices, which are rather important, are very

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competitive. There you can find everything from designer clothes and jewellery to children’s toys and the latest gadgets.

Separate shops (such as baker’s, butcher’s, fishmonger’s, chemist’s, confectionery, dairy, grocer’s, greengrocer’s…) are often combined to form a department store where a customer can buy almost all he needs in the way of consumer goods or food stuffs: ready made clothes, shoes, hosiery, leather goods, china and glass, sportswear….

Some people prefer supermarkets because they can buy a lot of necessary things there and it doesn’t take them long to do it. Others prefer smaller shops where they get personal service.

Cities and states in America, for example, have the right to charge an additional percentage on the cost of some items in order to raise revenues. A sales tax of about 7 to 10 % of the price is added to the bill for many non-food items. Taxable items may include technical equipment, books, records, paper and household products, alcoholic beverages, cameras and films, clothing, cigarettes. You should be aware that the prices listed on items in stores do not include sales tax. It will be added to your bill by a cashier.

When entering a store you may be asked to leave bags, backpacks with a store clerk behind a counter. You should retrieve them as you exit the store after you have completed your purchases. To purchase items you should bring the cost of them using either the price written on the item itself or a bar code which electronically scans for a price stored by the cash register. When the cashier totals all the items and adds any applicable tax, you should pay for your purchase. He/she will put the items in a plastic or paper bag and hand it to you or may staple the bag shut for security reasons. Big shops usually have baskets and trolleys (carts – AmE) for carrying items around the store.

If you are in America, convenience stores may be useful to you. Most of them are open 24 hours each day. These stores may carry convenience foods – food that can be prepared quickly and easily: frozen, canned, packaged. People with busy life styles tend to rely on this kind of food.

If you need inexpensive used items, sports equipment or furniture, you may find them at garage and yard sales. There you may negotiate (haggle) over the price.

Corner shops are typical of Britain. They are small shops, usually but not always on a corner. They sell food, cigarettes, and newspapers. Many are run by Indian or Pakistani families. Delicatessens (delis) sell high quality cheeses, salads, cooked meats prepared to use in sandwiches, breads, beverages and condiments.

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You can also buy quality goods at outlets. Outlets are stores where factory overruns and seconds are sold at bargain prices. Overruns come about when manufacturers misjudge the market, e.i. they produce more goods than they can sell at regular prices. Seconds are items that do not measure up to a manufacturer’s quality standards. Many, however, have only minor, hidden flaws.

Today’s discount stores have changed in response to consumer demands. Many have upgraded their clothing departments and now offer stylish, fashion-oriented items.

Knowing what you need and how much you want to spend also allows you to choose the right place to shop. Smart consumers do not limit themselves to department stores and speciality shops. They consider other alternatives.

Text 2.

London has a superb range of shops, catering for every taste and pocket. Oxford Street is probably London’s most well-known shopping street renowned for its fashion, shoe shops and large department stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis. The largest branch of the Marks & Spencer chain is situated near Marble Arch – well worth a visit.

M & S is Britain’s favourite store. Tourists love it too. It attracts a great variety of customers, from housewives to millionaires. Dustin Hoffman and the British Prime Minister are just a few of its famous customers. It all started more than 100 years ago, when a young Polish immigrant Michael Marks had a stall in Leeds market. He didn’t have many things to sell: some cotton, a little wool, lots of buttons, and a few shoelaces. Above his stall he put the now famous notice: “Don’t ask how much – it’s a penny”. Ten years later he met Tom Spencer and together they started Penny stall in many towns in the north of England. Today there are 56 branches of M&S all over the world – in America, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium and Hungary.

The distinguished Royal Warrant coats of arms above shop doorways is an indication that the establishment has the royal seal of approval. One of the most famous of these royal warrant holders is Garrard& Co on Regent Street – the jewelers responsible for the care and upkeep of the Crown Jewels, and the shop where Princess Diana’s engagement ring was bought. This fashionable street is noted for its high quality clothing shops, such as Aquascutum, Austin Reed and Burberry. Two particularly famous shops are Liberty, who specialize in fine fabrics and silk scarves, and Hamleys, one of the best-known toy shops in the world. Other shops with

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the royal seal of approval include Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly, Thresher and Glenny renowned for shirts, and Trickers, where Prince Charles buys some of his shoes.

If you are searching for designer fashions and luxury goods then Bond Street and Knightsbridge are the places to go. You’ll find a great variety of goods here from quality leather goods to fine jewellery and antiques. The Scotch House specialises in selling Scottish knitwear and authentic tartans and kilts. Knightsbridge is dominated by Harrods, the largest department store in Europe – no matter what you are searching for, you are bound to find it here!

Harrods started as a small grocery shop in 1849. The present store has more than 300 departments and a staff over 4,000 people.The display in the food hall is amazing. For example, there is a choice of over 500 types of cheese.

Just across from Piccadilly Circus you will find Lillywhite’s, famous for extensive range of sportswear. Simpson’s is a shop for elegant ladies’ and menswear; Hatchards – for books; Brigg & Sons – for quality leather goods, riding equipment, umbrellas.

Covent Garden used to be the site of an old flower, fruit and vegetable market. Nowadays it is a buzzing area, packed with trendy shops, market stalls, intimate bistros and wine bars.

Text 3.

Is every woman a shopaholic?

– I don’t know but I am.

I stop at a newsstand and buy a copy of the FM (FinancialTimes) and tuck it neatly under my arm, admiring my reflection in the window of Denny and George.

I don’t look bad, I think. I’m wearing my black skirt from French Connection, and a plain white T-shirt from Knickerbox, and an angora cardigan, which I got from M&S, but looks like it might be Agnes B. And my new square-toed shoes from Hobbs.

It’s a habit of mine itemizing all the clothes I’m wearing as though for a fashion page. I’ve been doing it for years – ever since I used to read Just Seventeen. Every issue, they’d stop a girl on the street, take a picture of her, and list all her clothes.”T-shirt: Chelsea Girl; jeans: Top shop; shoes: borrowed from friend.” I used to read those lists avidly – and to this day, if I buy something from a shop that’s a bit uncool, I cut the label out. So that if I’m ever stopped in the street, I can pretend I don’t know where it’s from.

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So anyway. There I am, gazing at myself, thinking I look pretty good, and half wishing someone from Just Seventeen would pop up with a camera

– when suddenly my eyes focus and snap to attention, and my heart stops. In the window of Denny and George is a dark green sign: Sale.

It can’t be true. They never have a sale. Their scarves and pashminas are so coveted, they could probably sell them at twice the price.

I swallow and push open the door of the tiny shop. The nice blond girl looks up. I don’t know her name but I’ve always liked her. Unlike some snotty cows in clothes shops, she doesn’t mind if you stand for ages staring at clothes you really can’t afford to buy.

The blond girl smiles. I can see rows of scarves, neatly folded, with dark green “50 per cent off” signs above them. Printed velvet, beaded silk, embroidered cashmere all with the discreet ‘Denny and George’ signature. They are everywhere. I don’t know where to start. I think I’m having a panic attack.

… This one is made of silky velvet, overprinted in a paler blue and dotted with iridescent beads. As I stare at it, I can feel little invisible strings silently tugging me towards it. There is no question. I have to have this scarf. I have to have it. It makes my eyes look bigger; it makes my haircut look more expensive, it makes me look like a different person. I’ll be able to wear it with everything.

I take out my purse, open it up and reach for the money (my VISA card), but my fingers hit bare leather. I stop in surprise and start to rummage through all the pockets of my purse. And then, with a sickening thud, I remember …

Exercises:

Ex. 1. Read Text 1 and answer the questions.

1.Why are big cities wonderful places to go shopping?

2.What is sales tax? What goods are taxable?

3.What is the procedure of buying things in shops?

4.What kind of shops do people prefer? Why?

5.Are convenience stores useful? Why?

6.Where can you buy inexpensive used items? Do you think this kind of shops is meant for a specific group of shoppers?

7.Why do people buy seconds?

8.Do you know how to choose the right place to shop?

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Ex. 2. Paraphrase or explain.

1.The prices are very competitive.

2.In small shops people get personal service.

3.Some states in America charge an additional percentage on the cost of some items to raise revenues.

4.When the cashier totals all the items, you should pay for your purchase.

5.They may staple your bag shut for security reason.

6.I had to haggle with the taxi driver over the fare.

7.Outlets are stores where factory overruns are sold at bargain prices (at a bargain).

8.The items have hidden flaws.

9.Today discount stores have changed in response to consumer demands.

10.Many corner shops are run by Indian and Pakistani families.

Ex. 3. Find the English for the following words and phrases.

Use them in retelling and discussing Text 1.

Разнообразие товаров, детские игрушки, рыбный магазин, кондитерская, универмаг, потребительские товары, модельная одежда, ювелирные изделия, технические новинки, взимать дополнительную плату, налог с продаж, напитки, рюкзаки, тележка, покупки, кассир, замороженные продукты, стандарты качества, по сниженным ценам, быть типичным для…, консервы, торговаться, качественные товары, давать неправильную (ошибочную) оценку, производитель, в соответствии с требованиями покупателей, фирменный магазин.

Ex. 4. Read Text 2 and answer the questions.

1.What is Oxford Street famous for?

2.What does M&S stand for? What is the story of this store? Why do people like doing the shopping here? Is it a chain store (and what is a chain store)?

3.What is Regent Street noted for?

4.Where can you buy luxury goods in London?

5.Tell your group-mate which shop to choose if he\ she wants to buy books, leather goods, sportswear, flowers.

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Ex. 5. Paraphrase or explain.

1.The city has a superb range of shops catering for every taste and pocket.

2.The distinguished Royal Warrant coats of arms above shop doorways is an indication that the establishment has the royal seal of approval.

3.Shops specialized in fine fabrics.

4.The street is packed with trendy shops.

5.The display in the food hall is amazing.

Ex. 6. Find the English for the following words and phrases.

Use them in retelling and discussing Text 2.

Наиболее известная торговая улица, стоит посетить, миллионер, шнурки, обручальное кольцо, специализироваться в…, знаменитый, содержание в исправности (ремонт, уход), антиквариат, спортивная одежда, мужская одежда.

Ex. 7. Read Text 3 and answer the questions.

1.Who do we call a shopaholic?

2.Who is Denny and who is George?

3.Why does the author describe the clothes she is wearing?

4.What attracts her attention? Why is she so surprised?

5.Why does she like the shop assistant?

6.What does she want to buy? Why?

7.Could you think of an end of the story?

Ex. 8. Paraphrase or explain.

1.It’s a habit of mine itemizing all the clothes I’m wearing as though for a fashion page.

2.If I buy something uncool, I cut the label out.

3.Things they sell are so coveted; they could sell them at twice the price.

4.I swallow and push open the door of the shop.

5.As I stare at the scarf, I can feel little invisible strings silently tugging me towards it.

6.… but my fingers hit bare leather.

7.I wish someone would pop up with a camera.

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Ex. 9. Find the English for the following words and phrases. Use them in retelling and discussing Text 3.

Газетный киоск, экземпляр, отражение в витрине, оторвать этикетку, фотографировать кого-то, распродажа, продать за двойную цену, простенькая белая футболка, рассматривать себя, в отличие от других продавцов, 50% скидка, паниковать, вынуть кошелек, номер (газеты), не можешь позволить себе купить что-либо, вышитый шарф, переливающийся (сверкающий) бисер, аккуратно сложенные изделия, стрижка, занимать у кого-то деньги, составлять перечень, туфли с квадратным носком, выглядеть совсем другим человеком, вышитый бисером шелковый шарф, невидимые нити, рыться в карманах.

Ex. 10. Add nouns to the following adjectives. Use these word combinations in sentences of your own.

Model 1. When I go to the river, I take an inflatable mattress. I can’t swim. Disposable, adjustable, inflatable, lockable, washable, detachable, reversible, unbreakable, edible, saleable, convertible.

Ex. 11. Match a word from A with a word from B. Use a dictionary if necessary. Translate into Russian.

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