Topical Vocabulary
department store
to go shopping
shop-assistant, sales girl, salesman
to attract
customer, shopper (regular) ()
sales times
to make a purchase
to buy smth at a sale -
ready-made clothes
bedding
stationery
hardware
electrical goods
confectionary
household goods
sportswear
reasonable prices
parking lot
to prefer smth to smth - -
self-service
to have in mind ,
to fit smb perfectly , ,
to pay cash
to match , ( , ..)
to wear for ages
to offer
to call at some place -
to call on smb - ( -)
to try on smth for (size) -
to put on / to take off /
change
to get a refund
to exchange ,
changing-room = fitting room
over there
to cost
What about the price? ?
to spend ()
receipt
bargain
cash desk
Im looking for
I dont think I can afford it. , .
Are you being served? ?
We have a wide choice of
1. Brainstorming.
1. Are there many department stores in your city / Kiev?
2. What department stores attract people from all over the country?
3. Why do these department stores attract a lot of people?
4. Are there department stores for children in your city / Kiev?
5. What goods can you buy there?
6. What attracts children in childrens department stores?
7. Why do many people prefer to go shopping for clothes to department stores?
8. Is it convenient to call at a department store on Sunday? Why?
9. What department store do you usually go shopping to?
10. What departments are there in that department store?
11. Why do you prefer this department store to others?
12. When did you last go shopping for clothes?
13. What did you buy?
14. Where did you try it on?
15. Did the first coat (suit) fit you nicely or did you have to ask the salesgirl to bring you another?
16. Why did you decide to buy it?
17. How much did it cost?
2. Read and translate the text.
Shops and Shopping in London
Most of Londons big department stores and rich shops are in the West End.
One of the most popular shopping centres in the West End as well as in London is Oxford Street. Its nice shops and department stores attract people from all over the country and foreigners too. It is always crowded with shoppers especially at sales times, in January and July.
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Shops and department stores are open every day till 6 oclock except on Sundays. If you cant go shopping during the day you can make a purchase on Thursday after office hours, at the shops close at 8 oclock in Oxford Street on that day.
One of the largest department stores in Oxford Street is Selfridges. It has about 235 different departments:
Mens and Womens Wear, Ready-Made Childrens Clothes, Bedding, Confectionary, Stationery, Hardware, Electrical Goods and many others.
Selfridges is a very expensive department store that is why most Londoners prefer to go to cheaper shops: Marks & Spencers for clothes and supermarkets for food.
Marks & Spencers is a self-service chain store. It sells quality goods at reasonable prices, therefore it is very popular.
Supermarkets, many of which are chain stores too, sell not only food but household goods too.
Hypermarkets have become especially popular recently. They are very big supermarkets (usually) outside London with parking lots for customers, who come shopping in their cars and buy food for a whole week.
Notes:
1. Selfridges = Selfridges Department Store ( 1909 ). * , , (.: The Central Department Store).
2. Marks & Spensers , . .
3. a chain store - , .
3. Agree or disagree. Give your reasons.
1. Oxford Street is the most popular shopping centre in London.
2. Shops and department stores are open in Oxford Street every day.
3. Many people prefer a department store for shopping.
4. Most Londoners go shopping to Selfridges.
5. Supermarkets have become very popular lately.
6. There is no difference between a supermarket and a hypermarket.
4. Say what you have learned from the text:
1) about Oxford Street and its shops:
2) Why does Oxford Street attract people from all over England?
3) Why do shops in Oxford Street close at 8 p.m. on Thursday?
4) about Marks & Spencer shops;
5) Why do people prefer to shop at Marks & Spencer and supermarkets?
6) about Selfridges;
7) about supermarkets and hypermarkets.
5. Read and translate the dialogues in pairs. Act them out.
I.
One Sunday morning Mr Borisov went shopping in Oxford Street, as he was to leave London soon. He called at the mens department of a big department store. He came up to a salesgirl and asked her to help him to choose a suit.
Salesgirl: What kind of suit do you have in mind, sir?
Borisov: Id like a light suit for summer wear, nothing too modern.
Salesgirl: Whats your size, sir?
Borisov: Im afraid, I dont know my English size.
Salesgirl: Youll have to try on this one for size in the changing room over there.
(in the changing room)
Borisov: I dont think its my size: the jacket is too tight and the trousers are too short.
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Salesgirl: Yes, I think the suit is one size too small for you, here is another one, a size larger.
(a few minutes later)
Salesgirl: It looks fine on you. It fits you perfectly.
Borisov: So it does..
Salesgirl: Its of very good quality, itll wear for ages.
Borisov: Will it? Thats nice. How much is it?
Salesgirl: It costs ₤
Borisov: Well, I think Ill take it, I like the style and the colour.
Salesgirl: Will you pay cash?
Borisov: Can I pay by credit card?
Salesgirl: Yes, certainly. Here is your purchase. Thank you for coming.
Borisov: One more thing, please. Where can I buy a pair of shoes and socks?
Salesgirl: On the fourth floor. In the shoe department. You can also buy there a tie to match
your suit.
Borisov: Thank you. And where can I find joggers?
Salesgirl: In the sportswear department. Its on the ground floor.
Borisov: Thank you.
Salesgirl: You are welcome.
II.
A.: Are you being served, sir? What can I get for you?
B.: Well, Id like a size 18 sweater in grey.
A.: Oh, certainly, we have a wide range of fashionable sweaters. How about this one? Only $ 17.
B.: Yes, but Im afraid the colour is too dull. Havent you anything smarter?
A.: Hmm I see. May be this one? It really looks great.
B.: May I try it on?
A.: Certainly. This way, please. Oh, sir, this is just the thing for you!
B.: Yes, it looks all right. What about the price?
A.: 29.90. Not cheap, of course, but its worth the money.
B.: Well, I think Ill take it.
A.: Thank you, sir. Youve made a real bargain, I assure you. The cash desk is straight ahead.
6. Fill in the blanks with the missing remarks.
* * *
A.: ....?
B.: Yes, Id like a pair of shoes.
A.: .?
B.: I want black high-heeled shoes.
A.: .?
B.: Yes, this pair is very smart. How much is it?
A.: .
B.: Oh, Im afraid thats too expensive. I dont think I can afford it.
A.: ?
B.: Hmm Yes, its nice. I think Ill take it.
* * *
A.: Good morning, sir. Can I help you?
B.: ..
A.: Oh, we have a wide range of ties. Have a look at this one. Its of the latest fashion.
B.: ..
A.: I see. Well, how about this one? Its not very bright and itll match your suit perfectly.
But Im afraid its more expensive.
B.:
A.: Very well, sir. The cash desk is on your left.
7. a) Match the names of the departments with the goods.
Use a dictionary if necessary.
| Department | Goods |
| Radio equipment Household goods Shoes Mens wear Womens wear Sports wear Cutlery Bedding Confectionary Crockery Stationery Electrical goods | sugar joggers tights tea pots irons speakers kettles blankets T-shirts coffee clips cups, plates, saucers socks CDs pillows radio sets vests forks, knives, spoons earphones ballpoint pens coffee makers towels sheets TV-sets video cassettes tape recorders paper biscuits cakes |
b) Say: what kind of goods you can buy at the above departments;
what other goods you can buy at those departments.
8. Can you match up the two lists of things you may want to buy?
1. a packet of a. Ambre Solaire
2. a bar of b. milk
3. a bunch of c. chocolates
4. a box of d. rolls
5. a pint of e. soap
6. half a pound of f. roses
7. a quarter of g. matches
8. a tube of h. razorblades
9. half a dozen i. butter
10. a bottle of j. toothpaste
9. Imagine you are at the department store. Ask the shop-assistant:
- how you can get to the leather shoe department;
- if they have got gloves (sweaters, dresses) in your size;
- if they have something cheaper in dark (light);
- what blouse of the latest style she can recommend you;
- where they sell ready-made clothes;
- where you can buy a cheap suit for everyday wear;
- what the latest fashion in shoes (ties, shirts, skirts) is.
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10. Substitute the English equivalents of the words in brackets for the words in bold type. Reproduce the dialogue in pairs.
Shop-assistant: Good afternoon, madam! What can I do for you?
Customer: Id like to have a look at some fashionable dresses. (, , , , , )
Sh.-a.: Weve got a big range of dresses. This way, madame.
C.: Are they in dark colours? (, , , , , )
Sh.-a.: It depends. Most of the articles are in natural colours of soil. (, , )
C.: Would you show me that dress over there. (, , , , , ) How much does it cost?
Sh.-a.: It costs 340 hrivnas. The price has been recently reduced because we have a seasonal sale now. I think its quite a bargain for you. You see its natural fibre material its made of.
C.: I like it. I believe it will suit me. May I try it on?
Sh.-a.: Of course, you may. Whats your size, madam?
C.: Its 48 size. (46, 50, 52)
Sh.-a.: It means that you have 96 cm bust circumference. (92, 100, 104)
C.: Is my size available at your shop?
Sh.-a.: Yes, its available. Please, pass to booth No. 4, madam, for trying it on.
11. A) You are going to read a magazine article about one of Britains most famous shops Marks & Spencer. Work in pairs and use dictionaries if necessary.
The following people, places and things are in the article. What connection do you think they have with Marks & Spencer? They appear here in the same order as in the text.
- the Duchess of York - Spain
- ₤10 million - Paris and New Castle
- a Polish immigrant - jumpers
- shoelaces - chiropodists
Now read the article quickly and discuss the list again.
Marks & Spencer
Britains favourite store
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is Britains favourite store. Tourists love it too. It attracts a great variety of customers, from housewives to millionaires. The Duchess of York, Dustin Hoffman, and the British Prime Minister are just a few of its famous customers.
Last year it made a profit of ₤529 million, which is more than ₤10 million a week.
How did it all begin?
It all started over 110 years ago, when a young Polish immigrant, Michael Marks, had a stall in Leeds market. He didnt 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: Dont ask how much its a penny. Ten years later, he met Tom Spencer and together they started Penny Stalls in any towns in the north of England. Today there are 564 branches of M&S all over the world in America, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium, and Hungary.
What are the best-sellers?
Surprisingly, tastes in food and clothes are international. What sells well in Paris sells just as well in Newcastle. Their best-selling clothes are:
- For women: jumpers, bras, and knickers (M&S is famous for its knickers).
- For men: shirts, socks, pyjamas, dressing gowns and suits.
- For children: underwear and socks.
Best-sellers in food include: fresh chickens, bread, vegetables, and sandwiches. Chicken Kiev is internationally the most popular convenience food.
Why is M&S so successful?
The store bases its business on three principles: good value, god quality, and good service. Also, it changes with the times once it was all jumpers and knickers. Now its food, furniture, and flowers as well. Top fashion designers advise on styles of clothes.
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But perhaps the most important key to its success is its happy, well-trained staff. Conditions of work are excellent. There are company doctors, dentists, hairdressers, and even chiropodists to look after the staff, and all the staff can have lunch for under 40p.
B) Here are some answers. What are the questions?
1. .
₤529 million.
2. .
110 years ago.
3. .
Poland.
4. .
No, he only had a few things.
5. .
564.
6. .
Because it gives good value, good quality, and good service.
7. ...
No, it doesnt. It sells food and furniture as well.
8.
Less than 40p.
C) Here are the four headings from the article. Use these to help you say in a few words about the main points of the article.
Use the headings to help you to talk about one of the favourite stores in your city / country.
12. The following text is divided into short extracts marked with numbers. Some of the extracts are correct and some have words which shouldnt be there. If there is an odd word, write it next to the number of the extract (given below the text).
(1) The British dont think much about fashion very much. Most people go down (2) to their nearest shopping street and to buy something from a chain store. (3) The most popular of these stores, with a shop in such every town, is Marks (4) and Spencer. It is Britains favourite store. (5) It started more than a hundred years ago before when a young Polish (6) immigrant, Michael Marks, had a stall in Leeds Market. He didnt have that (6) many things to sell: some cotton, lots of buttons and a few shoe-laces. (7) Ten years later, he met Tom Spencer and together they started Penny Stalls (8) in many towns in the north of the England. Today there are more than 500 (9) branches of M&S all over through the world.
1. ______ _ _____ 2. ____________ 3. ___________
4. ____________ 5. ____________ 6. ___________
7. ____________ 8. ____________ 9. ___________
13. Most large British towns have a branch of the following shops. Match up the shop with its description.
1. Boots a. mens and womens clothes
2. Woolworths b. modern design shop
3. Marks and Spencers c. babys clothes
4. WH Smiths d. cheaper department store
5. Next e. more up-market store
6. British Home Stores f. less up-market store
7. Mothercare g. chemist and department store
8. Habitat h. newsagent and bookshop
14.Imagine that you are buying different things: a suit, a skirt, a blouse, shoes. Choose anything you like. Make up dialogues in pairs consulting the table of sizes and using the dialogues above as a model.
| Womens suits | Mens suits | ||
| GB/USA | Europe/Ukraine | GB/USA | Europe/ Ukraine |
| Mens shirts | |
| GB/USA | Europe/Ukraine |
| 12.5 13.5 14.5 15.5 16.5 17.5 | 30 31 34 35 39 40 44 - 45 |
| Womens dresses and blouses | ||
| GB | USA | Europe/Ukraine |
| Mens shoes | |
| GB/USA | Europe/Ukraine |
| 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 - 11 | 38 39 39 40 40 41 41 42 42 - 43 |
| Womens shoes | ||
| GB | USA | Europe/Ukraine |
| 4.5 5.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 | 5.5 6.5 7.5 7.5 8.5 8.5 9.5 9.5 10.5 10.5 11.5 11.5 12.5 | 36.5 39.5 40.5 41.5 42.5 |
15. Look at the lines of some conversations in a clothes shop. Who says them, the customer or the shop assistant? Put C or A. Can you match any lines? Pracrise the dialogues in pairs.
