Shops and Shopping in London

A

Oxford street is one of the biggest and most popular shopping centres in London. Its nice shops and department stores attract people from all over the country and from foreign countries as well.

Shops and department stores work every day till 6 o'clock except on Sundays. If you can't go shopping during the day you can make a purchase on Thursday after office hours, as the shops close at 8 o'clock in Oxford street on that day.

There are different kinds of shops in Oxford Street:

there are clothes shops and shoe shops, book shops and dress shops. But many people prefer a department store, as it offers almost everything in one building.

One of the largest department stores in Oxford Street is Selfridge's. It has about 235 different departments. It is a very expensive department store, that is why most Londoners have to go to cheaper shops: Marks and Spensor's for clothes and supermarkets for food.

Supermarkets have become very popular with shoppers. They sell not only food, but also ready-made clothes, toys and other goods. They are self-service shops.

B

On Saturday morning Borisov went shopping in Oxford Street as he was to leave London soon. He called at the men's 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: I'd like a light suit for summer wear, nothing too modern.

Salesgirl: Single- or double-breasted?

Borisov: Single-breasted, please.

Salesgirl: What's your size, sir?

Borisov: I'm afraid, I don't know my English size.

Salesgirl: You'll have to try on this one for size in the fitting-room over there.

Borisov: I don't think it's my size: the jacket is too tight and the trousers are too short.

Salesgirl: Yes, I think the suit is one size too small for you, here is another, a size larger. It looks fine on you. It fits you perfectly.

Borisov: So it does.

Salesgirl: It's of very good quality, it'll wear for ages.

Borisov: Will it? That's nice. How much is it?

Salesgirl: It costs 50...

Borisov: Well, I think I'll take it, I like the style and the colour.

Salesgirl: Will you pay cash?

Borisov: Cash, please.

Salesgirl: Here is your purchase. Thank you for coming.

Borisov: One more thing, please. Where can I buy a pair of shoes?

Salesgirl: On the fourth floor. You can take the lift.

Borisov: Thank you.

 

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Why does Oxford Street in London attract people?

2. How do shops and department stores work in London?

3. Why do the shops close at 8 o'clock in Oxford Street on Thursday?

4. What kinds of shops are there in Oxford street?

5. What kind of shops do many people prefer?

6. What is one of the largest department stores in Oxford street?

7. How many departments does it have?

8. Is it a very expensive department store?

9. What are the cheap shops in London?

10. Why do the supermarkets very popular with shoppers?

11. Where did Borisov go shopping on Saturday?

12. Where did he call at?

13. What did he want to choose there?

14. Did he buy a suit?

15. Did he enjoy his purchase?

16. What else did he want to buy?

III. Give your view-point of shops and shopping.

J	Speaking Practice

I. Translate the following speech patterns and memorize them:

I have some shopping to do today.

I want to go and buy...

When does the department store open (close)?

How long do they keep open on Saturdays?

It's closing time.

Let's go to the rag fair.

This is a first-rate shop.

Where can one buy gloves?

Please tell me how to get to the ready-made clothes departments?

Oh, here is a place where they sell gloves.

Let's go over to the counters.

I want to buy a hand-bag.

I would like to see some ties.

I'm sorry but it isn't what I want.

No, that isn't quite what I want.

I think this one will suit me best.

There is a very poor choice of ties in that shop.

What have you in stock in the line of...?

They have a wide choice of... at that shop.

You must pay to the cashier.

How much would you like?

The price is indicated on the price ticket.

 

II. Read the conversations and then role play them.

 

1.

Mike: It's a wonderful shop!

Bob: It is. I always do shopping here. Here is the shopping list. Let's go to the meat counter.

Mike: I'm fond of dairy products.

Bob: Look! The chicken is splendid and the beef is of superior quality. Now let's go for dairy products. They are in aisle 7.

Mike: All right. Here are the eggs, unsalted butter, sour milk, sour cream and bottled milk.

Bob: Look at the date of the label, please.

Mike: It's March twenty first for sour milk and sour cream and twenty second for the milk.

Bob: That's good. Today is the eighteenth.

Mike: What does it mean?

Bob: The date indicates the last day the shop can sell this item. It's for perishable foods.

Mike: I see you're an experienced customer.

Bob: I am. What's next on the shopping list?

Mike: I think juice. Let's buy apple juice. I prefer Ukrainian brands.

Bob: It makes no difference for me. The juice is in aisle two.

Mike: Here it is. The lemons and oranges look fine. Let's have some.

Bob: O.K. Our cart is full up. Let's go to the cash register.

 

2.

Kate: We haven't got any vegetables and fruit. Let's do some shopping.

Ann: O.K. What shall we buy?

Kate: First of all, potatoes, beats, carrots, cabbage, brown onions and some greens.

Ann: Shall we buy tomatoes and cucumbers.

Kate: Why? Of course. At the fruiter's we can buy some apricots, grapes and plums.

Ann: I'd like a water-melon.

Kate: O.K. Let's go.

 

3.

Shop-assistant: What can I do for you?

Boris: I'd like to buy a sweater.

Shop-assistant: What size do you wear?

Boris: Fifty-two. Dark colours, please: black or brown.

Shop-assistant: Try on this one. It's of pure wool.

4.

Mary: I'd like to buy an everyday dress.

Shop-assistant: We've got fashionable ones. Try on this one.

Mary: It's a bit tight.

Shop-assistant: Oh, no. It's a modern silhouette.

Mary: I'm afraid it's too expensive for me.

Shop-assistant: This model is all the fashion now.

Mary: Well, I'll think it over.

 

5.

Ann to her girl-friend: Jane, I want new shoes. Let's go to the shoe shop.

(Ann and Kate come up to the shoe counter).

Shop-assistant: What can I do for you?

Ann: I want leather evening shoes.

Shop-assistant: What's you size shoe?

Ann: Thirty six.

Shop-assistant: I'd recommend you this pair

(Ann tries them on).

Ann: So sorry. They are tight on me. Show me another pair, dark brown color.

Shop-assistant: Here you are.

Ann: That's just my size.

(She pays the money and takes the box. The girls go to
the perfumery).

Jane: I'd like to buy face cream, lipstick, nail varnish, powder and perfume.

(The girls come up to the perfumery counter).

Shop-assistant: What can I do for you?

Jane: I want face cream for dry skin, lipstick, nail varnish, powder for dry skin and some French perfume.

Shop-assistant: What color would you like for lipstick and nail varnish?

Jane: One crimson, the other brownish, the same for nail varnish. I think this perfume suits me.

Shop-assistant: Here you are.

(The salesgirl wraps up the face cream, lipstick, nail varnish, facer powder and scents. Jane pays the money to the cash desk, gives the check to the sales girl, gets her package and the girl go out of the shop pleased with their shopping.)

 

III. Act out your own dialogues dealing with the topic: "Shops and Shopping".

 

?	Writing Practice

 

I. Read and translate the models:

 

Information Inquiry (Enquiry)

Многие рассылаемые каждый день письма представ­ляют собой запросы информации или ответы на подобные запросы.

Очень важно правильно составить такой запрос, ведь человека, который сможет компетентно ответить на Ваши вопросы, не так легко найти. Поэтому в письме Вы должны уметь объяснить, какая конкретно информация Вам требуется.

При составлении письма можно объяснить вкратце, для чего Вам нужна эта конкретная информация, или просто задать возникшие у Вас вопросы. Старайтесь придерживаться тех вопросов, которые позволят человеку понять, что Вы от него хотите.

Письма-запросы в деловой корреспонденции пишут­ся в следующих случаях:

• Если Вы желаете получить информацию о товарах.

• Если Вам требуется узнать об их наличии на Складе.

• Если Вам необходимо узнать об условиях поставки, скидках, видах транспортировки.

• Если Вы хотите, чтобы вам выслали каталоги, проспекты, брошюры и образцы товара.

В письме-запросе следует указать источник информации, четко сформулировать суть вопроса, кратко представить Вашу компанию или себя лично. Завершить письмо лучше фразой, выражающей надежду па плодотворное и взаимовыгодное сотрудничество в будущем.

Model №1

Dear Sir I read about your new tape recorder in yesterday's BUSINESS NEWS. I would be grateful if you would send me further information including: unit cost; discount for the wholesale purchase; delivery periods and payment terms. Yours faithfully John Brown

 

Model №2

AN ENQUIRY The Sales Manager 29th May, 19... Glaston Menswear Ltd. 54-59 Riverside Cardiff CFI IJW   Dear Sirs, We are interested in the sweaters that we have seen here on your stand at the "Menswear Exhibition". We are big importers of menswear and we are looking for a manufac­turer who can supply us with a wide range of sweaters for men. As we usually place large orders, we expect a quantity discount, and our terms of payment are for collection. If you agree to these conditions and you can meet orders of over 1000 sweaters at one time, please send us your current catalogue and price-list We hope to hear from you soon. Yours faithfully, L.Sidorov General Director Raznoimport

II. Complete the following letter:

Messrs. Grant & Clarkson 148 Mortimer Street London WI С 37D England October 21, 19... Dear Sirs, We are interested in the assortment of women's dresses that we have... "Ladies' Wear". We are importers of... and we are looking for a producer who can supply us with... As we usually place big orders, we expect a... and we pay for... If these conditions interest you and you can meet orders of over..., please send us your... We look forward... Yours...,

 

 

Lesson 8

 

Reading Practice: Getting About a City. /Excursion.

Speaking Practice: Finding One's Way About Town.

Writing Practice: Offer.

 

&	Reading Practice

Pre-text Exercises

I. Pay attention to the following words and word combinations and make up your own sentences with them:

one of the world's most important ports – один из самых важных портов мира;

to give an idea of something – давать представление о чём-либо;

a multistory building – многоэтажное здание;

Underground or Tube – метро;

a crowded or noisy city – многолюдный и шумный город;

to be famous for... – быть знаменитым чем-либо.

 

II. Read the text and be ready to discuss it.

Getting about London.

What is London?

We can say that it is one of the largest cities in the world, that it is one of the world's most important ports and that it is the capital of Great Britain.

But all these answers do not give any idea of London.

London is more than two thousand and five hundred years old. About seven million people live there. There are more than 10 thousand streets in London.

Most of the streets are not very wide and most of the buildings are not tall, but multistoried buildings have also appeared in London and almost all of them are hotels and offices.

London Underground (or Tube) is the oldest and longest in Europe. There are eleven different lines with more than 500 stations.

Although London is a crowded and noisy city you can find many pleasant parks and green squares there.

Regent's Park is the most beautiful park and Hyde Park is the largest, it is one of the most popular places of rest of Londoners on hot summer days.

There are three main parts in London: the City, the West End and the East End.

The oldest part of London is the City, the business centre. But the political centre is Westminster, which is in the West End.

The West End is famous for its rich shops, hotels, restau­rants, cinemas, museums and other places of interest. Only rich people live there.

The East End is another part of London. Many houses there are poor and many streets are narrow and dirty.

The East End is famous for its docks but they have closed. Now people are building houses there. Already there are offices, shops and restaurants, a cinema and a large hotel for a modern traveller. By 2000 there will be a sports centre, a shopping centre, an airport and many other new buildings.

There is so much to see in London that even Londoners can always find new sights. They like to say:

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

 

III. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the capital of Great Britain?

2. How old is London?

3. What can you say about London streets?

4. How many stations are there in London Underground?

5. Are there any parks and squares in London?

6. What part is the business center?

7. What can you say about the West End and the East End?

8. Why do Londoners like to say: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life?"

 

IV. Give your idea of London.

J	Speaking Practice

 

I. Read and translate the following speech patterns and memorize them:

Excuse me, could you tell me... how to get to...

how I can get to...

the way to...

where the nearest...

Which is the shortest way to...?

Is this the right way to...?

Where does the street lead to...?

Does this bus/train go to...?

I have lost my way.

How long will it take me to get to...?

Must I take to the left or to the right?

Go straight ahead (till you come to the traffic lights).

Take the first (second, next) turning on the left/right.

Take a number... bus and get off...

Take a tube to... /a bus to...

 

II. Read the dialogues and then role play them.

 

Asking the Way

On the first day оf his stay in London Borisov went sightseeing. He saw Piccadilly, one of the most famous streets of London. Then he decided to go to the British Museum. He asked а passer-by to show him the way there.

Borisov: Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the British Museum?

Passer-by: I certainly can. It's a 30 minutes' walk from here, but if you want to get there quickly you can go by bus from Oxford Circus.

Borisov: How do I get to Oxford Circus?

Passer-by: Go straight on, turn right at the traffic lights and in three minutes you are there.

Borisov: What bus do I take?

Passer-by: The 73.

Borisov: At what stop do I get off?

Passer-by: At Great Russel Street. The bus stops at the museum.

Borisov: One more thing: how long will it take me to get to the museum?

Passer-by: Not more than 15 minutes.

Borisov: Many thanks.

Passer-by: Not at all.