Task 4. Learn the words and word combinations given.

downtown –деловой район, деловая часть города, бизнес-центр shopping mall –торговый пассаж outlying –удаленный, дальний selection –выбор, подбор drugstore –аптека item –отдельный предмет hardware –металлические изделия; аппаратное обеспечение kitchen utensils –кухонная утварь outlet –торговая точка; магазин retailing business – розничная торговля

warehouse –товарный склад; большой магазин sales –распродажа merchandise –товары, торговать reduced price(s) –сниженные цены discount store – магазин уцененных товаров tremendous – огромный, гигантский bargain –выгодная покупка, торговаться cluster –скопление, концентрация available –доступный; пригодный

Task 5. Read the text about different kinds of shopping places in the USA.

Shopping in the USA

Most US cities have many shopping areas. Usually there is a «downtown» where business is centered, but often there are large «shopping malls» in outlying districts. In these shopping centers, you can find most of the goods and services you normally need.

Supermarkets. The supermarket is a large store which sells all kinds of food and also small selections of other things, like drugstore items, hardware, kitchen utensils, food for pets and sometimes even clothing. A supermarket usually is part of a chain, one outlet of a large retailing business with great warehouses and many retail stores. Prices in supermarkets are usually lower than in small independent stores. There is a great deal of competition among supermarket chains, with many “specials” and sales which arc often advertised in local newspapers. Some supermarkets carry foreign foods, especially if they are located in the area with a large immigrant population. Walk through a supermarket to become familiar with the wide variety of food and merchandise offered.

Department stores. Department stores have many different “departments”, where you can buy clothing, shoes, appliances, kitchen items, china, gifts, jewelry, etc. Department stores differ in price and quality. They often have sales, during which selected items are sold at reduced prices. Most sales are advertised in local Mass Media.

Discount stores. Discount stores are similar to department stores but generally offer lower prices, because they buy in tremendous quantity (sometimes older or discontinued models) and because the stores are large, economically built and plain. You can find “bargain” (good buys) at discount stores, if you shop with care.

Shopping Centers. Most people in the US shop in “shopping centers” - large clusters of business catering to most normal shopping needs. Usually, there is a supermarket and a drugstore, plus a wide variety of shops and services. Shopping centers usually stay open in the evenings and are often open at least part of the day on Sunday. Visit one or more local shopping centers and make note of business hours and the variety of merchandise and services available.

Task 6. Answer the questions and discuss.

1. Name and describe the main types of shopping areas.

2. Do we have those at our city?

3. Do you know any other types of shopping areas not mentioned in the texts above. Describe those at your city if you know any.

4. Have you ever done shopping abroad? Can you describe any?

5. Can you point out the main differences between our department stores and those abroad (service, goods quality, prices, department sizes, fast food services, etc.)?

Task 7. Summarize the main idea of the texts you’ve read.

Task 8. Imagine you are an architect. Make a scheme or draw a plan of an ideal large department store building.

Task 9. Learn the words and word combinations given.

Before leaving – перед отъездом to buy presents – покупать подарки shopper – заказчик, клиент, покупатель self-service shop – магазин самообслуживания possibility – возможность to call at – заходить department store – универсальный магазин, универмаг cheap – дешевый, недорогой along the counters – вдоль прилавков shop-window – витрина suit – мужской костюм; комплект, набор pair – вещь, состоящая из двух частей; парные предметы; пара glove – перчатка ready-made clothes – готовое платье

right size – нужный размер wear – ношение, носка try on – примерять few suits – несколько костюмов fitting room – примерочная комната fit – соответствовать, годиться, быть впору: совпадать to match – годиться, подходить, соответствовать at least – no крайней мере costs – затраты, издержки, расходы to wear for ages – носиться долго cash – наличные деньги, наличный расчет cashier – кассир change – сдача; мелкие, деньги, мелочь tight – тесный refund – возврат денег

 

Task 10. Read the text about a businessman making purchases.

Making Purchases

When on a business trip abroad I often go shopping. I need to make some purchases before leaving the country because I want to buy presents for my wife and children.

I prefer supermarkets for shopping. They have become very popular with the shoppers because you can buy everything you need under one roof and they are self-service shops and have parking possibility. I can also make a purchase at clothes shops, shoe shops, book shops, etc. But I call at a department store as it has many departments and I can buy everything I need in one building. I don’t like expensive department stores, I prefer to go to cheaper ones. Shops and department stores are open every day till 7 o’clock. Almost all the shops are closed on Sundays.

At the Central Department Store a lot of people move along the counters of the shop and look at the shop-windows choosing what they need. I’d like to buy a suit for me, a pair of gloves for my wife and some toys for my children. There’s a very good choice, of ready-made clothes at the men’s and women’s departments of the store.

I ask the shop-assistant (the sales-girl) to help me choose a summer suit of the right size for everyday (office, better) wear. I try on a few suits in the fitting room. The suit I choose fits me perfectly, it’s in grey and matches my eyes, it’s not expensive. At least, it costs no more than I can spend. I’m sure that it’s my style and it’ll wear for ages. I pay for the suit in cash. The cashier gives me a change. I also buy a pair of nice gloves at the women’s department for my wife. If the gloves are tight, I’ll get a refund. And the toys I buy for my children will be make them happy.

 

Task 11. Make a list of international words. Pay attention to their correct pronunciation and meaning.

Task 12. Give English equivalents to the word combinations. Use the text for reference.

Посещать магазины; делать покупки; двигаться вдоль прилавка; изучать витрины; готовая одежда; костюм нужного размера; в примерочной; примерять костюм; на каждый день; носиться долго; платить наличными; давать сдачу; купить пару перчаток; быть тесным; получить деньги обратно; в универмаге; в одном здании (под одной крышей); возможности парковки.

Task 13. Answer the questions and discuss.

1. When and why do businessmen go shopping?

2. What are advantages and disadvantages of the self-service shops (of supermarkets, department stores)?

3. What can you do if you buy a suit of a wrong size (it’s tight, long or short)?

4. How can you pay for your purchases?

5. Do you prefer cheaper shops to expensive stores?

6. Does shopping take you much time?

7. Is there always a good choice of goods at the nearest store?

8. Do the clothes you buy always wear long (for ages)?

9. Do you like to go shopping? Why? Tell about shopping places in our city you prefer to visit and why? What kind of purchases do you make there? What do you like to buy most of all?

Task 14. Speak about your last visit to a shop to buy food products. Use the following English word combinations. You may consult a dictionary.

To buy something; to go to a shop; to go shopping for food; to buy bread (butter, milk, sugar, cheese, fish, etc.); a wide choice of; on the counter; a food supermarket; to be on sale; to put into a basket; the check-out counter; to add up the prices of the purchases; to pay money to the cashier; to give back the change.

Task 15. Read the text how people can buy on credit.

Buying on Credit

Credit operates everywhere nowadays. In any business most goods and services are bought on credit. Buying on credit has lots of advantages for the purchaser. He receives the goods or services, but keeps his cash for a certain period, during which he can use it in any sorts of ways. He can buy other things or lend it out – for instance, to a bank – and actually earn more money with it.

People buy now and pay later if they carry around credit cards that will be accepted at stores, hotels and restaurants. With a credit card you have to sign your name to make a purchase or get a meal. Of course, the bill for the purchase comes at the end of the month, and that is the time when it’s finally necessary to pay for all those purchases. Thereafter, interest is charged.