UNIVERSIDAD TECNOLÓGICA EQUINOCCIAL

DIRECCIÓN DE EXTENSIÓN UNIVERSITARIA

Course of English for customer service

July-August 2013

Prepared by: MSc. Amparo Peralta

MSc. Olga Cárdenas

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Table of Contents
UNIT ONE.................................................................................................................................... 2
At the restaurant............................................................................................................... 2
I. Vocabulary Section ....................................................................................................... 2
Useful Expressions............................................................................................................... 6
Cooking Methods ................................................................................................................. 7
Ordering in a Restaurant ..................................................................................................... 7
II. Grammar Section.......................................................................................................... 9
III. Listening Section ..................................................................................................... 10
IV. Speaking Section .................................................................................................... 11
VI. Writing Section. ............................................................................................................. 12
UNIT TWO................................................................................................................................. 13
At the airport .................................................................................................................... 13
I. Vocabulary Section..................................................................................................... 13
Useful English phrases at the airport................................................................................ 14
II. Grammar Section ........................................................................................................ 15
III. Listening Section ..................................................................................................... 16
IV. Speaking Section .................................................................................................... 17
V. Reading Section.......................................................................................................... 17
VI. Writing Section ........................................................................................................ 18
UNIT THREE .............................................................................................................................. 19
At a Shop ............................................................................................................................. 19
I. Vocabulary Section ..................................................................................................... 19
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS.................................................................................................. 20
II. Grammar Section ........................................................................................................ 21
III. Listening Section ..................................................................................................... 23
IV. Speaking Section .................................................................................................... 23
V. Reading Section. ........................................................................................................ 24
VI. Writing Section. ....................................................................................................... 25
Websites: ............................................................................................................................ 26
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UNIT ONE

At the restaurant

I. Vocabulary Section

A. Match the words from the box with the pictures .

cutlery glass trays fork knife

napkin menu straw tablecloth pitcher

1.
6. wine

7. (of
2. beer)

3.
8.

4.
9.

5. 10.
 3

B. Match the words from the

box with the picture.

1.
7. frying

2.

8. glass

3.

9. of lemon

4.

hairnet soup

slice grill
5.
salad pan

spatula pot

shot

6.
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C. Match the words from the

box with the pictures.

7.

1.

8.

2.

9.

3.

10.

apron
sandwich
4. coaster
vegetables
waiter
plate
bowl
check
5. meat
restroom

http://www.englishformyjob.com
/ell_foodandbeverage.html

6.
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D. Match the words from the

box with the picture.

7.

1.

8.

2.

9.
3.

10.
4.

tomatoes
onions
garlic
spoon
rice
5. bartender
pasta
beer
potatoes
wine

6.
 6

Useful Expressions

A table for two, please. This is on me.

May we sit at this table? Here you are.

The menu, please. The rest is for you.

What's on the menu? Have you got wine by the glass?

Do you want fish? I'd prefer red wine.

We're not ready yet. Please bring us another beer.

The steak for me, please. Could I have chips (AE: French Fries)
instead of salad?
Can you bring me the ketchup, please?
What can you recommend?
A salad, please.
Please bring me the bill (AE: check) with
I'll have the same. my coffee.

That's all, thank you. I think you've made a mistake.

Can I have the bill (AE: check), please?

Practice

Choose one of the expressions above to complete the dialogues:

1. A: Good afternoon, Sir/Madam. May I help you?

B: Yes. ………………………………………
A: Certainly. Would you prefer the smoking or the non-smoking section?

2. A: ………………………………………………….?
B: Sorry, Sir/Madam. This table is booked.

3. A: May I take your order?

B: ………………………………………………I’ll call when I am ready.

4. A: Waiter. The menu, please.

B: ……………………………………. Can I take you order?
5. A: That’s all, thank you. …………………………………………..?
B: Certainly. Here you are.
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Cooking Methods

Boil sauté simmer grill/barbecue broil roast fry bake

chop slice peel smoke stuff blend dice mince
grate heat poach steam serve servings

Practice

Use some of the words from the vocabulary above to describe your favorite
recipe. ________________________

Ingredients: ____________________________________________

____________________________________________.
____________________________________________.
____________________________________________.

Preparation:

First, _______________________________________________.
Second,_____________________________________________.
Then, _______________________________________________.
After, _______________________________________________.
Next, _______________________________________________.
And Finally, __________________________________________.

Ordering in a Restaurant

Take a look at this Menu

Starters
Chicken Soup $2.50
Salad $3.25
Sandwiches - Main Course
Ham and cheese $3.50
Tuna $3.00
Vegetarian $4.00
Grilled Cheese $2.50
Piece of Pizza $2.50
Cheeseburger $4.50
Hamburger deluxe $5.00
Spaghetti $5.50
Drinks
Coffee $1.25
 8

Tea $1.25
Soft Drinks - Coke, Sprite, Root Beer, etc. $1.75

Read the dialogue:

Waiter: Hello, Can I help you?
Kim: Yes, I'd like to have some lunch.
Waiter: Would you like a starter?
Kim: Yes, I'd like a bowl of chicken soup, please.
Waiter: And what would you like for a main course?
Kim: I'd like a grilled cheese sandwich.
Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?
Kim: Yes, I'd like a glass of Coke, please.
Waiter... After Kim has her lunch: Can I bring you anything else?
Kim: No thank you. Just the bill.
Waiter: Certainly.
Kim: I don't have my glasses. How much is the lunch?
Waiter: That's $6.75.
Kim: Here you are. Thank you very much.
Waiter: You're welcome. Have a good day.
Kim: Thank you, the same to you.

Practice
Complete this dialogue with a partner and practice.

Waiter: Good afternoon, sir/Madam. Can I ………..?

Costumer 1: Yes, please. I would like ……………………..
Costumer 2: …………………..see the menu, please?
Waiter: Certainly, ……………………
(Later)
Waiter: Can I ………………………..?
Costumer 1: For ……………..I’d like………………………
Costumer 2: I’ll ………………………………………
Waiter: …………………………anything else?
Costumer: Sure. I…………………………………..
Costumer 2: and for me ………………………………..
Waiter: ……………………………………in a minute.
(Later)
Costumer 1: Waiter, ……………………………………the bill, please?
Waiter: ………………………………..
Costumer 2: …………………………………….
Waiter: …………………………………………..
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II. Grammar Section.

Do you want/have…? Do you want something to drink?

Do you have appetizers?
Can I/May I/Could I have…? Can I have a piece of cake?
Can I have the bill, please?
Would you like...? Would you like anything else?

I will have roast beef, please.

I would like a cup of tea, please.

I want/prefer the baked potatoes.

I’d like a glass of red wine, please. So do I./ I do, too./me, too./the same for me, please.

I won’t have the French fries. Neither will I./I won’t, either./ Me neither.

I wouldn’t like anything else. I would. I’ll have another glass of juice.

I will have the lamb stew. I won’t. That will be all for me.

What kind of ice cream would you like?

What flavor Juice would you prefer?
What’s your favorite topping /dressing for your pizza?/salad?
What would you like to order?

Quantifiers

Some Can I have some ketchup, please?/Would you like some wine?
Any I am sorry. There isn’t any dessert for the money.
A little How much sugar would you like in your coffee? A little, please.

Practice

Fill in sentence with the correct word or phrase.

1. What .............you like to order?

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a. Do b. would c. will
2. ..........I have a ham sandwich?
a. Would b. Will c. Can
3. .............you like a side order?
a. Would b. Do c. May
4. I................have some cookies.
a. May b. would c. will
5. A: I’d prefer the grilled chicken.
B: ................................
a. So do I b. I would, too. c. me neither.
6. A: I won’t have any dessert.
B: ...............................
a. So do I b. I will, too. c. Neither will I.
7. What .....................juice would you like?
a. prefer b. taste of c. kind of
8. What is your favorite .................. for the cake, chocolate, strawberry or vanilla?
a. topping b. dressing c. preparation
9. What .............................to order?
a. You’d like b. you like c. would you like
10. Can I ....................the bill?
a. see b. have c. give

III. Listening Section

Listen to the following conversation at a restaurant and fill in the gaps.

anything order sundaes sorry

dressing fried meal orange back

1
Waiter: Hi. Welcome to Heavenly Pies. May I take your 1. ................?
Man: Uh . . . yes. I'd like the chicken 2. ..........steak.
Waiter: Okay. Would you like fries, bread, or rice with your 3. ...........?
Man: Umm. I'll take the rice?
Waiter: Would you care for anything to drink?
Man: Yeah. I'll take a medium 4. ............juice.
Waiter: I'm sorry. We only have large or small.
Man: Well, in that case, uh, I'll have a small one.
Waiter: Okay. A small juice. And what kind of 5. .............would you like with your
salad. It comes with the fried steak.
Man: What dressings do you have?
Waiter: We have French, Italian, blue cheese, and ranch.

1
Randall’s ESL Listening Lab: “Heavenly Pies Restaurant”, http://www.esl-lab.com/pie1/piesc1.htm
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Man: Oh! Ranch, please.

Waiter: Would you like 6. ................ else?
Man: Well, I'd like to see your pie menu. That's the main reason why I like to dine
here.
Waiter: Oh, I'm so 7. .............., but we aren't serving pies today.
Man: Huh? I thought this was Heavenly Pies Restaurant.
Waiter: Well, it usually is, but, Dave, our baker, slipped in the kitchen on a banana
two days ago, and hurt his leg. [Oh] He'll be out for at least two weeks. In the
meantime, we're serving ice cream 8. ................. instead. Sorry.
Man: Wow. I'm sorry to hear that. Well in that case, I'll have an ice cream sundae.
Woman: I'll be 9. ...............with your order in a few minutes.

IV. Speaking Section

A. Use the vocabulary and grammar structures to create a dialogue
between a waiter and a customer.
B. Describe an Ecuadorian dish. It can be a starter, a main dish, a side dish,
a dessert or a beverage.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………..

V. Reading Section

Read the following information about dining etiquette in Ecuador and discuss
if it is true or false.

Dining Etiquette in Ecuador

 2
Never arrive on time when invited to a home. Although it may
sound strange you should arrive a little later than invited, i.e.
30 -45 minutes late.

2
Kintessential: Ecuador- Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette,
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 Dress well as this affords the host respect.

 Don’t discuss business at social events unless prompted to.
 It is considered good manners to reciprocate any social
invitation.
 Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left
hand and the knife in the right while eating.
 Guests are served first.
 The host says "buen provecho" ("enjoy" or "have a good meal") as
an invitation to start eating.
 Food is always eaten with utensils. Even fruit is eaten with a
knife and fork.
 It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your
plate when you have finished eating.
 Meals are social occasions and can be quite lengthy.
 Expect lively conversation during the meal.
 Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your
drink.
 The host makes the first toast. The most common toast is "Salud!"
 When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
 If you do not want to drink more, leave your glass one-quarter
full.

VI. Writing Section.

Write a review about the best restaurant you have visited. Describe the
location, the kind of restaurant it is, the food, service, atmosphere, etc.(75-90
words)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..
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UNIT TWO

At the airport

I. Vocabulary Section

How many things from the list can you name in the pictures?

aisle seat
to arrive/arrival
to board
boarding pass
to check-in
customs
customs officer
to declare
to depart/departure
departure lounge
duty free
to fly/flight
flight attendant
gate
immigration
to land
luggage
one way ticket
passport
passengers
pilot
plane
round trip
runaway
safety belt
to sit/seat
security check-point
stop over
to take off
time table
visa
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Useful English phrases at the airport.

1) Buying a ticket
A: I'd like to reserve two seats to New York.
B: Will that be one way or round trip?
A: How much is a round trip ticket?
B: It's $819. Will you pay by check or by credit card?
A: Here's my Visa Card. Can we get an aisle seat please?
B: You can choose your seat when you check in.

2) Checking In
A: Can I see your ticket and passport, please?
B: Here they are. Can we get one seat near the aisle?
A: Yes, that's no problem. You're in seats 27B and 27C.
B: Thanks. Where do we go next?
A: Go to Gate A8, straight ahead then turn left.

3) On the Airplane
A: Would you like something to drink?
B: Could I have Coke with no ice?
A: Here you are. Please fill out this form before the plane lands.
B: What is this form for?
A: It's a Customs and Immigration form. You will use that in the airport before you
can enter the country.

4) The Arrival
A: Thank you for flying East West Airlines!
B: I had a good trip. Thanks for your help.
A: It was our pleasure and we hope to see you again.

5) Getting through Customs

A: Do you have anything to declare?
B: I just have one bottle of wine. It's a gift for my friend.
A: How much wine is in the bottle?
B: It contains 750ml.
A: That's fine. Have a nice stay.

6) Getting your luggage

A: At which carrousel will our luggage be?
B: At number 5, over there.
A: Great! I'll get a cart right away.
B: Be sure you have your luggage ticket.
A: Yes, it's right here attached to my plane ticket.
 15

7) Going through Immigration

A: What's in the small bag?
B: I have a laptop computer and some books.
A: Could you open it please and turn on your computer.
B: Sure. It will take a few moments to boot up.
A: Okay, everything seems okay. You can go.

8) Getting out
A: Excuse me, where can I get a taxi?
B: Go down to the end of the hall and the taxis are waiting just outside.
A: Thank you!

II. Grammar Section

Can I Can I see your passport?

May I May I book a flight for two people, please?
Could I Could I have an aisle seat, please?
I will I will travel the first week of August.
I would like to I would like the business class, please.
Should I Should I get a vaccination?
You should You should arrive at the airport two hours earlier.
You shouldn’t You shouldn’t bring weapons and sharp metal objects.

Do Turn off your cell phone.

Don’t Remember to bring your documents.
Be sure not to forget going through passport check-in.
Don’t forget to lock your safety belts.

Present Simple for future What time does the plane leave?

Present Progressive for future I am staying at a hotel

Be going to future I am going to stay at a hotel.

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Practice
Complete the following conversations
1. A: ……………….(see) your boarding pass, please?
B: Certainly, here it is.

2. A: ………………..(travel) on business.
B: Where will you stay?

3. A: Raul, what time …………you……(be)at the airport?

B: The flight leaves at 3 p.m., so I ………………….three hours earlier. (be)

4. A: …………………….to bring your passport and plane tickets with you.

B: Thanks for reminding me. I have that with me.

5. A: When …………………the flight ………….in Canada?(arrive)

B: It ………………. at about 7 p.m.

6. A: …………………..you …………at a hotel? (stay)

B: No. I ……………………at a friend’s house.

7. A: What cities …….you ……….………………..in Canada? (visit)

B: We ………………………………..….Quebec, Ottawa and Toronto.

8. A: The tour …………..at 9:00 a.m. (start)

B: Yes. When ……….it …………..? (finish)

9. A: What else …………………I ………..in Canada? (do)

B: You ……………………..……the Niagara falls. (visit)

10. A: I……………….shopping. What places do you suggest? (go)

B: You ……………….to Wal-Mart, it’s cheap and good quality. (go)

III. Listening Section

Listen to a conversation at customs and fill it in with the words from the box.

visit passport trip room luggage bag country enjoy

3
Customs Officer: Next. Uh, your __________please.
Woman: Okay.
Customs Officer: Uh, what is the purpose of your__________?
Woman: I'm here to attend a teaching convention for the first part of
my__________, and then I plan on touring the capital for a few days.

3
Randall’s ESL Listening Lab, “Immigration and customs”: http://www.esl-lab.com/customs/custsc1.htm
 17

Customs Officer: And where will you be staying?

Woman: I'll be staying in a __________at a hotel downtown for the entire week.
Customs Officer: And uh, what do you have in your __________?
Woman: Uh, well, just, just my personal belongings um, . . . clothes, a few books,
and a CD player.
Customs Officer: Okay. Uh, please open your__________.
Woman: Sure.
Customs Officer: Okay . . . Everything's fine. [Great]. Uh, by the way, is this your
first visit to the__________?
Woman: Well, yes and no. Actually, I was born here when my parents were
working in the capital many years ago, but this is my first trip back since then.
Customs Officer: Well, __________your trip.
Woman: Thanks.

IV. Speaking Section

A. You work at the check-in point at the airport. Make a dialogue between
you and a passenger.
B. You are a flight attendant. Tell your passengers what TO DO and NOT TO
DO before the plane takes off.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………

V. Reading Section

A. Read the following information about returning home from a trip and
answer the questions below.

Returning home
Returning back to the airport is the last part of your journey.

When you land be prepared for the plane to be quite noisy as all the
passengers make their way off. Make sure you get all your personal
belongings before leaving the plane. You will either get off the plane
onto steps, by bus, or through the air bridge.
 18

Once you are in the terminal you have to go through immigration.

This means showing a member of staff your passport so they can
check it and let you through to the baggage reclaim hall.

This is the area for you to pick up your suitcase which will have
been taken off the plane. Look at the information screens to find out
which carousel relates to your plane. You may need to get a trolley
ready and wait for your bag to come round.

After collecting your bags you will go through customs, this is the
area which stops people bringing illegal items into the U.K.
In this area you might see uniformed staff with sniffer dogs waiting
for passengers to come through. These well-behaved dogs are
specially trained to sniff out illegal items in people’s bags.

Follow the signs to get into the arrivals area. Here you will find the
information desk if you need any help and signs to the taxi rank,
shuttle buses and the train station.

B. Answer these questions about the reading

1. Write five things you have to do after the plane arrives in the airport.
a. __________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________
e. __________________________________________________

2. The sentences below are TRUE or FALSE?

a. You should pick up all your things before leaving the plane. _____
b. The second thing you should do is to get your baggage. _____
c. At customs you should declare any illegal item. _____
d. Sniffer dogs are trained dogs. _____
e. To get a taxi, you need to go to the check-out desk. _____

VI. Writing Section

A. Describe the steps to do from the check-in point to the plane.

B. Design a brochure about your favorite tourist place in Ecuador.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
 19

UNIT THREE

At a Shop

I. Vocabulary Section

shop customer cashier

scales till
wallet/purse

self(shelves) barcode
trolley

escalator
elevator/lift bag

basket
Changing/fitting room credit/debit cards

check coin

cash

To buy/to shop to pay to withdraw

 20

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Finding a shop
Questions
• Can you recommend a good toy/clothes shop?
• Is there a chemists/supermarket in the area?
• Where can I get toothpaste/pet food?
• Where's the nearest shopping center?

Answers/Comments

• There's a really good bookshop just around the corner.

• You can buy that here in the hotel.
• The best toy shop is in the shopping center.
 The nearest one is a few miles away.

Opening Hours

Questions
• What time do you open, please?
• What time do you close, please?
• What are your opening hours?
• Are you open all day?
• Are you open on Sundays?

Answers/Comments
• We're open 24/7. (24 hours a day / 7 days a week)
• We're closed at lunchtime, between 12 and 2pm.
 We're open from 9am till 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Shopping for clothes

Questions
• Could you help me, please?
• Could you tell me where the sales department is?
• Excuse me, I'm looking for a trolley.
• Is there somewhere I can try this on, please?
• Does it suit me?
• Do you have this in a (larger/smaller size) (different colour), please?
• Do you do alterations?
• Do you have a refund policy?
• Is this in the sale?
 21

Answers/Comments
• It's too long / short.
• It's too tight / loose.
• The ladies / gents changing rooms are over there.
 You can bring it back and exchange it or get a refund within 2 weeks if you keep
the receipt.

Paying
Questions
• Do you take credit cards?
• Do you give credit?
• Do you have a loyalty card?
• Does it have a warranty?
• Can I pay by check?
• Do you offer a cash discount?
• Could I leave my bags here and pick them up later?

Answers/Comments
• We take all the major credit cards.
• We only accept checks.
• We are offering 6 months free credit with no deposit.
• Sorry, no.
 Yes, certainly.

II. Grammar Section

Can I Can I help you?

Could I Could I show you other colors?
May I May I see that blouse?

Can you Can you show me the fitting room, please?

Could you Could you change this sweater? It’s too small.
Will you Will you give me a receipt?

I want I want to see the T-shirts.

Do you Do you have these jeans in black.
What size What size do you want?
What color What color would you like?
What styles What styles are here?
Which one(s) Which one(s) do you prefer/want?
How much How much is it?
 22

Larger This shirt is larger than the blue one.

The most expensive That dress is the most expensive.
As warm as This jacket is as warm as the black one.
Not as expensive as These shoes are not as expensive as
the boots.

There is There is a large selection of souvenirs.

There are There are some beautiful hand-made items.
Is there Is there a department store near here?
Are there Are there any handicrafts?

Too It is too loose

not enough It is not big enough

Practice I
Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below. More than one
option is possible.

1. Good morning. ……………………..help you with anything?

2. ………………………show me that in a red color, please?

3. …………………….have black jeans?

4. The blue jacket is …………………………….than the brown one.

5. Which ………………..do you prefer, the small or the medium-sized?

6. Is this blouse ………………………….than that one.?

7. What color …………………………………?

8. Excuse me. ……………………………….handicrafts?

9. How much ……………………………..?

10. …………………………………………..credit cards?

Practice II.
Create your own conversation at a shop. Use some of the useful
expressions and some from the grammar chart.
 23

III. Listening Section

A.Listen and complete with the words from the box:

Wallet expensive brown design

money tie on sale

4
Man: Hi young lady. How may I help you?
Girl: Well, . . . yeah. I'm looking for a Father's Day gift.
Man: Okay. How about getting your father a new________?
Girl: Hmm. How much is that __________?
Man: Huh . . . which one?
Girl: The black one.
Man: Oh. It's only $40.95.
Girl: Huh? That's too __________for me. Do you have a cheaper one?
Man: Hmm. How about this __________leather one?
Girl: Umm. . . I don't think my father will like the __________on the outside, and it
doesn't have a place to put pictures. How much is it anyway?
Man: It's $25.99.
Girl: Humm. I don't have that much__________.
Man: Okay. How much __________ do you have to spend?
Girl: I'm not sure [money falling on the table]. Probably about ten dollars or so. I've
been helping my mom around the house for the past week to earn some
money. This is all I have.
Man: Hmm. How about this__________?
Girl: That's real pretty, but the price tag says $13.99, and I know I don't have that
much money.
Man: Well, let's just say the tie went__________. How about $5.00. What do you
say?
Girl: Oh, thanks. I'll take it.

B. Listen again and practice

IV. Speaking Section

Create a similar conversation to the one in the listening. One person is the
salesclerk and the other is the client.

4
Shopping for the day, http://www.esl-lab.com/shop1/shopsc1.htm
 24

V. Reading Section.
Read the following selection and answer the questions below.

Seven shopping tips to save money and time

Trying to save money when shopping, means spending a lot of time

instead. If you don’t like to shop or if you don’t have time to go from
store to store, here are seven ways to shop thrifty without spending
all your time.

1. Shop with a list. Obvious? Yes, but it’s still true. If you keep to the
list, you can avoid making impulsive buys.
2. Buy quality. Quality items work better and last longer. You can
buy one great pair of shoes to wear for years instead of going
shopping to replace them every season. But in general, having
fewer, better things means you spend less time to maintain and
replace your stuff.
3. Know your brands. If you know which brands are usually the best
deal, then you have a better chance of getting a value even if you
don’t stop to compare prices that day.
4. Shop at discount stores. Instead of waiting for the sales, shop at
places that always offer discounted prices. The trick is not to get
sidetracked by what you don’t need.
5. Let the internet work for you. Even when shopping locally, I first
look at Amazon or Epinions to check prices and product reviews. I
try to take advantage of free shipping offers to save a trip to the
store.
6. Check the store’s return policy. If you don’t have time to shop, you
definitely don’t have time to deal with a difficult return policy. Ask
if you need the receipt, how many days you have, and if you can
receive a full refund instead of store credit in case you return the
item.
7. Stick to the plan. Department stores put the men’s section on the
first floor by the door. They understand most men just want to buy
something fast, and not wander around the store browsing. Let that
be your strategy. Choose a time when the store won’t be so busy (not
 25

Saturdays), and then go. Don’t get distracted by other good deals —
only come home with the item you planned to buy.

Answer the questions about the reading:

1. Why is it necessary to do a shopping list?

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________.
2. Why is it important to buy quality items?
________________________________________________________________________________
___________.
3. What should (n’t) you do at shops with permanent discounts?
_________________________________________________________________________.
4. Which of these tips do you apply when shopping?
___________________________________________________________.
5. Give another tip to save money and time when shopping.
________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.

VI. Writing Section.

Write a short paragraph describing your favorite department store. Include

the items quality, prices, customer service, discounts, etc. (80-100 words)

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________.
 26

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