Shops and shopping
Upper Intermediate: Buying and selling 9
1 Speaking
Work with a partner and discuss the following questions.
• Do you like shopping?
• Where is your favourite place to go shopping?
• Have you had to take something back to a shop? What was it? What was wrong with it?
2 Listening
Listen to Dan and Harry talking about shopping. Which person’s attitude to shopping is most
similar to yours?
3 Vocabulary
Listen again and add words/phrases to the table.
Shopping verbs Shopping nouns Shopping places
Add the words in the box to the table then add some more of your own.
complain bargain brand boutique deal
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Shops and shopping
Upper Intermediate: Buying and selling 9
Complete the questions. Use a word from the table which has a similar meaning to the word(s)
in brackets.
1. Have you (bought) anything expensive recently?
2. Where is the best place near here to get a (good price) ?
3. Have you ever bought a (non-genuine product) ?
4. Do you like to (negotiate to get a lower price) when you shop?
5. When was the last time you found a (product sold at a good price) ?
6. Do you ever (say if something is wrong) if there is a problem with something
you buy?
Ask and answer the questions with a partner.
4 Language
Look at sentences 1-3 from the tapescript. Who said them, Dan (D) or Harry (H)?
1. I’ve just got paid.
2. I’ve been spending a lot of time online.
3. I’ve been there before.
Underline the verbs in each sentence and identify the sentence which …
a. describes a repeated action
b. describes an experience
c. describes a recent action which is important now.
© British Council. All rights reserved
Shops and shopping
Upper Intermediate: Buying and selling 9
5 Pronunciation
Listen to your teacher and write the sentences down. Underline the stressed words.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Change the sentences so that they are true for you. Tell your partner.
6 Language
In the conversation between Dan and Harry, Dan says ‘In my humble opinion, you’ve got too much
money to waste’. Explain to a partner what the intended meaning of the underlined phrase is.
Consider their relationship and what Dan thinks about Harry in the context.
Make a few notes in the table below. Try to think of colloquial phrases which would be appropriate
to use with your classmates.
Giving an opinion Responding to an opinion
7 Speaking
Discuss the following questions.
• How have shopping habits changed in your country?
• Do you think people are more materialistic nowadays?
• Do people in your country usually complain about bad service?
• In what circumstances is it acceptable to complain?
• Do you think there are too many chain stores where you live?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?
• Is advertising a good thing?
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