Basic Tactics for Listening, 3rd Edition » Unit 19: Shopping

Word List
  • (watch) band
  • blend
  • bookstore
  • cotton
  • customer
  • design
  • drugstore
  • dryclean
  • envelopes
  • fabric
  • fresh
  • linen
  • magazines
  • mystery
  • narrow
  • necklace
  • pair (of shoes)
  • pockets
  • salespeople
  • shampoo
  • silk
  • stripes
  • take (purchase)
  • tie
  • vegetables
  • wide
  • air mail
  • be crazy about (something)
  • Cash or credit?
  • clothing store
  • grocery store
  • gym shorts
  • hand wash
  • just looking around
  • look nice on (someone)
  • machine wash
  • on sale
  • play a (CD)
  • regular mail
  • ring (something) up
  • running shoes
  • short sleeves
  • sporting goods store
  • stationery store
  • That's a good deal!
Vocabulary Worksheet

‣ Use the words and phrases in the box to complete the sentences below.

  1. a. bookstore
  2. b. clothing store
  3. c. drugstore
  4. d. grocery store
  5. e. jewelry store
  6. f. looked nice on (someone)
  7. g. ring up (something)
  8. h. sporting goods store
  9. i. stationery store
  10. j. swimwear
  1. Kelly went to the _____ to buy envelopes.
  2. The department store is having a sale on _____ before the summer.
  3. Laura thought the dress _____ her, but her mother didn't like it.
  4. The store was very busy, so we had to wait in line for the clerk to _____ our purchases.
  5. I have to stop by the _____ to pick up some medicine.
  6. The _____ near Brian's house is okay, but it doesn't have good fruit.
  7. Alex loves to read, so working in a _____ is the perfect job for him.
  8. The _____ near my office had a sale, so I bought four new pairs of jeans.
  9. Before their camping trip, Amy and Susan went to the _____ to get a new tent.
  10. When the _____ was robbed, the thief took $20,000 in diamonds.
Answer Key

Match the items on the left with the store where you can buy them on the right. Then write one more item you can buy in each store.

  1. running shoes
  2. magazines _____
  3. tie _____
  4. necklace _____
  5. vegetables _____
  6. envelops _____
  7. shampoo _____
  1. a. jewelry store
  2. b. bookstore
  3. c. drugstore
  4. d. clothing store
  5. e. grocery store
  6. f. sporting goods store
  7. g. stationery store
Listening 1

‣ People are shopping. Listen and number the pictures.

  1. _____
  2. _____
  4. _____
  5. _____
  6. _____

Listening 2

‣ Task 1

Customers are talking to salespeople. Do the customers buy something? Listen and check (x) the correct answer.

    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no
    • yes
    • no

‣ Task 2

Listen again. What do you think the clerk says next? Circle the correct answer.

    • a. Okay. It's $37.50 with tax.
    • b. Let me know if you need help.
    • a. You're welcome.
    • b. Cash or credit?
    • a. You're welcome.
    • b. Can I show you something else?
    • a. Why not?
    • b. Okay. Let me know if I can help you.
    • a. Let me put in a box for you.
    • b. Let me check.
    • a. Great! Let me know if I can help you.
    • b. Great! I'll ring it for you.
    • a. Let me know if you need help.
    • b. How many do you need?
    • a. Would you like to pay with cash?
    • b. We may get more next week.
Listening 3

‣ Task 1

People are asking about items in a store. Listen and check (x) the item they talk about.

    • a.
    • b.
    • a.
    • b.
    • a.
    • b.
    • a.
    • b.
    • a.
    • b.
    • a.
    • b.

‣ Task 2

Listen again. Circle the correct answer.

    • a. You can machine-wash the shirt.
    • b. It's best to dry-clean it.
    • a. They are regular mail envelopes.
    • b. They are air mail envelopes.
    • a. The man wants the watch for himself.
    • b. A man or woman can wear it.
    • a. The woman prefers the striped tie.
    • b. The tie is a gift for someone.
    • a. The blouse is made of cotton.
    • b. The blouse is made of cotton and linen.
    • a. The large apples aren't very sweet.
    • b. They don't like sweet apples.

✺ Pronunciation

Contrastive stress

‣ Pronunciation Help
Stress the words that highlight the differences between two choices. for example, stress coffee and tea in the sentence, "Would you like coffee or tea?"

‣ Task 1

Listen and repeat.

  • 1. Would you like a lárge or a smáll coffee?
  • 2. Are you paying with cásh or crédit?
  • 3. Can this be machíne-washed or should I dr'y-clean it?
  • 4. Do you like this blúe coat or the réd one?

‣ Task 2

Read the sentences to a partner. Be sure to use contrastive stress.

✺ Dictation

‣ Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A: May I help you with something, or are you (1)_____ (2)_____?
B: Can I see that watch, please?
A: The one with the (3)_____ (4)_____?
B: No, the one with (5)_____ (6)_____ .
A: Certainly. Here you are.
B: Thanks. Yes, this is perfect. I'll take it.
A: It's a very nice choice. Will you be (7)_____ with credit today?
B: No, I'd like to (8)_____ with (9)_____.

‣ Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to use contrastive stress.

✺ Conversation

Work in pairs. Think about items that you shop for often. Talk about what you buy, where you buy it, and why.

Answer Key
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