Shopping- Black Friday

 

SHOPPING

Idioms

• bargain hunting
  • If you spend time in the shops looking for items to buy at the lowest price, you go bargain hunting.
    "During the sales I go bargain hunting with my friends!"
    
    
• it's a bargain
  • Said when an article is well below the usual price.
    "That handbag goes beautifully with the dress, and at that price it's a bargain!"
    
    
• I can't afford it
  • If you can't afford something you don't have enough money to buy it.
    "I'd love that jacket but I can't afford it!"
    
    
• it costs an arm and a leg
  • If an article or service costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.
    "The diamond engagement ring cost an arm and a leg!"
    
    
• it costs a fortune
  • Something that costs a fortune is very expensive.
    "Look at the price of that bag - it costs a fortune!"
    
    
• it's a steal
  • The expression 'it's a steal'' means that something is so cheap that it’s almost as if you haven't paid anything for it.
    "At that price it's a steal. You won't find it cheaper in any other shop."
    
    
• it's good value for money
  • Something that is good value for money is worth the money spent on it.
    "The quality is excellent so it's good value for money."
    
    
• it's a bit pricey
  • The expression a bit pricey means that something is a bit expensive.
    "Their clothes are a bit pricey but they have a wonderful selection"
    
    
• it's a rip-off
  • Something that costs much more than it should is called a rip-off.
    "$10 for an orange juice? That's a rip-off!"
    
    
• shop around
  • If you shop around, you visit a number of shops selling similar articles in order to compare the prices.
    "You can usually save money by shopping around."
    
    
• shop till you drop
  • If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted.
    "If you go to London with Ashley, you'll shop till you drop, so take comfortable shoes!"
    
    
• shopping spree
  • If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money.
    "Liza is planning to go on a shopping spree as soon as she gets her bonus."
    
    
• shopping therapy
  • The term shopping therapy refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better.
    "A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up bored teenagers."
    
    
• splash out
  • If you splash out on something, you buy it even though it costs a lot of money.
    "When he got a promotion Andy splashed out on a brand new car."
    
    
• window shopping
  • When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.
    "I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping."
  • 
    

Conversation Questions:

●      Do you like shopping? For what kinds of things?

●      Have you ever spent too much? What did you buy? How did you feel afterwards?

●      How long do you usually shop for? Do you try to get your shopping done as fast as possible?

●      Do you shop online? What kinds of things do you buy online? What would you rather buy in person?

●      Think about the most expensive thing you have ever bought. Was it worth what you paid for it?

●      Do you prefer to shop alone or with other people? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

●      Who does the grocery shopping in your household? How often do they do it?

●      Are you a bargain hunter? Do you get excited about sales and discounts? When are the best sales in your country?

●      Which do you prefer? Buying things for yourself or for other people?

●      Do you collect points or stamps at any stores? Which loyalty programs are worthwhile?

●      In the United States, the Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is famous for big sales and aggressive behaviour by shoppers. Have you ever had any problems with other shoppers?

●      Shoplifting is when someone takes something from a shop without paying. How common is this crime in your country? How do shops try to prevent shoplifting?

●      Have you ever worked in a shop? What was the store selling? Does that kind of job suit you?

●      If you were to open your own shop, what kinds of things would you like to sell?

●      Have you ever returned something to the shop you bought it from? Why did you return it? Did you get a refund?

●      Do you care where products are made? Do you prefer to buy things which are made in your own country? Why or why not?

●      Some countries have late-night or all-night shopping. What time of day do you like to shop?

●      Have you been shopping abroad? Which are the best cities for shopping?

 

Going out

TOPICS FOR SPEAKING:

Going out

• staying at home or going out? - argue for and against;
• where you or other people usually go in your/their free time;
• different kinds of entertainment out of home;
• museums, exhibitions, cinemas, theatres, concerts, ballet, variety shows, clubs, zoo, leisure centre, amusement parks/centres, sports events, puppet shows, children's programmes, parties;
• argument between children and parents about staying out late (curfew)

Weekends

• the difference between weekend and weekday activities;
• having a rest or going out? - housework or family programmes?
• relaxation vs useful kinds of pastime; extra work at weekends;
• a typical weekend in the past and now (with the pandemic situation) in your country

Eating out

• argue for or against eating in a restaurant, pub, cafe, snack bar;
• takeaway food: comfort at reasonable price; 
• the (dis)advantage of fast food places and self-service;
•  describe your favourite place to eat;
• act out a situation in a restaurant; 
• table manners and laying the table;

Expressing opinions

INTRO

It is generally believed that_________________________________________ . Many people consider________________________. I really feel it is better _______________________________ although some others may think ________________________________________. I personally prefer to _________________________.

BODY

There are several reasons ___________________________________________. First of all, you ____________________________________. Most of people think ______________________________.

Secondly, ____________________________ gives you the opportunity to ________________________.

I´m absolutely convinced that __________________________________. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, ____________________ makes you learn__________________________ which is another positive/negative aspect.

CONCLUSION

It seems to me that ________________________ is far better. There are lots of resources available to

__________________. To sum up, from my point of view, _______________________________. Maybe in the future,____________________________

Some people prefer watching films at the cinema rather than at home or there are people who just prefer the opposite. I believe both places have advantages and disadvantages.

There are two main reasons to go to the cinema. Firstly, the quality of the film will be probably better than at home due to the sound track and the special effects if you choose a three dimension movie. Secondly, you can watch the last movies which have recently been released at the theatres while at home you have to wait probably some months.

On the other hand, although there are discounts to encourage people go to the cinema, it is cheaper to download the films. Moreover, you can watch them whenever you want. And last, but not least you don’t have to hear the crunch of people eating crisps.

In my opinion, what matters is not the place, is the people who are watching the movie with you.

How to write an opinion essay 

SPEAKING: INTERACTION

TOPIC 1. TEENAGERS

1. INTRODUCTION (1 minute)

Introduce yourself to your teacher and to your partner and make a short presentation of one of the following aspects: your family, your school, a hobby, your town, your plans for next holydays, a typical week-day, a typical weekend.

2. MONOLOGUE (2/3 minutes)

Talk a little bit about your likes and dislikes in music: popular bands/singers in your country, kinds of music you enjoy most and why, your favourite band/singer at the moment, if you play a musical instrument or would like to play one, the best performance you have ever seen. It is NOT necessary to mention all of these aspects.

3. DIALOGUE (5 minutes)

Spend a few minutes preparing your topic and think of questions to ask your partner. When you speak, talk to your partner, not to the teacher. When s/he speaks, try to help him/her with your questions and add your own opinions. 

Discuss with your partner and give your opinion about the questions below:

• What are the main problems teenagers have in your country at the moment

• How you could improve family relationships

• How teenagers like spending their time

• How you imagine your life in the future

TOPIC 2. HOLIDAYS

1. INTRODUCTION (1 minute)

Introduce yourself to your teacher and to your partner and make a short presentation of one of the following aspects: your family, your school, a hobby, your town, a typical week-day, a typical weekend.

2. MONOLOGUE (2/3 minutes)

Talk a little bit about house work: say if you help at home or not and why, the house tasks you hate doing and why, the ones you don´t mind doing, who does most of the work at home, do you think it´s fair? It is NOT necessary to mention all of these aspects.

3. DIALOGUE (5 minutes)

Spend a few minutes preparing your topic and think of questions to ask your partner. When you speak, talk to your partner, not to the teacher. When s/he speaks, try to help him/her with your questions and add your own opinions.

Discuss with your partner and give your opinion about the questions below:

• Your ideal place to spend your holidays

• The people you would like to travel with

• Means of transport and time you would spend there

• Accommodation and things you would/wouldn´t do

• The best /worst holiday you remember

Speaking Situations:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0akn4pirnfpxsop/AADe4sRSbK8UJBPvtGDCcVxZa?dl=0&preview=SPEAKING+CARDS+MAY+2017+INTERMEDIATE+MONOLOGUES.pdf

Introducing myself

 My name´s Alba and here you´ll find lots of activities and resources to practise English and oral skills.

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS:

• When was the last time you went shopping?
• When was the last time you travel by train?
• When was the last time you did your homework?
• When was the last time you clean your room?
• When was the time you you last skip class?
• When was the last time you went on a date?
• When was the last time you had a party?
• When was the last time you argued with your parents?
• When was the last time you had your hair cut?
• When was the last time you lost money?
• When was the last time you painted your house?
• When was the last time you screamed because you were scared?
• When was the last time you wanted to forget about the world?
• When was the last time you borrowed a book?
• When was the last time you bought a CD?
• When was the last time you danced?
• When was the last time you dialed the wrong number?
• When was the last time you drank coffee?
• When was the last time you drove for more than two hours?
• When was the last time you dyed your hair?
• When was the last time you fell?
• When was the last time you felt really happy?
• When was the last time you forgot where something important was?
• When was the last time you got a gift?
• When was the last time you had a headache?
• When was the last time you had a nightmare?
• When was the last time you killed a cockroach?
• When was the last time you laughed your head off?
• When was the last time you lent money to someone?
• When was the last time you played a sport?
• When was the last time you saw a very interesting movie?
• When was the last time you studied until late at night?
• When was the last time you swam?
• When was the last time you talked to an old friend?
• When was the last time you told a joke?
• When was the last time you took a day off?
• When was the last time you took a very hot and long shower?
• When was the last time you visited your hometown?
• When was the last time you watched a soccer match?
• When was the last time you went to a good restaurant?
• When was the last time you went window shopping?
• When was the last time you wrote a letter?

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