Exam. Shopping

Shopping

1. Let’s talk about shopping. Who does the shopping in your family?

Going shopping is a part of our everyday life. For some people it's a pleasant pastime while for others it’s an everyday routine. At the same time whether people like shopping or not they have to do this because it's a necessity.     

Nowadays in big cities and in many small towns there are all kinds of shops and stores as well as supermarkets.

Supermarkets are primary foodstores which sell all kinds of food: fresh, frozen and canned; meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and bread. Practically everything a family needs can be found in a supermarket. There the customer serves himself and pays at the cash-desk on leaving the shop.Currently people prefer to do a lot of heavy shopping to take home with them in the car. Nowadays supermarkets are bright, clean and spacious, they provide a wide range of goods and services. There are big TV-screens and music. Modern supermarkets accept credit cards which makes exchange more convenient.

A lot of shopping is still done at small corner shops. They can often sell more specialized goods which a supermarket doesn't stock. For example, one prefers freshly  baked bread and cakes from the baker's. Some people would go to the florist's for bunches of flowers rather than buy preselected flowers in the supermarket.

If people want to purchase clothes, they usually go to a department store. These shops carry ready-made women's, men's and children's clothes, glassware, perfumery, jewellery, millinery, footwear, sportswear goods, stationery, china, household electric appliances and furniture. A lot of things for sale are in the shop windows so the customers may choose what they want. The two most famous department stores in Lon­don are Selfridges and Harrods. There are also such department stores as the John Lewis Stores, Marks and Spencer. In London a lot of the best department stores are in Oxford Street which is famous for its shopping.

In Minsk there are some department stores but I prefer the 'Belarus department store'. This is a huge 3-stored building where it's possible to find all necessary things. In this shop they have a cafeteria where you can have a snack. There are currency exchange banks, a chemist's booth. High quality goods both domestic and of foreign manufactures are repre­sented in the shop. The shop-assistants are attentive to the customers and they are always helpful when you need some advice.

Nowadays many people prefer doing shopping at the market where the prices are more reasonable. At the same time there are people who can afford themselves to do the shopping in boutiques where expensive clothes by well-known designers are sold.

Frankly speaking, I'm not keen on shopping at all and when my par­ents ask me to buy something I'm often reluctant to do it. Most of all I like book and music shops. I can stay there for hours leafing through piles of CDs or records. But I do think shopping can be a pleasant pas­time when you can afford to buy the things you like.

2. Is it easy to buy a good birthday present? Why (not)?

Birthday celebrations are fun for everyone involved, not just the birthday boy or girl. But finding the right birthday present can be tricky, especially for the person that seems to have everything. If you do not already know exactly what you want to give as a gift, it can be a good idea to have some sort of strategy as to how to pick out a birthday present. By taking just a few things into consideration, it does not have to be difficult at all to choose a gift the recipient will love and remember for years to come.

Buying Birthday Presents for Women

Buying a birthday present for a woman can be a piece of cake. Just keep in mind the woman's individual tastes and preferences as you begin to consider the types of gifts that she might like. It is generally advised not to buy clothing items unless you are on close terms with an individual; however, accessory items can make great gifts. If you do not know the woman very well, it may be best to stick to neutral gifts that appeal to almost everyone, such as an assortment of soaps or lotions, scented candles, or other gift baskets or samplers.

Buying Birthday Presents For Men

When purchasing a birthday present for a man, it is good to know his interests early on. Is he a sports fan, a video game geek, or a music lover? Would he prefer a "boy toy" like a new gadget he can use around the house, or is he a businessman who would love an item he can use in the workplace? The options are practically endless, but it might take a little creativity to pick out the perfect item.

Birthday Presents for Children

Buying a birthday gift for a child can be a difficult task. There are many different things to keep in mind when shopping for children's toys, from their personal interest to their age range and what type of toys the parent of the child deems acceptable.

In general, modern shops have a good selection of presents, from cheap to expensive ones. You just need to choose a present and wrap it beautifully. I am sure buying presents is a great pleasure!

3. What questions will you ask your friend who has bought an expensive telephone?

1)     Where did you buy it?

2)    How much does it cost?

3)    What functions does it have?

4)    Do you like it?

5)    Can I borrow it?

4. What can you advise a person who wants to buy many things (clothes, foodstuffs, etc.) but has little time?

If you want to buy many things but have little time you should go to the nearest supermarket. In the supermarket you will buy everything you need: meat, fruit, vegetables, sweets. Here you can also buy clothes, toys, furniture, electric and other goods. The prices in a supermarket are not high and you can afford to buy different things from different countries. I wish you good luck.

5. Parents usually give pocket money to their children. How do you usually spend your pocket money?

There are very few parents who really understand the value of pocket money. Some parents think that pocket money is necessary so that a child may not go hungry at the time of the day, others think that it keeps children from stealing. But the real purpose of pocket money is to train the young people in the very important art of saving and spending.

There are things that money can’t buy, but on the way to your dreams you’ll probably have to deal with the financial part. Therefore, it is important to know how to wisely use your pocket money and, later, your salary, so that you can have the lifestyle you want.

As for me I respect my parents' work and when they give me some pocket money I think twice before spending it. I can buy some food at school or buy presents for my relatives and friends.

References:

• Your English Exam Support: Подготовка к экзамену по английскому языку: пособие для учащихся учреждений общего среднего образования / [сост. Н.А. Сергиенко]. –Мозырь: Белый Ветер, 2015. – 97, [3] с.

• Английский язык: билеты для подготовки к выпускному экзамену / Л.В. Данилович. – Минск: Экоперспектива, 2015. – 67 с.

• Birthday Present Buying Guide

• How do you spend your pocket money?