2. CONVERSATION - Shopping & Consumerism
GENERAL
1. Do you prefer to shop alone or with other people? What are the advantages and
disadvantages of each?
2. Describe the most expensive thing you have ever bought. Was it worth what you paid for it?
3. Who does the grocery shopping in your household? How often do they do it?
4. Are you a bargain hunter? Do you get excited about sales and discounts? When are the best sales in
your country?
5. 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.
6. If you were to open your own shop, what kinds of things would you like to sell?
7. Do you care where products are made? Do you prefer to buy things which are made in your own
country? Why or why not?
8. Some countries have late-night or all-night shopping. What time of day do you like to shop?
9. Have you been shopping abroad? Which are the best cities for shopping?
10. 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?
4. Online shopping
Window shopping
Local shops
Shopping centre
Flea market
Back up
Globalisation
Brand name
Shop online
Shop assistant
Shopping habits
Shopaholic
Retail & Retailer
Wholesale trade & Wholesaler
Save
Spend
Waste
Afford
Pay
Pro
fi
t
Make a pro
fi
t
Borrow
Lend
Earn
Purchase
Consumer society
Advertisement
Fair Trading
Capitalism
Bank account
Cash point
Credit card
A loan
Discount
Sales
Items
Bargain
Loyalty
Shopping & Consumerism - VOCABULARY
5. Shopping & Consumerism - EXPRESSIONS
To spend below one’s means
To shop online
To shop around
Find best deals
Be on a tight-budget
Excessive consumerism
Responsible consumption
Excessive consumerism
Responsible consumption
7. Expressing your opinion
I believe/think that…
In my opinion,…
The way I see it,…
If you ask me,…
I would say that…
It seems to me that…
As far as I’m concerned,…
Agreeing with your partner
I (totally) agree with you.
You’re dead right.
That’s (absolutely) true.
You’re (absolutely) right.
That’s a great idea.
I couldn’t agree more.
Yes, I see what you mean.
I see it that way, too.
Yes, of course. | I think so, too.
Disagreeing with your partner
I’m afraid I don’t see it the same way.
I’m sorry but I have to disagree.
You may be right, but I have a different view.
That might be true, but I’m not sure I agree with you.
I’m sorry, but I don’t agree.
Conceding arguments
While you might say that ..., it's important to remember that ...
I agree with you that ... On the other hand, ...
Although/even though it is true that... I believe that...
I agree/admit/concede that... , but we must remember that…
I can understand that... Nevertheless, ...
It's true/obvious/evident that ... However, ...
Agreeing & Disagreeing
8. Starting your discussion
Shall I start? / Yeah, go on.
Shall I go
fi
rst? / Of course, go ahead.
Is it okay if I start? / Sure, no problem.
Would you like to go
fi
rst? / Yes, why not?
Asking for your partner’s opinion
statement, don’t you think/agree?
statement , wouldn’t you agree?
statement, right?
Do you think…? | Do you believe that…?
What do you think about…?
How about…? | What about…?
What’s your take on…?
Concluding the discussion
I believe we have an agreement, don’t we?
So, do we have an agreement?
Shall we stick to…?
Shall we agree on..?
Changing the subject
As for + one of the options
In relation to + one of the options
As regards + one of the options
Regarding the question of the task,
Interacting
9. DIALOGUE
• Your conversation should last about 8-9 minutes.
• Avoid short answers, take part and speak and listen to your partner
• Your partner’s information is different from yours.
• If possible, try to reach an agreement at the end of the conversation.
STUDENT
A
2- DIALOGUE
Price
Performance
User-friendliness
TABLET OR LAPTOP
Your laptop has broken down and you are doubting whether to buy a new laptop or a tablet. You have never used a tablet, so you ask a friend’s
opinion about the points mentioned below or any other that you think relevant. You start the conversation.
10. DIALOGUE
• Your conversation should last about 8-9 minutes.
• Avoid short answers, take part and speak and listen to your partner
• Your partner’s information is different from yours.
• If possible, try to reach an agreement at the end of the conversation.
STUDENT
B
2- DIALOGUE
TABLET OR LAPTOP?
A friend asks your opinion on whether to buy a laptop or a tablet. Give your friend advice about the points mentioned below or any other that you think
relevant. If you do not feel con
fi
dent to give advice, explain why and suggest where your friend could get information on the matter.Your partner starts the
conversation.
Price
Performance
User-friendliness
12. MONOLOGUE STRUCTURE
MONOLOGUE STRUCTURE:
1. Introduction: introduce the topic in a general way
2. Arguments (pros/cons): organise your ideas in different arguments,
and explain each topic in depth, trying to show all the pros and the cons
3. Personal Opinion: express your own personal ideas
4. Conclusion: summarise everything that you have said before, your personal
beliefs and other people’s beliefs or behaviours about the topic.
13. MONOLOGUE - CONSUMERISM
Read the introduction to the topic and the suggestions. Use at least 3 of the ideas below.
You may add your own ideas. Talk for about 4- 4:30 minutes
No need to use the pictures
CONSUMERISM
•Factors that in
fl
uence consumerism.
•Bene
fi
ts of consumerism
•Ethical consumerism.
•Is there a way to escape the culture of consumerism?
•Do you believe that changing your spending habits can make a
big difference in your life?
