Shopping
1. Describing Visiting different shops to compare prices before buying: Shop around
Examples:
- I was in town yesterday shopping around for a new jacket.
- I always shop around before buying something.
- Before buying my new car, I shopped around to find the best deal.
2. Describing Movement of clothes: Put on/ Take off
Examples:
- I put on the wrong shirt this morning.
- I took my shoes off as soon as I got home.
- When I go to the gym, I always put on my sport watch to track my activity.
- I take off my shoes at the door but some of my friends wear shoes in the house.
3. Describing Trying items: Try on/ Try out/ Test out
To try on means to put on clothing or accessories to see if they fit or suit you. To try out means to use or experience something to see if you like it or if it works well for you. This can apply to a wide range of items, including equipment, activities, or new experiences. To test out means to examine or evaluate something to ensure it functions correctly or meets specific standards. This term is often used for more thorough evaluations, such as testing the performance of a product or system.
Examples:
- I tried on the shirt but it didn’t fit.
- I still need to try out my new tennis racket!
- I’ll test out your camera for a week before I buy one of my own!
4. Describing Choosing items: Pick out
The phrase “pick out” means to choose or select someone or something from a group or a variety of options.
Examples:
- My brother, sister and I used to pick out our Christmas presents from a brochure and my granny and granda would buy them for us!
- I never know what to get for my mum.. last year, my sister was able to pick out a nice scarf for her though!
5. Describing to Examine products/ shops: Check out
Check out can be used to talk about examining products or shops.
Examples:
- I’m looking for a new laptop at the moment so I’m heading to a few places to check out what they’ve got.
- My mate told me to check out this new book.
- I recommend checking out the new sports outlet in the city centre.
6. Describing that you have no or nearly no resources left and speed of use: Use up/ Run out of/ Go through (quickly)
Note: Don’t use ‘use up’ or ‘run out of’ for clothing- use these when talking about disposable items, food items etc.
Examples:
- We ran out of juice. Can you pick some up?
- We used up all the milk I’m afraid.
- We always go through razors so quickly!
- I don’t go through coats quickly at all. I usually have one that lasts 5 years or so!
7. Describing buying a large quantity of something for the longer-term: Load up (on) sth/ Stock up (on) sth
Examples:
- I saw a good deal for toilet paper in Tescos. We should stock up on it.
- I loaded up on ice-cream for the summer!
8. Describing spending a lot of money on sth: Splash out on/ Splurge on
These words can be used to show that you’ve spent more than usual on certain items.
Examples:
- I splashed out a little bit too much on the weekend. I’m afraid to look at my bank balance!
- My mum never really splurges on anything.
- I really wanted a nice pen, so I splashed out a bit and got a beautiful ballpoint pen. It cost around £40.
- I splurged out a little and got myself the fancy greek yoghurt!
9. Describing attitude about shopping: Shopaholic/ Impulsive buyer/ Frugal/ Minimalist/ Mindful spender/ Savvy shopper
- Shopaholic:
- Someone who is addicted to shopping and often buys things compulsively.
- Impulsive buyer:
- Someone who makes quick, unplanned purchases without much thought.
- Frugal:
- Someone who is careful about spending money and avoids unnecessary expenses.
- Minimalist:
- Someone who prefers to own fewer items and focuses on simplicity and essential needs.
- Mindful spender:
- Someone who is intentional and thoughtful about their purchases, considering the impact and value.
- Savvy shopper:
- Someone who is knowledgeable and skilled at finding good deals and making smart purchasing decisions.
Examples:
- My friend is a total shopaholic. She goes shopping every single weekend!
- I’m quite an impulsive buyer. Sometimes I see something that’s not on my list but I get it
- anyway.. I just get too excited!
- I used to go shopping quite a bit up until a few years ago, but I’d say I’m quite a minimalist now.
- I’m quite frugal when it comes to money. My friends would probably describe me as a mindful
- spender.
- I’d say I’m quite a savvy shopper. I’m usually able to suss out the best deals!
Examiner: How do you feel about shopping?
Student: I wouldn’t say I’m a shopaholic or anything, but truth be told, I do enjoy getting new stuff, especially if it’s good quality. I love getting new clothes, and getting the newest devices always feels great to be honest. But I don’t go splurging my money on just anything.
Examiner: What types of shops do you go to regularly?
Student: Well, for everyday items, I go to grocery stores like Tescos, Lidl etc and of course I pop into little corner shops now and again. But when it comes to clothing, I prefer to visit boutiques or department stores where I can try on unique styles.
Examiner: Have you noticed any changes in those shops in the past few years?
Student: 100%. Heaps of the clothing stores I used to visit have revamped their layouts, and there’s a stronger emphasis on online shopping. Also, I’ve seen a trend where stores are trying to stock up on more sustainable and eco-friendly products.
Examiner: Do you like shopping on the internet?
Student: Yes, I do. It’s just super handy, especially when I run out of time during the week. I can check out various online platforms and pick out what I need without leaving my home. It’s efficient, but I miss the experience of trying on clothes before purchasing them.
Examiner: What kinds of things do you buy online?
Student: I usually buy clothing and accessories online. It’s more about convenience for me. Mind you, for groceries, I prefer to physically go to the store. As for splashing out on something special, I recently bought a unique piece of artwork online, which was a bit of a treat for myself.
1. How do you feel about shopping?
2. What types of shops do you use regularly?
3. What changes have you seen in those shops in the past few years?
4. Do you like shopping on the internet?
5. What kinds of things do you buy online?
i) Describe your favourite shop.
You should say:
● where it is
● what it sells
● how often you go there
and explain why you think it is a good shop.
ii) Describe a shopping experience that you enjoyed.
You should say:
● where you went shopping
● what you bought
● what made who you were with
and explain why you enjoyed this shopping experience.
iii) Describe a product that you researched before buying.
You should say:
● what the product was
● why you needed it
● how you researched it
and explain whether or not you were satisfied with your purchase.
iv) Describe something special you want to buy in the future.
You should say:
● What it is
● What it is like
● When you intend to buy it
and explain why you want to buy it.
1. Do you agree or disagree that women spend more time shopping than men?
2. Do people generally prefer to buy products from their own or from other countries?
3. Why do you think some people purchase things that they do not need?
4. How does consumerism contribute to environmental issues?
5. Are there specific products or industries that have a particularly high environmental impact, and how can consumers make more sustainable choices?
6. How do shopping habits reflect societal values and cultural trends?
7. In what ways does advertising and marketing influence societal perceptions of needs and wants?
8. What is the impact of buying local versus supporting global brands on communities and economies?