The Big Stores of London

One of the features of London is the number of big stores, most of which are to be found in or near the West End. These stores are a mixture of tradition and modernity.

They developed in the nineteenth century; they maintain the dignity of that century, yet they are always ready to follow new trends.

The big stores of London are vast buildings, many storeys high, equipped with speedy lifts and escalators, with well-planned lighting, ventilation and heating.

Departments are carefully named; "Budget Dresses" are really cheap dresses - but no customer likes to be thought of as a "cheap" shopper. The same applies to "Ready-to-wear"; it used to be used for the garments that were not made-to-measure, though now off-the-peg clothes are rather rule than the exception. "Mother-to-be" or "Lady-in-Waiting" will often be found instead of the conventional "Maternity Wear". Then there are newer words for the new trends in fashion - "Mix-and-Match", "Unisex", which are used alongside the more old-fashioned names: "Haberdashery", "Millinery", "Gowns", and sometimes still the words derived from the French - "Mantles" for coats, "Layette" for baby-wear. Another feature of London's shopping life is the chain-stores, in which the goods are displayed on open counters. A wide variety of goods is offered - chiefly foodstuffs, household goods, clothing and stationery. These chain-stores have branches in most British towns of importance.

One very well-known firm of chemists has shops in many parts оf London (and elsewhere); here you may buy not only medicines but also cosmetics and toilet supplies.

Dairy firms have shops in various parts of London, too, and you may buy not only dairy produce but also groceries, soap and household articles.

Most of the food stores, called supermarkets, operate on the self-service system: you go in, pick up a basket, walk round the shop and choose what you want. At the exit there is a check-out point, a cash-desk where you pay for all your goods together.

(from "Limba Engleza in Conversatie"by Galateanu-Farnoaga)

words: garments – одежда, off-the-peg clothes – готовая одежда, Haberdashery – галантерея, Millinery – дамские шляпы, Gowns – униформа/женская одежда, Mantles – верхняя одежда, Layette – для новорожденных, chain-stores – однотипный фирменный магазин, foodstuffs – продукты питания.

Answer the questions.

1. What kinds of stores are the features of London's shopping life?

2. Why are the big stores of London called a mixture of tradition and modernity?

3. Why are the departments in the stores carefully named?

4. Which stores have branches in most British towns of importance?

5. What is characteristic of the British chemist's and dairy shops?

6. How do supermarkets operate?

Ex. 2. Find in the text equivalents to the following words and phrases.

1) Характерная черта; 2) сочетание старого и нового; 3) новые направления моде; 4) многоэтажные здания; 5) продуманно названные; 6) "экономичное шитье"; 7) общепринятый; 8) старомодный; 9) выставлять; 10) широкий выбор товаров; 11) филиал, значительные города; 12) молокозаводы; 13) фармацевтическая фирма; 14) туалетные принадлежности; 15) хозяйственные товары; 16) работать по принципу самообслуживания; 17) контрольный пункт.

Ex. 3. Insert the words below into the sentences.

1. It is bad ... to wear ... in daytime. 2. A few drinks ... his tongue. 3. She made several ... in the dress shop. 4. Will the key ... the lock? 5. Is it a ... film for children? 6. There's no doubt at her... for the job. 7. It is ... to wear formal clothes on these occasions. 8. The new shop across the road has taken away most of my ... . 9. Before Christmas the streets are full of... . 10. Bread is ... in this shop - they bake it themselves. 11. I can't take such an ... present. 12. I haven't any ... on me - can I pay by cheque? 13. The law forbids ... of alcohol to people under 18. 14. The staff at the shop get... of ten per cent. 15. Narrow trousers are the latest ... . 16. She put a box of ... into the car. 17. I don't think you are ... dressed. 18. The suit fits too ... . 19. She moves in ... circles.

Style, suitability, a customer, fashion, jewelry^ a discount, cheap, to loosen, fashionable, cash, a shopper, a purchase, suitably, to fit, customary, groceries, the sale, suitable, expensive, tightly.

Ex. 4. Sort the following words out into the groups of antonyms and synonyms.

To purchase, shopper, suitable, old-fashioned, loose, perfumery, to suit, style, cheap, to buy, check, fashionable, to fit, customer, to sell, cash, usual, fashion, to match, receipt, unfashionable, cosmetics, expensive, tight, vulgar, stylish, customary, unsuitable.

Ex. 5. Try to understand difference between the words to fit, to match, to suit; to become. Translate the sentences.

1. The suit doesn't fit the boy any more. 2. The shoes don't fit me: they are too tight. 3. The curtains don't match the paint. 4. The skirt and the sweater match nicely. 5. These colors don't match. 6. The carpets and the wall paper match well. 7. The hat and the shoes are a perfect match. 8. This color doesn't suit her. 9. The song doesn't suit her voice. 10. These clothes aren't really suited to a tropical climate. 11. This hat suits you. 12. It doesn't suit you to have your hair cut short. 13. This sort of behavior hardly becomes a person in your position. 14. Blue always looks very becoming on her. 15. His laughter was not very becoming on such an occasion. 16. The dress becomes you. 17. She was wearing a very becoming hat. 18. He was becomingly dressed.

Ex. 6. Translate into English.

1. М-р Лоу не может подойти к телефону - он обслуживает покупателя. 2. Это платье не в моем вкусе. 3. Магазины в городе закрываются в 6. 4. Вы уже были в отделе игрушек этого магазина? 5. Он дал сыну немного денег для покупки школьных учебников. 6. Это платье мне не подходит. 7. Это самый дешёвый ресторан в городе. 8. Я не взяла товарный чек. 9, Твое пальто дорого выглядит. 10. Мы берем только наличные. 11. Я видела очень симпатичный чемодан в витрине. 12. Январская распродажа уже началась? 13. Мы можем дать вам небольшую скидку. 14. Мода изменилась с тех пор как я была подростком. 15. В мясном отделе я купила немного говядины. 16. Среди британцев модно ездить в отпуск на юг Франции. 17. Купи несколько булочек в булочной. 18. Ближайшая бакалея находится на Куин Стрит. 19. Помести рекламу в местную газету.

Ex. 7. Explain in English the following things connected with shopping.

To go window shopping, to afford the price, to order the goods from a catalogue, self-service shop, to be a really good value, to sell a wide variety of goods, to be well-stocked, shopping line (queue), a second hand shop, to lower the price by 5 %, the discounted price, to pay on delivery (доставка), to buy by mail-order, shopping list.

Ex. 8. Tell in what shops (or departments) you can buy the following things.

Buttons, a ring, a sheet, jeans, a plant, a chair, paper, make-up, shoes, pans, cigarettes, curtains, a football, a vacuum cleaner, a magazine, ear-rings, a notebook, a book, flowers, plates, tights, a hat, a sofa, a dress, a sweater, boots, towels, pens, pins, a washing machine, perfume, a coat, knives, socks, a jumper, skis, gloves, soap, a ruler, greeting cards, a pendant, an iron, a cardigan, a suit, a dishwasher.

Ex. 9. What things would you like to buy in other countries?

In India? France? Japan? Italy? England? China? Germany? Korea? Greece? Turkey? Vietnam? Norway?

Ex. 10. Work in pairs. Let your partner answer the following questions and tell what you learnt to the class.

1. Where do you prefer to go shopping for clothes? 2. Do you try them on? 3. When did you last go shopping for clothes? 4. What did you buy? 5. Why did you decide to buy it? 6. How much did it cost? 7. Do you think it is cheap or expensive?

Ex.11. Let's discuss.

1. Do you enjoy shopping?

2. Do you usually get tired of shopping?

3. What shop do you most often drop in at?

4. What things do you hate shopping for?

5. Are there many department-stores in Vladivostok?

6. What goods can you buy there?

7. What advice would you give a visitor to your city about shopping?

8. What are three things the visitor to your city/country will take home?

9. What would you buy if you had a million dollars?

Ex. 12. Read the conversations and act them out.

1.

Jill's mother is the manageress of a large store in Hertford. Before Jill left for America, she went to her mother's store. She needs some new things for the journey.

Mrs Harper: Well, Jill. What sort of clothes do you need?

Jill: I'd better get a new overcoat. My old one doesn't fit me any more.

Mrs Harper: All right, let's ask the assistant. Miss Robertson, my daughter wants to buy an overcoat. Assistant: How about this one? This model is very fashionable at the moment. It's very popular.

(Jill tries it on and looks at herself in a long mirror)

Jill: Yes, I like the style - but the color doesn't suit me. Do you have the same model in other colors? Assistant: I'm afraid not.

Mrs Harper: Perhaps we can find a better one when we go to London.

Jill: I hope so. I want some new shoes, too. I saw a nice pair in the window.

Mrs Harper: All right. Is there anything else?

Jill: I want to buy some tights - and let's look at the suitcases.

Mrs Harper: You don't have to buy a new one. You can borrow mine. But you must buy a new pair of trousers. You can't wear those dirty old jeans anymore. Look, here's a nice pair.

Jill: Mmmm. They're a bit old-fashioned. I may find something more suitable in London.

Mrs Harper: And more expensive!

2.

- What can I do for you, madam?

- Could you let me see that red dress in the window?

- I'm afraid, it'll be too tight for you. How do you like this one, madam?

- It's another style, but I like it too. (Tries it on.) Does it look fine on me?

- Very fine, indeed. -I'll take it.

- You've chosen very well, madam. It'll wear for ages. Anything else?

- Could you show me a light grey shirt?

- How do you like this one? Isn't it lovely?

- Sure it is. By the way, if the shirt doesn't fit my son, can I bring it back later?

- Why, yes. You'll be able to exchange it or get a refund. -Good.

- Will you pay cash?

- Yes.

- Thank you, madam.

3.

- Can I help you?

- No, it's all right. I'm just looking.

- Have a look around then. May be you would like something in our shop.

- I like this navy-blue jacket very much. Can I try it on?

- Certainly. The fitting room is in the right-hand corner.

- Oh, it suits me very well, doesn't it?

- That's a really nice jacket. Pure wool, a modern fashion.

- How much is it? - $ 55. English clothes are really good value. They are so well-made.

- All right. I can afford the price.

4.

- Can I help you?

- Yes, please. I would like to have something from this shopping list.

- Oh, your shopping list is very big. We stock only three items you ask for: butter, milk and cheese.

- Two packets of butter, a pound of cheese and three bottles of milk please.

- Here you are. Pay by check at the cash desk.

- Excuse me, do you happen to know where I could find some meat and beef sausages?

- They are sold at the butcher's.

- And I wonder if you stock any cigarettes here?

- I'm afraid we don't. You should try the shop next door for the cigarettes.

Ex. 13. Learn a few idioms. Try to find their Russian equivalents and use them in your conversations.

1. To have everything in the shop window. 1. Прекратить, закрыть лавочку

2. To go/come to the wrong shop. 2. Купить за бесценок

3. To shut up shop. 3. Выставлять все напоказ

4. To pay through the nose. 4. Покупать в кредит

5. I don't buy it! 5. Переплачивать

8. To buy a pig in a poke. 6. Не верю! Это со мной не пройдет.

10. To buy something for an old song. 7. Обратиться не по адресу

11. To buy on tick 8. Купить кота в мешке

Ex. 14. Insert the proper forms of the verbs.

High Hopes

One day a young country girl was going to town with a bucket of milk on her head. She said to herself:

"When I (come) to the market, I shall sell the milk at a high price and buy twenty eggs with the money. Out of these eggs I'll get twenty chickens. As soon as the chickens (be) large enough, I'll sell them and buy a new dress for myself. It'll be a yellow dress to match my hair. On May Day, if the weather (be) fine, if it (not rain) I'll put on the yellow dress and go to town. Everybody will look at me and say: "What a beautiful girl!" But I'll pass by without looking at them. I'll only shake my head like that. "Without noticing it she shook her head and down came the milk, the eggs, the chickens and the yellow dress.

Ex. 15. Role playing.

You come to the shop to buy something. Try to get the highest discount. Your partner is a shop assistant. His task is to make you buy the thing as expensive as possible. Make up the dialogues using the following phrases.

- What can I do for you?

- Could you let me see ... ?

- I (don't) like the color/style.

- How do you like ... ?

- …looks fine on you.

- It’ll wear for ages.

- Could you show me…?

- You’ll be able to exchange it.

- Will you pay cash?

Ex. 16. Listen to the dialogues and say what goods do these people want to buy.

Ex. 17. Speaking practice

Speak about shopping practice.

Ex. 18. Writing practice

Write a one page essay about

1. your most successful and satisfying shopping/purchase.

2. your most unsuccessful terrible purchase.

3. how and where you choose presents for your friends, parents etc.

Supplementary reading

Read the text and tell about Oxford Street and its shops.

Oxford Street is one of the biggest and most popular shopping centers in London. Its nice shops and department stores attract people from all over the country and from foreign countries as well.

Shops and department stores are open every day till 6 o'clock except on Sundays. If you can't go shopping during the day you can make a purchase on Thursday after office hours, as the shops close at 8 o'clock in Oxford Street on that day.

There are different kinds of shops in Oxford Street: there are clothes shops and shoe shops, book shops and record shops. But many people prefer a department store, as it offers almost everything in one building.

One of the largest department stores in Oxford Street is Selfridges's. It has about 235 different departments. It's a very expensive department store, that's why most Londoners have, to go to cheaper shops: Marks and Spencer's for clothes and supermarkets for food.

Supermarkets have become very popular with shoppers. They sell not only food, but also ready-made clothes, toys and other goods.