Unit7

II. Listening Skills

Identifying Prices

1.                   M: I want two correction pens and a notebook. How much are they?

  W: $ 1.95 for each correction pen. $ 5.00 for the notebook.

  Q: How much does the man have to pay?

 

2.                   W: Ooh, it’s only $9.8. I bet Jane would love this blue vase. Flowers are really her thing.

 M: The salesgirl said it is 30% off today, and it will be the normal price tomorrow.

 Q: How much will the vase cost tomorrow?

 

3.                   W: Wow, what a wonderful yard sale. Did you see the sofa? It’s in good shape, and he’s selling it for just $100.

  M: Yeah. And that computer, just $150. What a steal! The one we saw last Saturday was three times as expensive as it.

  Q: How much was the computer they saw last week?

 

4. M: Hi. I’d like to book two tickets for this weekend’s concert. How much for general admission?

  W: General admission is $25 per ticket and is standing room only. Seat tickets range from $35 to $50, depending on the section you want.

  Q: How much are two seat tickets?

 

5. W: Hey, Nancy. I’ve got this coupon that says if I buy three cans of Coke, I get a free bag of chips.

  M: You’d better look at it more carefully. It says three bottles of Coke. The bottles are over there. $1.30 for each.

  Q: How much will the man pay to get three cans of Coke and a bag of chips?

 

 

III. Listening In

Task 1: Malls in the U.S.

Malls are popular places for Americans to go. People like malls for many reasons. They feel safe because malls have private security guards and sometimes even police stations. Parking is usually free, and the weather inside is always fine. The newest malls have beautiful rest areas with waterfalls and large green trees. The largest mall in the United States is the Mal of America in Minnesota. It covers 4.2 million square feet. It has 350 stores, eight nightclubs, and a seven-acre park! There are parking spaces for 12,750 cars. About 750,000 people shop there every week. The first indoor mall in the United States was built in 1965 in Minnesota, but now malls are like town centers where people come to do many things. They shop, eat foods from all over the world, and see movies at theaters. Some people even get their daily exercise from the new sport of “mall walking.” Others go to malls to meet friends. In some malls, people can see a doctor or a dentist and even attend church. Basically, people can do just about everything in malls.

 

 

Task 2: Online Shopping

W: Hey, Don, online shopping is so popular nowadays. Where is a good place to buy electronics online?

M: Hmmm. I usually go to Amazon.com. Sometimes I use eBay.

W: Really, I’ve never used either of those. What are they all about?

M: Well, eBay is an auction site. People put their stuff up for sale, and then other people log in and if they’re interested in one item, they bid on it. If you want to bid, you put in the amount that is the most you’re willing to pay. Then, by a certain deadline, the highest bid gets the item.

W: Interesting. Then, if your bid is the highest, how do you pay?

M: Well, you can usually send a check or money order. Or, you can use a system called PayPal which lets you pay by credit card online.

W: Hoe do you get your stuff?

M: Well, after the auction, eBay puts you directly in touch with the seller, and then you arrange for them to send it to you. You can check it out at .

W: I sure will. And how about that Amazon place you said?

M: Amazon.com is like an actual store, just online. They sell just about everything, either new or used items. I find the prices are usually a good deal cheaper than in a store.

W: That’s what I’ve heard. I think that buying some things online, like books, or DVDs, is a really good idea, but I could never buy clothes online.

M: I know what you mean. Things that you need to see, touch and feel first, before you buy, are hard to buy online. But then again, there’re lots of people who buy everything online!

W: Do you think it’s safe? I mean, I’ve heard that people can steal your credit card number over the Internet.

M: Well, I think that is does happen, but it’s very rare. All in all, it’s pretty safe.

W: And what if you want to return something?

M: I think that’s probably easier if you bought it in a real store. But, these online stores and sellers often have very good return policies. You just need to package it all back up again.

W: A pain in the neck if you ask me!

 

Task 3: The crowded store

It was the day of the big sale. Rumors of the sale, and some advertising in the local paper, were the main reason for the long line that formed by 8:30, the store’s opening time, in front of the store. A small man pushed his way to the front of the line, only to be pushed back, amid loud and colorful curses. On the man’s second attempt, he was punched square in the jaw, and knocked around a bit, and then thrown to the end of the line again. Ass he got up the second time, he said to the person at the end of the line, “ that does it! If they hit me one more time, I won’t open the store!”

 

 

 

Task 4: An Announcement

Welcome to our Gift Shop! Time to start thinking about gifts for your friends! The best flowers, cards, stationery, dolls, oriental gifts, art prints and posters, hand-made gifts, and woodwork are arriving daily. Remember, all the gifts are carefully chosen by top professionals! You can get all your favorite gifts at a discount of twenty per cent here at Gift Shop!

 

V. Let’s Talk 

What do they have on sale?

Jack: According to the commercial on my cell phone, there will be a lot of CDs on sale here today. I hope the new Lady Gaga is on sale. What were you thinking of picking up, Jane?

Jane: Well, you know me, Jack. I love classic rock, so I’ll get either the Beatles or Elvis’ “Greatest Hits”.

Jack: Jane, when are you going to get with the times? Classic rock is just tired out and old.

Jane: Yes, well, pop music all sounds the same to me. For me, classic rock really stands out. It’s what started it all.

Jack: It’s also been played a million times. Don’t you get tired of it?

Jane: No, never. Oh, there’s the salesperson; let’s ask him what they have on sale.

Salesperson: Can I help you?

Jack: Yes, my friend and I were looking for some CDs. We were hoping they would be on sale. My friend wants older selections, like the Beatles or Elvis’ “Greatest Hits’. I was really hoping you’d have newer stuff on sale, something like Lady Gaga. I’m also trying to find Nickelback.

Salesperson: Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that all of the CDs you have asked for are on sale. The bad news is we’re just sold out of Elvis’ “Greatest Hits”, but we can still order it for you.

Jane: （to Jack）sold out of Elvis! That must mean he’s pretty popular. (to the salesperson) you need to order it? When will it be here?

Salesperson: Well, if you give me your telephone number, when we get it, one of our staff will give you a call. Then you can come and pick it up. It shouldn’t be more than a week.

Jack: Sounds like a lot of work. Why not buy it online?

Jane: Good idea! OK, I’ll take the Beatles CD right now. Here’s my credit card.

Jack: and I’ll take the new Lady Gaga. I’m afraid I only have enough for one CD.

Salesperson: Here you are. Please keep the sales slip. That way, if there’s something wrong with the CD, you can exchange it or get a refund.

Jane and Jack: Thank you!

 

 

 

VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking

Task 1: Does complaining work?

Many people tolerate bad service or inferior products rather than make a complaint. They feel that complaining won’t do any good. In fact, they’re wrong: complaining works because companies don’t want dissatisfied customers. If you have a complaint, do something about it right away. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get your complaint settled. First, you can complain to one of the clerks. If they cannot help you, then ask politely to speak to a manager. Also, many stores have Customer Service representatives whose job is to solve problems in customer relations. These people are eager to assist because companies realize that dissatisfied customers can damage their reputations. You should always insist on your own rights as a customer. You have the right to receive a product you ordered in timely manner and in good condition. With airlines, you have the right to be on the flight you’ve booked. You can also expect a discount if you receive less than you have agreed upon—a hotel room with a view of a brick wall instead of an ocean view, for example.

 

Task 2: Beware of bargains!

Ever since ancient times, people have always loved a bargain. If they think they are getting a “good deal” they will grab it up, whatever it is. Some people buy clothes they will never wear, or furniture they have no need or room for. Some even buy cars they can’t afford simply because the auto dealer is having a sale. There is an old saying: “You get what you pay for.” And another saying: “If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Sometimes stores feature poorer quality goods at prices that are not really reduced. Some stores offer “unbelievable bargain prices” on unit costs, then add on hidden charges so that the final price is the same as the regular price—or sometimes even higher. There are bargains to be had, but the safest way is to find a retailer that you can trust, and to be cautious. The Romans had a saying: “Let the buyer beware!” The idea is as true today as it ever was.