Shopping for Special Moments
![B1 Level English Reading Lesson - Shopping](https://www.cathoven.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DALLE2024-07-0204.28.29-A16_9wide3DillustrationposterdepictingSarahinabustlingdepartmentstore.Sarahlookingexcitediswalkingthroughaislesfilledwithvari-ezgif.com-optiwebp-1024x585.webp)
Sarah walked into the bustling department store, feeling excited about her mission. She was determined to find the perfect gift for her sister’s birthday.
As she wandered through the aisles, her eyes scanned the shelves for inspiration. The store was well-stocked with various items, but nothing seemed quite right.
Suddenly, a beautiful scarf caught her attention. She picked it up and examined the price tag, hoping for a bargain. To her delight, it was on sale!
Sarah approached the customer service desk to inquire about gift wrapping options. The friendly employee explained their wrapping service.
While waiting, Sarah overheard a conversation about the store’s exchange policy. She made a mental note, just in case her sister wanted something else.
As Sarah left the store with her beautifully wrapped gift, she felt satisfied. She had found the perfect present without breaking the bank. The shopping experience had been enjoyable and stress-free.
Later that evening, Sarah eagerly anticipated her sister’s reaction to the gift. She imagined the smile on her face when she opened it. Sarah was grateful for the opportunity to show her love through this thoughtful gesture.
The next day, Sarah’s sister called to thank her for the scarf. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t wait to wear it. Sarah’s efforts had paid off, making the special moment even more memorable.
Text Analysis
General Level: B1.3
Vocabulary: B1.4
Verb Form: B1.0
Clause: B1.0
Wordlist
aisle NOUN B2 1
Definition (En):
- a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
n. passageway between seating areas as in an auditorium or passenger vehicle or between areas of shelves of goods as in stores
n. part of a church divided laterally from the nave proper by rows of pillars or columns
bargain NOUN B2 1
Definition (En):
- an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
n. an advantageous purchase
v. come to terms; arrive at an agreement
bustle VERB B2 1
Definition (En):
- a rapid active commotion
n. a framework worn at the back below the waist for giving fullness to a woman’s skirt
v. move or cause to move energetically or busily
delight NOUN B2 1
Definition (En):
- a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
v. take delight in
eagerly ADV B2 1
Definition (En):
- with eagerness; in an eager manner
inquire VERB B2 1
Definition (En):
v inquire about
v have a wish or desire to know something
v conduct an inquiry or investigation of
overhear VERB C2 1
Definition (En):
v hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
wander VERB B2 1
Definition (En):
- go via an indirect route or at no set pace
wrap NOUN C2 2
Definition (En):
- cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person
n. a sandwich in which the filling is rolled up in a soft tortilla
v. arrange or fold as a cover or protection
v. crash into so as to coil around
Phrases and Idioms
Lemma | Sentences |
break the bank | · She had found the perfect present without breaking the bank. |
department store | · Sarah walked into the bustling department store, feeling excited about her mission. |
feel (some emotion) about (someone or something) | · Sarah walked into the bustling department store, feeling excited about her mission. |
hope for (something) | · She picked it up and examined the price tag, hoping for a bargain. |
inquire about (someone or something) | · Sarah approached the customer service desk to inquire about gift wrapping options. |
just in case | · She made a mental note, just in case her sister wanted something else. |
make a mental note | · She made a mental note, just in case her sister wanted something else. |
pay something off | · Sarah’s efforts had paid off, making the special moment even more memorable. |
pick something up | · She picked it up and examined the price tag, hoping for a bargain. |
something else | · She made a mental note, just in case her sister wanted something else. |
thank (one) for (something) | · The next day, Sarah’s sister called to thank her for the scarf. |
walk into (something) | · Sarah walked into the bustling department store, feeling excited about her mission. |
Reading Comprehension Exercises
True / False / Not Given
- Sarah felt pressured as she entered the department store.
- Nothing on the shelves initially seemed suitable to Sarah.
- Sarah was happy to find the scarf on sale.
- Sarah’s sister was with her during the shopping trip.
- Sarah inquired about gift wrapping at the customer service desk.
- The customer service employee refused to provide information about the wrapping service.
- Sarah bought more than one item for her sister.
- Sarah discovered the store’s exchange policy herself.
- Sarah felt disappointed after leaving the store.
- Sarah’s sister was thrilled with the scarf.
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Short Answer Questions
- Why did Sarah feel excited when she walked into the department store?
- What did Sarah initially think about the items in the store?
- What caught Sarah’s attention in the store?
- How did Sarah feel when she found out the scarf was on sale?
- Why did Sarah make a mental note about the store’s exchange policy?
- How did Sarah feel as she left the store?
- How did Sarah describe her shopping experience?
- What did Sarah anticipate in the evening?
- How did Sarah feel about the opportunity to show her love through the gift?
- How did Sarah’s sister feel about the scarf?
Writing Exercise
Writing Exercise
Q. Write a paragraph about a time you went shopping for a special gift. Include details about who the gift was for, what you bought, why you chose it, and how you felt when giving the gift.
Answer Key
True / False / Not Given Answers
1.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text states that Sarah felt excited, not pressured.
Answer location: “Sarah walked into the bustling department store, feeling excited about her mission.”
2.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sarah did not find anything suitable at first.
Answer location: “The store was well-stocked with various items, but nothing seemed quite right.”
3.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text mentions Sarah’s delight upon finding the scarf on sale.
Answer location: “To her delight, it was on sale!”
4.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The text does not provide information about Sarah’s sister being with her.
Answer location: “N/A”
5.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sarah asked the customer service desk about gift wrapping.
Answer location: “Sarah approached the customer service desk to inquire about gift wrapping options.”
6.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There is no mention in the text that the employee refused to provide information.
Answer location: “N/A”
7.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The text does not specify if Sarah bought more than one item.
Answer location: “N/A”
8.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: Although Sarah overheard a conversation about the policy, the text does not indicate that she discovered it herself.
Answer location: “N/A”
9.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text clearly states that Sarah felt satisfied, not disappointed.
Answer location: “As Sarah left the store with her beautifully wrapped gift, she felt satisfied.”
10.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text says that Sarah’s sister loved the scarf and was eager to wear it.
Answer location: “She absolutely loved it and couldn’t wait to wear it.”
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Short Answer Answers
1.
Answer: She was determined to find the perfect gift for her sister’s birthday.
Explanation: Sarah’s excitement was driven by her mission to find the perfect gift for her sister.
Answer location: “Sarah walked into the bustling department store, feeling excited about her mission. She was determined to find the perfect gift for her sister’s birthday.”
2.
Answer: Nothing seemed quite right.
Explanation: Despite the store being well-stocked, Sarah felt none of the items were fitting for her sister.
Answer location: “As she wandered through the aisles, her eyes scanned the shelves for inspiration. The store was well-stocked with various items, but nothing seemed quite right.”
3.
Answer: A beautiful scarf.
Explanation: Sarah noticed a beautiful scarf which grabbed her attention amidst the other items.
Answer location: “Suddenly, a beautiful scarf caught her attention.”
4.
Answer: Delighted.
Explanation: Sarah was pleased to find out that the scarf was being sold at a discounted price.
Answer location: “She picked it up and examined the price tag, hoping for a bargain. To her delight, it was on sale!”
5.
Answer: Just in case her sister wanted something else.
Explanation: Sarah wanted to be prepared in case her sister did not like the gift and wanted to exchange it.
Answer location: “While waiting, Sarah overheard a conversation about the store’s exchange policy. She made a mental note, just in case her sister wanted something else.”
6.
Answer: Satisfied.
Explanation: Sarah felt content after finding a nice gift and having it wrapped beautifully.
Answer location: “As Sarah left the store with her beautifully wrapped gift, she felt satisfied.”
7.
Answer: Enjoyable and stress-free.
Explanation: Sarah found the process of shopping for her sister’s gift to be pleasant and without stress.
Answer location: “The shopping experience had been enjoyable and stress-free.”
8.
Answer: Her sister’s reaction to the gift.
Explanation: Sarah was looking forward to seeing how her sister would react to the gift she had chosen.
Answer location: “Later that evening, Sarah eagerly anticipated her sister’s reaction to the gift.”
9.
Answer: Grateful.
Explanation: Sarah appreciated being able to express her affection for her sister through the gift.
Answer location: “Sarah was grateful for the opportunity to show her love through this thoughtful gesture.”
10.
Answer: She absolutely loved it.
Explanation: Sarah’s sister was very pleased with the gift and expressed her enthusiasm about it.
Answer location: “The next day, Sarah’s sister called to thank her for the scarf. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t wait to wear it.”
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