UNIT 16 Giving Shopping Advice

Integrated Skills Development

Dialogues

A. Could You Give Me Some Advice?
Mr. Liu is a travel guide at a travel agency. Now he is giving shopping advice to Bill, one of his customers.
Bill: I'm thinking of buying something for my friends. Could you give me some advice?
Liu: Sure. What would you like to buy?
Bill: I'd like to buy typical Chinese products.
Liu: Then you can buy some Chinese silk products, such as embroidered handkerchiefs, tablecloth or blouses.
Bill: That's a good idea! Where can I buy them?
Liu: I suggest the First Department Store on Silver Street. It's only two blocks away from here.
Bill: Are the goods very expensive there?
Liu: No. The prices are very reasonable in the First Department Store.
Bill: Great! I'd also be interested in a bookstore.
Liu: Hmm... there is a bookstore at the corner of the 8th and Silver Streets — that's west of the First Department Store.
Bill: Thanks a lot.
Liu: You're welcome.

B. Where Are the Clothes Counters, Please?
Bill goes to the First Department Store. It is a very large shopping center. He can not find the clothes counters. Now a shop assistant comes to help him.
Assistant: Good afternoon. Can I help you, sir?
Bill: Oh yes. I'd like to buy a silk blouse, but where are the clothes counters, please?
Assistant: They are on the second floor. You go up by this escalator, and the clothes counters are on your right.
Bill: Thanks. I also want to buy an embroidered tablecloth. Where can I buy it?
Assistant: Oh, you can buy it at the arts and crafts counters on the fourth floor.
Bill: Thank you.
Assistant: My pleasure.

Passage
Shopping places

In the United States, people may choose different shopping places according to their economic conditions. Wealthy people often go to large shopping centers. But many people usually shop at discount stores, thrift shops or supermarkets because things at these stores are not so expensive and the prices are more reasonable. Some people prefer to buy second-hand clothing, furniture or other household items, because they are in good condition and the prices are very reasonable.
Many stores will have various items on sale during holiday seasons. The prices may be reduced from 10% up to 50% from the original prices, so shopping during holiday seasons may be a good idea.

New Words and Expressions

according to
prep.按照…，依…而定

block
n. 街区

blouse
n. 女式衬衣

bookstore
n. 书店

condition
n. 条件

corner
n. 角，墙角，街角

counter
n. 柜台

discount
n. 折扣

economic
a. 经济的

embroidered
a. 刺绣的

escalator
n. 电动扶梯

expensive
a. 昂贵的

furniture
n. 家具

handkerchief
n. 手帕

household
a. 家常的

item
n. 条款，项目

price
n. 价格，代价

reasonable
a. 合理的，公道的

sale
n. 出售

second-hand
a. 二手的，旧的

silk
n. 丝绸

silver
n. 银，银器

supermarket
n. 超市

tablecloth
n. 桌布

thrift
n. 节约，节俭

typical
a. 典型的，有代表性的

various
a. 各种各样的

wealthy
a. 富裕的，丰富的

think of
考虑

such as
像，例如

a good idea
好主意

be interested in
对……感兴趣

shopping center
购物中心

shop assistant
售货员

on one's right
在某人的右边

be in good condition
处于良好状况

on sale
廉价出售

Merry Learning

A Riddle

What falls often but never gets hurt?
(Snow.)

Phonetics
ie在单词中的读音：
field piece chief

quiet science society

view review

friend

die

Pronunciation and Intonation

A: Haven't I seen you somewhere before?
B: No, I don't think so.
A: But your face is so familiar. Wait a second ... I know ... We were on the same flight to New York last month.
B: Oh, yes. Now I remember. What a coincidence to meet in San Francisco!
A: Well, you know what they say — it's a small world.