Shopping in China

shopping in china

Shopping in China – Exploring the sights and sounds of China through different forms of visual and audio media during a trip to China is a great way to prepare for the IB English B listening exam.

  • Time

    40 minutes

  • Main Skill

    Listening

  • Theme and topic

    Experiences: Shopping in China

  • Download Available

    Audio Transcript

Video
Listening
Dictation
Vocabulary

John Cena points out and enjoys the cultural differences of supermarket shopping in China. Watch and answer the questions in the video.

You will hear from a reporter who visited an IKEA store in Beijing, where he observed a new shopping experience for customers.

A. 1-3 Identify true or false statements: According to the reporter, which THREE statements are FALSE.A. The cashier desks had many customers waiting to pay for their goods.

B. The reporter planned to stay at the store for a long time.

C. Some parents left their children on their own in the store.

D. The reporter was surprised to see customers sleeping in beds for sale.

E. There were children bringing in their homework to do at the desks.

F. The reporter saw customers cooking lunch at the display kitchens.

G. The reporter didn't plan to return again.

B. Gap-fill. Complete the text with one word.
When the reporter returned, one customer explained to him that when he is tired, he often takes a (4) in one of the beds. He felt that it is important to try before you buy. In addition, he believed that it is good for (5) . As if a customer could sleep well there, it would mean the beds IKEA sells are very comfortable. The customer visits the store regularly as he says that it is better than going to the park as children are (6) to play, plus you don’t have to pay for the coffee.

 

C. Multiple Choice. Choose the correct statement

7. The IKEA store is popular because

 
8. Chinese IKEA stores are different because

 

There are many idioms and expressions that are based on shopping. Here are a few that you may find useful to add to your vocabulary.

bargain hunting - If you spend time in the shops looking for items to buy at the lowest price, you go bargain hunting.

costs an arm and a leg - If an article or service costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.

a bit pricey - The expression a bit pricey means that something is a bit expensive.

shopping spree - If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money.

splash out - If you splash out on something, you buy it even though it costs a lot of money.

window shopping - When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.

You can find more common idioms based on shopping here.

Here are the keywords and phrases covered in this lesson:

  • authorities
  • boulevards
  • efficient
  • epicentre
  • equivalent
  • grandiose
  • influential
  • interrogation
  • imposing style
  • legendary
  • pivotal
  • spectacular

Answers for Exercise 2
1. False 2. True 3. False 4. False 5. False 6. True 7. True
8. walk
9. reasonable/cheap
10. ride sharing companies
11. dangerous/hazardous
12. D
13. D

IB English B Language Skills

  • Listening & Speaking

    Skills to communicate both professionally and socially.

  • Reading

    Skills to stimulates imagination memory and recall information

  • Writing

    Skills to foster the ability to explain and refine ideas.

IB English B Themes

  • Experiences

    Opportunities to consider how events which take place impact an individual's life.

  • Human Ingenuity

    Opportunities to explore the sciences, technology and creativity.

  • Identities

    Opportunities to discover interests, values, belief and culture.

  • Sharing The Planet

    Opportunities to look at the challenges faced by individuals and communities in the modern world.

  • Social Organization

    Opportunities to explore the way in which groups of people organise themselves through common systems or interests.

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