.png){kind=small}
Conversational / EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Lesson 41
Online Shopping vs. In-Store Shopping
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping and in-store shopping.
2. Use key vocabulary and phrasal verbs related to shopping in daily conversations.
3. Express personal preferences and opinions about shopping habits.
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
noun
Discount
Similar:
disregard
dismiss
ignore
brush off
/ˈdɪs.kaʊnt/
Meaning:
A reduction in price or when the price of a service or product is reduced.
- Many stores offer discounts during Black Friday.
Real Life Tip:
Discounts and sales are popular in the U.S., especially around holidays.
noun
Refund
Similar:
return
repayment
repay
give back
/ˈriː.fʌnd/
Meaning:
Money returned for a product that was returned or unsatisfactory
- If you return a damaged item, you can get a full refund.
Real Life Tip:
U.S. stores usually have clear refund policies, often required by law.
Try on
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab3.1
similarvocab3.2
similarvocab3.3
similarvocab3.4
/traɪ ɒn/
Meaning:
To put on clothing to see if it fits
- Commonly used in American shopping contexts.
Real Life Tip:
Commonly used in American shopping contexts.
Check out
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab4.1
similarvocab4.2
similarvocab4.3
similarvocab4.4
/tʃɛk aʊt/
Meaning:
To pay for your items at a store or online
- I checked out quickly because the line was short.
Real Life Tip:
Check out” is widely used for both in-store and online shopping in the U.S.
Exercise 2
Conversation
Direction: First, read the conversation aloud. Then, practice by role-playing it with your tutor.
Situation: Two friends are discussing their weekend shopping plans.
Hey Jake, are you going shopping this weekend?
Sarah
I’m thinking about it. I prefer online shopping because it’s more convenient.
Jake
Really? I like going in-store. I like to try on clothes before buying.
Sarah
That makes sense. I just check out fast online and avoid the crowds.
Jake
True, but sometimes I find better discounts in-store.
Sarah
Yeah, but if something doesn’t fit online, I can just get a refund easily.
Jake
Good point. Maybe I’ll try buying something online this time.
Sarah
Let me know how it goes—I usually read reviews before checking out.
Jake
Exercise 2.1
Questions.
1. Why does Jake prefer online shopping?
2. What does Sarah enjoy about in-store shopping?
3. How does Jake handle items that don’t fit when shopping online?
Exercise 3
Practice Time
Direction: Complete the exercise by choosing the correct answer.
1. clothes / try on / I / want / to
a) I want try on clothes
b) I want to try on clothes
c) Try on I want clothes
2. online / fast / check out / I / like
a) I like check out fast online
b) I like to check out fast online
c) Check out I like fast online
3. refund / can / full / a / get / I
a) I can get a full refund
b) Get I can a full refund
c) A full refund can I get
4. stores / discounts / offer / Many / Black Friday
a) Many stores offer discounts during Black Friday
b) Offer many stores discounts during Black Friday
c) During Black Friday many stores discounts offer
5. convenient / online shopping / very / is / It
a) Online shopping is very convenient
b) It very convenient is online shopping
c) Online shopping very is convenient
Exercise 4
Ask Your Tutor
Direction: Ask your tutor these questions. Listen carefully and learn
1. Do you prefer online or in-store shopping? Why?
2. Can you share a time when you had a problem with an online purchase?
3. What do you think is the future of shopping in the U.S.?
Exercise 5
Discussion
Direction: Use the new words and expression you learnt in this lesson to have a conversation with your tutor.
What type of products do you usually buy online?
1. How often do you go to a store instead of shopping online?
2. Have you ever bought something online that didn’t meet your expectations?
3. Which do you think is safer: online or in-store shopping?
4. Do you read reviews before buying online? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever returned an item to a store? What happened?
6. Do you enjoy window shopping in malls?
7. What is your favorite online store? Why?
8. How do sales and discounts affect your shopping choices?
9. If you could only shop one way, would you choose online or in-store?
