Unit 3.2. At the supermarket

By Diego Fernando Moreno

The supermarket

Objective: this is a very important topic since it is very functional and useful because we could apply it to a real life situation. At getting familiarized with all the things related to the supermarket, we are actually preparing for the day in which we might need to go to this place by our own and face all the procedures that take place in there.  The following activities should help on the process of getting to know a little better such a fundamental topic.

Definition:  the supermarket is actually the place in which people go to buy their groceries in order to prepare food. The supermarket is usually bigger than a normal shop and it is divided in many sections and each section has products similar or of the same nature. When people are done gathering the groceries they want to acquire, they go and pay them at the cashier, which is often situated right next to the main entrance of the place.

ESL Supermarket Reading

A supermarket is a large, mainly self-service retail store selling food and other household goods. This was originally an American idea that was introduced into Britain after the Second World War at the end of the 1950's.

The biggest outlets are Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrisons and Asda. The Co-Operative, Aldi and Lidl are also large retailers. There is a lot of competition between stores to encourage customers to keep coming back. To encourage loyalty, they offer loyalty cards. With each visit points are added to the customer’s account, and when a certain number of points have been collected, rewards are given. They may take the form of money vouchers to spend in the shop or reduced prices off certain items in the store. These cannot be used in the other supermarkets.

At the entrance to the supermarket there are hand held baskets or trolley baskets on wheels. If a lot of shopping is required, it is easier to put it in the trolley and push it along. Usually the first display in the shop is the fruit and vegetable produce. Not far from the entrance is a separate counter that sells tobacco, cigarettes and cigars. An assistant will serve you at this counter. Near-by newspapers and magazines are displayed. There is a service point space where customers with problems regarding purchases can get refunds.

To aid customers to find the goods they need the aisles are numbered. Also large signs hang overhead to tell the shopper where items can be found. Originally supermarkets traded in edible goods. They could buy these in large quantities, and so sell them at a cheaper price than small local shops that did not have the space to buy in bulk.

As well as fresh foods that are displayed unwrapped, for example, cheese, fish and cuts of meat, food is sold in sealed packs. There is important information on the outside of the wrapping. It gives lists of the contents, food values and allergy advice. Sell by and consume by dates are also on packets and tins.

Supermarkets sell products from factories with famous brand names but they also sell similar items under the store name. Often the Tesco or Sainsbury brand is cheaper than Heinz or Kenco brand. The displays on the shelf units are cleverly set out to direct the eyes towards the product that the store hopes you will buy.

In a store, goods are sold fresh, frozen, in tins, jars and packets, while drinks are in bottles and boxes. In a large shop customers can also buy electrical goods, kitchen goods, soft furnishings and pharmacy products. After collecting everything the customers pays at one of the numerous checkouts.

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Exercises:

1. ESL Supermarket Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension questions that go with the above reading passage.

1) When did supermarkets first open in Britain?

    A) It was 20 years ago.

    B) They opened in the 1950's.

    C) It was after the 1st World War.

    D) They opened 40 years ago.

2) Why do stores give loyalty cards?

    A) It is instead of a credit card.

    B) They are identity cards.

    C) To encourage return visits to a chosen chain.

    D) So you can get to the front of the queue at the check-out.

3) Why are aisles numbered?

    A) So you can find the exit.

    B) So you do not get lost.

    C) It is a way of telling you how big the store is.

    D) Aisles are numbered to make it easier to find products.

4) What do customers take at the entrance, if they need a lot of shopping?

    A) A trolley basket on wheels.

    B) A wheel-barrow.

    C) A customer will take a skate-board.

    D) A hand-held basket.

5) What information on a product tells you how fresh it is?

    A) The color of the wrapping.

    B) The nutrition information.

    C) The sell-by date.

    D) The allergy information.

2. ESL Supermarket Vocabulary Definitions

Choose the correct definition for the supermarket vocabulary in this quiz.

1) What is the definition of Basket?

    A) Intoxicating liquids that people consume.

    B) The meat from cows.

    C) A container for holding goods.

    D) An area for leaving cars and other vehicles.

2) What is the definition of Carrier bag?

    A) A transparent wrapping sheet for covering food.

    B) The products made especially for cats to eat.

    C) Items to cover the body.

    D) A plastic container used to carry shopping home.

3) What is the definition of dried spices?

    A) Plants that enhance the flavor of food.

    B) A sweet made from the cocoa bean.

    C) Small soft pillows.

    D) A warm bed covering.

4) What is the definition of Freezers?

    A) A sour citrus fruit.

    B) Large display areas that keep food below 0oC.

    C) A green plant that has its leaves used in salads.

    D) The cooked meat of pigs.

5) What is the definition of Shelf stacker?

    A) The means of paying to send a letter to someone.

    B) A person who places the products on to the shelves of the supermarket so customers can buy them.

    C) An edible fungus.

    D) A liquid made from vegetables that are eaten.

3. ESL Supermarket Vocabulary Picture Descriptions

For the final ESL supermarket vocabulary task you need to look at the pictures and then decide which option (A-D) in each question has the word that matches the picture. Then you can see the correct answers by using the get score button.

Identify the best description for each of the images (A-E) given above that correspond to the five questions in this quiz.

1) Which description best describes picture A given above?

    A) Automatic doors

    B) Cafe

    C) Bedding

    D) Bunch

2) Which description best describes picture B given above?

    A) Carrot

    B) Butter

    C) Cheese

    D) Fruit

3) Which description best describes picture C given above?

    A) Diesel

    B) Citrus fruit

    C) Duvet

    D) Cutlery

4) Which description best describes picture D given above?

    A) Battery

    B) Hair spray

    C) Manager

    D) Fruit juice

5) Which description best describes picture E given above?

    A) Fish

    B) Coupon

    C) Prawn

    D) Salt

4. Writing activity

Write about the following topics:

Describe the different types of food that a supermarket sells.

Describe what it is like to go shopping at a supermarket.

Explain why it is good to go shopping in a supermarket.

5. Describing a Picture

For this ESL supermarket writing task you need to look at the following picture and then write something about it. Describe what is happening in the picture, and you can also say what you think might happen next or what has just finished happening. Use full sentences and write as much as you can.

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