Shopping Responses

Shopping Responses

Instructions for teachers
Cut up one set of cards per group of two to four students. Give out just the left-hand cards
(the ones in bold script) and ask students to brainstorm as many suitable responses as
they can. Then give out the other cards and ask them to match the different possible
responses to the bold cards. Only tell them that there are three matches for each when
they have had a chance to try the activity for a while, e.g. when the first group think they
have finished or if it looks like they are getting stuck.

Give out an un-cut-up copy of the worksheet to each student to check their answers with.
After you answer any questions, they can practice in pairs by:
-

Reading out a left-hand side phrase and seeing how quickly their partner can respond
in an acceptable way (including any okay phrases which aren’t on the worksheet)

-

Reading out a left-hand side phrase and seeing how many acceptable responses their
partner can come up with (including any okay phrases which aren’t on the worksheet)

-

Reading out a left-hand side phrase and one response with a word missing and seeing
if their partner can fill in the gap

-

Reading out the responses on the right-hand side until their partner says something
that would get (all) those responses, e.g. the phrase on the left hand side

-

Reading out a left-hand side phrase and then roleplaying the rest of the conversation
with their partner (until “Goodbye” at the very end of the conversation)

-

Dealing out the left-hand cards and trying to use as many of those phrases as they can
in roleplay conversations

-

Dealing out the right-hand cards and trying to use as many of those phrases as they
can in roleplay conversations

-

Dealing out all the cards and trying to use as many of those phrases as they can in
roleplay conversations

-

Roleplaying similar meeting people for the first time and again situations, this time with
no help from the cards

The brainstorming stages below can be done before, between or after those stages.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017

Cards to cut up/ Suggested answers
The shop assistant is on the left in bold script and some possible customer responses are
on the right in normal script.

Do you need any

help?/ May I help

you?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. I’m just

looking.

Yes, please. I’m

looking for a spring

coat.

I need presents for

two small boys. Do

you sell toys?

How about this

one?

That looks okay.

Can I try it on?

Hmmm, it’s a bit too

expensive. Do you

have anything

cheaper?

That’s perfect. I’ll

take it.

What colour would

you like?

I’m not sure. What

would you

recommend?

Something dark.

Perhaps navy blue,

or maybe charcoal

grey.

I’m looking for

something in quite

pale pink, like this

one here.

Would you like to

try it on?

Yes, please. Are

those the changing

rooms over there?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. It looks fine,

I’ll just take it.

Actually, I don’t

have time right now.

Can I just bring it

back if it doesn’t fit?

How is it?

It’s a little tight. Do

you have it in a

larger size?

I’m not sure if it’s

really my colour.

What do you think?

It fits okay but it’s a

bit too long. Can

you take the legs

up?

I’m afraid that’s

not in stock at the

moment.

Okay. No problem.

I’ll just take this one,

then.

Oh, okay. When

might you have it

in?

I see. Can I order it,

then?

Can I help you

with anything

else?

No, that’s all,

thanks.

Actually, there is just

one more thing. Do

you have any belts?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. I’ll just come

back another time.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017

Do you need it

wrapped?

That might be nice.

How much does it

cost?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. Just a

plastic carrier bag is

fine.

Yes, please. It’s a

present.

That’s seventy

three dollars

twenty, please.

Can I pay with my

mobile phone?

Here’s a hundred.

Do you take

American Express?

Sign here, please.

Okay. Do you have

a pen?

Sorry, where exactly

do you mean?

Sorry, the pen

doesn’t seem to be

working. Do you

have another one?

Here’s your

change.

Thanks. Thanks for

all your help.

Thanks. Have a

good day.

Thanks.

Have a nice day.

Thanks. You too.

Thanks. Bye.

You too. Bye.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017

Brainstorming suitable responses
Without looking above, brainstorm suitable phrases into the spaces given. Many phrases
not above are also possible.

Do you need any

help?/ May I help

you?

How about this

one?

What colour would

you like?

Would you like to

try it on?

How is it?

I’m afraid that’s

not in stock at the

moment.

Can I help you

with anything

else?

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017

Do you need it

wrapped?

That’s seventy

three dollars

twenty, please.

Sign here, please.

Here’s your

change.

Have a nice day.

Look at the cards for more ideas, the first time with your pens down and trying to
memorise suitable phrases.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017

Brainstorming phrases to get particular responses
Without looking above, brainstorm suitable phrases into the spaces given. Other phrases
not above may be possible.

No, that’s okay,

thanks. I’m just

looking.

Yes, please. I’m

looking for a spring

coat.

I need presents for

two small boys. Do

you sell toys?

That looks okay.

Can I try it on?

Hmmm, it’s a bit too

expensive. Do you

have anything

cheaper?

That’s perfect. I’ll

take it.

I’m not sure. What

would you

recommend?

Something dark.

Perhaps navy blue,

or maybe charcoal

grey.

I’m looking for

something in quite

pale pink, like this

one here.

Yes, please. Are

those the changing

rooms over there?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. It looks fine,

I’ll just take it.

Actually, I don’t

have time right now.

Can I just bring it

back if it doesn’t fit?

It’s a little tight. Do

you have it in a

larger size?

I’m not sure if it’s

really my colour.

What do you think?

It fits okay but it’s a

bit too long. Can

you take the legs

up?

Okay. No problem.

I’ll just take this one,

then.

Oh, okay. When

might you have it

in?

I see. Can I order it,

then?

No, that’s all,

thanks.

Actually, there is just

one more thing. Do

you have any belts?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. I’ll just come

back another time.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017

That might be nice.

How much does it

cost?

No, that’s okay,

thanks. Just a

plastic carrier bag is

fine.

Yes, please. It’s a

present.

Can I pay with my

mobile phone?

Here’s a hundred.

Do you take

American Express?

Okay. Do you have

a pen?

Sorry, where exactly

do you mean?

Sorry, the pen

doesn’t seem to be

working. Do you

have another one?

Thanks. Thanks for

all your help.

Thanks. Have a

good day.

Thanks.

Thanks. You too.

Thanks. Bye.

You too. Bye.

Look at the cards for more ideas, the first time with your pens down and trying to
memorise suitable phrases.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2017