Learning English is not only about mastering grammar and vocabulary but, more importantly, about being able to use it naturally in real-life situations. However, the sentences found in textbooks are often too formal and far from actual expressions used in daily life. To speak authentic, natural English, you need to engage with dialogues in real contexts. Here, we’ve selected frequently used English expressions for socializing, work, travel, and more to help you break free from textbook English and learn what native speakers actually use. Below is the content for this session’s Real-Life English Unit 26: Shopping Affairs. Keep practicing, and make your English more natural and practical! Unit 26 Shopping Affairs Shopping Part One: Expressions 1. This is a great area of the city for shopping.? This is a great shopping area in the city. 2. What about things other than food? What else do you have besides food? 3. Are there small shops near here as well? Are there small shops nearby as well? 4. The grocery store is closed. The grocery store is closed. 5. Our schedules are so weird. Our schedules are so unusual. 6. We are out of everything. We’re out of everything. 7. I mean give me a break. I mean, come on. 8. I’d like to buy this dress. I’d like to buy this dress. 9. Will you be paying by cash, check, or credit card? How will you be paying? By cash, check, or credit card? 10. Yes, it seems to be working fine. Yes, it seems to be working fine. Part Two: Dialogues 1. Shopping Centers A: What sort of shopping is nearby, Mr. Taylor? B: Call me John. This is a great area of the city for shopping. There’s a grocery store just around the corner. A: What about things other than food? B: Well, the Riverside Mall has 200 stores in it, including four major department stores. A: Are there small shops near here as well? B: Yes, on 4th street, near the movie theater there are many specialty shops, including clothing boutiques. A: Well, that sounds just wonderful. B: Yes, it’s a really nice neighborhood. 2. Shopping Hours A: Oh, darn. The grocery store is closed. B: Yeah, this one closes at ten. We could drive to the 24-hour store on Sixth. A: Alright. We are out of everything. B: I wish the store close to us was open 24 hours a day. A: I know, our schedules are so weird. Sometimes, the little corner store is the only thing within walking distance that’s open when we get home. B: Yeah, and the prices there are very high. A: I know. Three dollars for milk. 3. Payment A: Good afternoon, miss, can I help you? B: Yes, I’d like to buy this dress, please. A: It’s certainly a pretty dress. I can ring you up at the register over here. B: Great. A: Will you be paying by cash, check, or credit card? B: I want to use a credit card. Do you take Discover? A: Sorry, no. We only take MasterCard or Visa. B: I’ll put it on my Visa card, then. A: Very well, ma’am. Oh, there seems to be a problem, it says it’s rejected. B: There must be something wrong with the system. Try my MasterCard. A: Alright. Thank you. Yes, it seems to be working fine. Your total is $199.00, sign here, please. B: Sure. A: Here you go, and here’s your receipt. Have a nice day. B: Thanks. You have a good one, too. Part Three: Substitution Drills 1. A: This is a great area of the city for (shopping/ dining/ schools). B: Great. This is a great area of the city for shopping. 2. A: What about (things/ items/ products) other than food? B: There are many stores near here. What about things other than food? 3. A: Are there small shops near here (as well/ also/ in addition)? B: Yes. Are there small shops near here as well? 4. A: The grocery store is (closed/ open/ out of business). B: Yeah, it closes at ten. The grocery store is closed. 5. A: Our schedules are so (weird/ strange/ peculiar). B: I know. Our schedules are so weird. 6. A: We (are out of everything/ don’t have anything/ need everything). B: Alright. We are out of everything. 7. A: I mean (give me a break/ let it be). B: Seriously. I mean give me a break. 8. A: I’d like (to buy/ pay for/ purchase) this dress. B: O.K. I’d like to buy this dress. 9. A: Will you be paying by cash, check, or credit card? B: By (cash/ check/ credit card). How will you be paying? 10. A: Yes, it seems to be (working fine/ operating/ functioning properly). B: Great. Yes, it seems to be working fine. Part Four: Monologue Americans normally shop for food at large grocery stores, but open-air markets have made a comeback in recent years. Farmers bring their fresh produce to these markets, often called Farmer’s Markets, on the weekends. People prefer to shop for fruits and vegetables in these markets because it is usually fresher than the produce they buy at their local grocery store. In addition, the farmers make more money because they sell the goods directly to the customers. They will often also make fresh fruit jams or candies to make extra money as well. Going to a Farmer’s Market is a lot of fun, you get to wander the stalls and really look for the best food, and they usually have somewhere to buy breakfast as well. Part Five: Vocabulary and Phrases --grocery store --check --credit card --shopping center --department store --market --jam --candy --register --reject Above is the content of Real-Life English Unit 26: Shopping Affairs compiled by Seven Web, hope it helps you learn more practical English!