General Listening Quiz

Shopping online or at local department stores is an activity many people enjoy. How often do you go shopping for the following items and where do you buy them: clothing, gifts for friends and family, music, DVD movies, electronics?

“save for a rainy day” = save something for the future when it is needed
“Instead of spending money on a new TV, I’m going to save it for a rainy day. You never know when you’ll need it.”

“a dime a dozen” = very common, usually inexpensive, and easy to find
“I bought my dad a new watch at a flea market, and I thought I got a great deal only to discover they were a dime a dozen at other places.”

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

With a partner, decide on a particular item you want to buy like a camera, computer, or book. Then, use the Internet and try to find the buy that considers price, shipping costs, return policy, and time for delivery.

Imagine that you want to buy a gift for a friend for her birthday. Your friend is really into electronics and fashionable clothing, so you want to buy your friend either some new headphones for her iPhone or a nice, trendy shirt. Your budget is about $50. Visit two online stores to find these items and compare prices, shipping costs, and the company’s refund policy in case there are problems with the order.