1.

Vocabulary practice
Complete the sentences with the correct words from the word
bank. You do not need to use all the words.

Priority liberate focused distinguish concept individuals

promoted evolved alluded to sophisticated pedestrian
urban

1. I much prefer living in an __________ area because there's always

more to do in a city.
2. The author wanted to _________ his work from that of other writers,
so he developed a unique style of writing.
3. They _________ on getting the work done so they could meet their
deadline.
4. The marketing firm is studying how _________ will react to the new
product.
5. The volunteer day has ____________ from a simple neighborhood
cleanup to a week full of community activities.
6. Education should __________ us and give us opportunities to explore
new ideas.
7. She __________ the fact that she had a good reason for leaving, but
she never told us why.
8. Her first _________ as manager was to improve relations between
the employees.
9. The house sold quickly because it was decorated in a very __________
style.
10.A lot of people came to the parade because the organizers had
_____________ it well
11.We really liked her ______________ for the new website design.

2.Reading Comprehension: Think Before You Buy

Read the blog entry. Then choose the best answer for each question.
Think Before You Buy
I'm an impulse buyer, but it's not my fault! I have come to realize that
marketers know my weaknesses and take advantage of them. They use
psychology and spend lots of time and money to figure out strategies to get
each individual shopper, like me, to buy things they had no intention of
purchasing. (I've used my breadmaker once!) The stores I shop in know where
to put items, how to display them, and how to get me to want them.
I know I'm not alone. According to a study conducted by Leo J. Shapiro and
Associates, almost one-third of all consumers make an impulse purchase every
week. A poll of adult women, conducted for Shop Smart magazine (published
by Consumer Reports ), said that 60 percent of the women surveyed confess
they've "bought something on a whim" in the past year, including 39 percent
who've made an impulse buy within the past month. Fifteen percent said they
often buy things on impulse. I guess I'm in that 15 percent!
When I walk into a store, there they are—things that weren't on my mind
or my shopping list. I probably don't need them, but they catch my eye. Last
week it was a breadmaker that was being promoted. Before that, it was a pair
of running socks. (I run about as often as I bake bread!) Stores place these
items right where I'll see them, in the center of the aisle or near the checkout
counter where I pay. Not only that, I often see these very same items in other
locations throughout the store. Stores know that repetition is a good strategy. I
mean how can I resist buying chocolate chips if they are at the cash register
and next to the granola?
OK, so stores use product placement, but they also know how to grab
people's attention. They create sophisticated displays to showcase the items
that they hope people will buy. The displays are always colorful and appealing,
and the items on display are also eye-catching. They are shiny, sparkly, or
fuzzy. They sometimes wiggle, jiggle, or make noise. I feel compelled to pick
them up. I want to touch them, smell them, or taste them. I push the buttons
that make them light up or make noise. The stores do this on purpose! They
want shoppers to pick up the product and realize that they like the touch,
smell, or taste.
And I do! I must have the item. I feel sure I can't live without it. This can
happen in any store: a clothing store, the grocery store, or a large discount
store. For example, I went into my favorite clothing store because I was looking
for a new jacket. I noticed the brightly colored scarves the minute I walked in—
a rainbow of colors creatively arranged and draped in a cascade. They hung
from a large brass ring above a table that had others neatly stacked by color. I
picked up a striking, deep blue one. It was soft and fuzzy. I put it down and
went into the back of the store to look at the jackets. While picking out several
jackets to try on, I noticed the scarves again. This time they were draped over
the hangers of several of the jackets. There was that blue one again. Well, of
course, they had me. I picked the scarf up again. I could picture myself out on a
cool fall evening wearing it. Along with my new jacket, I bought the blue scarf,
forgetting that I have a drawer full of brightly colored scarves at home!
I know that there are things I can do to stop myself from buying these
items. I've read a lot about that, too. I have to distinguish my needs from my
wants and resist the urge to buy things I don't need. I have to have my
priorities in place so that when I enter a store, I stay focused on my purpose
for being there and walk right by those displays without even stopping to look.
I have to make a budget and a list, and I have to stick to them. Yes, I have to
think before I buy... and start baking bread!

1. What fraction of buyers make an impulsive purchase every week?

o one-quarter
o one-third
o three-fourths
2. According to Shop Smart magazine, what percentage of women have
made an impulse buy in the last year?
o 15 percent
o 39 percent
o 60 percent
3. When stores put a product by the checkout counter, what strategy are
they using?
o product placement
o price
o attractiveness
4. Why do stores make some items shiny, noisy, or soft?
o They want customers to pick them up.
o They want children to play with them.
o They can sell things with these features at a higher price.
5. What did the writer buy in addition to a jacket?
o a scarf
 o some chocolate chips
o some boots
6. According to the text, what is one way customers can stop making
impulsive purchases?
o They can distinguish the things they need from the things they
want.
o They can only take a certain amount of money to the store.
o They can get counseling about impulsive buying.
7. What are two things that can help customers control their purchases?
o family meetings and a scheduled time to shop
o a budget and a list
o articles and studies from consumer magazines
8. What is one item the writer bought that she doesn't use often?
o Granola
o a breadmaker
o running shoes

3.Vocabulary 2 Practice
Read the sentences. Match each word with the sentence that
contains a synonym in bold. You do not need to use all the words.

1. In my mind , I began to develop a

plan to solve the problem.
2. There are three possible buyers
interested in the car he is selling.
3. Unfortunately, we lost money on
that venture .
4. We want to eliminate any
distractions so that people can
concentrate.
5. Products a store is promoting are
likely to be in the front of the store.
6. It's a good idea, but the downside is
that it will cost more.
7. I can picture myself driving that
sporty red car.

tend mentally potential residence visualize negative

investment minimize remove

Vocabulary Skill: Collocations with nouns

a whim my attention list the eye display money needs

a budget buyer purpose

Emily : Whenever I walk into this store, I spend _______.

Allie : I know what you mean. This place always has the best things for my
apartment. Something always grabs __________.

Emily : Even though I make a shopping _________ and say I will stick to it, I
always buy something on _________ . I just can't resist the urge.

Allie : It would help if they didn't have the same items throughout the store. If
I see something I want more than once, I can't ignore it. I know they do that on
_________.

Emily : The store certainly knows how to catch ________ of an impulse

__________ . Oh look at that! It's so cute. I must have it.

Allie : So much for sticking to ___________.

Grammar Practice: Definite and indefinite articles

Look at the words in bold in each sentence. Then choose the reason
why a definite article, indefinite article, or no article is used.
1. I found an interesting little store downtown. The gifts there are great.
o The noun is mentioned for the first time. The noun relates directly
to something that was introduced.
2. The store knows where to put items to get me to want them.
o The noun is specifically identified.
o The noun is not specifically identified.
3. The store creates sophisticated displays to showcase the items that
they hope I will buy.
o Both the reader and writer know the noun because they share
information about it.
o The noun is unknown to the reader or writer.
4. Clothes are often on display here. The clothes are always colorful and
appealing.
o The noun was already introduced.
o The noun is mentioned for the first time.
5. People on the street are always stopping in to look at the displays.
o The noun refers to any person, not a specific person.
o The noun refers to a specific person.
6. An ad on the Internet first attracted my attention to the scarves.
o The noun relates directly to something that was introduced.
o The noun is unique so the reader will know what is being referred
to.
7. I'm an impulse buyer.
o The noun is mentioned for the first time.
o The noun was already introduced.
8. I love to shop at a candy store called Peppermint Patty's. I especially like
the chocolate there.
o The noun is unique so the reader will know what is being referred
to.
o The noun relates directly to something that was introduced.