Shopping and consumerism

Complete these sentence pairs with the most appropriate word or expression in bold. In
several cases you will need to change the form of the word (for example, by making it
plural or changing the tense).
1. chain / concession
(A) We don't have our own stores, but we operate __________ in several major department stores
across the state.
(B) I. B. Conningyou is the most successful __________ store in the state, with almost 30 outlets in
12 cities.

2. consumer / customer
(A) The store is very popular and is always full of __________.
(B) Electronic __________ goods such as hi-fi's, televisions, computers and cameras can be bought
very cheaply on the Internet.

3. cost / charge
(A) Despite a fall in oil prices, some gas stations are still __________ drivers too much for their gas.
(B) Many people are surprised to learn that it doesn't __________ a lot to set up your own website.

4. spend / pay
(A) A lot of people __________ too much money on fast food when there are far healthier options
available in the stores.
(B) The company __________ a lot for its new computers, but believes it has been worth the
investment.

5. credit / debit
(A) The store is happy to offer regular customers instant __________ at an attractive APR of only
13.5%.
(B) Thank you for buying your camera from EasyCameras.com. The sum of $220 will be
__________ from your account within 5 working days.

6. offer / discount
(A) Prices in most stores are fixed, but it is often possible to ask for a / an __________.
(B) Would you like a brand-new laptop for only $300? If you want to take advantage of this
amazing __________, then hurry to PCPerfect now!

7. exchange / change
(A) Please check your __________ carefully before leaving the store, as mistakes cannot be rectified
later.
(B) Jade Furnishings Ltd will only __________ damaged goods if they were damaged before they
left the store.

8. price / cost
(A) It is usually cheaper to buy electronic goods on the Internet, where __________ are generally
lower than in the stores.
(B) A lot of stores have been forced out of business because their __________ (including rent,
electricity and staffing) is too high.

9. retail / wholesale
(A) The disks usually cost 50 cents each in the stores, but we buy them __________ direct from the
manufacturers for 20 cents each.
(B) If you go to the store, the __________ price is $250, but it can be up to 40% cheaper if you
buy online.

10. for sale / on sale

(A) The building is __________ for $600,000.
(B) For all your office equipment needs, come to Berkshire and Hunt, where you will find a large
range of products __________.

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For reference see Easier English Intermediate Dictionary (0-7475-6989-4).
 11. receipt / bill
(A) When you pay, make sure that the shop gives you a __________: you will need this if you have
to return goods at a later date.
(B) Customers are reminded that all __________ must be paid within 5 working days.

12. check / bill

(A) That meal was delicious! Shall we ask the waiter for the __________ now?
(B) Can I pay you with a $50 __________? I'm sorry I don't have anything smaller.

13. charge / check

(A) You can pay by cash or __________.
(B) The advantage of paying with a __________ card is that you don't have to pay for your goods
immediately.

14. economic / economical

(A) Buying something in large quantities direct from the manufacturer is much more __________
than buying from a store.
(B) Because of the ongoing __________ situation, we regret that we will cease trading on 15
March.

15. supply / stock

(A) The item you have requested is currently out of __________, and we do not expect any further
deliveries for two weeks.
(B) Hanratty's Food Stores are a major chain who __________ the catering industry with the finest
and freshest meat, fruit and vegetables.

16. serve / service

(A) The manager was unhappy when he learnt that some of his customers had to wait 15 minutes
to be __________.
(B) Fordley and Mantle are very proud of the quality of __________ they offer their customers.

17. demand / supply

(A) Prices often go up when __________ for a product rises.
(B) Prices often come down when __________ of a product increases.

18. purchase / merchandise

(A) The store has a large range of designer __________ available to the public at very low prices.
(B) Although New York is a popular shopping destination, visitors tend to limit their __________ to
one or two major items.

19. return / refund

(A) We regret to announce that we can only __________ 75% of the original price of your goods if
you are unhappy with them.
(B) If you need to __________ anything to us, please make sure it is well-wrapped and you have
paid sufficient postage.

20. team / staff

(A) If you have a query, please ask a member of __________.
(B) The store has done well because it has an excellent management __________.

21. make / do
(A) Nowadays, most people __________ their shopping in large malls outside the city.
(B) The company __________ so much money that it was able to set up a chain of stores across the
country.

Also see Sales and marketing on pages 45 and 46.

48
For reference see Easier English Intermediate Dictionary (0-7475-6989-4).
 Similar meaningsUnit
1: nouns
0000
Being familiar with words and expressions which have a similar (or the same) meaning to
each other will give you a big advantage in the TOEIC®, especially in the Reading
Comprehension section. The exercises on the next 6 pages give you practice with some of
the most common and useful examples of these.

Exercise 1: Look at sentences 1 – 15. These can either be completed with a word from box
A or a word with a similar meaning from box B. Identify both the words that could be used.
In many cases, you will need to add an -s to one or both of the words when you put them
into the sentence.

A B

accommodation agenda appointment advantage client closeness decline

assistance benefit customer discipline defect employment evidence help
discount drop fault opposition housing meeting order prerequisite
proof proximity requirement work resistance reduction schedule

1. We have a very busy _____ / _____ today, so I suggest we start as soon as possible.
2. The company provides free _____ / _____ for its staff.
3. We need to maintain _____ / _____ on the factory floor at all times, otherwise there are increased
risks of an accident occurring.
4. Thank you for your kind _____ / _____: I couldn't have done it without you.
5. There has been a sharp _____ / _____ in the number of people attending the staff development
sessions.
6. The latest computer program has several _____ / _____ which need to be sorted out before it can
be put onto the market.
7. There has been a lot of _____ / _____ to the new compulsory overtime plan.
8. There is no _____ / _____ to show that standards of living have improved.
9. Repeated orders are eligible for a 10% _____ / _____ on wholesale prices.
10. The hotel is popular with business people because of its _____ / _____ to the central business
district.
11. I can't see you this afternoon because I have a / an _____ / _____ with the Board of Directors.
12. A lot of our _____ / _____ say that they are unhappy with the speed of our service.
13. When the company begins operations, it hopes to provide _____ / _____ for 300 people.
14. There are several _____ / _____ to working from home: you save on travel costs, for one thing.
15. If you want the job, a working knowledge of German is one of the main _____ / _____.

49
For reference see Easier English Intermediate Dictionary (0-7475-6989-4).