On the street
Lilly: Excuse me.
Stranger: Yes?
Lilly: Can you please tell me where the elementary school is?
Stranger: Sure. Go straight and turn left on 65th street. After about five minutes you will see it on the right. It is a big, yellow building.
Lilly: Thank you very much.
Stranger: It’s no problem.
英会話 – Department store
Michelle: I’m going shopping today for some new clothes, would you like to come with me?
Jane: Of course! I love to go shopping and I need to buy some things too.
Michelle: First, I want to buy a new skirt. What color do you think I should get?
Jane: I think plaid would suit you very well. What about this one?
Michelle: I like the style, but I’m looking for one that’s not quite so short!
Jane: Hmm….try this.
Michelle: Ooooh, I like that one! I’m going to go try it on.
Michelle tries on the skirt and comes out to show it to Jane.
Jane: That looks great on you, but it might be a little tight.
Michelle: Yeah, I think so too. Let’s see if they have it in a bigger size.
Michelle gets the attention of a salesperson walking by.
Michelle: Excuse me, do you have this skirt in a larger size?
Salesperson: I’ll check in back for you.
Michelle: Thanks!
Salesperson goes in back.
Salesperson: Here you are, it’s the last one!
Michelle: Oh that’s great! Thank you so much!
Jane: That will go well with the blouse I got for you last week, I think it matches perfectly!
Michelle: I’m so excited; I can’t wait to try them together! Is there anything you want to look for?
Jane: Yeah, I need to buy a new sweater.
Michelle: Oh, they’ve got lots of them. I know just where to find them. Over there!
Jane: Great! I’m looking for one that is very warm. Winter is coming soon. What about this one?
Michelle: Well, it looks warm, but not very stylish.
Jane: Yeah, I suppose you’re right.
Michelle: Try this one. It’s very stylish and warm too!
Jane: Oooh, that one is nice! What about the price?
Michelle: Oh my! It’s rather expensive.
Jane: Maybe we should try to find it at another store.
Michelle: Good idea, I know a place that might have it.
Jane: Let’s go!
英会話 – Buying Pants
In the men’s department
Shop A: Hello, can I help you?
Chris: Sure. I need some pants. Can you point out where they are?
Shop A: Of course. Did you want jeans or slacks?
Chris: I’m looking for casual slacks.
Shop A: Ok, here is this season’s most popular casual wear.
Chris: Hmm…no, I don’t like those very much. What else do you have?
Shop A: Dockers makes good casual pants. Here they are. What’s your size?
Chris: 32/32. Yeah, I like those grey ones.
Shop A: Would you like to try them on?
Chris: Yes, please.
Chris tries them on.
Shop A: How do they fit?
Chris: They feel good!
Shop A: They suit you.
Chris: I like them, but they’re a little expensive.
Shop A: Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Tomorrow our seasonal sale will start and Dockers pants will be 20% off.
Chris: Hey, that’s great! I’ll come back tomorrow. Thanks a lot for your help!
Shop A: No problem! See you tomorrow!
Chris: For sure!
英会話 – Advice for a gift
Two cousins talking
Joe: Andrea, do you think you could help me pick out a gift for someone?
Andrea: Sure, who is it for?
Joe: It’s for my girlfriend.
Andrea: Oh, I see. And what would you like to get for her?
Joe: That’s the problem, I’m not really sure.
Andrea: What is the occasion?
Joe: It’s her birthday.
Andrea: You’d better get her something nice then!
Joe: I know, but I thought I’d get a woman’s opinion on what that might be.
Andrea: Well, what about getting her chocolates or flowers?
Joe: That’s too predictable; I want to get her something special.
Andrea: Hmm…what interests does she have? Maybe you can get her something related to one of those.
Joe: Let’s see, she plays the flute. She also likes movies, music, traveling, and ballet.
Andrea: Why don’t you get her tickets to the ballet?
Joe: She would love that, but I don’t want to have to sit through a ballet.
Andrea: Her birthday should be about her!
Joe: I know, but why not get her something we both can enjoy.
Andrea: Well, she likes music. Do you two have a favorite artist?
Joe: We love listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Andrea: Great! You should get her one of their albums.
Joe: That’s a good idea, but she has all of them already.
Andrea: Wow! What about tickets to one of their concerts then?
Joe: I thought about that too, but they don’t have any concerts nearby.
Andrea: This is more difficult than I thought it would be.
Joe: Yeah, now you see why I’ve been having so much trouble.
Andrea: Oh, I’ve got it! You need to take her on a trip, somewhere really special!
Joe: That sounds great, but I don’t have the money to take her anywhere nice.
Andrea: You don’t have to spend a lot, does she like the outdoors?
Joe: Yeah, she loves to go hiking.
Andrea: Then take her to the mountains, go hiking, and maybe have a picnic by a nice waterfall. That would be so romantic!
Joe: That’s a great idea!
Andrea: I’m happy to help.
Joe: You’re the best! I’m going to try to find a good place to take her. Next time you need help, just let me know.
Andrea: I will, have fun!
Joe: Thanks! Bye!
英会話 – At the supermarket
Mother: Okay, on our shopping list we have eggs, milk, chicken, lettuce, strawberries, peaches, cucumbers, pasta, cheese, cookies, ketchup, beans, grapes, and juice.
Son: Can we get some ice cream?
Mother: Only if you’re good.
Son: Okay!
Mother: First, let’s go to the dried foods section so that we can get the pasta, beans, and cookies.
Son: I don’t like beans, do we have to eat them tonight?
Mother: Yes. I know you don’t like them, but they’re good for you.
Son: Well, as long as we get ice cream it’s alright.
Mother: We’ll see. Alright, we’ve got those things. Now let’s get the produce.
Son: Hey, look at this! Can I get this toy Mom?
Mother: No, we’re just here for groceries today.
Son: Please!
Mother: Not today. Put it back and let’s go.
Son: Okay…
Mother: Oh shoot , it looks like they don’t have any strawberries left today.
Son: We can get them at the other store.
Mother: Yes, but we don’t have time right now dear. We’ll just have to do without them for now. At least we were able to get all the other produce.
Son: What about the juice?
Mother: We’re going to get that now. Let’s go to the refrigerated isle where they have the juice and dairy products.
Son: Can I pick the juice?
Mother: Sure, as long as you don’t get apple juice. Your dad doesn’t like it.
Son: Okay, I want to get pineapple!
Mother: Great, that’s one of my favorites.
Son: I know, that’s why I picked it!
Mother: Oh, that’s sweet dear.
Son: Thanks!
Mother: Okay, we have those. Now what am I forgetting?
Son: Chicken!
Mother: Right! After that we can go.
Son: Was I good?
Mother: Yes, you were a little angel. We’ll get you an ice cream.
Son: Yay!
Mother: Now let’s get home and we can start making supper.
Son: Can I help?
Mother: Of course, you can help me cut the vegetables.
Son: Okay, thanks Mom!
英会話 – Returning a microwave
Customer: Hello, I’d like to return this microwave please.
Shop Assistant: And why do you want to return it?
Customer: It doesn’t work. I turn it on and nothing happens.
Shop Assistant: I see, do you have a receipt?
Customer: I threw it away, I didn’t think I needed it.
Shop Assistant: To get your money back I need to see your receipt, if you don’t have one I can give you store credit.
Customer: That’s fine. I don’t want my money back; I just want a microwave that works!
Shop Assistant: Would you like the same brand or a different one?
Customer: Maybe I should try a different brand, my confidence in this one is shot after this experience.
Shop Assistant: Okay, here is another one that I can recommend.
Customer: That one looks very nice, is it more expensive?
Shop Assistant: A little bit, but the quality is much better.
Customer: I suppose you get what you pay for. It’s a little more, but I still think it’s a good value.
Shop Assistant: I can ring you up here if you’d like.
Customer: There’s a few more things I want to buy today, I’ll just buy it at the counter with my other things.
Shop Assistant: Okay, is there any other way I may be of service?
Customer: You’ve been very helpful already, thank you.