Passport to English Logo

Lesson 10 - Shopping
Navigation: Home → Advanced Level → Lesson 10 → Reading
Pages in this lesson: Vocabulary - Grammar - Listening - Dialogue - Reading - Expressions - Dictation - Game
This page: Read an article about shopping addiction.

compras

"Shopping Addiction"
Reading Lesson

Key Words

Below you will find a list of key vocabulary you need to know to understand the lesson. Click on each word to hear it and practice its pronunciation.

compulsive
feeling a strong need to do something again and again, even if it is not good for you
depressed
feeling very sad, unhappy, or hopeless
dug
past tense of dig; to make a hole in the ground
financial
related to money
hole
a difficult or bad situation that is hard to get out of
truly
really; very much
addiction
a strong need to do something that is hard to stop
addict
a person who cannot stop doing something harmful
behavior
the way a person acts
lack
not having enough of something
impulse
a sudden desire to do something without thinking
thrill
a strong feeling of excitement or pleasure
remorse
feeling very sorry about something you did
mall
a large shopping center with many stores
tempt
to make someone want to do something, even if it is not a good idea
browse
to look at things casually, without planning to buy
inevitably
something that will happen and cannot be avoided
restrain
to control yourself; to stop yourself from doing something
counselor
a trained person who helps people with personal problems

 

Exercise - Key Words

Read the definition and select the word that was defined.

1. related to money
   

2. a difficult or bad situation that is hard to get out of
   

3. feeling a strong need to do something again and again, even if it is not good for you
   

4. really; very much
   

5. feeling very sad, unhappy, or hopeless
   

6. past tense of dig; to make a hole in the ground
   

7. a person who cannot stop doing something harmful
   

8. not having enough of something
   

9. the way a person acts
   

10. a strong feeling of excitement or pleasure
   

11. a strong need to do something that is hard to stop
   

12. a sudden desire to do something without thinking
   

13. to look at things casually, without planning to buy
   

14. feeling very sorry about something you did
   

15. something that will happen and cannot be avoided
   

16. a large shopping center with many stores
   

17. to control yourself; to stop yourself from doing something
   

18. to make someone want to do something, even if it is not a good idea
   

19. a trained person who helps people with personal problems
   

 

Reading

Shopping Addiction

Are you a compulsive shopper?

comprador

Are your credit cards maxed out? Is it impossible for you to go to a store without buying something? Are your closets full of things you don't even use? Do you get a "high" when you buy new things only to feel depressed later because you've dug yourself into a deeper financial hole?

Shopping can truly be an addiction for some people. Shopping addicts exhibit the same sorts of behaviors as other addicts. They have a lack of control over their impulses. They get a thrill when they purchase new things but feel remorse later when they realize what they've done.

Some compulsive shoppers exhibit a lack of control in other areas of their life as well. They may even have other addictions such as alcoholism or eating disorders. A person with addictive behavior patterns should seek professional counseling.

How can you control your spending?

Make a shopping list and stick to it! Write down what you need to buy and don't buy anything that's not on the list. This will force you to buy what you need and avoid impulse purchases.

Use cash, checks or debit cards instead of credit cards. With cash, checks and debit cards, you are spending money that you have saved. With credit cards, however, you are spending money that you don't have. Hide your credit cards or cut them up. Don't take them with you when you go shopping.

comprador

Shop at individual stores instead of going to the mall. When you go to the mall, you will be tempted to go in other stores and buy things that you don't need. If the store that you need to visit is at the mall, park your car at the door that is closest to the store that you need to visit and don't go in any other stores.

Don't window shop, look through catalogs, or watch home shopping channels. These lead to impulse purchases. When you browse, you will inevitably find something you want to buy (but probably don't need).

If your shopping is beyond your control, seek professional help. Many people have some problems restraining themselves when they go shopping but if it reaches addiction level, you need help. Contact a counselor or join a support group.

► Listen to the reading

 

Questions

Instructions
Find the meaning of these expressions based on their context.

1. Are your credit cards maxed out?"

    a) You have many credit cards.

    b) You don't use your credit cards.

    c) Charged up to the maximum balance.

   

2. "Do you get a "high" when you buy new things only to feel depressed later because you've dug yourself into a deeper financial hole?"

    a) Very excited feeling

    b) Very sad feeling

    c) Frustrated feeling

   

3. "Make a shopping list and stick to it!"

    a) Buy extra things.

    b) Only buy things from the list

    c) Buy sticky glue.

   

4. Don't window shop, look through catalogs, or watch home shopping channels.

    a) Look at items in store windows.

    b) Look for and purchase windows for your home.

    c) Shop for a new wallet.

   

Instructions
According to the article, which of the following tips can compulsive shoppers follow to try to control their addiction? (Select three)

    a) Use cash or checks instead of credit cards.

    b) Never go shopping again.

    c) Limit their purchases to items on their shopping list.

    d) Get counseling.

    e) Open a savings account in a local bank.

   

         

 

Writing

Imagine that a friend of yours has a shopping addiction. Write him a letter giving him advice.

Write in the comments section below. Passport to English is a community of people who want to learn English for free. Please be supportive of each other. If you see a mistake in someone's writing, please respond with the correction. Remember that comments other than those written by Janet Castrejon (the author of this website) do not represent Passport to English. If someone posts inappropriate comments on this page, please send a message to [email protected] and include the page where you saw the comment.

 

 

Next
Expressions

 

Advanced English - Lesson 10 - Shopping
Vocabulary - Grammar - Listening - Dialogue - Reading - Expressions - Dictation - Game

 

Important Links

Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced - Teachers

Pronouns - Pronunciation Rules - Verbs - Irregular Verbs

Vocabulary - Grammar - Pronunciation - Spelling

Common Words - Study Abroad

Dialogues - Reading