Harrods
LEVEL A.2 - B.1
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If you visit London and enjoy shopping then you must go to Harrods. It is Britain's largest and most famous Department store occupying around 90,000 m of floor space. That's a lot of shopping!
It is situated in the fashionable Knightsbridge area not far from Marble Arch and Park Lane.
The first shop, which opened in 1834, was actually in the poorer east end district of London. After moving to this site in 1849, the shop became more and more successful and in 1898 even introduced in the world's first escalator. Many customers were too frightened to use it and those that did, were rewarded with a brandy at the top to calm their nerves! Well, shopping can be stressful!
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Now, it is one of the biggest shops in the world with over three hundred departments. You can buy just about anything from clothes to furniture, gifts, food and drink. One of the most exclusive things you can buy is a personal picnic hamper with all your favourite foods - but it won't be cheap! In 1995, the store was bought by Mohamed Al Fayed and sadly, it was his son who died in the car crash with Princess Diana. There is now a sculpture of them inside the store. The shop receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the majority of which are non-English so it's a real tourist attraction and one which you are sure to enjoy. Just take plenty of money and be careful on that escalator!
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Questions
Are the following statements true or false?
1) The store is situated in one of London's most fashionable areas.
2) When it was first introduced, people enjoyed using the escalator so that they could get a free brandy.
3) You can decide what to put into your picnic hamper.
4) The shop sells mostly food and drink.
5) The store is very popular with overseas visitors.
Answers
1) True
2) False - people needed the brandy to calm them down!
3) True - it's personalized
4) False - the shop sells almost everything
5) True
LEVEL B1.5 - B.2
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If you visit London and you're a bit of a shopaholic, then a visit to Harrods is a must. It is Britain's largest and most famous Department store occupying a staggering 90,000 m of floor space. That's a lot of shopping! It is situated in the trendy Knightsbridge area within walking distance of Marble Arch and Park Lane.
The business was founded in1834, with the first shop being in the poorer, east end district of London. The relocation in 1849, proved a great success and from an initial staff of two, the store expanded rapidly. So much so, that in 1898, Harrods introduced in the world's first escalator. Many customers were too scared to use it and those that did, needed sedation with a brandy at the top to calm their nerves! Well, shopping can be stressful!
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Now, it is one of the largest and most prestigious shops in the world with over three hundred departments. You can buy just about anything, from ladies', gent's and children's clothing to furniture, white goods, fancy goods and of course, food and drink. One of the most exclusive and world renowned purchases is a tailor made picnic hamper made to order with all of your favourite foods - but the price is as extravagant as the product! In 1995, the store was bought by Mohamed Al Fayed who sadly lost his son in the car crash with Princess Diana. There is now a sculpture of them inside the store. The shop is a magnet for overseas visitors and attracts hundreds of thousands of them each year. When you tire of the crowds in Oxford street, amble down to Harrods and enjoy a truly unique shopping experience. Just take plenty of cash and be careful on that escalator! They've now stopped administering brandy!
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Questions
Find words or phrases in the text with the following meanings:
1) Someone who is addicted to shopping
2) Amazing, stunning
3) The process of reducing sensory awareness
4) Famous, respected, of high status
5) Another word for 'men's
6) Not available to everybody, usually used to describe a high class, expensive product
7) Known about throughout the world
8) Not worrying about cost, excessive or extreme gestures or expenditure
9) Attracts, draws people in
10) To walk slowly
11) Giving
Answers
1) Shopaholic
2) Staggering
3) Sedation
4) Prestigious
5) Gent's
6) Exclusive
7) World renowned
8) Extravagant
9) Acts as a magnet
10) Amble
11) Administer
LEVEL C1
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If you visit London and you're a bit of a shopaholic, then a visit to Harrods is a must. It is Britain's largest and most famous Department store hogging a staggering 90,000 m of floor space. That's a lot of shopping! It is situated in the up market Knightsbridge area within a stone's throw of Marble Arch and Park Lane.
The business was founded in1834, with the first shop being in the poorer, east end district of London. The switch to Knightsbridge in 1849, proved a great success and from humble beginnings, the store expanded at lightening pace. So much so, that in 1898, Harrods introduced in the world's first 'traveling staircase'. Many customers were too petrified to use it and those that did, needed a stiff brandy at the top to settle their jangling nerves! Well, shopping can be stressful!
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These days, it is one of the largest and most prestigious shops in the world with over three hundred departments. You can buy everything but the kitchen sink including ladies, gents and children's apparel, furniture, white goods, fancy goods and it goes without saying, food and drink. The jewel in the crown of Harrods purchases is a bespoke picnic hamper made to order with all of your favourite, delicious delicacies - mind you, it will cost you an arm and a leg! In 1995, the store was bought by Mohamed Al Fayed who tragically, lost his son in the car crash with Princess Diana. There is now a sculptural memorial of them inside the store. The shop continues to be a magnet for overseas visitors and attracts hundreds of thousands of them each year. When you weary of the crowds in Oxford Street, why not saunter down to Harrods and enjoy a truly unique shopping extravaganza. Just take plenty of readies and expect to hammer the plastic. Be careful on that escalator! They've now stopped administering brandy!
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Questions
Find words or phrases in the text with the following meanings:
1) A compulsory activity
2) Taking up, usually more than a fair share
3) Very close
4) Move, change
5) Modest start
6) Extremely quickly
7) Traveling staircase
8) Extremely frightened
9) Strong
10) Jarred, shredded
11) Almost everything
12) Clothing
13) The most valued, the highlight or pinnacle
14) Tailor made
15) However
16) Very expensive
17) To attract
18) Walk in a slow and relaxed manner
19) Cash
20) Spend a lot of money on a credit or debit card
Answers
1) A must
2) Hogging
3) Within a stone's throw
4) Switch
5) Humble beginnings
6) At lightening pace
7) Escalator
8) Petrified
9) Stiff
10) Jangling
11) Everything but the kitchen sink
12) Apparel
13) Jewel in the crown
14) Bespoke
15) Mind you
16) Cost an arm and a leg
17) Act as a magnet
18) Saunter
19) Readies
20) Hammer the plastic
George Sandford - Learning Associate, ACT Advanced Corporate Training
George Sandford is an author, HR Advisor and Learning Designer. A Post Grad. Dip. IPD, he has extensive experience in HR, consultancy and management training with corporate and government bodies. He has lived and worked in the UK, France, Portugal and Poland. Since creating the International Lisbon Learning Conference, he has focused on the development of visual, metaphoric and narrative learning materials and is the founder of Praski Publishing. He co-operates with ACT in the design and delivery of language and specialist courses.
www.act.edu.pl, angielski@act.edu.pl
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