B1 PRELIMINARY · VOCABULARY · TOPIC VOCABULARY
Shopping and money
Words like try on, a bargain, afford and get a refund.
Finn says
Shopping comes up in Listening conversations, Speaking Part 2 photos and emails to friends about something you bought. Learn the words in groups, with the words they go with, and try to use two or three of them next time you practise Speaking or Writing.
In the shop
try on
put on clothes to see if they fit
Can I try on these jeans?
fit / suit
be the right size / look good on you
The jacket fits me, but the colour doesn't suit me.
a changing room
where you try on clothes
The changing rooms are over there.
a receipt
the paper that shows what you paid
Keep the receipt in case you want to change it.
Money
afford
have enough money for
I can't afford a new phone right now.
a bargain
something cheaper than usual
These shoes were a real bargain.
be on sale
cost less for a short time
Everything is on sale this week.
get a refund
get your money back
It was broken, so I got a refund.
Make it better
The same idea, first in basic English, then in the kind of language that gets a higher mark.
- Basic: The shoes didn't cost a lot.Better: The shoes were a real bargain.One natural word instead of a long phrase.
- Basic: I don't have the money for it.Better: I can't afford it at the moment.The usual way to say this.
- Basic: The dress is good on you.Better: The dress really suits you.The right verb for clothes and colours.
Finn's exam tip
In Speaking Part 2, if the photo shows a shop, talk about what the people might be doing: 'Maybe she's trying on a jacket. She might be looking for a bargain because there's a sale.'
Quick check
Choose the best answer.
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