Bookstore Supplies
Pre-Listening
Where do you usually buy supplies for school? Why do you purchase those items there?
Listen and Read
Read along with the audio recording.
Listening Quiz
Select the best answer for each question, then press Check Answers.
Use arrow keys to choose between options within each question.
1. How many books does the man have to buy?
2. What does he need for his writing class?
3. The man needs __________ for his physics class.
The new school semester just started, and I need some supplies for my classes. First, I have to buy six textbooks, but they are so expensive, so I might buy the textbooks online if they are available. I also need to pick up a good dictionary and thesaurus to help me improve my writing in my English classes. I also have to read three novels.
For my math and physics classes, I need a calculator, and I have to buy several notebooks and 3-ring binders to organize my homework and assignments. I also will buy some color pens and a yellow highlighter to mark important points in my textbooks. However, if my textbooks are in good condition at the end of the semester, I might be able to return them for a partial refund.
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Audio
- semester (noun): one of the periods that a school or university year is divided into, typically two or three per year
- She bought all of her textbooks at the beginning of the semester.
- supplies (noun): the materials and items needed for a specific purpose, such as school or office work
- He went to the bookstore to stock up on supplies before classes started.
- thesaurus (noun): a reference book or tool that lists words with similar meanings, used to find alternative words when writing
- She used a thesaurus to find a more interesting word than “happy” for her essay.
- novels (noun): long works of written fiction that tell a story through characters and events
- The English class required students to read three novels over the course of the semester.
- physics (noun): the branch of science that studies matter, energy, motion, and the forces that shape the natural world
- He needed a graphing calculator for his physics class.
- calculator (noun): a small electronic device used to perform mathematical calculations
- The professor required students to bring a scientific calculator to every exam.
- binders (noun): hard or soft covers with rings inside used to hold and organize loose papers
- She bought three binders, one for each of her main subjects.
- organize (verb): to arrange things in a neat and logical way so they are easy to find and use
- He used color-coded folders to organize his notes for each class.
- highlighter (noun): a brightly colored marker used to mark important text so it stands out on the page
- She used a yellow highlighter to mark the key terms in her textbook.
- mark (verb): to put a line, symbol, or color on something to draw attention to it or make a note of it
- He used a highlighter to mark the most important passages in the chapter.
- condition (noun): the state or quality of something, especially in terms of how well it has been maintained
- She checked the condition of the used textbook before buying it to make sure the pages weren’t damaged.
- partial (adjective): not complete; only a part of the whole
- Because the item was damaged, the store offered only a partial refund.
- refund (noun): money returned to a customer when a product is returned or a purchase is cancelled
- He returned the unused notebook to the bookstore and received a full refund.
Discussion
What are things you have to buy every semester at a typical college in your area and how much does a student pay on school supplies? Do students usually pay for these expenses on their own, through college loans, or with the help of parents?
Role Play
You are in the bookstore trying to find supplies before the start of your classes tomorrow (English Writing 101, Beginning Writing, Speech and Debate, and TOEFL). Ask a clerk to help you find the books and any other supplies you might need.
Online Investigation
Buying books at a traditional bookstore can be very expensive, so many students are turning to buying textbooks online. However, how much can students really save? Price a book you are interested in buying at a bookstore near you and then check the price of the same book online. How much can you save? Can you buy the book cheaper if it is used?