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Chapter 8 – Going To The Market
Situation: Laura’s mother had asked her to go grocery shopping before she went to work this morning. Since Laura is still busy with her homework, she asks her sister Martha to go to the market for her.
Laura: Mom had asked me to go grocery shopping before she left for work this morning, but I need to finish my school project. Can you go for me, Martha?
Martha: I guess I can. I am done with my homework. What did mom want you to buy?
Laura: Well, she wanted me to buy enough groceries for the whole week. Besides meat, some fish and vegetables, we can buy whatever else we want for snacks and breakfast.
Martha: What do you want for breakfast?
Laura: I guess some cereal as usual.
Martha: I do not want cereal everyday. I will buy some pancakes and syrup then.
Laura: Get the new FineFood pancakes in the frozen food section please. I want to see how it tastes.
Martha: Do we still have enough coffee and cream for mom and dad?
Laura: Yes, we do. Talking about coffee and cream, you better buy some milk also. We almost ran out of it.
Martha: Next, what do you want for snacks?
Laura: Some chips would be fine with me. You probably want your chocolate cookies.
Martha: I better write down all these things; otherwise, I will forget them by the time I get to the market. I would hate to make two trips to take care of things.
Laura: Right! As far as meat, mom wants some pork and some chicken.
Martha: Just any kind of pork?
Laura: I forgot to ask mom about that. Anyways, you can ask the butcher for his opinion. He knows what is best.
Martha: How about fish?
Laura: Mom wants some salmon and some catfish. Make sure that they are fresh.
Martha: How much salmon and catfish should I buy?
Laura: Oh, buy four pieces of salmon filet and four pieces of catfish filet. Mom does not like to get the whole fish.
Martha: Are these fish filets sold by weight or by the piece?
Laura: I am not very sure. Just buy four decent sized pieces. Not too big and not too small.
Martha: Do I need to buy some spices so mom can marinate the fish?
Laura: Yes, get some ground pepper and some garlic.
Martha: Now, how about vegetables? Mom probably wants carrots, potatoes, cabbages and some lettuce.
Laura: That would be fine. We need some fruits also. What do you want?
Martha: Dad always packs an apple for lunch everyday. I want the same thing.
Laura: We have already run out of eggs. So, get a carton of eggs also.
Martha: How about some soft drinks?
Laura: No, buy some bottled water instead. It is healthier for us. We need to cut down on our intake of sugar, as too much sugar is not good for our bodies.
Martha: I need to put bread on the list before I forget. Should I get one loaf or two?
Laura: One loaf will be enough. Put down a bag of rice also.
Martha: Do we need anything for dessert?
Laura: Get a box of ice cream.
Martha: Ice cream? Isn’t ice cream packed with sugar?
Laura: Yes, but since I already drink water instead of soft drinks, one or perhaps two scoops of ice cream after dinner is not too bad. Besides, mom loves ice cream, especially cherry vanilla.
Martha: OK, I will put down one box of ice cream if you say so. Do you want me to buy some pastries for you?
Laura: I know the pastries at the market are delicious; however, no is my answer. Do not tempt me, Martha.
Martha: Just asking, Laura.
Laura: You have quite a few items to take care of. You need to get going.
Martha: Yes, the list is quite long. By the time I get to the cashier to pay, I will probably have a full shopping cart. OK, I am all set to go. I will be back soon.
Laura: Drive carefully please!
Martha: I will.
Questions/Answers Practice
| Q: Where are you going? | A: I am going to the supermarket. |
| Q: Do they sell only meat at the supermarket? | A: No, they sell a lot of things. There is a section for meat, a section for frozen food, a section for vegetables…. |
| Q: Do supermarkets carry wine? | A: Yes, they have a whole section for liquor. |
| Q: What can you buy at the supermarket? | A I can buy groceries, over-the-counter medicines or daily hygiene stuffs like toothpaste, detergent, and soap. |
| Q: What else do you find at the supermarket? | A: Nowadays, there is a pharmacy inside most supermarkets. |
| Q: Do you have to bargain at the supermarket? | A: No, because the prices are fixed. |
| Q: How do they sell things at the supermarket? | A: You can buy things by the package or by weight. |
Q: When is the best time to go to the supermarket? A: It is best for you to go when you are not hungry. Otherwise, you will want to buy everything that you see.
Q: What are the hours of supermarkets?
A: Supermarkets are usually open from 5AM to midnight.
Q: Were they ever closed?
A: I don’t think they were ever closed. They are open even on major holidays.
Q: What happens if you suddenly run out of things?
A: I will have to make an extra trip to the supermarket then.
3) Comprehension test
- When did Laura’s mom ask her to go grocery shopping?
- Why does Laura ask Martha to go to the market?
- Why does Martha agree to go grocery shopping?
- What does Martha want for breakfast?
- What kind of pancakes does Laura want?
- Do they want chips for breakfast?
- Why should Martha write down all the things she needs to buy?
- What should Martha buy for the main meals?
- What does Laura’s mother use to marinate fish?
- Why does Martha need to buy eggs?
- Why shouldn’t Martha buy some soft drinks?
- Why does Laura want to buy ice cream?
- Why should Martha get going?
4) Discussion
- How often does your family go to the market for groceries? Describe the marketplace where you usually go to for grocery shopping.
- Do you like to go to the market? Why? Why not?
- Describe the regular meals that you have during the day.
GRAMMAR REVIEW
VERBS
Past tense
The past tense is used to indicate an action that happened and ended at a particular time in the past or a habit in the past. In general, the past tense is formed by adding –ed to the end of the verb.
VERB + ED
Mom asked me to go grocery shopping this morning.
She wanted me to buy enough groceries for the whole week this morning.
For certain verbs, past tense are not formed by merely adding –ed. These types of verbs are called irregular verbs. Some verbs have the same form as the present form, others completely change to express past tense.
Past Progressive tense
The past progressive tense is used to indicate that an action was in progress at a particular time in the past or that an action was ongoing when another action happened in the past. Generally, the past progressive tense is formed by using the verb be in the simple past and the present participle of the verb.
BE IN PAST TENSE + PRESENT PARTICIPLE
I was talking to Christine after dinner last night.
Paul was exercising when his mother got home from work yesterday.
Present perfect tense
The present perfect tense is used when an action happened at an unspecified time in the past. The present perfect tense is formed by adding have or has to a past participle.
HAVE/HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE I have done my homework.
She has cooked dinner.
However, when the present perfect tense is accompanied by since or for, it shows that the action started in the past, is currently happening and will continue in the future.
I have been with Multi-Max since November 1st. (I started to work for Multi-Max on November 1st, I am still working there today and will continue to work there in the future) Note: give an exact date after since
I have worked in this field for ten years. (I started working in this field ten years ago. I am still working in this field now, and I will continue to work in this field in the future. Note: give a duration of time after for)
Present perfect progressive tense
The present perfect progressive tense is used to indicate that an action has been in progress until now. This tense is used to express the duration of the action.
HAVE BEEN/HAS BEEN + PRESENT PARTICIPLE
He has been cleaning his room for the last two hours. (He started to clean his room two hours ago, and he is still cleaning it now)
Past perfect tense
The past perfect tense is used to indicate that an action occurred before another action in the past. The past perfect tense is formed by adding had to a past participle.
HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE
I had finished my homework when John came last night. (Last night I finished my homework first, and then John came over)
Past perfect progressive tense
The past perfect progressive is used to indicate that an action was ongoing before another action happened in the past. This tense is used to express the duration of the action, and is formed with had been and the present participle of the verb.
HAD BEEN + PRESENT PARTICIPLE
Paul had been watching television for two hours before it was turned off. (There are two actions in this sentence: watch television and turn off television)
Questions/Answers Practice
Pair the students and have them practice the following questions and answers. Ask them to come up with similar questions and answers.
Q: When did you finish your homework?
A: I finished my homework yesterday.
Q: What did you do during past summers? A: In the past, I went home during summer.
Q: What was he doing when it rained yesterday? A: He was sleeping when it rained.
Q: What happened at 6PM yesterday?
A: John was driving home when the accident happened.
Q: Did you finish your homework?
A: I have done my homework.
Q: How long have you been living in Long Beach? A: I have lived in Long Beach since 1980.
Q: When did he start working on his homework? A: He has been working on his homework since 3:00 o’clock.
Q: How long has it been raining?
A: It has been raining for three hours.
Q: Did you meet my son?
A: No, your son had left when I came yesterday.
Q: Did you have to water the lawn?
A: No, it had rained when I got home.
Q: How long did she study before the test?
A: She had been studying for three hours before they started the test.