Bargaining

Bargaining

Topic: Groceries

Mode: Interpretive

Level: Novice

Students will extract details from bargaining interactions between customers and vendors.

Components of this activity: Scripts, recordings, worksheets

Instructions to the teacher

There are three versions of activities below that have to do with bargaining. They are not in sequence. Version 1 and version 2 are listening activities, while version 3 requires students to put a paragraph in a logical order.

Version 1: Listening True or False

Script

C: How much are these apples?

V: $3.50 per kilo. 

C: That’s too expensive. Is $2.50 okay?

V: My apples are very fresh. I’m afraid I cannot lower the price for you.

C: I’ll take them. Can I have 3 kilos please?

V: Of course. Here you are. That’s $10.50.

C: That’s $10.50. Here is $11.00

V: Here is your change, $0.50. Please come back next time. 

Instructions to students

Listen carefully as a vendor and a customer bargain with each other. Then, answer the following true/false questions about their conversation. 

  1. The apples cost 2.50 per kilo. F
  2. The customer got a discount. F
  3. The shopping vendor did not lower the price. F
  4. The customer took 2 kilos of apples. F
  5. The customer gave the seller $11.00. T
  6. The customer got a $0.50 change. T

Version 2: Listening Multiple Choice

Instructions to the teacher

  1. Record the script in the following exercise with someone and save it as an audio file.
  2. Play it in class and ask students to select the right answer for each question.
  3. NOTE: You may need to simplify language and change currency and amount.

Script

  • Salesperson: How can I help you today?
  • Shopper: I am looking for some t-shirts. How much does this one cost?
  • Salesperson: It’s $20.
  • Shopper: That’s quite expensive! Can you reduce the price for me?
  • Salesperson: How about 2 for $30?
  • Shopper: Hmm, that’s still a bit too much for me. Is there any way to reduce the price further?
  • Salesperson: The lowest I can do is 3 for $30. 
  • Shopper: Okay, thank you. I would like a red one, a blue one. and a green one. 
  • Salesperson: Fine, let me pack them for you. 

Instructions to students 

Listen to the audio and choose the best answer for each question that follows.

  1. What is s/he shopping for?

    shirts    pants    sweaters

  1. The salesperson says the shirts cost $20.

    true    false

  1. The shopper thinks that the price for the t-shirt is reasonable.

    No, she thinks it’s expensive.    Yes, she thinks it’s reasonably priced.

  1. What does the shopper ask the salesperson to do?

    Reduce the price.    Tell her when there is a sale.    Nothing.

  1. What does the salesperson offer to do first?

    2 shirts for $30    3 shirts for $25    4 shirts for $30

  1. Does the shopper agree to this offer?

    No, she thinks it’s still too expensive.    Yes, she buys 2 shirts for $30.

  1. What offer does the shopper finally agree to?

    3 shirts for $30    3 shirts for $25    4 shirts for $30

  1. What color t-shirts does the shopper choose?

    red, green, blue    green, white, red    red, orange, yellow

Version 3: Jumbled Paragraph

Instructions to students 

Put the sentences in the most logical order.

  1. Sometimes it takes an hour to get a good price. 
  2. At the end of the day, though, I am usually quite happy with my purchases.
  3. I am excited to go shopping in the market today!
  4. It is great fun bargaining to get the best deal.
  5. If it is something of really good quality, it can take even longer.

Answer Key

  1. I am excited to go shopping in the market today!
  2. It is great fun bargaining to get the best deal.
  3. Sometimes it takes an hour to get a good price. 
  4. If it is something of really good quality, it can take even longer.
  5. At the end of the day, though, I am usually quite happy with my purchases.
Categories: Listening / Reading