Consumer Society

It is often said these days that we live in a consumer society. The idea of the consumer society is based on wanting things. The more we see in the shops the more we want. We work as hard as we can because we want more things.

Marked improvements in the standard of living have taken place in the UK in the last few years. According to a recent United Nations report, Britain ranks tenth out of 173 countries as to life expectancy, education levels and basic purchasing power. As a result there has been a change in consumption and expenditure. Households spend a smaller proportion of their income on food and more on housing now. Four-fifths of British households live i n hous­es rather than flats.

As the standard of living rose for many people, they began to buy a lot of durable goods. There has been a steady growth of car ownership.

Besides, there has been an increase in the number of meals eaien away from home, for example, in restaurants, "fast food" shops and pubs. Con­sumption of non-alcoholic drinks is increasing.

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Unit 2

I. Income and Spending

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A big proportion of household expenditure goes on leisure, leisure goods, entertainment and travel. Young people in Britain make a special consumer group.

Words and word combinations you may need

rank v - занимать какое-либо место life expectancy — про дол жите л ьн ость

жизни purchasing power — покупательная с no-

собность

consumer society - общество потреб-

ленин

marked udj— заметный, явный improvement п -~ улучшение according to - согласно, в иоответст-

вии с

Ex. 20. Sum up Text C (orally/in writing).

Situation: Discuss with your partner how your families spend their incomes. Do you contribute in any way to your family's income? Do your parenls give you any "pocket money"?

Ex. 21. Discussion questions.

1. What is the main purpose of the economy?

2. What economic agents populate the modern market economy?

1. Does the pattern of consumption and consumer spending have an impact on the level of economic activity?

3. How do people earn money?

4. Do you consider "living on credit" a normal way of life?

5. Is hire purchase practised in Russia?

7. How do consumers distribute their incomes? 8 . What factors affect consumers' decisions?

Read for More Information

Ex. 22. a) Read the text aloud.

2. Look up the words you do not know in the dictionary.

3. Why were such commodities as cattle, sheep, furs, leather, fish, tobacco, tea, salt, shells replaced by precious metals?

4. Explain the role of goldsmiths in the appearance of banknotes.

9. Does your family have a budget for your money? 1 0. Do you (your family) keep money in a bank? 1 1 . What major accounts do banks offer to their clients? 1 2. Do many people in Russia buy shares? 13. Is investing in shares a reliable way of getting an income?