XXVIII. Make up dialogues on the following situations:

a) You are going to do some shopping. You are not sure wheth­er there is enough food in your refrigerator, in your cupboard.

b) You are doing some shopping at the butcher’s, grocer’s, etc.

c) Act as an interpreter and help an Englishman in his talk with the shop assistant at the ready-made clothes’ depart­ment.

d) Have a talk with your friend about the latest fashion and style in clothes and shoes.

XXIX. Retell the dialogue. Imagine that you are a) the salesman, b) Robert. Answer the questions that your fellow-students will ask you. A pair of socks

(Robert is out shopping. He calls at a men’s outfitter’s to buy a pair of socks).

Salesman: Good morning, sir. What can I do for you?

Robert: Good morning. Er... I just wanted a pair of socks.

S: Certainly, sir. I think I may say we have a very fine se­lection. These nylon ones, for instance. They are Italian, only came in this morning.

R: Well... I didn’t want anything fancy. Just ordinary wool­len socks, you know. I’m going on a short walking-tour, so I thought something warm...

S: Walking-tour, sir? Then if you don’t mind my saying so, you’ll certainly need some of those quick-drying wool and nylon socks. They wash beautifully and dry in no time at all. Five and eleven a pair. How many shall I wrap up for you?

R: Er... just one pair will do. Those green ones.

S: If you are going on holiday, sir, perhaps you’ll be interest­ed in this new line of trousers? Very popular, they are. You’ll find them invaluable when you are out in bad weather.

R: Are they crease-resistant?

S: They’re crease-resistant, water-repellent and fade-proof. You’ll have to have a pair if you’re going on holiday, sir. Only forty-nine and six — a real bargain.

R: Er... well, perhaps.

S: The blue ones? Very good sir. I’ll just measure you: waist — thirty, inside leg — thirty one. Very good.

R: But I’ve got a five-pound note. Can you change it?

S: Oh, that’ll be no trouble. I’ll just have it sent up to the cashier’s department. It won’t take a moment. Take a seat, sir, while you are waiting. Ha, ha, sir, I see you are looking at that yellow cashmere pullover. The last one, that is, and it happens to be your size, sir. You’ll need something to keep you warm on a walking-tour. You’ll feel a different man when you put it on.

R: It certainly looks nice and warm. But won’t it get dirty rather quickly?

S: Well, of course, sir, all light colours show the dirt. But you’ll find this washes like a dream. Just use a spoon­ful of our special washing-powder. Two and six a pack­et. I’ll wrap up a couple of packets with the pullover.

R: But won’t it shrink?

S: Shrink, sir? We’ve sold dozens of these pullovers and haven’t had a single complaint. If it shrinks, sir, we’ll give you your money back.

R: All right. I’ll take it. You can wrap up everything in one parcel.

S: Let me see: socks, trousers, pullover. Here we are, sir. Here is your parcel.

R: And my change?

S: Change, sir? I’m afraid there’s a mistake. Here is the bill, sir. Eight pounds, sixteen shillings and fourpence. Anoth­er three pounds sixteen shillings and fourpence to come.