A street market in your city / A street market where you did shopping?
Speaking cue card with answers(30 cue)
– Where is it?
– What can you buy there?
– How you felt about it?
Describe a time you bought something from a street (or outdoor) market
– When it was
– Where you were
– What you bought
– How you felt about it
● I believe shopping is a great pastime and people shop at different places like malls and roadside or street markets
● Rich people nowadays prefer to shop in the malls whereas youngsters and economically weaker people shop from markets nearby their home or the street markets
● Today, I would like to talk about a street market which is near my hometown and all kinds of things can be bought here.
● This market is usually open on Sundays
● It is located in our city centre
● Most of the street hawkers and vendors come to sell their products here.
● One can buy anything from clothes, books, utensils, mobile screen guards and everyday use items from this market.
● There are also a lot of street vendors who sell toys for children like bubble maker etc.
● Sometimes one can see few street artists as well who perform stunts in the market.
● There are also a lot of food vendors in this market and one can eat a variety of snacks like burgers, sandwiches etc
● The street food available in this market is really delicious
● Although sometimes the food may be unhygienic.
● This market is very popular amongst youngsters as they get the latest in fashion at very nominal rates.
● Most of the items available at this market are of inferior quality but due to their low price people prefer to buy them.
● I recently bought a second hand book from this market.
● The name of the book is One Indian Girl.
● It is written by the author Chetan Bhagat.
● The original book is for 300 Rs but I got it for only 100 Rs.
● So I was very happy with the purchase.
● I like to go to this market with my friends
● Next time I will buy some mobile accessories/ jewelry from this market.
Part 3 Follow Up Questions
1. What kinds of markets are there in India?
I think Indian markets can be classified into three categories. First and the dominant one’s are the small shops in the neighbourhoods, followed by street markets and the final would be shopping malls and high street markets.
2. Do you think small markets will disappear in the future?
No I don’t think so because India is world’s most populated country and also the most diverse. Moreover majority of the population in India still belongs to the lower and middle income group and they mostly prefer to shop from small markets.
3. Have people’s shopping habits changed in recent years?
Definitely yes, people are now shopping more than ever, in fact, more than their needs. This is primarily due to two reasons, one is that shopping has become more convenient, for example, people can now shop online. Secondly, I think people now have more options to choose from and the goods have become much more affordable as well due to the rise in income levels.
4. What are the differences between shopping in street markets and big shopping malls?
Pricing and weather are the two biggest factors that come to my minds. It is easier to shop in malls at any time of the year because they are air conditioned whereas people don’t prefer street markets during hot summer days or extremely cold days. For pricing, street markets are obviously less costlier.
5. Do you think the goods sold at discount stores do not have good values or qualities?
Yes, I agree with this statement because discounting is one strategy that companies apply when their goods do not sell easily. If a product is real good in quality, people are willing to pay a hefty price for it. For example, people queue in lines to buy new iphones even if there are no discounts offered because they love its quality whereas for discounted phones, people do not value them much.
6. Why do some people like to buy expensive goods?
Like I mentioned earlier, the primary reason is obviously the quality of the product, like in case of apple iphone. Secondly, it could be that people think expensive products as a status symbol.
7. Do you like shopping online or going out for shopping?
I do a mix of both. Sometimes I shop online if I get a good deal. Many sites such as Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal, which give discounts
8. What is the difference between shopping with friends and shopping alone?
It’s fun to go shopping with friends. You can discuss things and take each other’s advice. When I go with my parents, they cannot guide me about the clothes, which are in trend.
9. What are the disadvantages of shopping in a big mall?
In big malls, nobody guides you about any product. You have to use your own judgement. Secondly, you cannot get things on credit, which a small shopkeeper in your town would give you if he knows you. Another disadvantage is that mostly big malls are outside in the suburbs, and so it is only possible to go by your car.
10. Why do people like to buy branded products?
Brands are popular because they provide quality, good after sale service and also provide status.
11. In your opinion are big discounts real or just an advertisement?
Big discounts are real in the case of branded products, but in most cases they are just an eyewash. Sometimes, outdated or defective pieces are sold by giving big discounts.