At the Grocery Store – Shopping for the Week

Scene: A neighborhood grocery store on a Saturday afternoon. Joon is pushing a cart and looking at a shopping list on his phone.

EMPLOYEE: Hi there. Can I help you find anything?

JOON: Hi, yes, please. I’m looking for brown rice. Which aisle is it in?

EMPLOYEE: Brown rice is in aisle 5, on the left side, near the pasta.

JOON: Thanks. And where can I find olive oil?

EMPLOYEE: That’s in the same aisle, just a little farther down, on the top shelf.

JOON: Great, I’ll go check. Oh, one more question—do you have any fresh basil?

EMPLOYEE: Yes, we do. It’s in the produce section, next to the parsley.

JOON: Perfect. Thank you so much.

Later, Joon is in aisle 5, comparing prices. The employee walks by again.

EMPLOYEE: Did you find everything okay?

JOON: Almost. I see two brands of olive oil. One is more expensive. What’s the difference?

EMPLOYEE: This one is extra virgin olive oil, and it’s organic, so it costs more. The other one is regular olive oil.

JOON: I think I’ll take the regular one. Is it on sale?

EMPLOYEE: Yes, it’s 20% off this week.

JOON: Nice, I’ll get that. Thanks again.

Joon goes to the checkout area with a full cart.

CASHIER: Hello. Did you find everything you were looking for today?

JOON: Yes, I did. Thank you.

The cashier starts scanning the items.

CASHIER: Do you have a rewards or membership card with us?

JOON: Yes, I do. Here it is.

CASHIER: Great. That gives you a discount on the rice and the olive oil.

JOON: Good to know.

CASHIER: Would you like paper bags, plastic bags, or do you have your own reusable bags?

JOON: I brought my own bags.

CASHIER: Perfect. Your total is 68 dollars and 40 cents. Will you be paying with cash or card?

JOON: Card, please.

Joon taps his card on the payment terminal.

CASHIER: All set. Here’s your receipt. Would you like a copy by email as well?

JOON: No, that’s okay. The paper receipt is enough.

CASHIER: All right. Have a great day!

JOON: You too. Thanks for your help.

— THE END —

Vocabulary List

Aisle /aɪl/ (n.) a long passage between rows of shelves in a store. Example: Brown rice is in aisle 5.
Produce /ˈproʊduːs/ (n.) fresh fruits and vegetables sold in a store. Example: Fresh basil is in the produce section.
Cart /kɑːrt/ (n.) a small vehicle with wheels used to carry groceries in a store. Example: Joon is pushing a cart through the store.
Brand /brænd/ (n.) the name of a product made by a particular company. Example: There are two brands of olive oil.
Organic /ɔːrˈɡænɪk/ (adj.) grown without chemicals like some pesticides. Example: The organic olive oil is more expensive.
On sale /ɔn seɪl/ (phr.) being sold at a lower price than usual. Example: The olive oil is 20% off—it’s on sale this week.
Checkout /ˈtʃekˌaʊt/ (n.) the place where you pay for your groceries in a store. Example: Joon goes to the checkout area with a full cart.
Rewards card /rɪˈwɔːrdz kɑːrd/ (n.) a card that gives discounts or points when you shop. Example: Do you have a rewards card with us?
Reusable bag /riːˈjuːzəbl bæg/ (n.) a bag you can use many times instead of paper or plastic bags. Example: I brought my own reusable bags.
Receipt /rɪˈsiːt/ (n.) a paper or digital record that shows what you bought and how much you paid. Example: Here’s your receipt.

At the Grocery Store: Shopping for the Week