Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Department Stores & Malls
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a homeware and furniture mall.
There are descriptions of eight furniture malls.
Decide which furniture mall would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 John and Mary are buying furniture for their completely new house. They want a mall where they can see full rooms set up to get ideas. They don’t have a big car, so they need everything brought to their address.
2 Lucas wants to get a table and chairs for his garden. He enjoys spending the whole day shopping and hopes to have a hot meal there. He has a truck and wants to take his purchases home immediately today.
3 Sarah is looking for cooking pots and plates for her apartment. She is hoping to find some special discounts to save money. She works until 7 p.m., so the mall must stay open late into the night.
4 The Smith family loves classic wooden furniture and needs some advice from an expert on how to decorate their living room. They are driving to the mall from far away, so they require a place where they can park without paying.
5 Chloe cares about the environment and only buys homeware made from recycled materials. She is currently looking for some modern lamps for her bedroom. She prefers to look at the mall’s website to check what they have before visiting.
Homeware and Furniture Malls
A The Living Hub
Moving into a completely empty property? Get brilliant inspiration by walking through our realistic living spaces, styled by experts to show how items match. Once you choose your favorite pieces, just leave your details with us. Our transport team will drop everything at your door within three days!
B Green Space Mall
Prepare for summer by exploring our massive selection of outdoor seating and patio tables. Shoppers can take a break at our fantastic restaurant serving delicious hot soups and pasta. Best of all, our warehouse is fully stocked, meaning you can pack your items into your vehicle and drive away immediately.
C Cook’s Paradise
If you need to upgrade your cooking area, we offer a huge variety of frying pans, bowls, and cutlery. We always have amazing sales and reduced prices for careful shoppers. Our doors remain open until midnight every day, making it the perfect destination for people with busy daytime schedules.
D Heritage Home
Discover our beautiful collection of old-fashioned oak cabinets and classic wooden dining sets. If you are unsure what fits your space, our professional decorators are available to guide your choices. Visitors never have to worry about vehicle fees, as our massive outdoor lot costs absolutely nothing to use.
E Eco-Living Centre
We believe in protecting nature, which is why all our products are created from reused plastics and sustainable wood. Come and browse our bright collection of ceiling lights and desk bulbs. Customers can easily view our entire range of products on the internet before making the trip to our store.
F Style Studio
Get great ideas for your completely empty apartment by wandering through our beautiful model bedrooms and kitchens. Our helpful staff love giving professional decoration advice. Please note that we do not offer a transport service, so buyers must bring a large truck to carry their purchases away themselves.
G The Homeware House
Find everything you need for cooking, from sharp knives to huge pots. After exploring our aisles, enjoy a lovely hot lunch at our rooftop café. Unfortunately, we close at 5:00 p.m. daily, and all items must be ordered from our factory, taking two weeks to arrive at your address.
H Nature’s Woodwork
We offer beautiful classic furniture made entirely from environmentally safe materials. You will love our traditional wooden chairs and heavy dining tables. We currently do not sell any electrical items or desk lamps, and our website is offline for repairs, so you must visit us to see our collection.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a tech and electronics mega-store to visit.
There are descriptions of eight tech and electronics mega-stores.
Decide which tech and electronics mega-store would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Jake needs a powerful new laptop for his college studies. He prefers to try out gadgets in his own hands before making a decision. He doesn’t have much money, so he’s hoping to find a place offering great student discounts.
2 Maria wants to buy a modern smart television for her living room. She isn’t very good with technology, so she needs expert advice to explain how things work. She also wants a warranty included in case it breaks.
3 Tom is looking for a cheap, second-hand tablet to read books on. He plans to drive to the shop, so a large car park is essential. He also wants to relax with a cup of coffee while he shops.
4 Sarah loves playing the latest video games and wants to buy a new console. She travels by public transport, so the shop must be near a train station. She also wants to give the store her old machine to recycle.
5 David is an enthusiastic photographer searching for a high-quality digital camera. He also wants to buy extra equipment, like carrying bags and special lenses. Because he works long hours, the shop needs to stay open late in the evening.
Tech and Electronics Mega-Stores
A Tech World
University learners always get fifteen percent off their purchases here! We have a massive computer section perfect for your studies. Unlike other shops, our display models are all switched on, allowing you to play around with the keyboards and screens to see what feels best before paying at the till.
B Vision Electronics
We sell beautiful, massive screens for your home cinema. Our highly trained staff are always available to patiently guide you through the features and show you exactly how to operate your purchase. Best of all, every item comes with a two-year promise to fix any faults completely free of charge.
C The Gadget Hub
Drivers will love our huge, free visitor garage located right outside. Inside, we have a fantastic selection of refurbished, high-quality reading devices and touchscreens at low prices. After grabbing a bargain, you can sit down and enjoy a delicious hot drink and a slice of cake in our lovely restaurant.
D Game Central
Situated just a short walk from the main underground platforms, getting to us is incredibly easy. We stock all the newest gaming releases and entertainment systems. Furthermore, if you bring in your previous, unwanted electronics, we will safely dispose of them for you and protect the environment at no extra cost.
E Focus Superstore
Photographers will adore our massive range of advanced picture-taking equipment. We don’t just sell the devices; we also stock thousands of useful extras, including protective cases and glass attachments. We welcome customers until midnight every single day, making it the perfect destination to visit after a busy day at the office.
F Screen City
We specialize in incredible home entertainment systems and large displays for your living room. Our knowledgeable team loves sharing their technical knowledge and will gladly teach you how to use everything. Please note that we offer the lowest prices in town, but unfortunately, we do not provide any repair promises.
G PC Megastore
Come and explore our huge hall filled with the newest study computers and office machines. All our products are out of their boxes, so you can easily touch them and check they suit your needs. We offer excellent everyday prices, though we don’t have any special deals for university attendees.
H Digital Corner
Looking for a budget-friendly touchscreen for browsing the internet or reading? We sell brilliant, used devices that look brand new. Take a break from browsing by visiting our cozy top-floor tea room. However, visitors should catch the bus, as there are absolutely no spaces for vehicles anywhere near our building.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a mall with an indoor theme park to visit.
There are descriptions of eight shopping centers.
Decide which shopping center would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Mark wants to experience a fast indoor train ride with loops. His parents need a safe drop-off zone to leave their fifteen-year-old while they buy clothes. They also want a mall that offers discounted afternoon entry tickets to save money.
2 Sarah loves very noisy places with loud pop music and screaming crowds. She wants to play electronic video games after trying the indoor tracks. She also needs the mall to have affordable fast-food restaurants serving delicious burgers nearby.
3 David wants a park with exciting track rides that go upside down. His parents want to leave him there while they look at laptops and novels alone. They are driving, so the shopping center must provide free parking spaces.
4 Elena wants to ride a huge indoor rollercoaster this Saturday. Her mother plans to leave her there to go window shopping for shoes. Since they do not have a car, the mall must be right next to a bus station.
5 Tom enjoys high-energy, loud amusement parks with lots of sound. He wants to try indoor water slides. His parents need to leave him somewhere secure while they enjoy a relaxing massage at a salon inside the same building.
Malls with Indoor Theme Parks
A The Mega Hub
This exciting shopping center features an amazing indoor track ride with huge loops. Parents can safely leave their older children at the youth drop-off area while they browse the fashion boutiques downstairs. Best of all, half-price entry vouchers are available after 4 p.m., making it a brilliant choice for budget-conscious families.
B Sonic Plaza
If you hate quiet spaces, you will love this high-energy park filled with screaming crowds and loud rock music. Visitors can enjoy advanced digital gaming screens and simulators right next to the rides. There is also a fantastic food court offering cheap, tasty burgers and chips for hungry teenagers.
C Galaxy Center
This massive mall boasts an incredible indoor amusement area with fast trains that flip upside down. Adults can leave their teenagers with our staff while they explore the bookstore and electronic shops alone. Drivers will appreciate that the center offers a huge garage where anyone can park for zero cost.
D Metro Galleria
Famous for its giant indoor rollercoaster, this mall is the perfect weekend destination. Parents can comfortably leave their teens at the secure park entrance and go shopping for boots and high heels. The entire complex is situated immediately opposite the city’s main central bus terminal, so traveling here is very simple.
E Splash Mountain Mall
Get ready for a very loud, noisy adventure with constant music and shouting! This indoor playground features thrilling water-based slides and pools. Our professional team will look after your older kids safely while parents escape to the luxury beauty salon on the third floor for a peaceful back massage.
F Peak Pavilion
Come and enjoy our famous indoor rollercoaster with terrifying loops. This secure park allows parents to leave their teenagers safely while they explore the clothing departments alone. Please note that entry tickets are very expensive and the center is far from any bus stops, so you must drive here.
G Funky Junction
This lively mall is famous for its noisy atmosphere, loud pop music, and energetic crowds. After exploring the indoor carousels, teenagers can visit the nearby fast-food counters for delicious burgers. The park focuses strictly on traditional board games and classic wooden toys, so no computer screens or video games are allowed.
H Skyline Mall
This brilliant shopping center offers amazing fast trains that flip upside down indoors. Drivers can use our giant outdoor car park completely free of charge all day. However, our safety rules mean that parents must stay with their children at all times, as we do not allow teenagers to be left alone.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
