Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Department Stores & Malls 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a historic department store to visit.

There are descriptions of eight department stores.

Decide which department store would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Arthur loves buildings from the 19th century. He needs to buy a well-made outfit for a wedding and doesn’t mind paying a high price for excellent service.

2   Marina is looking for a store that sells traditional handmade toys for her little girl. She also wants a nice place to sit down for a cooked meal indoors. She prefers buying things that are made locally.

3   Lucas wants to purchase a special necklace for his wife’s birthday. He works long hours, so the shop must stay open late. He also has a strong interest in architecture and loves looking at original historic glass windows.

4   Sarah wants to buy some famous luxury perfume. She loves being outside, so she’d like a shop where she can relax on a roof garden. She is also keen to find out about the history of the building itself.

5   David and his son Tom are looking for tennis rackets on a tight budget. They want to visit a famous historic shop, especially one with a well-known old clock inside.

Historic Department Stores

A The Grand Arcade

This stunning 1850s shopping hall is famous for its men’s clothing department. If you need a premium jacket and trousers for a special event, our expert staff will measure you. Our exclusive items cost a bit more, but the incredible quality is definitely worth it. Enjoy the beautiful stone arches as you shop.

B Miller’s & Co

Welcome to one of the city’s oldest businesses. Downstairs, you will find our wonderful dining room serving warm, traditional lunches. Upstairs, kids will love our selection of wooden dolls and trains. Everything we sell is produced by craftspeople from this area, supporting the local community. It is a great day out for the family.

C The Crystal Gallery

Open until 9 p.m. every weekday, this magnificent 1920s shop is the perfect place for busy workers. Customers will be amazed by our original colourful glass ceilings and large display windows. Come and browse our beautiful selection of silver and gold rings, bracelets and earrings. You will easily find a romantic present here.

D Harrison’s

Built in 1905, Harrison’s is the top destination for luxury beauty products and imported soaps. Visitors can join a free afternoon walk with a guide to hear stories about the shop’s past. Afterwards, take the lift up to the top floor to enjoy coffee surrounded by plants in the open air.

E The Old Exchange

This former 18th-century market is famous for the giant mechanical timepiece in the main hall. We offer a fantastic selection of activewear and equipment for games like football and tennis. Our prices are the lowest in town, and there are always amazing sales to help you save money. Don’t miss our weekend special offers.

F Metro Plaza

If you are looking for top-level fashion and don’t mind spending a lot, visit our newly built glass and steel tower. We have the finest tailored men’s jackets and shirts. Enjoy the modern design and stop by our ground-floor café for a slice of rich chocolate cake. The customer service is the best in the city.

G Victoria Emporium

Step through our incredible 19th-century doors and admire the beautiful painted glass windows. This traditional store specialises in brilliant diamonds and luxury watches, making it easy to find a wonderful gift. We are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so make sure to arrive early. Our staff are always happy to help you choose.

H Kingston’s

Founded in 1910, Kingston’s offers a fantastic restaurant serving hot soups and roast dinners all day. The children’s department is huge, featuring the latest electronic games and plastic figures imported from all over the world. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon indoors. Prices are reasonable for families on a budget.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a modern shopping mall to visit.

There are descriptions of eight shopping malls.

Decide which shopping mall would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Anna and Tom have two young children. They want a mall where the kids can play safely. They also need to buy new tennis rackets and hope to try meals from various different countries for lunch.

2   Leo is meeting friends to play board games together. He needs to buy a beautiful necklace for his mother’s birthday. Because he is a student, he is looking for a mall that offers discounts for young people.

3   Maria wants to buy some daily clothes made from environmentally friendly materials. She needs a quiet café with internet to finish her homework, and she hopes to relax outside surrounded by trees and flowers afterwards.

4   The Jackson family wants to spend their evening watching a brand-new action film. They are driving a big vehicle, so easy parking is essential. They also want to look at some beds and sofas for their house.

5   David is looking for a place that can fix his broken mobile phone screen. Afterwards, he wants to try some modern virtual reality games and then grab a quick burger and fries before he goes home.

Modern Shopping Malls

A The Globe Centre

This massive center features a secure indoor adventure park to keep little ones entertained for hours. Shoppers will find a huge store selling gear for almost every athletic activity imaginable. When you get hungry, visit our huge dining hall to taste delicious dishes from Asia, Europe, and South America!

B Crown Plaza

Come to Crown Plaza for an amazing afternoon! We have a dedicated lounge where you can enjoy classic tabletop activities with your classmates. Check out our fantastic accessories shops to find the perfect silver present. Don’t forget to show your university or school card for lower prices across most stores!

C Greenways Mall

Looking to update your wardrobe without harming the planet? Our boutiques specialize in organic cotton fashion. Take your laptop to the peaceful reading coffee shop on the second floor, which has an excellent free connection. Later, enjoy the fresh air among the beautiful plants on our top-floor nature terrace.

D Starlight Galleria

Catch the latest Hollywood blockbusters at our luxury multiplex theater. You will never have to worry about finding a spot for your family van, thanks to our spacious multi-level underground garage. Before heading home, explore our amazing showrooms filled with comfortable items to decorate your bedrooms and living rooms perfectly.

E TechWorld Hub

Did your device stop working? Our electronic technicians can replace glass displays in minutes. Once sorted, step into our digital entertainment zone for the ultimate 3D headset experience. Finally, satisfy your appetite at the American diner downstairs, serving the best grilled meat sandwiches and hot chips in the city.

F The Hangout

This is the ultimate destination for youth! Bring your friends and try out hundreds of tabletop adventures in our gaming hall. Everything is affordable, and teenagers get special price reductions on weekends. We also have a massive selection of trendy sports clothing, shoes, and jackets to upgrade your style.

G Nature Walk Shopping

We are proud of our sustainable fashion stores, offering garments made entirely from recycled materials. Spend your afternoon enjoying the sunshine in our spectacular roof garden, filled with exotic flowers. It is a lively, noisy place with live rock bands playing music all day, making it perfect for dancing with friends!

H Central Square

Located right in the middle of the city center, we offer incredible homeware stores where you can buy dining tables and comfortable armchairs. Afterward, relax in front of the big screen and enjoy the newest film releases. Please note, visitors must use public transport as we have no spaces for vehicles.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find an eco-friendly department store to visit.

There are descriptions of eight eco-friendly department stores.

Decide which eco-friendly department store would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants to buy clothes made from natural, chemical-free materials. He’s looking for a place where he can also sit down for a hot meal. Finally, he needs to pick up a fun gift for his young nephew’s birthday.

2   Maya and Sam are looking for zero-waste bath products that don’t use plastic packaging. They also need to buy some pre-owned furniture for their new apartment. Since they don’t drive, the store must be close to a train station.

3   Elena is looking for sports shoes made from recycled materials. She also has a broken jacket that she wants to get fixed rather than throwing it away. She is very busy and can only go shopping on Sunday mornings.

4   David is interested in buying fresh, locally grown organic vegetables. He would also love to attend a class to learn how to make his own environmentally friendly cleaning products. He is driving, so the store must have a car park.

5   Sophie wants to buy a necklace made from sustainable materials for her mother. She is also searching for an interesting book about protecting the environment. She doesn’t have much money, so she’s hoping to find a place offering student discounts.

Eco-friendly Department Stores

A The Green Hub

This large shop features a fantastic menswear section with items produced from pure, earth-friendly cotton. Upstairs, there is a wonderful children’s department full of wooden board games and puzzles. After shopping, customers can enjoy freshly cooked lunches in our rooftop restaurant. We are open every day until late.

B Eco Station

Located just a two-minute walk from the railway platforms, this friendly shop is extremely convenient. We sell excellent second-hand tables, chairs, and beds to help you furnish your home sustainably. You will also discover a great range of solid shampoo bars and soaps sold completely without wrappers or plastic bottles.

C Renew Store

Need gear for your weekend run? We offer a huge selection of athletic footwear and clothing created entirely from ocean plastics. Before buying new, bring your damaged garments or devices to our special mending desk, and our experts will make them like new again. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. on weekends.

D Nature’s Choice

Drivers will appreciate our large free customer garage. Inside, you can fill your bags with delicious, chemical-free fruits and vegetables brought straight from nearby farms. Don’t miss our weekend education zone, where our experts teach you how to create your own earth-friendly soaps and washing liquids to use at home.

E Future Living

We believe protecting the planet shouldn’t be expensive, which is why university learners always get twenty percent off! Browse our library section packed with literature on climate change and nature. You can also explore our beautiful collection of rings and bracelets designed entirely from recycled silver and sea glass.

F Earth Goods

This fantastic shop offers a wide range of shirts and trousers made from completely natural, chemical-free materials. We also have a popular grocery area selling fresh vegetables from local farmers. Unfortunately, we do not serve any hot food, but you can grab a cold drink. Parking is available right outside.

G Urban Eco

Situated right next to the city’s main transport and railway hub, this store is incredibly easy to visit. We have a fantastic reading area with lots of books on sustainable living, plus a beauty section offering wrapper-free soaps. Prices are quite high, and we currently only sell brand-new, modern homeware.

H The Mindful Shopper

Join our popular afternoon workshops to learn how to produce your own zero-waste goods. We also have a fantastic repair team who can fix your broken items instead of throwing them away. We are open Monday to Saturday, but please use the bus, as there are no spaces for cars.

Exercises:   123456