AT THE SUPERMARKET

Where can I find?

Functions Objectives
Use prepositions and prepositional
phrases of interior location
Requesting information

Make Wh-questions with can

Locating products in a
supermarket Use vocabulary related to
supermarkets and groceries

Buying groceries

READING
SUPERMARKETS

Supermarkets are now an integral part of the community in 21st century living. Every
community has at least one supermarket. These range in size from huge buildings with 15
aisles or more to smaller ones with three or four aisles.

The size of the stands is also variable. In bigger supermarkets these can have five to eight
shelves while others have only two or three shelves. A shopper can find many, many
things in a supermarket from a book of matches to a refrigerator.

But not everybody is enchanted with supermarkets. They remember the times when life was
less hectic and people went to the local grocers, butchers or greengrocers and met and
chatted with the neighbors as well as the storekeeper herself or himself. But it is unlikely
that the days of the local shopkeeper will return. Todays supermarket is very convenient
for busy people who are always in a hurry.

PRACTICE 1

Select a synonym for these words from the reading.

PRACTICE 2
VOCABULARY
PRACTICE 3
DIALOGUE 2
DANIEL: Where can I find bread, please?

WORKER: In *Aisle 1 sir, to your right on the top shelf next to the sugar.

DANIEL: Thanks. Oh! And oranges?

WORKER: Youll find them also in Aisle 1. On the left, opposite the bread.

(later in the same place in the supermarket)

MARISOL: (sees Mario) Hi, Mario? Shopping?

MARIO: Yes, we need to stock up. Were running low on food.

MARISOL: This place is new and Im lost. Where can I find the Fish and Poultry section?

MARIO: Yes, its in the Back Aisle, against the wall.

MARISOL: Did Daniel get the landscaping job?

MARIO: I dont know. I dont think so. Not yet.

MARISOL: Well see you later, bye.

PREPOSITIONS AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES FOR INTERIOR LOCATION

The following expressions from the previous dialogue combine prepositions with other
words to indicate where things are located inside a supermarket or store

to your right

on the top shelf

next to the sugar

On the left
Opposite the bread
PRACTICE 4
WH- QUESTIONS WITH CAN

The modal verb can as we have seen is used to express ability.

Note that in the following sentences, a simple form of the verb is always used after can, regardless
of the subject:

You can find frozen foods in Aisle 3

He can find cheese and yogurts in the Dairy section in aisle 7

Customers can pay with a coupon

People can get a wide variety of products in todays supermarkets

You can shop at supermarkets until very late at night, usually 11:00 p.m.
To make a question (?) from an affirmative sentence (+) using a wh- word (where, what, who,
when, etc) do the following:

1.Add the wh-word that you want to use.

2.Simply invert the order of the two first two words in your sentence (subject and auxiliary verb
can).

3.Remove information that answers the question:

Look at these resulting questions from the previous examples :

PRACTICE 5
PRACTICE 6
PRACTICE 7
- Excuse me where can I find the cookies?

- You can find them in the aisle 4, They are in front of the soap and napkins.

- And what about the frozen food? Where can I find it?

- No problem, the frozen food is next to the dairy in the aisle 5.

- I want to know where I can find the meats?

- The meats are in the back aisle.

- A last question where I can find the cereal?

- The cereal you can find it opposite the breads.

- Thank you so much, you are very kind.

- You're welcome