Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

the ARTICLE (for teachers) Are You a Shopaholic? Some people love shopping. These people buy on impulse, which means they don't think about the cost or the need. Some of these people have huge amounts of credit card debt as a result. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic. A recent test revealed that 9% of people are shopaholics, which is an increase from a similar test conducted fifteen years ago. The data also shows that men are just as likely to be shopaholics as women. The test consisted of six statements, and people answered on a 7-point scale (from strongly agree to strongly disagree). Some statements included: 

Much of my life centers around buying things.



I buy things I didn't plan to buy.



Others might consider me a shopaholic.

People who are shopaholics often have financial problems like an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the sign of more serious problems, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In addition, relationships and family harmony can also worsen because of arguments about the purchases. This is a problem that affects all levels of society. Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they knew and understood about the problems it caused.

Teacher's Notes:

* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson. Heads Up English - 1 www.headsupenglish.com

Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

WARM-UPS Select one or all of the following warm-up activities. 1: Define: What does "shopaholic" mean? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you give examples? 2: Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner words and ideas for "shopaholic" for two minutes. Next, talk about the words and ideas for five minutes. 3: Title: Today's article is: "Are You a Shopaholic?" What will you read about? 4: Do you agree or disagree? Why? a. I love to go shopping. b. I often buy things that I don't really need. c. I often buy things that I didn't plan to buy. d. My friends would consider me a shopaholic. e. I have recently made a large purchase.

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

VOCABULARY Select one of the following vocabulary acquisition activities. 1: Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the article) with the best choice in column B. a. impulse b. reveal

u. show

c. consist d. consider

w. think

e. max out f. anxiety

y.

v.

worry

x. without a plan to reach the limit

z. be made up of

2: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word. revealed anxiety a. People buy on ( b. A recent test ( c. The test (

impulse consider

), which means they don't think about the cost. ) that 9% of people are shopaholics. ) of six statements.

d. Others might ( ) me a shopaholic. e. People have financial problems like ( f.

maxed out consisted

) credit cards.

These purchases may be the sign of serious problems, such as (

).

3: Define: Look in your dictionary for each word. Write the definition, correctly pronounce the word, and give an example sentence to the class. a. impulse: b. reveal: c. consist: d. consider: e. max out: f.

anxiety:

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

WORD RECOGNITION These activities are optional. They reinforce vocabulary and increase reading speed. 1: Word Search: Find only the target words (in bold). Time yourself, and see how long it takes to find all the words. revealed anxiety

impulse consider B M C S R F Y T E I X N A U D

L F J Q G N I T S I S N O C T

I U A A B N O E A Q Q C C E H

X F A L F U Z N S A H O Y I V

Z W P Q D D X S D L N M I S E

M R X E V E X Z V S U D A X R

maxed out consisted Z A X K I S S Z I D W P P T I

E A X T C E V S R E F E M R C

M V Y E I Y T C E L Y A J I F

I V T E D E O D V E Q N K L O

Y Z X R D O C V E A K B C X K

R U V D H B U P A V K S R T I

X G S O D T M T L E J N Q Z M

C O N S I D E R E R W P H Z Y

A J Y Z S Z W F D Z Q B Q B W

2: Target Word Pool: Find only the target words (in bold) with their exact match. Time yourself, and see how long it takes to find all the words. revealed anxiety

impulse consider

maxed out consisted anxieties

revealing

considers

impulse inconsiderate

consists

anxious

unrevealed

maxes out

revealed

max out reveled consisted

maximum impulsive

maxing out

axiom

consist

maxed out

pulse consider

impress

ancillary

consisting impulses anxiety

considering

reveals considerate

inconsistent

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

pre- or post-COMPREHENSION Select one or more activity to direct students before the article is read, or to check understanding after the article is read. 1: Brainstorm Questions: Brainstorm questions that you would like to ask about today's topic. Answer a partner the questions. He shouldn't look at the article when he answers. 2: True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) if the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence. a. According to the article, shopaholics are people who can't stop shopping.

T/F

b. Less people suffer from this shopping problem than in the past. c. According to the article, more women than man are shopaholics.

T/F

d. Shopaholics have other problems like from anxiety and low self-esteem. e. Both rich people and poor people might be shopaholics.

T/F T/F T/F

3: Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension. a. According to the article, what is a shopaholic? b. What percent of people have this problem? c. What kind of test was used in the research? d. What problems may make someone become a shopaholic? e. What does the article say about shopaholics and their families? 4: Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence. a. These people buy on impulse, which means they... b. The data also shows that men are just... c. People who are shopaholics often have financial problems like... d. In addition, relationships and family harmony can also worsen because of...

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

post-COMPREHENSION Select one or more activity to discuss the contents of the article. 1: Vocabulary: Circle any other unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your dictionaries to understand these words. Write an example sentence for each one. 2: Class Questions: Read through the article once more, and write down any questions that you would like to talk about in pairs/groups or as a class. Answer the questions. 3: Summarize: Work with a partner to summarize the article in your own words. 4: Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers and ask more questions with your partner. a. Did you like this article? Why/not? b. What are your shopping habits? Please explain. c. Based on the information in the article, would you consider yourself a shopaholic? d. Do you agree that women and men suffer from the problem equally? Why/not? e. Why do you think the number of shopaholics has increased? Please explain. f.

What solutions are there for people who are shopaholics? How can they be helped?

5: Debate: Imagine possible supporting evidence for the following opinions on shopaholics. Then work with a partner and debate each point. One student should support the statement and the other should oppose the statement. Limit the debate to two-minutes per question. Statement #1:

Shopaholics are addicted to shopping. It's problem just as serious as alcoholism.

Statement #2:

Compulsive shopping is an addiction. There should be therapy and support groups to help.

Statement #3:

Compulsive shopping is a medical condition. Insurance should help pay for treatment.

Statement #4:

Shopaholics greatly help the economy.

6: Google Search: Type "shopaholic" into Google news and read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings. Heads Up English - 6 www.headsupenglish.com

Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (the article) Are You a Shopaholic? Some people love shopping. These people buy on impulse, which means they don't think about the cost or the need. Some of these people have huge amounts of credit card debt as a result. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic. A recent test revealed that 9% of people are shopaholics, which is an increase from a similar test conducted fifteen years ago. The data also shows that men are just as likely to be shopaholics as women. The test consisted of six statements, and people answered on a 7-point scale (from strongly agree to strongly disagree). Some statements included: 

Much of my life centers around buying things.



I buy things I didn't plan to buy.



Others might consider me a shopaholic.

People who are shopaholics often have financial problems like an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the sign of more serious problems, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In addition, relationships and family harmony can also worsen because of arguments about the purchases. This is a problem that affects all levels of society. Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they knew and understood about the problems it caused.

Notes:

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (fill in the blank) Fill in the blank with the correct word. consider worsen

impulse amounts

maxed out consisted

revealed around

anxiety when

Are You a Shopaholic? Some people love shopping. These people buy on (a. _______________), which means they don't think about the cost or the need. Some of these people have huge (b. _______________) of credit card debt as a result. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic. A recent test (c. _______________) that 9% of people are shopaholics, which is an increase from a similar test conducted fifteen years ago. The data also shows that men are just as likely to be shopaholics as women. The test (d. _______________) of six statements, and people answered on a 7-point scale (from strongly agree to strongly disagree). Some statements included: 

Much of my life centers (e. _______________) buying things.



I buy things I didn't plan to buy.



Others might (f. _______________) me a shopaholic.

People who are shopaholics often have financial problems like an empty bank account and (g. _______________) credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the sign of more serious problems, such as depression, (h. _______________), and low self-esteem. In addition, relationships and family harmony can also (i. _______________) because of arguments about the purchases. This is a problem that affects all levels of society. Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better (j. _______________) they were shopping, even when they knew and understood about the problems it caused.

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (extended listening) Listen and fill in the missing sentences. Compare your answers with a partner, and then listen once more.

Are You a Shopaholic? Some people love shopping. These people buy on impulse, which means they don't think about the cost or the need. a) _________________________________________________ ______. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic. b) _______________________________________________________, which is an increase from a similar test conducted fifteen years ago. The data also shows that men are just as likely to be shopaholics as women. The test consisted of six statements, and people answered on a 7-point scale (from strongly agree to strongly disagree). Some statements included: 

Much of my life centers around buying things.



I buy things I didn't plan to buy.



Others might consider me a shopaholic.

People who are shopaholics often have financial problems like an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards. c) ___________________________________________________ ____, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In addition, relationships and family harmony can also worsen because of arguments about the purchases. This is a problem that affects all levels of society. Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they knew and understood about the problems it caused. Sentence #1: Sentence #2: Sentence #3:

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Are You a Shopaholic?

Lower-Intermediate

ANSWER KEY Vocabulary 1: Vocabulary Match:

2: Fill in the Blanks:

a. x

a. impulse

b. u

b. revealed

c.

c.

z

consisted

d. w

d. consider

e. y

e. maxed out

f.

f.

v

anxiety

pre- or post-Comprehension 1. True or False:

2. Fragments:

a.

T

a.

don't think about the cost or the need.

b.

F

b.

as likely to be shopaholics as women.

c.

F

c.

an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards.

d.

T

d.

arguments about the purchases.

e.

T

Student Handout 1: Fill in the Blanks: a. impulse

f.

b. amounts

g. maxed out

c.

h. anxiety

revealed

consider

d. consisted

i.

worsen

e. around

j.

when

2: Extended Listening: a. Some of these people have huge amounts of credit card debt as a result b. A recent test revealed that 9% of people are shopaholics c.

Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the sign of more serious problems

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