Welcome to Shopping and Meals!
Hello everyone! In this chapter, we are going to learn how to talk about two very exciting things: shopping for things we like and enjoying delicious meals. Whether you are at a grocery store or a restaurant, these words and expressions will help you tell others what you want and how you feel. Don't worry if you find English a bit tricky—we will take it one step at a time!
1. Tasty Words: Food and Drinks
Before we go shopping or eat, we need to know the names of the things we see on our plates!
Fruit and Vegetables
• Apple, Banana, Orange, Strawberry, Grape
• Tomato, Potato, Carrot, Onion
Main Meals and Snacks
• Bread, Rice, Egg, Fish, Meat, Pizza, Curry and Rice
• Cake, Ice cream, Cookie, Candy
Drinks
• Water, Milk, Juice, Tea
Quick Tip: If you like something, you can say: "I like apples!" If you don't like it much, you can say: "I don't like carrots." It is okay to have different tastes!
2. At the Shop: How to Buy Things
When you go to a shop, you use English to find out what things are and how much they cost. For students in Grades 3 and 4, we focus on listening and speaking. For Grades 5 and 6, we also learn how to read and write these basic words.
Asking for Something
If you see something you want, you can say:
• "An apple, please."
• "I want a blue pen." (Grade 5-6 style: [Subject + Verb + Object])
Asking about the Price
To find out the price, we use the word "How much":
• Question: "How much is it?"
• Answer: "It is \( 100 \) yen." or "It is \( \$ 5 \)."
Did You Know? In many English-speaking countries, people use dollars instead of yen. You might see the symbol \( \$ \) on price tags!
Key Takeaway:
When shopping, always remember to be polite! Use "Please" when asking and "Thank you" when you receive your item.
3. It's Meal Time!
When we talk about meals, we often share our feelings or ask others what they want to eat.
Common Expressions
• "I'm hungry." (I want to eat now!)
• "I'm thirsty." (I need a drink!)
• "What do you want?" (Asking a friend what they want to eat.)
• "It's delicious!" or "It's yummy!" (When the food tastes great.)
Helping Out
Sometimes we ask or give instructions during a meal:
• "Wash your hands, please."
• "Pass me the salt, please."
4. For Grades 5 and 6: Reading and Writing
If you are in 5th or 6th grade, you will start to see these words in books and practice writing them. Here are a few things to remember:
• Capital Letters: Always start your sentences with a big letter (like I or W).
• Periods and Question Marks: Put a dot (.) at the end of a statement and a question mark (?) at the end of a question.
• Example: "I like milk." or "Do you like fish?"
Memory Trick: Think of the period (.) as a "stop sign" for your sentence!
5. Using Your Whole Body (Gestures)
In Foreign Language Activities (Grades 3-4), we learn that communication isn't just about words. You can use your hands and face to help people understand you!
• Point to the cake you want at the bakery.
• Rub your tummy to show you are hungry.
• Nod your head to say "Yes, please."
Don't worry if you forget a word! Using gestures is a great way to keep the conversation going.
Summary Review
• Shopping: Use "How much is it?" and "I want..."
• Meals: Use "I like..." and "It's delicious!"
• Be Kind: Always use "Thank you" and "You're welcome."
• Writing: Remember your ABCs and periods (.) if you are in Grade 5 or 6.
Next Step: Try looking at the menu the next time you go out to eat and see if you can find any English words you know! You are doing a great job!
Note: For more about daily life, see the chapter on "Life at Home." For getting to the store, check "Asking and Giving Directions."