Module 04 —Shopping Online
First conditional · Reading a longer text · Listening a longer dialogue
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Second pass at Writing 2 article, this time planned and timed.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Tell your partner: do you prefer shopping online or in a shop? Give one reason.
What was the last thing you bought online? How long did delivery take?
Think of one thing you would do if an online order didn't arrive on time.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minFirst conditional: if + present simple, ... will/won't
If + present simple, ... will/won't + infinitive. Use it for real, possible situations in the future.
- 1We use the first conditional to talk about a real possibility and its result.
- 2The if clause uses the present simple, and the main clause uses will or won't + the infinitive without to.
- 3This is very useful for online shopping situations, because we often need to talk about what will happen next depending on what happens first.
- 4The two clauses can go in either order; if if comes first, we use a comma.
If you spend more than £30, you'll get free delivery.
If the parcel doesn't arrive by Friday, I'll contact customer service.
You won't get a refund if you don't keep the receipt.
If the website doesn't have your size, you can ask for a different colour.
Question 1.If you order today, it ____ arrive by Friday.
Question 2.If the item is faulty, you ____ send it back for free.
Question 3.I won't buy from that website again if the service ____ bad.
Question 4.If she doesn't like the colour, she ____ it.
Question 5.You ____ get a discount if you use this code.
Quick check 1.In the first conditional, which tense follows 'if'?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
bringing goods to your home or another address
How long does delivery usually take for you?
to check online where your delivery is
Have you ever tracked a parcel? What did you see?
to send something back to the shop or website
What is the last item you returned?
letters/numbers that reduce the price
Do you ever look for a discount code before buying online?
comments from people who bought the product
Do you always read customer reviews before buying?
What to do
Match each online shopping word with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use the shopping vocabulary in full sentences with the first conditional where possible.
Ask your partner
- If you place an order today, when will it arrive?
- Do you always track a parcel after you order it?
- What will you do if a shop refuses a refund?
"If I find a good discount code, I..."discount code
Do you trust customer reviews? Why or why not?
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 30 words about a problem you had (or could have) with an online order, using the first conditional.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minWeak form of 'will' ('ll) in the first conditional
Will is usually contracted to 'll and said quickly and weakly: /əl/.
- • If it doesn't arrive, I'll call them.
- • You'll get free delivery if you spend more.
- • She'll be annoyed if it's late again.
- • We'll ask for a refund if it's faulty.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading — my online shopping disaster
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Last month I decided to buy a birthday present for my sister online, because the shops near me didn't have what I wanted. I found a nice jacket on a website I hadn't used before, and I placed the order two weeks before her birthday, thinking that would be plenty of time.
The website said delivery usually takes three to five days, so I wasn't worried at first. After a week, though, nothing had arrived, so I decided to track the parcel. The tracking page just said 'processing', with no more information. I thought: if it doesn't arrive in the next two days, I'll contact customer service.
Two days later, still nothing, so I sent an email. A reply came quickly, apologising and explaining that the jacket was actually out of stock. They offered me a full refund or a different colour. Since the birthday was only three days away, I chose the refund and quickly ordered something else from a shop I trusted, with next-day delivery.
In the end, my sister loved her present, but I learned an important lesson. If I order something important for a special date again, I'll always check reviews first, and I'll never leave it until the last minute. I'll also read the delivery information much more carefully next time.
Question 1.Why did the writer buy the present online?
Question 2.What did the writer decide to do after a week with no delivery?
Question 3.What did the website's tracking page say?
Question 4.Why couldn't the company send the jacket?
Question 5.What has the writer learned for next time?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening — a customer service call about a late delivery
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Agent:Good morning, thank you for calling. How can I help you today?
Customer:Hi, I placed an order twelve days ago and it still hasn't arrived.
Agent:I'm sorry to hear that. Can I take your order number, please?
Customer:Yes, it's 48291. It was a pair of shoes.
Agent:Thank you. I can see the parcel left our warehouse, but there's a delay with the delivery company.
Customer:That's frustrating. If it doesn't arrive by tomorrow, will I get a refund?
Agent:Yes, of course. If it hasn't arrived within 24 hours, we'll refund you in full, no questions asked.
Customer:Okay, that's fair. Can you also send me a tracking link?
Agent:Certainly, I'll email that to you right now, along with an apology discount code for your next order.
Customer:Thank you, I appreciate that.
Question 1.How many days ago did the customer place the order?
Question 2.What did the customer order?
Question 3.Why is the parcel delayed?
Question 4.What will happen if the parcel doesn't arrive within 24 hours?
Question 5.What does the agent send along with the tracking link?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minReading & Writing Part 3 and Listening Part 3
Read the question first, then find the exact matching detail — don't choose an option just because the words sound familiar.
Task
- 1Reading Part 3: read one longer text and answer five 3-option multiple-choice questions in the order the information appears.
- 2Listening Part 3: listen to one longer dialogue (heard twice) and answer five 3-option multiple-choice questions.
Example
The text mentions a discount code, but the question asks about the reason for the delay — don't choose an option about the discount just because you recognise the word.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Complete: 'If it doesn't arrive tomorrow, I ____ call them.'
Q2.Complete: 'If you spend more than £30, you ____ get free delivery.' (present simple after 'if')
Write a short message to an online shop (25–35 words) about a problem with your order. Say what you bought, what the problem is, and what you would like them to do.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hello, I ordered a blue jacket (order number 3321) two weeks ago, but it still hasn't arrived. If it doesn't come by Friday, could you please send a refund? Thank you.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Talk with a partner about shopping online, using the first conditional to talk about possible problems and solutions.
Examiner
"Now talk together about whether shopping online is better than shopping in a shop."
Talk together about
Is shopping online better than shopping in a shop?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- Price and discounts
- Delivery time
- Returning items
- Seeing the product before buying
Round off the discussion
Together, agree on one type of product you would always buy in a shop, not online, and explain why.
Useful discussion language
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the class finishes early. ~14 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write five first conditional sentences about online shopping, using 'if' and 'will/won't'.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Example
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Read the passage again and write one sentence saying what the writer will do differently next time.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listen to (or reread) the customer service call and answer the quiz questions again from memory.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Use the first conditional (if + present simple, will/won't + infinitive) to talk about real future possibilities.
- Online shopping vocabulary: place an order, track a parcel, refund, return an item, discount code, customer reviews.
- In Reading & Writing Part 3 and Listening Part 3, read the questions first and check for the exact matching detail.
- 'Will' is usually contracted to 'll and pronounced weakly in natural speech.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameWords that get confused
Practise this exam skill
Fix the common mistake
Practise this exam skill
Habits vs right now
Practise this exam skill