English Prep — English for Today Class Four

Chapters: Unit 2: At the Shop, Counting - Making Requests

English Prep — English for Today Class Four

Writing Section

Task: Write a short paragraph about a shopping experience at a shop, focusing on counting money, making polite requests, and thanking the staff. Include clear numbers and prices. (লেখা সম্ভবত: একটি ছোট অনুচ্ছেদ যেখানে আপনি একটি শপিং অভিজ্ঞতা বর্ণনা করবেন, টাকা গণনা করবেন, অনুগ্রহ করে জিনিস চাইবেন এবং Staffকে ধন্যবাদ জানাবেন।) [বাংলা]

Model Answer: Last Saturday I went to a small shop to buy some school supplies. I counted my money carefully before choosing items. I wanted two pens, a pencil, and a piece of paper, then I saw a pencil case and decided to take it too. The total came to 180 taka. I handed over 200 taka and the shopkeeper smiled. “Here is your change, 20 taka,” she said. I thanked her and said goodbye. It felt good to practice polite English while buying things I needed. By counting aloud, I could be sure I was paying the right amount. I would do the same next time, planning ahead and speaking politely to everyone. [বাংলা: গত শনিবার আমি একটি ছোট শপে স্কুল সামগ্রী কিনতে গিয়েছিলাম। জিনিসগুলো বেছে নেওয়ার আগে আমি আমার টাকা জোগাড় করে গণনা করেছি। আমি দুইটা পেন্সিল, একটি পেন্সিল কেস, এবং纸 a piece of paper চেয়েছিলাম; মোট ১৮০ টাকা। আমি ২০০ টাকা দিলাম এবং বিক্রেত্রী খুশি হয়ে change দিয়ে ২০ টাকা নিলেন। আমি তাকে ধন্যবাদ দিয়ে বিদায় নিলাম। কোন জিনিস কিনে কথা বললে ভালো লাগে এবং ঠিক পরিমাণে দাম বুঝতে পারলে ভাল।)

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Reading Section

Read the passage below about a simple shopping experience and counting money. (১৫০-২০০ শব্দ)

In a small local shop, a young student learns to count money and make polite requests. The student asks for two pens, a pencil, and a piece of paper. The clerk adds up the total, which comes to 180 taka. The student hands over 200 taka and receives 20 taka in change. The experience shows how counting money, asking for what you need, and saying thank you are important skills for everyday life. With practice, this student can order items confidently and practice good manners in English. (বাংলা: একটি ছোট দোকানে একটি তরুণ ছাত্র টাকা গণনা করার এবং বিনম্র অনুরোধ করার চেষ্টা করে। ছাত্রটি দুইটি কলম, একটি পেন্সিল এবং একটি কাগজ ζηে। বিক্রেতা মোট ১৮০ টাকা বলে দেয়। الطالب ২০০ টাকা দেয় এবং ২০ টাকা ফেরত পায়। এই অভিজ্ঞতা জীবনের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ দক্ষতা শেখায়।)

Which items did the student order first?
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: A
What amount was the total price?
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: A
What did the student receive as change?
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: C

True/False Questions:

The student paid exactly the total amount.
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: False
The clerk helped with a smile.
The student did not say thank you.
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: False

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Listening Section

[Audio Transcript]

Salesperson: Welcome! Can I help you today?

Student: Yes, please. I’d like two pens, a pencil, and a piece of paper.

Salesperson: Anything else?

Student: A pencil case as well, please.

Salesperson: OK. That’s 180 taka, altogether.

Student: Here you are.

Salesperson: You gave me 200 taka. Here’s 20 taka change.

Student: Thank you. Bye.

Salesperson: Thank you. Bye. Come again.

What did the student buy first?
How much money was paid in total?
What change did the student receive?

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Speaking Section

Speaking Prompt 1: In a shop, you need to buy two items and count your money. Describe the steps you would take to ask for the items politely and to pay. (60 seconds)

Model Response 1: Hello, could I please have two pens and a pencil, and a piece of paper? I’ll take a pencil case too if I may. How much will it all cost? Thank you. I will pay with cash—here you are, 200 taka. Great, and could you give me 20 taka as change, please? Thanks a lot. Have a nice day!

Speaking Prompt 2: Describe or compare two school supplies (for example, pens vs pencils) and explain which you would prefer when you go shopping, and why. (60 seconds)

Model Response 2: I prefer pencils because they can be erased easily, and you can practice writing more freely. Paper is essential too, but without pencils you can’t write. Pens are nice, but they don’t erase well. So I usually choose a pencil and some paper first, then I might add a pencil case to keep everything organized. If the shop has a discount, I’ll buy a spare eraser as well.

Speaking Prompt 3: Express your opinion about the best way to practice polite requests in English when you shop. Include examples using can, could, and may. (60 seconds)

Model Response 3: I think the best way is to use can and could for requests and to use may for polite permission. For example, “Can I borrow your eraser, please?” or “Could I have some paper, please?” If asking for permission, you can say, “May I look at the pencil case?” Being polite makes conversations smoother and helps you get what you need without frustration. Practicing these phrases with friends or in a shop role-play helps you remember them naturally.

[Task prompt based on the topic]

Model Answer: In a typical shopping trip, I would plan ahead by listing items I need and estimating prices. At the shop, I would greet the clerk warmly, say, “Could I have a pencil case and a sheet of paper, please?” Then I would choose other items, count up the total aloud, and pay the exact amount or the nearest cash amount. Finally, I would thank the clerk and say, “Have a good day.” This habit builds confidence in speaking English and makes everyday tasks easier. [বাংলা: সাধারণ শপিং-এ আগে তালিকা বানিয়ে নিন, জিনিস নিতে যাওয়ার সময় সালাম দিয়ে অনুরোধ করুন, জোটানো মোট দাম হিসেব করুন, এবং শেষে ধন্যবাদ জানান।]

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Reading Section

Reading passage based on topic content — 150-200 words

Which skill is emphasized most in the passage?
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: A
Which word best describes the tone of the passage?
What is the main theme of the passage?
❌ Incorrect — Correct answer: C

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Listening Section

[Audio Transcript]

[Short dialogue about a shop scenario with 5-6 exchanges]

1. What item is requested first in the dialogue? Correct Answer: A
2. What is the total amount mentioned? Correct Answer: B
3. What is the final remark by the speaker? Correct Answer: C

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Speaking Section

Prompt: You are at a shop. Describe how you would ask for items, count money, and thank the seller. (60 seconds)

Model Response: Hello! Could I please have two pens, a pencil, and a piece of paper? I’ll also take a pencil case if you have one. How much is that altogether? Thank you. Here is 200 taka. Please keep the change. That’s perfect—thank you very much. Have a nice day!

Vocabulary Section

Word	Meaning	Example	বাংলা
eraser	an object used to erase pencil marks	I need an eraser to correct my mistake.	ইরেজার
crayons	colored wax sticks used for drawing	She drew a picture with crayons.	ক্রেয়নস
pencil case	a small bag or box to store pencils	My pencil case is blue.	পেন্সিল কেস
paper	thin sheets used for writing	Write your name on the paper.	পেপার
sharpener	a tool to sharpen pencils	Where is the sharpener?	শার্পনার
change	money returned after paying more than the price	Here’s your change, 20 taka.	চেঞ্জ
taka	the currency of Bangladesh	The book costs 120 taka.	টাকা
altogether	in total, the combined amount	The bill is 180 taka altogether.	মোট
borrow	to take and use something with the intention of returning it	May I borrow your eraser?	ধরা
respectful/polite	showing good manners in speech or behavior	Polite requests sound nicer.	সতর্ক/ভদ্র

Grammar Focus

[Key grammar point from the content with explanation and 5 practice exercises]

Grammar Point: Polite Requests with Can, Could, and May - We use can for general requests and permission, could for more polite or past-tense implications, and may for formal or very polite permission. In shopping situations, use could or may to sound courteous. Examples: “Could I have some paper, please?” “May I borrow your eraser?” “Can I look at the pencil case?”

Practice Exercises

1. Rewrite the sentence to sound more polite: “Give me that eraser.”
2. Choose the most polite option: “(A) Can I borrow a pen? (B) May I borrow a pen? (C) I borrow a pen.”
3. Fill in the blank: “______ I have a look at the pencil case, please?”
4. Write a short dialogue where you ask for three items politely and thank the seller.
5. Explain when you would use could instead of can in a shopping scenario.