Mrs. Turner: Thanks for picking me up at work this evening, Ted. I really appreciate it.

Ted: No problem, Mom. I’m happy to do it. By the way, I had some friends over after school today, and I’m afraid we drank all the milk in the fridge. Shall we stop at the supermarket on the way home to get some for tomorrow morning?

Mrs. Turner: I think the supermarket’s closed by this time of night. But we can stop at the convenience store over on Highway 57. That’s not too far out of our way, and I know they’ll be open. They’re open twenty-four hours a day.

Ted: (He drives to the store his mother mentioned.) Here we are. You were right; the sign says “Open 24 hours.” I don’t think I’ve ever been here before. Let’s go in.

Mrs. Turner: This place certainly is different from the huge store we’re used to, isn’t it, Ted? I don’t come here often because I think the prices are higher than at a regular grocery store.

Ted: It seems to be an easy store to find things in, though. And it also seems to have at least one of everything. There isn’t much of a selection. I mean there are only one or two brands of each type of merchandise, but that makes choosing easier, doesn’t it?

Mrs. Turner: Easier than what? I enjoy comparing brands so I can get the best bargain for our family. Usually I’m not in a hurry, so I have the time to compare and get the most for my money. Of course, this time we don’t have much of a choice, do we?

Ted: No, I guess not. This is probably the only place open at this time of night. If we want milk and ice cream, we’ll have to buy them here.

Mrs. Turner: Ice cream too? Our list seems to be growing longer. Oh, well, I guess we can pick up some ice cream – if it’s not too expensive. At least we don’t have to wander around looking for the dairy products department. There’s the ice cream freezer over there next to the milk and eggs.

Ted: Actually, I’d like to get an ice cream cone, if it’s okay with you. The packaged kind doesn’t taste as good as the kind they put on cones. These days, most stores don’t sell ice cream in cones.

Mrs. Turner: I guess that’s another difference between these kind of convenience stores and the larger supermarkets. They even serve ice cream cones here; you’d never see that in a large place.

Ted: Look at this, Mom. These are hamburgers and hot dogs that are all ready to eat. They’re wrapped in some sort of plastic. It says on the label that all you have to do is put the sandwich into the microwave oven for about thirty seconds, and it will be hot and ready to eat!

Mrs. Turner: If you’re hungry, we’ll make egg salad sandwiches when we get home. I’ll pick up a dozen eggs here. That way we’ll be sure to have enough. You’d better go over to the magazine rack and browse. It’ll take your mind off food. I’ll pay for the milk and eggs, and we’ll be ready to go. (She takes her groceries to the counter.)

Mr. Kim: Good evening, ma’am. I’m Mr. Kim, the new evening manager. Did you find everything you wanted?

Mrs. Turner: Yes, I did. Thank you. I’m surprised at your milk prices. They’re much lower than I expected. Your store is not only convenient to shop in, but also your prices are competitive with the larger chains. How do you do it?

Mr. Kim: The prices are low only on selected items. We can’t really compete on all of that we sell. But at least there are no long lines here.

Mrs. Turner: Here you are, Mr. Kim. (She hands him a ten-dollar bill.) And please take out for two ice cream cones too. Okay, Ted, what kind of ice cream would you like?

Discuss Questions:

1.      Where does this dialogue take place? What people take part in this dialogue?

2.      How old do you think Ted is?

3.      Where is the convenience store in the dialogue? How late is it open?

4.      What are the advantages of shopping in a convenience store? The disadvantages?

5.      What is the difference between shopping at a convenience store and shopping at a large supermarket?

6.      What did Ted and his mother buy at the store?

7.      What are your favorite flavors of ice cream?

8.      What are some advantages of microwave ovens? Some disadvantages?

9.      How much does milk cost where you shop? How much are eggs?

10.  Name some items which you probably cannot buy in a convenience store.

11.  Name some items which you cannot buy in a regular grocery store.

12.  What kinds of magazines are sold in convenience store racks?

13.  How far do you have to go to the nearest food store?

14.  What do you think of the sandwiches that come wrapped in plastic?

15.  Which type of store do you prefer to shop in?