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54
A paragraph is a piece of writing which consists of a number of closely related sentences developing
one idea. A well
written paragraph should display three features: unity, balanced length and balanced
structure.
Unity means that the paragraph deals with one topic only, which may be expressed in the topic sentence
opening the paragraph. In further sentences the topic is developed and is logically brought to the last
sentence which sums up the ideas.
Balanced length means that neither the paragraph itself, nor the sentences constituting it should be too
long (longer than three lines).
Balanced structure means that each sentence must lead to the following one and all must be linked up. All
sentences should be arranged in a clear logical order. If the paragraph itself is a part of a larger unit, it must
show some reference to the preceding or following paragraphs. To provide this there may be linking
sentences. They either take up the thread of previous paragraphs or state the theme for the following
paragraphs.
Exercise 4
Write an essay on one of the following topics.
1. How I Did a Thorough Cleaning.
2. I'm the World's Worst Ironer/Washer.
3. Mum Is the Best Housewife I Have Ever Met.
4. Dad Hates Doing Everyday Domestic Chores.
LESSON 5 SHOPPING FOR FOOD
INTRODUCTORY READING AND TALK
Buying foodstuffs in a modern supermarket can be considered a sort of art. It is the art of combating a
temptation.
Supermarkets play a dirty trick on the customers: practically every shopper is tempted to buy things he
or she does not need or cannot afford.
The mechanism of this lamentable deceit is simple. Firstly, supermarkets are laid out to make a person
pass as many shelves and counters as possible. Only the hardest of souls can pass loaded racks indifferently
and not collect all sorts of food from them.
Secondly, more and more supermarkets supply customers with trolleys instead of wire baskets: their
bigger volume needs more purchases. One picks up a small item, say, a pack of spaghetti, puts it into a
huge trolley and is immediately ashamed of its loneliness. He or she starts adding more.
Thirdly, all products are nicely displayed on the racks and all of them look fresh in their transparent
wrappings with marked prices. A normal person cannot ignore attractively packed goods. And so one
cannot but feel an impulse to buy. And, finally, supermarkets don't forget about those who look for
bargains. The so-called "bargain bins" filled with special offers wait for their victims. No one can tell for
sure if the prices are really reduced, but it is so nice to boast later that you have a very good eye for a
bargain.
So when a simple-hearted customer approaches a check-out, his or her trolley is piled high. Looking at a
cashier, running her pen over barcodes, he or she starts getting nervous while the cash register is adding
up the prices. And, getting a receipt, he or she gives a sigh of relief if the indicated sum does not exceed
the cash he or she has.
Of course, one can give a piece of advice to the simple-hearted: compile a shopping list and buy only
pre-planned goods. But is it worth losing that great sensation of buying? One can really wonder.
A lot of people prefer to do their shopping in small shops. The daily shopping route of some housewives
includes visits to the baker's, butcher's, grocer's, greengrocer's, fishmonger's and a dairy shop. In the
end of the route their bags are full of loaves of bread, meat cuts, packs with cereals, fruit, vegetables, fish
and dairy products. Only very strong women can call in at the tobacconist's after all that.
The explanation for this housewives' craze is very simple. In every shop their buys are weighed,
wrapped up, their money taken and the change given back. Meanwhile they can have a chat with
salesgirls and shop-assistants about their weak hearts and broken hopes.
So, friends, go shopping as often as you can. Because the simple truth is: a visit to a good shop is worth
two visits to a good doctor.
1. Fancy that you take a little child to a supermarket for the first time. Explain to him what you see
around and what one should do.