Shopaholism Intermediate-Upper Intermediate

7/29/2019 Shopaholism Intermediate-Upper Intermediate

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TEACHERS NOTESPart 1 (intermediate upper-intermediate)Tell students theyre going to talk about shopaholism. Ask them if they can define the

phenomenon. Who is a shopaholic? Tell them to do the test in order to check theirattitude to shopping. After the test divide them into groups and tell to discuss thefollowing questions:What problems are caused by compulsive shopping and spending?

What makes compulsive shopping and spending addictive?Let them present their answers and then give them the extracts to read. Do theextract contain the same answers? Let them compare their ideas and the extracts.Later in the same groups, make them answer the question: Is shopaholism very

different from alcoholism or any other addiction? What are the similarities anddifferences?

Part 2 (upper-intermediate)Cut the article into 8 parts (8 different stories)Ask the students if they know any shopaholics in real life or celebrities. Ask them

about the women they are going to read about who they are, what the students

think these women like buying etc. Then give each student their sheet. Tell them toread about the woman and retell the rest the contents. They may vote to choose theworst shopaholic, discuss the reasons why these women have got addicted etc. Somewords in the extracts are written in bold the students should try to explain them inEnglish (they may need to consult a dictionary). Next, they should try to do the

vocabulary exercise.

Vocabulary practice answers:a thrift shopdabble witha pin-up boy

to burn the plasticto be over the topto be at sb/s beck and callto curbto strutsuper-frugalcurvaceousdump of dumpsterskooky


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Are you a compulsive shopper?Choose the answer that suits you best. Count the score and check the results.1 When you get disappointed, angry or scared, do you shop to improve your mood?

a) Alwaysb) Sometimes

c) Never2 When you havent bought anything for quite a long time, do you:

a) have problems to resist the urge to buy anything?b) feel like going shopping next free afternoon?

c) think its normal?3 Have you ever argued with anybody because of your shopping?

a) Yes, my family and friends tend to be too nosy when it comes to my shopping.b) Yes, it has happened but it was rather a joke.

c) No, never.4 Have you ever felt lost without a credit card?

a) Yes, many times.b) Yes, it has happened once or twice.

c) No, never.5 Do you feel a rush of euphoria and anxiety when spending money?

a) Yes, always.b) Yes, if Im buying something Ive been waiting for.c) No, I dont think I have ever felt it.

6 Have you ever felt guilty, ashamed, embarrassed or confused after shopping orspending money?a) Yes, it happens to me quite often.

b) Yes, a few times in my life.c) No, never.

7 Have you ever lied about things youve purchased or money youve spent?

a) Yes, I must do it very often.b) Yes, it has happened a few times.c) No, why should I?

8 Do you spend a lot of time juggling accounts or bills to accommodate spending?a) Yes, I need to do it to survive.b) Yes, quite a few times I earn too little.c) No, I always control my spending.

Give yourself 2 points for each a, 1 point for each b and 0 points for each c. Count thescore and read the result.

0-5You dont seem to have a problem. You do the shopping when its necessary or when

you really want something. It may have happened that youve spent a bit too muchbut who hasnt?6-10You do like shopping but you try to control it. When its getting out of hand and you

are late with your bills, you say stop and take a break. But be careful! One day yourlittle hobby may become an obsession and youll lose control.11-16You may have a serious problem with shopping. Do not neglect it. Shopaholism is anaddiction which can be treated. You should consult a specialist. By the way, who pays

your bills?


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What problems are caused by compulsive shopping and spending?Compulsive shopping or spending may result in interpersonal, occupational, family andfinancial problems in one's life. In many ways the consequences of this behaviour are similarto that of any other addiction.Impairment in relationships may occur as a result of excessive spending and efforts to coverup debt or purchases. Persons who engage in compulsive shopping or spending may become

pre-occupied with that behavior and spend less and less time with important people in theirlives. They may experience anxiety or depression as a result of the spending or shopping

which may interfere with work or school performance.Financial problems may occur if money is borrowed or there is excessive use of credit to make

purchases. Often the extent of the financial damage is discovered only after the shopper orspender has accumulated a large debt that necessitates a drastic change in lifestyle to resolve.Recovery groups such as Debtors Anonymous have formed to help compulsive shoppers andspenders return to normal, appropriate patterns of buying.

What makes compulsive shopping and spending addictive?

There are many social and cultural factors that tend to increase the addictive potential ofshopping and spending. The easy availability of credit and the material focus of society in

general encourage people to accumulate possessions now and worry about financialresponsibility later.

Society places a strong emphasis on one's outer appearance and many media personalitiespromote spending money to achieve a certain look that will bring about happiness. In addition,the accessibility of purchasing has been made easier with the arrival of online shopping andtelevision programs devoted to buying goods 24 hours a day. Items can be purchased andordered by express delivery to arrive quickly without the buyer having to leave home orpersonally interact with anyone else.The shopping and spending activity itself is associated with a feeling of happiness and powerwhich is immediately gratifying. The after effects of remorse and guilt drive the spender back

to purchase again to be able to achieve that brief but intense emotional high. Research hasshown that many compulsive shoppers and spenders also suffer from mood disorders,

substance abuse, or eating disorders. As with any addiction, the person becomes dependent onthe behaviour to relieve negative feelings that cause them distress and discomfort.

www.addictionrecov.org

Compare shopaholism and other addictions. How is it different?

SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES
http://www.addictionrecov.org/http://www.addictionrecov.org/


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STUDENT A

8 Shocking celebrity shopaholics(www.ivillage.co.uk)Think you can shop? Wait till you read about the compulsive spends of our friends in Tinsel Town.Compulsive Shopping Disorder - the medical name for the obsession - is estimated to affect betweentwo and eight per cent of the population. There's even a new drug called citalopram, which has beenprescribed to curb uncontrollable shopping urges. Here, some of the highest paid women in

Hollywood reveal why they could do with a strong dose!

Britney SpearsShopaholic rating 8/10The Princess of Pop has an estimated 100 million in the bank and she shops when she's depressed. 'I canbe in the dump of dumpsters and go buy a pair of new shoes, and then it's okay,' she says. 'Even if it's justfor the time being, for that moment it's what I need.' Like all girls, Ms Spears has her favourite labels 'I likeBebe, Armani Exchange, and Rampage is really cool and cheap' and she is also known to shop at The Gap.Psychotherapist Cindy Grant says 'Britney may be going out on exorbitant buying binges as a quick fix tocure her emotional pain.' In May 2002 when her parents, Jamie and Lynne, separated after 30 years ofmarriage, Britney went shopping to ease her pain. She bought a $20,000 bed from Domaine - and a $4.5million estate for her mother in Kentwood, LA.

VOCABULARY PRACTICEThe following words are taken from the whole text about celebrity shopaholics. Make sure you haveunderstood your friends explanations. Read the sentences and think which word suits best eachsentence find a synonym there. You dont need to use all the words.

to curb, dump of dumpsters, exorbitant buying binge, to burn the plastic, upmarket, a haul, jet-setting, a pin-up boy, a shopping spree, to strut, beaded mules, to be over the top, curvaceous, an array, to be at sb/s

beck and call, flip-through, to buck, kooky, a thrift shop, a splurge, a penchant, to dabble with, to buff, in bulk,profligate, super-frugal, a bunion, numb

If youre patient enough, you can find some real bargains in second-hand shops.Im not involved in painting professionally I do it for fun.The fact that hes succeeded as a model does not justify his arrogant behaviour.She loves spending staggering amounts of money.I admit I do exaggerate with spending money from time to time but I can afford it.

I pay him such a high salary that I assume hes at my disposal day and night if necessary.I guess you should put a stop to all that partying and think seriously about your studies.She walked proudly on the red carpet enjoying the glory of success.I have very thrifty people theyre so boring.Shes certainly not fat! Maybe a bit plump but so sexy!When Im really depressed I gorge on chocolate.Her style is very extravagant Id even say a bit crazy.


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STUDENT B

8 Shocking celebrity shopaholics(www.ivillage.co.uk)Think you can shop? Wait till you read about the compulsive spends of our friends in Tinsel Town. CompulsiveShopping Disorder - the medical name for the obsession - is estimated to affect between two and eight per centof the population. There's even a new drug called citalopram, which has been prescribed to curb uncontrollableshopping urges. Here, some of the highest paid women in Hollywood reveal why they could do with a strongdose!

Victoria BeckhamShopaholic rating 9/10Victoria Beckham is in a league of her own when it comes to burning the plastic. The fashion-obsessed former SpiceGirl is believed to spend 100,000 a year on her wardrobe, and has turned shopping into her main occupation. 'I can'thelp it,' she says. 'When I see something I like, I buy it in every colour and I buy shoes in every colour to match, as wellas handbags. If I could, I'd go shopping every single day. I'm definitely a shopaholic.' After splashing out 8.5 million inher first year of married life, Posh announced she was giving up designer labels - but it wasn't long before she crept back

into Harvey Nicks. One marathon binge involved Victoria spending five hours raiding some of the most expensive storesin Los Angeles. She spent an hour in traffic before emerging with her first purchases. Then she crammed two moreshopping bags with dresses, tops and trousers at hip store Rampage, before moving on to Foot Locker for someupmarket trainers. Next she bought a $150 bikini at Canyon Beachware before hitting Diesel and DKNY. The entire haul- which will join her 2,500 Gucci catsuit, her 1,600 Gucci jacket and her horde of shoes which have never even left thebox in her bulging closets - was estimated to have cost at least 5,000. 'Spending like this is time-consuming,' saysProfessor George Gaskill, an expert on consumer behaviour. 'That's when you hit the realms of official shopaholic, whichis an illness.'

VOCABULARY PRACTICEThe following words are taken from the text about celebrity shopaholics. Make sure you have understood yourfriends explanations. Read the sentences and think which word suits best each sentence find a synonymthere. You dont need to use all the words.

to curb, dump of dumpsters, exorbitant buying binge, to burn the plastic, upmarket, a haul, jet-setting, a pin-up boy, ashopping spree, to strut, beaded mules, to be over the top, curvaceous, an array, to be at sb/s beck and call, flip-through,to buck, kooky, a thrift shop, a splurge, a penchant, to dabble with, to buff, in bulk, profligate, super-frugal, a bunion,numb

If youre patient enough, you can find some real bargains in second-hand shops.Im not involved in painting professionally I do it for fun.The fact that hes succeeded as a model does not justify his arrogant behaviour.She loves spending staggering amounts of money.I admit I do exaggerate with spending money from time to time but I can afford it.I pay him such a high salary that I assume hes at my disposal day and night if necessary.I guess you should put a stop to all that partying and think seriously about your studies.She walked proudly on the red carpet enjoying the glory of success.I have very thrifty people theyre so boring.Shes certainly not fat! Maybe a bit plump but so sexy!When Im really depressed I gorge on chocolate.Her style is very extravagant Id even say a bit crazy.


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STUDENT C



Cameron DiazShopaholic rating 6/10It's VIP treatment all the way when Cameron hits the town. Whether it's celebrating her birthday at Nobu orpartying all night with her friend Drew Barrymore at Suede, Cameron does it in style. The star enjoysspending her timejet-setting with toyboy pin-up Justin Timberlake. From a $20,000 - a - week stay in anoceanfront condo on Waikiki beach to a $4,800 - a - night stay in the Loews hotel in Miami, the pair alwaysrest their heads in luxury. When it comes to fashion, Cameron has a thing about sweaters. 'Frequentshopping sprees is the way to keep stocked,' she says. 'A woman can never have enough.' Cam's newyear's resolutions included curbing her shopping habit. 'I'll stop smoking, I'll stop shopping and I'll wear abra,' she resolved.

VOCABULARY PRACTICEThe following words are taken from the text about celebrity shopaholics. Make sure you haveunderstood your friends explanations. Read the sentences and think which word suits best eachsentence find a synonym there. You dont need to use all the words.

to curb, dump of dumpsters, exorbitant buying binge, to burn the plastic, upmarket, a haul, jet-setting, a pin-up boy, a shopping spree, to strut, beaded mules, to be over the top, curvaceous, an array, to be at sb/sbeck and call, flip-through, to buck, kooky, a thrift shop, a splurge, a penchant, to dabble with, to buff, in bulk,profligate, super-frugal, a bunion, numb

If youre patient enough, you can find some real bargains in second-hand shops.Im not involved in painting professionally I do it for fun.The fact that hes succeeded as a model does not justify his arrogant behaviour.She loves spending staggering amounts of money.

I admit I do exaggerate with spending money from time to time but I can afford it.I pay him such a high salary that I assume hes at my disposal day and night if necessary.I guess you should put a stop to all that partying and think seriously about your studies.She walked proudly on the red carpet enjoying the glory of success.I have very thrifty people theyre so boring.Shes certainly not fat! Maybe a bit plump but so sexy!When Im really depressed I gorge on chocolate.

Her style is very extravagant Id even say a bit crazy.


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STUDENT D



Jennifer LopezShopaholic rating 7/10Strutting around in Gucci and Versace is second nature to J-Lo. On a recent shopping spree at Madison inBeverly Hills, she snapped up Andrew Pfisterbeaded mules with crystal buckles, Miu Miu sneakers and

Prada mules. 'I'm a little bit of a shopaholic,' admits the diva. 'I don't have to call the hotline or anything, but Idefinitely enjoy it. My biggest extravagance is probably shoes and clothes. I'm over the top with it but I loveshopping for clothes, (and) trying on different outfits.' Jennifer says hercurvaceous body is one of the thingsthat encourages her to shop. 'I think it's fun to wear great clothes period, and obviously if you're a womanand you have a few curves it's a great feeling to put on a dress that makes you feel very attractive,' she says.'That's the whole point of clothes to me. You wear things that express who you are and make you feel goodabout yourself as much as make people stand up and take notice of who you are.' Lopez also loves the waycertain clothes help her to seduce men. 'I love clothes that make me feel very feminine and drive men crazy,especially sexy underwear,' she says, 'it's a game that women play.'

VOCABULARY PRACTICEThe following words are taken from the text about celebrity shopaholics. Make sure you haveunderstood your friends explanations. Read the sentences and think which word suits best each

sentence find a synonym there. You dont need to use all the words.


If youre patient enough, you can find some real bargains in second-hand shops.Im not involved in painting professionally I do it for fun.The fact that hes succeeded as a model does not justify his arrogant behaviour.

She loves spending staggering amounts of money.I admit I do exaggerate with spending money from time to time but I can afford it.I pay him such a high salary that I assume hes at my disposal day and night if necessary.I guess you should put a stop to all that partying and think seriously about your studies.She walked proudly on the red carpet enjoying the glory of success.I have very thrifty people theyre so boring.Shes certainly not fat! Maybe a bit plump but so sexy!

When Im really depressed I gorge on chocolate.Her style is very extravagant Id even say a bit crazy.


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STUDENT E



MadonnaShopaholic rating 7/10She came to New York City with $35 in her pocket and made $2.90 an hour. Now she pulls in $43 million ayear with an estimated net worth of $315 million. Second only to J.K. Rowling, the brains behind the HarryPotter books, Madonna is the highest-paid woman in England. When it comes to shopping, she has invested

her wealth in homes around the globe and extravagant art collections. Madonna and Guy Ritchie's week-long wedding extravaganza in Scotland included $1,000-a-night rooms for everyone for a week. She paid forJimmy Choo's publicist Marilyn Heston to deliver eight pairs of the designer's wedding pumps to Scotland forher to choose from on her big day and on a daily basis she has an array of shoe designers at her beck andcall. The queen of pop spends more on private Pilates sessions annually than a minimum-wage workermakes all year. Instead of shopping in stores, Madonna browses through special 'look books' that designerssend her. She has been known to spend $60,000 in a single flip-through. When it comes to designers,Madonna is a fan of close pal Stella McCartney and her favourite trousers are 'my low-rider linen pants thatStella McCartney made for me.'

VOCABULARY PRACTICEThe following words are taken from the text about celebrity shopaholics. Make sure you haveunderstood your friends explanations. Read the sentences and think which word suits best each

sentence find a synonym there. You dont need to use all the words.


If youre patient enough, you can find some real bargains in second-hand shops.Im not involved in painting professionally I do it for fun.The fact that hes succeeded as a model does not justify his arrogant behaviour.

She loves spending staggering amounts of money.I admit I do exaggerate with spending money from time to time but I can afford it.I pay him such a high salary that I assume hes at my disposal day and night if necessary.I guess you should put a stop to all that partying and think seriously about your studies.She walked proudly on the red carpet enjoying the glory of success.I have very thrifty people theyre so boring.Shes certainly not fat! Maybe a bit plump but so sexy!

When Im really depressed I gorge on chocolate.Her style is very extravagant Id even say a bit crazy.


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STUDENT F



Gwen StefaniShopaholic rating 5/10Gwen bucks the Hollywood spendthrift theme by taking an interest in discovering kooky second-handoutfits and altering clothes for herself. 'I always loved shopping and making up my own outfits,' saysGwen. 'When I was young and my mom said '"let's go to the mall" I always said "Can't I just have ahundred dollars and go to the thrift store?" You get really cool stuff,' she says. 'I would buy the clothesand then alter everything because we had a sewing machine. My bedroom was always the room youdidn't go into unless you wanted to get pins stuck in your foot. I was always doing projects and makingmy own clothes.' But Stefani now finds herself going for hip designers when she visits the UK. 'When I'min London I act the way people think I am supposed to act as a star,' says the pop star. 'I splurge onVivienne Westwood's clothes and come home with bags full of her stuff. I'll buy whatever I can because Ilove her clothes and they fit me really well.'





10/11

STUDENT G



Beyonce KnowlesShopaholic rating 6/10'I love shopping', says Beyonce, who once expressed a penchant for British high street store Topshop. TheDestiny's Child singer may like to dabblewith street fashion but she also exhibits diva tendencies. This is

where the star puts to practice her phenomenal organisational skills. Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles, isemployed as her (permanently on-call) fashion and hair stylist. While Beyonce buffs her face and body, Tinaspends the day scouring the racks of Versace and Gucci for clothes. The pop diva says her shoppingweakness is earrings, which she buys in bulk.


to curb, dump of dumpsters, exorbitant buying binge, to burn the plastic, upmarket, a haul, jet-setting, a pin-up boy, a shopping spree, to strut, beaded mules, to be over the top, curvaceous, an array, to be at sb/sbeck and call, flip-through, to buck, kooky, a thrift shop, a splurge, a penchant, to dabble with, to buff, in bulk,

profligate, super-frugal, a bunion, numb

If youre patient enough, you can find some real bargains in second-hand shops.Im not involved in painting professionally I do it for fun.The fact that hes succeeded as a model does not justify his arrogant behaviour.She loves spending staggering amounts of money.I admit I do exaggerate with spending money from time to time but I can afford it.I pay him such a high salary that I assume hes at my disposal day and night if necessary.

I guess you should put a stop to all that partying and think seriously about your studies.She walked proudly on the red carpet enjoying the glory of success.I have very thrifty people theyre so boring.Shes certainly not fat! Maybe a bit plump but so sexy!When Im really depressed I gorge on chocolate.Her style is very extravagant Id even say a bit crazy.


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STUDENT H



Sarah Jessica ParkerShopaholic rating 10/10She's known for being a down-to-earth star who's careful with her money, but Sarah Jessica Parker has oneserious weakness - shoes. 'I have far too many shoes - I mean really, really, really too many shoes,' says theSex And The City star. 'I've been wearing Manolo Blahniks for 16, 17 years. I'm not proud of my habit, but it'swhat I do with my disposable income. I can run a marathon., I can jump puddles, I can do anything in heels -the higher, the better.' SJP dates her shoe obsession back to her childhood, when her hard-up mum bought

her just two pairs of shoes a year and dressed her in jumble sale outfits at 60p a go. 'That's why I have sucha weird relationship with money,' she says. 'It's why I can be profligate orsuper-frugal. It comes from thisdesire to save yet, on the other hand, when I have been working so hard I think - why can't I have anotherpair of those Manolo Blahniks?' She is estimated to have around 100 pairs of the shoes, which range from$300 to $1,000 and she wears them at all times, even though they give her bunions and Achilles injuries.'I've virtually destroyed my feet, but I like what a high heel does to a person,' she says. 'My feet are soabused by shoes that they're numb. They've given in.




Documents

Shopaholism Intermediate-Upper Intermediate