Confessions of a Shopaholic: Manual on a novel by Sophie Kinsella Worksheet 1, Chapter 1 Topic: Becky’s Bank Statement Panic Attack Introduction: Summarize the content of the chapter. Talk about the main themes and describe the world in which the main character lives. Include your description of the main character herself. Vocabulary: Overdraft Current balance stands at a debit Exceed one’s limit To be due To loathe
A solution (cosmetic) To clutch on something
The truth dawns on me To pinch a card and forge a signature
To be put off
Humongous bill Fair’s fair
Go on a spending spree Get away with something quid
A one-off (purchase)
Motionless
Fall into something (!) piss off
Equity securities A mule
High-yield
(!) crappy
Buoyant
Tiered rates of interest Stepped-rate bond
To be headhunted conspiratorial
Elated Unit trust
Content Questions: 1. What is Rebecca Bloomwood’s financial situation? How does she manage to justify her spending habits? 2. What is Rebecca’s secret dream when it comes to paying off her outstanding credit card bill? 3. Where does Rebecca work and what is her working environment? How did she end up at the company where she is currently employed? 4. What happens to Rebecca’s dream of a job promotion? Discussion Questions: 1. Do you think women often justify their unnecessary purchases? What reasons do they usually give? 2. Would you call Rebecca childish and immature? Why/why not? Give reasons based on the content of the chapter and your own conclusions.
OnlinEnglish: Developed by Elena Mutonono
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Confessions of a Shopaholic: Manual on a novel by Sophie Kinsella Worksheet 2, Chapter 2 Topic: the D&G Scarf Introduction: Summarize the content of the chapter. Talk about the main themes and describe the world in which the main character lives. Introduce new characters of whom you read in this chapter. Include your description of these characters. Vocabulary: Essential purchase To tuck something An airhead
To be run over Avidly
Iridescent
To stutter
To tug
dubious
Discreet
Seamless
Honcho
To skim something
To covet/ lust (after)
To nod
embroidered
shimmer
To rummage through Thud
Weedy
To feel strangled Be on the cards Sip/swig/g ulp To duck down
To thrust
Livid
Engrossed
A mortgage
Deflated
I can make it (have time) Surreptitious
Ulcer
Obstacle course Whisk off
Impotent (adj)
Eventually
A moron
To charge
Labor
Feel flustered
Content Questions: 1. Why does Rebecca call Financial Times “an essential purchase?” 2. In this chapter we learn about Rebecca’s habit of itemizing clothes. Can you talk about it in detail? 3. Chapter 2 is a story that focuses on a particular piece of clothing. What is it and why is it so important? 4. What do you learn about Elly Granger, Luke Brandon and Alicia? 5. Why does Rebecca’s issue with borrowing money end up drawing so much attention? 6. What happens on the tube? 7. How does Rebecca explain her purchase to Luke Brandon? Discussion Questions: 1. Do you have any particular piece of clothing that you think defines you best? Why? 2. Do you consider “sales” as an opportunity to save and invest? Why would the following phrase be ironic, “I save my husband a lot of money. I never miss a sale?” How is it applicable to our main character?
OnlinEnglish: Developed by Elena Mutonono
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