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Variant 9
Name: _______________________________
Part 1 Reading
Task 1
Read the article below about personal shoppers and sentences 1–8.
For each sentence 1–8 mark one letter (A, B or C).
Personal shoppers are available for the consumer who has spending power but not the luxury of time to go shopping. By paying for the services of an expert to do their shopping - whether for gifts, luxury items or everyday necessities - the consumer can ‘buy back time’, and shopping need not interrupt their hectic lifestyle schedule.
There are two kinds of personal shopper. The first works as a consultant within an
up-market department store or boutique, and is employed by the store. Their services form part of the general customer services provided by the store, but in some cases the customer also has to pay a fee for their services. The famous Bloomingdale’s department store in New York advertises the services of personal shoppers who study the customer’s requirements carefully and “pre-shop the store” for them. In other words, they pick out a selection of possible items from the store, which the client can look at and choose from in a private room at the store. These ‘in-store’ personal shoppers also offer services such as informing customers of current special offers, wrapping purchases bought as presents, arranging alterations, and organizing the shipment or delivery of the items.
A second kind of personal shopper works as a freelance consultant dealing with individual clients rather than being employed by a particular boutique or department store. Because this kind of personal shopper are paid for by the client not a store, he or she will use their wide knowledge of the retail market to identify and locate their client’s purchasing requirements. They also usually act as style advisers, and can help individual clients understand what colour and fashion is right for them. Catherine Fenwick is a personal shopping consultant based in London. ‘If you don’t have time to shop, or life’s too hectic, or if you’re not sure what colours or clothes suit your looks, I can help you,’ she promises her customers. She also works within the customer’s budget, helping them to save – as well as spend – their money.
With low-cost, no frills shopping on the rise at the low and middle end of the market, there is still a significant number of high-end consumers willing to pay extra for personal advice and attention.
1 Some consumers pay to use personal shoppers because
A they have plenty of money but they are too busy to go shopping.
B they are rich but they don’t like shopping.
C they need to buy gifts and luxury items every day.
2 Personal shoppers working in big department stores are always
A there to provide a free customer service.
B employed by the store but sometimes also paid by the customer.
C employed by the store and also paid by the customer.
3 A personal shopper at Bloomingdale’s department store in New York
A learns about customer requirements at university.
B advertises their services in shops around the city.
C chooses items from the store for the customer to look at.
4 Bloomingdale’s personal shoppers can also help with
A gift-wrapping, store cards and altering shipments and deliveries.
B special offers, refunds and childcare.
C store information, gift-wrapping and organizing deliveries.
5 Freelance personal shoppers
A are employed by individual clients.
B visit different markets to find what their client requires.
C offer a free service.
6 A freelance personal shopper is more likely to give good advice because they
A work on behalf of the client rather than a store.
B are paid more money.
C work in a large city.
7 Catherine Fenwick helps her clients to
A look at suits and save money.
B buy suits that are the right colour for them.
C look good and not spend too much money.
8 In the final paragraph, the writer suggests that consumers who use personal shoppers
A remain an important feature of the high-end retail market.
B will increase at the low and middle end of the market.
C will pay extra for personal advice and attention in the future.
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