Shopping and Money
English Basic Vocabulary · 50 lessons
What does “Discount” mean?
A is correct: A discount means the price is lowered—you pay less than the regular price. It's a benefit to the buyer.
B is wrong: This describes a price increase or markup, which is the opposite of a discount. When prices go up, you pay *more*, not less.
What does “Bargain” mean?
Correct Answer (A): A bargain is a mutual agreement where each party promises to do something for the other—like trading money for goods. Both sides willingly accept the terms because they see value in the exchange.
Why B is wrong: This describes a *bad* bargain or dispute, not what "bargain" means. A bargain can be unfavorable, but the core definition is simply an agreement, not necessarily one that causes losses. Many bargains are fair exchanges that benefit both parties.
What does “Checkout” mean?
A is correct because checkout is the final payment stage—when you pay and complete your purchase before leaving. This is the standard meaning in retail and e-commerce.
B is wrong because that describes shopping and adding items to your cart, which happens *before* checkout. Filling a cart without paying is just browsing/shopping, not checking out.
What does “Discount” mean?
A is correct. A discount means you pay *less* than the normal price—the seller reduces what you owe. This is why stores advertise discounts to attract customers.
B is wrong. An increase in price is the opposite of a discount; that's called a markup or price increase.
What does “Receipt” mean?
A is correct: A receipt proves you've received something—it's proof of a completed transaction. You get it after you pay or receive goods.
B is wrong: That describes a bill or invoice, which shows money *owed*, not money that's already been paid. A receipt is the opposite—it confirms payment is *done*.
What does “Refund” mean?
A is correct: A refund means returning money to someone—like when you return a purchase and get your money back.
B is wrong: This describes charging someone *more* money, which is the opposite of a refund. A refund always involves giving money back, not taking additional money.
What does “Sales” mean?
A is correct: Sales means selling—exchanging what you own (a commodity) for money. When a business makes a sale, it gives up a product and receives payment.
B is wrong: This describes *buying*, not selling. Buying is when you exchange money for a commodity (the opposite direction). Sales and buying are two sides of the same transaction, but from different perspectives—sales is from the seller's view.
What does “Coupon” mean?
Why A is correct:
A coupon is a voucher or ticket that gives you a discount when you buy something—it saves you money at checkout.
Why B is wrong:
Coupons do the opposite of requiring extra payment. They reduce what you pay, not increase it. You'd be thinking of a surcharge or fee, not a coupon.
What does “Credit Card” mean?
Correct Answer (A): A credit card literally allows you to buy now and pay later—that's the "credit" part. The bank lends you money, and you settle the bill later, often with interest if you don't pay in full.
Why B is wrong: This describes a *debit card*, which requires you to have money already in your account before you can spend it. There's no borrowing or credit involved—you're spending your own cash.
What does “Cash” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Cash" specifically refers to physical money you can hold—coins and bills. It's the most immediate, tangible form of payment with no delays or intermediaries.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of cash. Checks, money orders, and credit are alternatives *to* cash, not what cash is. This option reverses the actual definition.
What does “Budget” mean?
Why A is correct:
A budget is a plan that estimates how much money you'll earn (income) and spend (expenditure) over a specific timeframe—like a month or year. It's intentional and organized.
Why B is wrong:
Budgeting is the opposite of random and unplanned. A budget requires planning and structure. It's specifically tied to a time period, not scattered or chaotic.
What does “Exchange” mean?
Why A is correct:
Exchange means a trade or swap—you give something and get something else in return. This is the core definition used in everyday life and economics.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of exchange. Retaining means keeping something unchanged, which involves no trading or swapping at all. Exchange requires movement or transfer between parties.
What does “Price Tag” mean?
Correct Answer (A): A price tag's job is to *show* the price, not hide it. Stores attach these labels so customers can see how much something costs before buying it.
Why B is wrong: If price tags hid prices, customers wouldn't know what they're paying for items—stores wouldn't function. The word "tag" combined with "price" means it displays the price publicly.
What does “Invoice” mean?
Why A is correct:
An invoice is a billing document that itemizes what was sold or provided and shows how much money the customer owes. It's the standard way businesses request payment.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the opposite of an invoice. An invoice *confirms* a transaction and requests payment—it doesn't deny anything. You might be thinking of a credit memo or cancellation notice, which would deny or reverse charges.
What does “Merchant” mean?
Correct Answer: A person involved in wholesale trade.
A merchant is someone who buys goods in large quantities and sells them, typically to other businesses or retailers rather than directly to consumers. This is the core definition of a merchant—they're traders who deal in bulk commerce.
Why B is wrong:
Merchants are specifically involved in *commercial* activities (buying and selling for profit), not non-commercial ones. Non-commercial activities would be things like charity work or volunteering, which is the opposite of what a merchant does.
What does “Retail” mean?
A is correct because retail means selling directly to end customers in small amounts for them to use themselves—like buying groceries or clothes at a store.
B is wrong because it describes the opposite (wholesale/bulk purchasing), and it mentions buying *from* the public rather than selling *to* them. Wholesale is when businesses buy large quantities to resell or manufacture, not what retail is.
What does “E-Commerce” mean?
Why A is correct:
"E-Commerce" = "Electronic Commerce." The "E" stands for electronic, meaning it uses digital technology and the Internet. This includes online shopping, digital payments, and web-based business.
Why B is wrong:
Physical transactions without the Internet are just regular commerce or retail—not e-commerce. E-commerce specifically requires the electronic/digital component to be called "e-commerce."
What does “Debit Card” mean?
Correct Answer (A): This accurately describes a debit card—it's issued by your bank, and when you use it, money is transferred directly from your bank account to pay for something. It's electronic and immediate.
Why B is wrong:
- "Issued by an individual" doesn't make sense—only banks issue debit cards, not regular people
- "Grab money physically" is incorrect—debit cards work electronically, not by physically taking cash
- This option confuses debit cards with something else entirely
What does “Purchase” mean?
A is correct. "Purchase" means to buy something—you exchange money for goods or services.
B is wrong. That describes *selling*, which is the opposite action. When you sell, someone else is purchasing from you.
What does “Window Shopping” mean?
A is correct: Window shopping means browsing store displays for enjoyment or inspiration, not necessarily to purchase. The key is looking *without the intent to buy*.
B is wrong: This describes impulse buying—the opposite of window shopping. Window shopping is deliberate browsing; impulse buying is quick purchasing without consideration.
What does “Affordable” mean?
A is correct: "Affordable" means something costs a reasonable amount of money that people can actually pay for—it's within their budget. Think of affordable housing or affordable prices at a store.
B is wrong: This is the opposite meaning. "Expensive" and "overpriced" describe things that cost too much, not things that are affordable. If something is overpriced, it's definitely not affordable.
What does “Shopping Cart” mean?
Why A is correct:
A shopping cart is a physical wheeled trolley customers push through stores to collect items before checkout. This is the standard, literal meaning of the term.
Why B is wrong:
A composition displaying visual arts would be called a gallery, exhibition, or collection—not a shopping cart. This option confuses shopping carts with art displays, which have nothing to do with retail shopping.
What does “Wholesale” mean?
Correct Answer (A):
Wholesale means selling in bulk to businesses (like stores) who then resell to customers. It's the "middle step" in the supply chain—manufacturers sell to wholesalers in large quantities at lower per-unit prices.
Why B is wrong:
That describes retail, the opposite of wholesale. Retail is selling small quantities directly to end consumers at full price. Wholesale buyers are businesses purchasing for resale, not individual shoppers.
What does “Markup” mean?
Correct answer (A): Markup is the extra amount a business adds *on top* of what they paid for something. If a store buys a shirt for $10 and sells it for $15, the $5 difference is markup—it covers their costs (rent, staff, etc.) and profit.
Why B is wrong: That describes a discount or sale, which is the opposite of markup. Discounts *reduce* prices, while markup *increases* them.
What does “Clearance” mean?
A is correct: Clearance refers to selling inventory quickly at lower prices to make room for new stock. Retailers use this strategy when they have too much product that isn't selling.
B is wrong: This describes the opposite action—building up stock rather than reducing it. Clearance is about *getting rid of* excess goods, not accumulating more.
What does “Goods” mean?
A is correct because "goods" specifically refers to physical, tangible items you can buy, sell, or own—like furniture, clothing, or electronics. These are things with material form that can be transported.
B is wrong because that describes services, not goods. Services are intangible (you can't touch them)—examples include haircuts, repairs, or consulting. Goods and services are different categories in economics.
What does “Stock” mean?
Correct Answer (A): Stock refers to inventory that a business *has* and *can sell*. It's the merchandise physically stored and ready for customers to purchase.
Why B is wrong: This describes the opposite of stock—it's talking about items a shop is *out of* or doesn't have. That's a shortage or out-of-stock situation, not what "stock" means.
What does “Store-Brand” mean?
Why A is correct:
Store-brand (or "private label") products are made specifically for a particular retailer and sold under that store's name—like Walmart's Great Value or Target's Good & Gather. The store controls the branding and often contracts manufacturers to make products exclusive to them.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the opposite situation. Those are name-brand or independent products made by manufacturers and distributed to multiple stores. Store-brands are the store's own exclusive products, not goods from independent manufacturers sold under various names.
What does “Layaway” mean?
A is correct: Layaway is when you pay for an item in installments while the store holds it for you until it's fully paid. You don't take it home until the entire purchase is complete.
B is wrong: This describes a normal retail transaction, not layaway. Regular purchases give you the item right away after payment, whereas layaway specifically delays delivery until the full amount is paid.
What does “Quantity” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Quantity" means *how much* or *how many* of something exists—focusing on amount or number rather than size/space. You can measure quantity by counting (5 apples) or weighing (2 kg), not just by measuring dimensions.
Why B is wrong:
This describes *volume* or *dimension*—measuring something by its spatial size (length, width, height). That's different from quantity. Also, B says quantity *is* estimated by spatial measurement, which is backwards—quantity is what we measure *without* relying on spatial dimensions.
What does “Gift Card” mean?
Why A is correct:
A gift card is literally a card loaded with money upfront that you can spend at stores or businesses. It's a popular gift because the recipient chooses what to buy.
Why B is wrong:
A postcard is just a piece of mail for messages—it has no monetary value and isn't used for purchases. This confuses "card" (the object) with "gift card" (the financial product).
What does “Consumer” mean?
Correct Answer: A
A consumer is someone who buys and uses products or services to meet their own needs—like when you buy groceries, clothes, or pay for a haircut. That's the core definition in economics.
Why B is wrong:
Option B describes a producer, not a consumer. Someone who *makes* goods or services is the opposite of someone who *uses* them. A baker produces bread; a customer consuming it is the consumer.
What does “Bestseller” mean?
Correct Answer: A
A "bestseller" is a product (usually a book) that sells exceptionally well—in large quantities. It's popular and commercially successful.
Why B is wrong:
Option B says the opposite—it describes a product that *doesn't* sell. That's the complete reverse of what "bestseller" means. A bestseller is all about high sales, not zero sales.
What does “Merchandise” mean?
Correct Answer: A. Goods that are bought and sold.
Merchandise is simply another word for products or items intended for commercial exchange—things businesses buy to resell or that customers purchase. Think of merchandise as inventory in a store.
Why B is wrong: This directly contradicts the definition. Goods that are *never* bought or sold wouldn't be merchandise; they'd just be possessions or materials sitting unused.
What does “Import” mean?
A is correct because "import" means bringing things *into* your country from foreign sources. Think of it as goods coming *in*.
B is wrong because that describes "export"—sending goods *out* of your country to sell elsewhere. The direction is opposite. A helpful trick: "import" starts with "in," and "export" starts with "ex" (meaning out).
What does “Export” mean?
Correct Answer: A
Export means sending your own goods or services *out* to other countries to sell them there. Think of it as a country or business shipping products abroad.
Why B is wrong: That's the opposite process, called import—bringing goods *into* your country from elsewhere. An easy way to remember: export = exit (leaving), import = in (arriving).
What does “Transaction” mean?
Correct Answer: A
A transaction is any exchange of goods, services, or money between parties—it's the core event in business and commerce. This is the standard definition used in economics, accounting, and everyday business language.
Why B is wrong:
If nothing is being bought or sold, there's no transaction occurring. A transaction requires an actual exchange to take place.
What does “Upcharge” mean?
Correct Answer: A
"Upcharge" means to add extra money on top of a standard price. When a business upcharges, they're charging customers *more* than the usual or base price—like a restaurant charging extra for a substitution or a store adding a fee for rush delivery.
Why B is wrong:
A lower price would be a "discount" or "markdown," not an upcharge. The prefix "up" indicates an increase, not a decrease.
What does “Trend” mean?
A is correct: A trend describes movement or change over time—like how sales are increasing, fashion is shifting, or temperatures are rising. It's about direction and development.
B is wrong: This describes the opposite of a trend. If something is stagnant or unchanged, there's no trend at all—a trend requires movement or change.
What does “Wishlist” mean?
Why A is correct:
A wishlist is exactly what it sounds like—items you *want* to have but don't own yet. It's a personal collection of things you hope to get in the future.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the opposite idea. A wishlist isn't about things you don't want; it's about things you actively *do* want. Items you've discarded would be a "discard list" or "trash," not a wishlist.
What does “Splurge” mean?
A is correct. "Splurge" means to spend money generously or without worrying about the cost—like buying something expensive you don't need but really want.
B is wrong because it's the opposite. Saving and restricting spending is the complete reverse of splurging.
What does “Shopping Basket” mean?
Why A is correct:
A "shopping basket" is literally a container you use to carry items while shopping—typically woven from materials like cane, wire, or plastic. This matches the definition perfectly.
Why B is wrong:
A basket doesn't scatter or distribute items; it *collects and holds* them together. A spreader or disperser would scatter things, but that's the opposite of what a basket does.
What does “Markdown” mean?
Why A is correct:
A markdown is when a store reduces the original price of an item—like a sale or discount. Retailers mark down prices to clear inventory or attract customers.
Why B is wrong:
An increase in price is called a "markup," not a markdown. Markup is when sellers add profit to their cost price.
What does “Retail Therapy” mean?
Correct answer (A): "Retail therapy" is the idea that shopping can make you feel better emotionally—like buying something new gives you a mood boost or helps you cope with stress or sadness.
Why B is wrong: This describes the opposite of retail therapy. Avoiding shopping wouldn't be called "therapy"—therapy involves taking an action to help yourself, not avoiding something.
What does “Thrifty” mean?
Correct answer: A
"Thrifty" means being smart about spending—using money and resources wisely without waste. Think of a thrifty person as someone who saves, budgets, and avoids unnecessary purchases.
Why B is wrong: This is the *opposite* of thrifty. Extravagant and wasteful behavior describes someone who is *unthrifty* or spendthrift.
What does “Overdraft” mean?
Why A is correct:
An overdraft occurs when you withdraw more money than you have available, creating a negative balance. The bank covers the difference, and you typically pay fees.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* situation—having extra money is a surplus or credit balance, not an overdraft. An overdraft is always a shortage, not an excess.
What does “Banknote” mean?
Correct Answer: A
A banknote is literally paper currency—physical money printed and issued by a country's central bank (like the Federal Reserve in the US). It has a specific value and is used as legal tender for buying goods and services.
Why B is wrong:
A plastic card used for electronic transactions is a debit or credit card, not a banknote. While both can represent money, a banknote is the actual physical currency itself, whereas a card is just a tool to access money in an account.
What does “Shopping Plaza” mean?
Option A is correct because a shopping plaza is specifically a commercial space designed to house many different stores in one convenient location—like a mall or strip mall.
Option B is wrong because it describes the opposite: a secluded area with *no* shops. That contradicts what a shopping plaza actually is. The word "plaza" refers to a public space, and "shopping" indicates retail stores are the main feature.
What does “Frugal” mean?
Correct answer: A
"Frugal" means being careful and thrifty with money or food—doing more with less. Someone frugal avoids waste and unnecessary spending.
Why B is wrong: That describes the opposite behavior. "Spending money or resources freely and recklessly" is wasteful or extravagant, not frugal. If you're extravagant, you're definitely *not* being frugal.
What does “Exchange Rate” mean?
A is correct: Exchange rate is simply how much of one currency you need to get another—like how many euros equal one dollar. It's the conversion price between currencies.
B is wrong: Currencies are NOT fixed at equal values. Exchange rates constantly change based on market demand, economic conditions, and other factors. If all currencies were equal, there would be no need for an exchange rate at all.
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