that's english modulo 5 unit 1-4

look around 

I'm looking around at all the shops, and there is a familiarity about them.

familiarity [fəˌmɪlɪˈærɪtɪ]

There isn't a single shop that I don't recognise

there are positive benefits, as well as drawbacks

benefit [ˈbenɪfɪt]

advantage [ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ]

disadvantage [ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ]

drawback [ˈdrɔːbæk

draw back

to draw back from doing sth 

no atreverse a hacer algo

major [ˈmeɪdʒər]

major international chain stores offer value and quality

value [ˈvæljuː]

They sell products at low prices because they buy them in large quantities from manufacturers

raditional shops, such as butcher's, baker's and local bookshops, have all closed down.

They can help small businesses by giving them low rents

improvement [ɪmˈpruːvmənt]

discussion [dɪsˈkʌʃən]

consumerism [kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm]

Politician ˌpɒlɪˈtɪʃən

I'm standing in the city centre of Stockholm in Sweden and I'm looking around at all the shops, and there is a familiarity about them. I can see a big H&M, a Stockmann and a Zara. Over there, people are queuing in McDonald's. There isn't a single shop that I don't recognise.

When I go abroad, I want to experience different shops and buy local produce, but every high street and shopping centre in Europe is identical. But is this really a problem? Isn't it true that there are positive benefits, as well as drawbacks, to having the same shops all over the world?

On the one hand, major international chain stores offer value and quality. They sell products at low prices because they buy them in large quantities from manufacturers. They also employ a lot of people – they offer jobs in design and marketing as well as in their shops. On the other hand, the globalisation of our high streets has reduced choice. A lot of independent clothes shops have disappeared. Traditional shops, such as butcher's, baker's and local bookshops, have all closed down. Small shops employ fewer people. However, they still can't compete because their costs are higher.

Most consumers would like to have interesting local shops and high street international stores.

So, we should support both. Although we might continue to shop in major stores, we should also buy things from local shops. Local governments can help, too. They can help small businesses by giving them low rents and they can build small shopping centres where only small independent shops can sell their produce. In conclusion, the globalisation of the High Street is not a bad thing if we can also protect independent shops.

high street

consumers [kənˈsjuːmərs]

local produce