B2 – Upper Intermediate
Despite record-breaking holiday shopping sales, new warning signs are emerging in the economy. Strong consumer spending may suggest confidence on the surface, but underlying issues such as rising debt, persistent inflation, and slowing job growth point to potential financial strain ahead. This contrast highlights growing concerns that robust retail activity may be masking deeper economic challenges.
Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.
Vocabulary Questions:
- Explain “K-shaped economy.” “Experts say they’re seeing consumers going in two directions; what they’re calling a K-shaped economy.” Use the term in a sentence.
- What does the expression “take a hit” mean? “People are struggling with the economy so everyone has taken a hit.” Make one sentence using this idiom.
- What does the phrase “dig for deals” mean? “This holiday season, while some shoppers splurge, others are digging for deals.” Use the expression in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think strong holiday shopping is a reliable sign of economic strength, or can it be misleading? Why?
- In your opinion, should governments be concerned about warning signs even when consumer spending remains high?
- How can record holiday shopping coexist with economic warning signs such as rising debt or slowing job growth?
- What economic indicators should be examined beyond consumer spending to better understand the true health of the economy?
2 replies on “Economic Warning Signs Despite Record Holiday Shopping”
1. A K-shaped economy means that some people are doing better financially, while others are having a harder time
2. Take a hit means to suffer a loss or be negatively affected. Because of rising prices, many families have taken a hit their monthly budgets.
3. means to spend time and effort searching for discounts or lower prices. With prices still high, many shoppers are digging for deals online before buying gifts.
1. I think it can be misleading because holiday shopping is not the reality; it is a period when people buy things even if they don’t have enough money, because everyone needs to give gifts.
2. In my opinion, governments can share information and warnings, but people will spend if that is what they want to do.
3. Record holiday shopping can happen because people use credit cards or savings, even when there are problems in the economy.
4. Besides consumer spending, it is important to look at jobs,salaries , debt levels, and inflation to better understand the real health of the economy.
Great job answering your lesson’s discussion questions.
Here are some other words you may use in the following sentences:
Keep doing your writing exercises.