BBC News - History of Harrods department store

1 Recognized for its celebrity-endorsed sales, food hall and signature green bags, Harrods at Knightsbridge station of London underground is one of the world's largest and most famous department stores, which in 2011 was owned by Qatari royal family.

2 The Knightsbridge store was established in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod. Beginning in a single room and employing two assistants and a messenger boy, it mainly sold tea and groceries.

3 Harrods steadily expanded, and by 1880 was a thriving department store, offering everything from medicines and perfumes to clothing and food and attracted wealthy customers. Among the most famous items sold by the store was an airplane, sold in 1917; the company also sold an alligator, as a gift to Noel Coward. The tradition of offering unusual items continued throughout the century: in the 1980s, the store sold a baby elephant as a gift for then U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

4 Harrods offers something for everyone at all budget levels. With more than a million square feet (90,000 sq m) of space, Harrods sells luxury and everyday items across seven floors. It now employs about 4,000 staff. The store has over 330 departments offering a wide range of products and services. Services provided include 32 restaurants, serving everything from high tea to tapas to pub food to haute cuisine. There is also a personal shopping service, a watch repair service; a tailor; a dispensing pharmacy; a beauty spa and salon; a barbers shop; Financial Services and Bank, Bathroom Planning and Design Service; private events planning and catering; food delivery; a wine steward; bespoke "picnic" hampers and gift boxes; bespoke cakes; and bespoke fragrance formulations. Products sold include clothing, electronics, jewellery, sporting gear, bridal trousseau, pets and pet accessories, toys, food and drink, health and beauty items, packaged gifts, stationery, housewares, home appliances, furniture, and much more. Up to 300,000 customers visit the store on peak days and it attracts 15 million customers each year, comprising the highest proportion of guests from non-English speaking countries of any department store in London.

2. Answer the questions based on the text:

- Where can you find Harrods?

- Who was the founder of the department store? When was it established?

- How many departments are there nowadays?

- What kinds of goods are offered?
AT THE DOCTOR'S

Vocabulary

health wealth wise be good at studies headache heartache toothache backache earache bad pain stomach complain of sore throat cough run a high temperature bad cold in one's head suffer from blood pressure consult a doctor examine feel one's pulse test one's blood pressure take one's temperature sound one's heart and lungs test one's eyes check one's teeth have one's chest X-rayed prescribe treatment pill tablet medicine at the chemist's complication follow one's recommendations I can't help telling weakness insomnia memory loss liver patient cure disease quiet have a good rest take long walks rule Eat at pleasure, drink with measure and enjoy life as it is. be well smoke cheerful at my age

здоровье богатство мудрый хорошо учиться головная боль боль в сердце зубная боль боль в спине или в пояснице боль в ухе сильная боль желудок; живот жаловаться на боль в горле кашель иметь высокую температуру сильная простуда страдать от кровяное давление обратиться к врачу осмотреть проверить пульс измерить кровяное давление измерить температуру прослушать сердце и легкие проверить зрение проверить зубы сделать рентген грудной клетки прописать (лечение), выписать (рецепт) лечение пилюля таблетка лекарство в аптеке осложнение следовать рекомендациям я не могу не рассказать слабость бессонница потеря памяти печень пациент излечивать болезнь тихий, спокойный хорошо отдохнуть много ходить пешком правило Ешьте вволю, пейте в меру и наслаждайтесь жизнью. хорошо себя чувствовать курить бодрый в моем возрасте

Exercises