A BAG FULL OF PROBLEMS

Shopping addiction is not a totally new phenomenon. It was first identify in a German
psychiatric text in 1915. But no one is surprised that the consumer society is an ideal setting for its
development. Buying has never been so easy. If credit cards are not enough of a temptation, nowadays
you can even buy from the comfort of your own home, through Internet or television.
The health services of some Spanish regional governments have created specific units to treat
those affected by this addiction. Some psychiatrists are even of the opinion that this condition s a major
social illness.
Illness or not, it is a real problem for those who suffer from it, because compulsive buyers lack
control over their shopping habits, they go out “window shopping” and come back with lots of bags full
of unnecessary items. The buyer normally suffers from affective or personal problems, such as anxiety,
depression or loneliness, and uses shopping as a compensation for their problems. It is as if in order to
“be somebody” they need to buy.
As happens with other addictions, those affected do not recognise their situation until they and
their families find themselves in difficulties, in this case in financial difficulties. Associations similar to
alcoholic anonymous are beginning to operate in Spain to help tackle this “disease”. They do group
therapy and teach the shopaholics to control their buying impulses. It’s not surprising to discover that
these associations have been functioning in the USA, the paradise of consumer culture, for some decades.

(A) COMPREHENSION (4 points)

ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-2 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TEXT. USE
YOUR OWN WORDS. (1 point per answer)
1. Why does the author of the text say that buying has never been so easy?
2. How can compulsive buyers get help?
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWER WITH WORDS OR
PHRASES FROM THE TEXT. (0’5 points per answer)
3. Buying in excess is a consequence of other problems.
4. The Spanish Health Ministry has created special units to treat shop addicts.
5. Shop addicts behave just like other addicts.
6. Associations to help shop addicts began in Germany in 1915.

(B) USE OF ENGLISH (3 points)

7. Find in the text one synonym for COMPULSIVE SHOPPERS. (verb) (0’25
points)
8. Find in the text one opposite for: DIFFERENT (adjective) (0’25 points)
9. Which word is not a verb? (0’25 points)
CONTROL OPERATE THERAPY TREAT
10. Give an adjective with the same root as LONELINESS (adjective). (0’25 points)
11. Turn the following sentence into reported speech: (0’5 points)
Doctor Laura Elliot said: “It seems to be a disease of affluence”.
12. Turn the following sentence into the active voice: (0’5 points)
Compulsive shopping is motivated by irresistible impulses.
13. Fill in the gaps with the correct verb tenses: (0’5 points)
If you------------------------- (NOT HAVE) the time to go to the hypermarket, there------------------
(BE) home shopping systems on the Internet.
14. Join the following sentences, using an appropriate linker ( do not use AND or BUT):
(0’5 points)
The disorder in question has an alarming impact on its victims. It has received little medical
attention.

( C ) PRODUCTION (3 points)

15. Write a composition (80-100 words). Choose one of the following options. Specify your option:
a) Do you think society forces us to buy unnecessary things?
b) What advice would you give to a friend who was more concerned with having material
things than “being him/herself”?