THERE WAS A DECREASE IN PHYSICAL STORE VISITS DURING THE PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things around the world. One big change was the way people shopped. There was a decrease in physical store visits during the pandemic. This means fewer people went to shops or malls. Instead, many started shopping online.

This sentence uses the past simple to describe a situation that happened before. Students learn to talk about past habits, changes, and events, while connecting it to everyday experiences.

Examples:

Many stores closed in 2020.
People stayed at home and ordered online.
There was a big change in shopping habits.

📚 GRAMMAR

1. Past Simple – Verb “To Be”

Used to talk about something that happened in the past.

There was a decrease in store visits.
There were many restrictions.

2. Past Simple – Regular and Irregular Verbs

People visited fewer stores.
Many businesses closed.

3. Present Simple

People now prefer online shopping.
Physical stores offer discounts to bring customers back.

4. Future with "Will" and "Going to"

Stores will use better safety rules.
We are going to shop more in person soon.

5. Modal Verbs

You should wear a mask in crowded places.
People must follow the rules during health emergencies.

6. Comparatives and Superlatives

Online shopping is easier than going to a store.
That year was the most difficult for shops.

7. Adverbs of Frequency

People rarely went out during the pandemic.
Now they sometimes go to the mall.

📖 VOCABULARY (10 Words)

Decrease – To become less or smaller
There was a decrease in visits.
Visit – To go and see a place or person
I didn’t visit any shops.
Pandemic – A disease that spreads across the world
The pandemic changed everything.
Physical Store – A real, in-person store
We stopped going to physical stores.
Online – Using the internet
We bought food online.
Close – To stop operating or be shut
Shops closed for weeks.
Mask – A face cover for protection
Everyone wore masks.
Safety – Protection from danger or harm
Safety rules were important.
Restriction – A rule that limits what people can do
There were many restrictions.
Essential – Very important or necessary
Only essential stores stayed open.

💬 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

There was a big change in shopping habits.
People stopped visiting stores.
We started shopping online more.
Only essential shops were open.
Masks were required in stores.
It was a difficult time for businesses.
Stores will recover slowly.
Shopping online was safer.
We are going to return to stores soon.
Customers must follow health rules.

✅ SENTENCES

✨ Positive:

There was a decrease in store visits during the pandemic.
Many people stayed home and shopped online.
Online shopping became more popular.

❌ Negative:

There wasn’t much traffic in malls.
People didn’t feel safe shopping in person.
We didn’t visit any physical stores for months.

❓ Questions:

Was there a decrease in store visits?
Did you go shopping during the pandemic?
Are you going to visit stores again soon?
Will physical stores be busy in the future?

✅ Answers:

Yes, there was a big decrease.
No, I didn’t go shopping in person.
Yes, I’m going to visit stores again.
Maybe, but online shopping will still be common.

🗣️ LONG CONVERSATION

Lucas: Did you go to the mall during the pandemic?
Sara: No, I didn’t. There was a big decrease in store visits.
Lucas: Yeah, most of the stores were closed.
Sara: I started buying everything online. It was easier and safer.
Lucas: Same here. I even ordered groceries online!
Sara: Me too. Only pharmacies and supermarkets stayed open.
Lucas: Do you think people will go back to stores now?
Sara: I think so. But online shopping is very convenient.
Lucas: True. I’m going to shop online and in stores.
Sara: That’s a good balance!

📘 LONG READING

Shopping Habits During the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world experienced many changes. One major change was in shopping behavior. There was a decrease in physical store visits. People stayed at home, and many stores closed. Health rules and restrictions made it difficult to go out. Only essential businesses, like pharmacies and supermarkets, stayed open.

Because of this, online shopping increased. People used websites and apps to buy clothes, food, and other products. It was safer and more convenient. Delivery services became very popular.

Now, as life slowly returns to normal, some people are going back to physical stores. But online shopping remains an important part of everyday life.

❓ Comprehension Questions

What changed during the pandemic?
→ Shopping habits.
What happened to store visits?
→ They decreased.
Why did people stop going to stores?
→ Because of health rules and restrictions.
What kind of stores stayed open?
→ Essential stores like supermarkets and pharmacies.
What kind of shopping increased?
→ Online shopping.
What is happening now?
→ People are going back to stores, but still shop online.