GCE 2007 Paper 3

"I really can't decide what to get John for his birthday this year,"said Mrs Shah.

"He already has so many toys and most of them just stay in the cupboard and never get played with."

"I agree,'replied Mrs Chang."For Sam's last birthday we bought him an expensive electronic game that he'd been pestering us to get him for months. Would you believe he only played with it for one day and hasn't looked at it since?"

Mrs Shah and Mrs Chang were old friends and usually met in town once a week to exchange news and chat about their children who were also good friends.Today they were walking through the toy section of a large department store.

"Don't you find that children are just happy with traditional toys,like board games and books?"asked Mrs Shah,stopping to admire an elaborate display of cuddly toys.

"Definitely,"replied Mrs Chang"but there's so much peer pressure these days.Every child wants to have the lastest craze. It's very hard for parents to say 'no'."

"I always refuse to give in when Sarah demands to have something just because her friends have got it,"declared Mrs Shah.

"Oh so do i," agreed her friend."there's no way i'm going to agree to buy a toy just because it's the latest fashion."

As the two women countinued their stroll through the store, a sudden commotion drew their attention.Parents and children were crowding excitedly round a sales assistant who was putting some boxes on display.

"That must be the latest computer game,"shouted Mrs Shah."Quick, we must get in the queue before they sell out."

The two friends dashed over to join the crowd.