Self study 2 content

E-commerce during COVID-19


Further information: Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2020, global retail website traffic hit 14.3 billion visits[54] signifying an unprecedented growth of e-commerce during the lockdown of 2020. Later studies show that online sales increased by 25% and online grocery shopping increased by over 100% during the crisis in the United

States.[55] Meanwhile, as many as 29% of surveyed shoppers state that they will never go back to shopping in person again; in the UK, 43% of consumers state that they expect to keep on shopping the same way even after the lockdown is over.[56]
Retail sales of e-commerce shows that COVID-19 has a significant impact on e-commerce and its sales are expected to reach $6.5 trillion by 2023.[57]
Task 2: Study MODAL VERBS chart and give your own example with modal verbs

Answers

1Could – there is a chance of going to the club, but it is not certain. Also acceptable is ‘might’.


2Should – protecting the environment is something that is a definite responsibility. Also just acceptable is ‘ought to’.


3Will – here, the plan is that the essay is completed. Also acceptable is ‘can’.


4Shall – this is the best answer because the condition for attending the concert is the purchase of tickets. However, ‘can’ is also acceptable.


5Can – giving the gift was not a possibility until the person arrived. Also acceptable is ‘shall’.


6Would – the event happened in the past, and the award of a pound was conditional on the visit to the grandparents.


7Might – the chance is equal. ‘Could’ is acceptable, although the implication is that it probably will not escape.


8May – permission is politely given. ‘Can’ just about passes, although this is a less polite way of giving permission.


9Must – the only acceptable answer because it is an absolute condition.


10Ought to – it is something that should happen, but does not absolutely have to happen. Also acceptable are ‘should’ and ‘could’.