IELTS SERIES-8:

IELTS SERIES-8:
IELTsians beware:

DEPARTMENT store OR DEPARTMENTAL store???? 

My wife was on a buying spree. From the mall, I chauffeured her to the always-busy Commercial Street. 
“What is our next destination?” I asked in all politeness though I was irked inside at her shopping mood. I had lost all my 4 hours of reading, watching comedy serials and Face Book.
She looked at me astounded “Don’t you remember even a simple thing? I am telling this 100th time. ‘Go to any Departmental store’ where I would like to purchase some provisions and stationery.”
Driven by this command and to save myself from further salvos for my forgetfulness, I moved the vehicle fast and increased the volume of songs in the car’s stereo.

After a while, I decided that offence is the best form of defense. “I have also told thousand times to you that ‘to say ‘DEPARTMENT STORE” is correct and not ‘DEPARTMENTAL STORE’.” I never miss these unexpected small opportunities to chide her. As usual, she didn't care my words and actually started intently listening to songs. Then, she told “It doesn't matter. After all there are millions who say DEPARTMENTAL STORE.”
“When you go abroad, they may not understand this word-...”
“I won’t go...” is her immediate reply. She opened the door of the car and shut it with a deafening noise. That sound closed my lips from talking further and I followed her gloomily as a person defeated in a fight.

Points to ponder over:
There is no word like ‘DEPARTMENTAL STORE’. (INDIAN usage: OK in India)
IT is ‘DEPARTMENT STORE’ only.
We can say ‘departmental library or departmental action; but NOT DEPARTMENTAL STORE’.
‘DEPARTMENT STORE” is correct.
At least, will you listen to me?

IELTS series-7: What or Which?

IELTS series-7:    WHAT and WHICH?

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” She asked me in the overcrowded mall. We came here to select a cotton shirt for me. Hundreds of shirts just opposite to us inside the shop!

 I knew well that I could not choose any one on my own because she was ready with her choice from among the 20 shirts  hanging colorfully in front of us. If I chose anyone, surely it was going to be rejected at the first instance. So, I kept mum.

“Don’t you know what your taste is?” she continued with her AK47.

At last, she came with two-one with long stripes and another with plain light blue color.

“WHICH...ONE  DO YOU LIKE?” Again the same nagging question! Please, go through the second paragraph above. I need not repeat the same words.

Then, in a low voice I told “The blue one.”

“NOoo...it won’t suit you. You take the stripes.” Like any wife, her preference was just the opposite. But, here I know, she wants me to look younger.

Points to IELTsians:

You can use “WHAT” when there are many choices before you.

 For example, there are hundreds of shirts when my better half asked me “What do you want to choose?”

You can use “which” when there are only a few options in front of you.

There are only three flowers. Then, “Which one do you prefer?” is the correct usage.