Store hours change

Reading strategy

Grasp the text's purpose first from its title and type.
Do not stop at unknown words; follow the flow. Hover the underlined key words to jump to the vocabulary track.
Find the clue each question asks about directly in the passage.

Passage

Notice: New Store Hours

Starting next Monday, our store will open one hour earlier and close one hour later than before. The new hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

We have decided to extend our hours because many customers told us that the old schedule was not convenient for them. With the longer hours, you will have more time to shop before and after work.

During the first week, anyone who visits the store will receive a small gift at the entrance. We will also offer a special discount on selected items to thank you for your support.

Please note that the store will be closed on the last Sunday of this month for cleaning and maintenance. The pharmacy section, however, will remain open as usual on that day.

If you have any questions about the new hours, our staff at the information desk will be happy to help you. Thank you for shopping with us.

Hover the underlined words for their definition and a link to the vocabulary track.

Sentence structure

Key sentences split into meaning units, showing the role of each part.

We have decided to extend our hours because many customers told us that the old schedule was not convenient for them.

SubjectWesubject

Predicatehave decided to extend our hourspresent perfect + to-infinitive

Connectivebecausereason link (because)

Clausemany customers told usreason clause (told us = V + indirect O)

Clausethat the old schedule was not convenient for themthat-clause as direct object of "told"

The backbone is "We have decided to extend ..." — "decide to + base verb" means "decide to do." The following "because" introduces a reason clause, inside which "told us that ..." follows the pattern "tell + person + that-clause," where "us" is the indirect object and the whole that-clause is the direct object. Even a long sentence breaks down by what the verb "told" conveyed (the that-clause) and to whom (us).

During the first week, anyone who visits the store will receive a small gift at the entrance.

ModifierDuring the first weektime phrase (during the first week)

Subjectanyonesubject (anyone)

Clausewho visits the storerelative clause modifying "anyone"

Predicatewill receivemain verb (future)

Objecta small gift at the entranceobject + place

Right after the subject "anyone," the relative clause "who visits the store" restricts the subject: "anyone who visits the store." The relative clause sits between the subject and the main verb "will receive," making them look far apart, but bracket the relative clause and the core is "anyone will receive a gift." The fronted "During the first week" is an adverbial phrase presenting the time first.

Questions

Q1What are the new weekday hours?

Q2Why did the store extend its hours?

Q3What happens on the last Sunday of the month?