One Minute English for Advenced Learners - Level C1

Alejandro / Canada flaf

Do you have any old items or junk you need to toss out?

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Hello, my name's Alejandro. I am from Toronto, Canada. And my question today is, do you have any old items or junk you need to toss out?

And I got to say, that question for me is easy. People are always holding onto old things that they don't need and I'm no different. Although I was raised to know that wasting is never good. So, I always try to sell things potentially or even give things that I don't need to people that need them or people that they might fit better. But we all know that that takes time and my closet is piling up. I have to donate some clothing soon, that's for sure. I have donated some of my clothing to charity shops, to thrift shops, but I'm sometimes conflicted with the places I donate to and whether or not they're charitable or if they're just looking for profit.

And if that's the case, I would rather just make the profit myself, to be honest. This has definitely become a common issue with everybody. And it's so much so, that they even give tips on how to clear out your closet, whether it be sorting things into piles of what you wear, what you might wear, and what you haven't worn in a year. But it's definitely quite the issue and I'm working on it.

Answer the following questions about the interview.

How to Practice Vocabulary

  • Review the vocabulary.
  • Complete the blanks below with correct words.
  • Check your answers. Correct any wrong answers!

junk

Meaning: Old or unwanted things that are not useful.

Examples:

  1. My garage is full of junk.
  2. I need to get rid of old junk.

toss out

Meaning: To throw something away.

Examples:

  1. I need to toss out these old magazines.
  2. She tossed out broken items.

holding onto

Meaning: Keeping something and not letting it go.

Examples:

  1. She is holding onto old clothes.
  2. He holds onto things for too long.

I'm no different

Meaning: I am the same as others in this situation.

Examples:

  1. Everyone keeps junk, and I’m no different.
  2. Many people procrastinate—I'm no different.

fit better

Meaning: Be more suitable for someone else.

Examples:

  1. These shoes might fit better for you.
  2. The job fits her better.

piling up

Meaning: Increasing and forming a large amount.

Examples:

  1. My laundry is piling up.
  2. The work keeps piling up.

donate

Meaning: To give something to help others, usually for free.

Examples:

  1. I donate clothes to charity.
  2. They donated money to the shelter.

conflicted with

Meaning: Feeling unsure because of mixed feelings.

Examples:

  1. I feel conflicted with my decision.
  2. She was conflicted about donating.

charitable

Meaning: Helping others, especially by giving money or goods.

Examples:

  1. The organization is charitable.
  2. She supports charitable causes.

if that's the case

Meaning: If that situation is true.

Examples:

  1. If that’s the case, I’ll sell it.
  2. If that’s the case, we should leave.

common issue

Meaning: A problem many people have.

Examples:

  1. Clutter is a common issue.
  2. Stress is a common issue at work.

so much so

Meaning: To such a strong degree or extent.

Examples:

  1. It was raining really hard, so much so that we stayed home.
  2. The student was very tired, so much so that she fell asleep in class.

clear out

Meaning: To remove everything and make a space empty or tidy.

Examples:

  1. I need to clear out my closet.
  2. They cleared out the storage room.

sorting

Meaning: Organizing things into groups.

Examples:

  1. I’m sorting my clothes.
  2. She is sorting papers by date.

whether it be

Meaning: Used to give options or examples.

Examples:

  1. You can help whether it be money or time.
  2. She enjoys sports, whether it be soccer or tennis.

piles

Meaning: Groups or stacks of things.

Examples:

  1. There are piles of clothes on the bed.
  2. She made piles of books.

Vocabulary Quiz

Complete the sentences with the vocabulary above.
junk • toss out • holding onto
piling up • donate • common issue
  1. Clutter is a for many people.
  2. I need to these old magazines.
  3. My laundry is again.
  4. I have too much in the garage.
  5. She’s still old clothes she never wears.
  6. I plan to some items to charity.

What is the correct word? Listen to the audio to hear the answer!

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