Originally taught last year, see original post here:
Date taught: 20 March 2024
3B – Rubbish!
Theme: Trash and Recycling; Introduction to Debates.
compost (n): a mixture of decayed (= destroyed by natural processes) plants, food, etc. that can be added to soil to help plants grow
waste (n) [B1]: materials that are no longer needed and are thrown away
Synonyms:
trash (n): (North American English) things that you throw away because you no longer want or need them
rubbish (n) [A2]: (Especially British English) things that you throw away because you no longer want or need them
garbage (n): (Especially North American English) waste food, paper, etc. that you throw away
dumpster (n): (North American English) a large open container for putting old bricks, rubbish, etc. in. The Dumpster is then loaded on a lorry and taken away.
skip (n): (British English) a large open container for putting old, broken building materials, rubbish, etc. in. The skip is then loaded on a lorry and taken away.
clutter (n): (a lot of objects in) a state of being untidy
efficacy (n): the ability of something to produce the results that are wanted
SYN: effectiveness
five dollar word (idiom): The idea is that certain words, hard words, words that require the author to check the definition to see if it is an appropriate word, are expensive, as a result of nothing more than the effort in finding them.
hamlet (n): a very small village
penalize (v): to punish somebody for breaking a rule or law by making them suffer a disadvantage
penalty (n): a punishment for breaking a law, rule or contract
fine (n) [C1]: a sum of money that must be paid as punishment for breaking a law or rule
apathetic (adj): showing no interest or enthusiasm
bigger fish to fry (idiom): to have more important or more interesting things to do
incorporated town (n): a town that is a municipal corporation
unincorporated township (n): fully-fledged towns (or even small cities) that do not have their own local government. They tend to answer to the county, even though they do not have their own elected officials. As a result, they’re only bound by their county’s laws.
depository (n): a place where things can be stored; also a place where things can be deposited for donation to an organization
bottle bank (n): a large container in a public place where people can leave their empty bottles so that the glass can be used again (= recycled); a public place with several of these containers
garbage men (North American English) / dustmen (old fashioned British English) / binman (British English): a person whose job is to remove waste from outside houses, etc.
put out our trash / set it out on the curb (ph.v.): to take the trash bins to the side of the road where the garbage truck can pick it up and dump the trash into the truck (see gif below) or the garbage men can pick it up and pour it into the truck
throw out the trash / throw something out/away (ph.v.): to get rid of something that you do not want any more
dustcart (old fashioned British English) / garbage truck (North American English) / bin lorry (British English): a vehicle for collecting rubbish from outside houses, etc. (see gif above)
trash collection (n): the process of removing garbage or rubbish from a collection site and moving it to a recycling facility or landfill
dispose of something/trash (ph.v.): to get rid of something; throw out or destroy
parameters (n) [C1]: something that decides or limits the way in which something can be done
sustainablility (n): the use of natural products and energy in a way that does not harm the environment; the ability to continue or be continued for a long time
ecotourism (n) [C2]: organized holidays that are designed so that the tourists damage the environment as little as possible, especially when some of the money they pay is used to protect the local environment and animals
tiered system (n): a system that has several layers or levels
food bank (n) [C1]: an organization that stores basic food supplies for distribution to people in need. The food is often passed on to local food pantries, which give it to the people who need it.
break down boxes (ph.v.): to separate, or to separate something, into smaller parts (i,e, with boxes, you remove the tape that holds it together and break all seals that won’t allow the box to be folded flat)
Additional Resources:
Attribution: Image by wirestock on Freepik
English With Dixie 