Everyday Things I.

Vocabulary Building
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Everyday Objects in Our Lives



We use many different things every day. In the garden, people use a garden fork with its long wooden handle to move leaves and soil. Inside the house, the TV is important for watching shows and news. Most homes have a computer with a keyboard and monitor for internet use and storing information.

When we go out, we often take our mp3-player to listen to music. In the kitchen, we use a knife with its sharp blade and handle to cut food. When we go shopping, we put things in a bag, which is a useful container.

Important papers and jewelry are kept in a case to keep them safe. We need a key for locking doors and starting cars. For cleaning the floor and carpets, a hoover (vacuum cleaner) is very helpful.

Almost everyone has a mobile phone now. It's a telephone without wires that we can take anywhere. For writing, we use a pen with ink or a pencil (not a pen, and sometimes with a rubber).

Men often keep their money and cards in a wallet, while women might use a purse - a small bag for coins, paper money, and things like lipstick. When watching TV, we use a remote control (sometimes called a zapper) to change channels from a distance. And when it rains or it's very sunny, an umbrella protects us.


Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What do we use a garden fork for?
2. Where do we store important papers and jewelry?
3. What do we need for locking doors?
4. What is a hoover used for?
5. What is the difference between a wallet and a purse?
6. What is another name for a remote control?
7. When do people use an umbrella?

True/False Statements:

1. A garden fork is used for watching TV. (F)
2. A computer has a keyboard and monitor. (T)
3. A knife has a sharp blade and handle. (T)
4. A mobile phone needs wires to work. (F)
5. Men usually keep their money in a purse. (F)
6. A remote control is used to change TV channels. (T)
7. An umbrella protects us only from rain. (F)

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Personal Questions

1. Do you have a garden fork | TV | computer | mp3-player | mobile phone?

Model answer (TV): Yes, I have a TV. It's in my living room. I watch it almost every evening. I like watching nature programs and sometimes movies. My TV is quite new.

2. How often do you use your knife | computer | hoover | mobile phone | umbrella?

Model answer (mobile phone): I use my mobile phone every day. I call my family in the morning. I also check my messages after lunch. I play simple games on it sometimes. I take photos with it too.

3. Where do you keep your wallet | purse | keys | umbrella | remote control?

Model answer (keys): I keep my keys in my pocket when I go out. At home, I put them on a small table near the door. I have three keys on my keyring. One key is for my house door.

4. What is your bag | pencil | umbrella | knife | remote control like?

Model answer (bag): My bag is blue and quite big. It's made of strong material. It has two handles and a long strap. I can put many things in it when I go shopping.

5. When did you last use your pen | wallet | case | hoover | garden fork?

Model answer (pen): I last used my pen yesterday. I wrote a shopping list with it. My pen is black and writes very well. I always have it in my bag.

6. Can you use a computer | knife | remote control | mobile phone | hoover well?

Model answer (computer): Yes, I can use a computer quite well. I can write emails and search the internet. I know how to save documents and photos. I use my computer almost every day.

7. Do you prefer a pen | pencil | TV | mp3-player | mobile phone for everyday use?

Model answer (pen/pencil): I prefer a pen for everyday use. Pens write more clearly than pencils. I use pens for writing notes and signing papers. My favorite pen is blue and has a comfortable grip.

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One-Minute Talking Points

Garden Fork

1. What is a garden fork? (garden equipment, handles)
2. Types you know?
3. Do you own one?
4. When do you use it?
5. Is it useful for you?
6. What's it made of?
7. Where do you keep it?
8. Last time you used one?

TV

1. What is a TV? (screen, programs, channels)
2. Types you know?
3. How often do you watch it?
4. Favorite programs?
5. Where is your TV located?
6. Morning or evening watching?
7. TV or computer - preference?
8. TV with family or alone?

Computer

1. What is a computer? (internet, keyboard, information)
2. Types you know?
3. What do you use it for?
4. How often do you use it?
5. Skills with computers?
6. Problems you experience?
7. Computer or phone - preference?
8. Future of computers?

Knife

1. What is a knife? (cutting, blade, handle)
2. Types you know?
3. How often do you use one?
4. What do you cut with it?
5. Is it dangerous?
6. Where do you keep knives?
7. Special knives you own?
8. Important kitchen tool?

Bag

1. What is a bag? (container, carrying items)
2. Types you know?
3. How many bags do you have?
4. What do you carry in bags?
5. Favorite bag color?
6. Plastic or reusable bags?
7. Big or small bags - preference?
8. How often do you use bags?

Mobile Phone

1. What is a mobile phone? (calling, messages, apps)
2. Types you know?
3. How often do you use it?
4. Main purpose for you?
5. Can you live without it?
6. Apps you use most?
7. Problems with mobile phones?
8. How long have you had yours?

Umbrella

1. What is an umbrella? (rain protection, sun)
2. Types you know?
3. Color of your umbrella?
4. How often do you use it?
5. Do you often forget it?
6. Where do you keep it?
7. Better - umbrella or raincoat?
8. Last time you used one?

Wallet

1. What is a wallet? (money, cards, ID)
2. What's in your wallet now?
3. How old is your wallet?
4. Color and material?
5. Where do you keep it?
6. Ever lost your wallet?
7. How often do you check it?
8. Digital wallet or traditional?

Pencil

1. What is a pencil? (writing, drawing, erasing)
2. Types you know?
3. When do you use pencils?
4. Pen or pencil - preference?
5. Do you draw with pencils?
6. Where do you keep them?
7. Colored pencils - do you use?
8. Last time you used a pencil?

Remote Control

1. What is a remote control? (changing channels, distance)
2. How many do you have?
3. Ever lost one?
4. Most used buttons?
5. Where do you keep it?
6. Can you live without it?
7. Universal remote - have one?
8. TV without remote - possible?

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Everyone should have a mobile phone

Linkers: It's true, but..., I agree because..., I don't agree..., On the other hand..., For example...

For

• Phones help us call for help in an emergency — keywords: call, help, emergency
• Phones keep family and friends in touch — keywords: family, text, call
• Phones give quick access to news and information — keywords: internet, news, learn
• Phones help with work and school tasks — keywords: email, homework, job
• Phones show maps and directions to find places — keywords: map, GPS, find

Against

• Mobile phones can be expensive to buy and use — keywords: price, cost, money
• Phones can distract people and cause accidents — keywords: distract, drive, accident
• People may spend too much time on phone screens — keywords: screen, time, waste
• Phones can reduce face-to-face talking with others — keywords: talk, lonely, friends
• Phones can cause privacy or safety problems online — keywords: privacy, share, danger