A moment that changed me: my grandpa risks his life to litter pick – and he taught me a profound lesson
This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.
Might
Definition: Possibility or chance that something will happen; also refers to strength or power depending on the context.
Example: We might go to the beach if the weather stays sunny.
Tidy
Definition: Neat, clean, and well organized.
Example: She likes to keep her desk tidy.
To harm (someone/something)
Definition: To cause physical, emotional, or other damage to someone or something.
Example: Smoking can harm your health.
To throw (something) away
Definition: To get rid of something because it is no longer wanted or needed.
Example: Don't throw those old books away.
An exaggeration
Definition: A statement that makes something seem bigger, better, worse, or more important than it really is.
Example: Saying you waited forever was an exaggeration.
To set off
Definition: To start a journey or to cause something to begin or happen.
Example: We set off early to avoid traffic.
It turned out
Definition: Used to describe the final result or outcome of a situation.
Example: It turned out that the restaurant was closed.
Sustainable
Definition: Able to continue for a long time without causing serious harm to the environment or using up resources.
Example: Many companies are investing in sustainable energy.
To bump into (someone)
Definition: To meet someone unexpectedly by chance.
Example: I bumped into my old teacher at the supermarket.
To pursue (something/someone)
Definition: To try to achieve something or to follow someone in order to catch them.
Example: She decided to pursue a career in medicine.
To presume (something)
Definition: To believe something is true without having complete proof.
Example: I presumed he had already left.
To take great pride in (doing) something
Definition: To feel very pleased and satisfied about something you do or have achieved.
Example: She takes great pride in helping her community.
Sake
Definition: The purpose or benefit of someone or something.
Example: Let's stay calm for everyone's sake.
To be itching (to do something)
Definition: To be very eager or impatient to do something.
Example: I'm itching to see the new movie.
To go out of your way (to do something)
Definition: To make a special effort to do something for someone.
Example: He went out of his way to make us feel welcome.
To fetch (something/someone)
Definition: To go somewhere to bring someone or something back.
Example: Could you fetch me a glass of water?
To spark
Definition: To cause something to begin, especially an idea, discussion, or emotion.
Example: The announcement sparked a heated debate.
Up your sleeve
Definition: Having a secret plan or idea that can be used when needed.
Example: I think she has a few surprises up her sleeve.
To switch (something) up
Definition: To change the usual way of doing something or to make something different.
Example: Let's switch up our workout routine.
Ripple effect
Definition: A situation where one event causes a series of other events.
Example: The company's decision had a ripple effect across the industry.
To fling (something/someone)
Definition: To throw someone or something with force.
Example: He flung the ball across the field.
To go to great lengths (to do something)
Definition: To make a lot of effort to achieve or do something.
Example: She went to great lengths to organize the perfect party.
To refrain (from (doing) something)
Definition: To avoid doing something.
Example: Please refrain from using your phone during the meeting.
To wield (something)
Definition: To hold and use something, especially a weapon or power, effectively.
Example: The king wielded great influence over the kingdom.
To dangle
Definition: To hang or swing loosely.
Example: The keys dangled from his pocket.
15 Conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. What do you know about Esme’s grandpa?
2. What does Esme do now?
3. How have Esme’s beliefs changed?
4. ‘I have come to realise that being a good citizen requires so much more than holding the ‘correct’ views on international events r simple avoiding being ‘bad’.’ Do you agree with Esme?
5. Have you ever been to a place with a lot of litter?
6. What’s the cleanest place you’ve ever been to?
7. What would you do if you saw someone littering?
8. How do you personally define whether someone is a good person or not?
9. Are you going to become a litter picker like Esme?
10. Is voting in elections an important part of being a good citizen?
11. Is paying the correct amount of taxes an important part of being a citizen?
12. When someone becomes a citizen of a new country, what should the citizenship ceremony look like?
13. What did your grandparents do that you admired?
14. Do you meticulously separate your rubbish?
15. How tidy are you, and how tidy is your house?