‘The trash does not stop’: life among the garbage mountains of the world’s biggest city

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.

To rely on

To depend on someone or something for help, support, or results.

Example: She relies on her older brother whenever she needs advice.

Among

In the middle of; surrounded by; included within a group.

Example: The king walked among his soldiers before the battle.

Eventually

After a period of time; in the end; finally.

Example: The rebels eventually surrendered after weeks of fighting.

Despite

Even though something happens; in spite of.

Example: Despite the rain, the ceremony went ahead as planned.

To spot

To notice or see something, often quickly or unexpectedly.

Example: I spotted a mistake in the report right away.

To bury

To put something underground; to cover something completely.

Example: They buried the treasure beneath an old oak tree.

To swell

To grow larger, often because of pressure, injury, or emotion.

Example: His ankle began to swell after he twisted it.

To fetch

To go and get something or someone and bring it back.

Example: She went to fetch some water from the well.

On the outskirts of

On the outer edge of a town or city; not in the centre.

Example: They live on the outskirts of Oxford, near the fields.

To dump

To throw away or get rid of something carelessly; to abandon.

Example: Someone dumped an old sofa by the roadside.

To follow in someone’s footsteps

To do the same job or take the same path as someone else.

Example: She followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a doctor.

To pile up

To accumulate or increase in quantity; to form a large stack.

Example: Work began to pile up while he was on holiday.

To tease

To make fun of someone in a playful or annoying way.

Example: They teased him about his new haircut.

Swarm

A large group moving together, usually insects or people.

Example: A swarm of tourists filled the narrow street.

To scour

To search a place thoroughly for something.

Example: They scoured the beach for any sign of the missing ring.

To choke

To be unable to breathe because something is blocking the throat.

Example: He began to choke on a piece of bread.

To phase out

To gradually stop using or producing something.

Example: The company plans to phase out plastic packaging.

Plough

A tool or machine used to turn over soil; or the act of using it.

Example: Farmers plough the fields before planting crops.

To resemble

To look like or be similar to someone or something.

Example: The child resembles his father in both face and voice.

Livelihood

The way someone earns money to live; their source of income.

Example: Fishing has been the village’s livelihood for centuries.

To cave in

To collapse or fall inward; to give in under pressure.

Example: The roof caved in after the heavy snowfall.

Viable

Able to work successfully; practical and achievable.

Example: They needed a viable plan before launching the project.

Havoc

Great confusion or destruction; chaos.

Example: The storm caused havoc across the coastline.

To grapple with

To struggle to deal with a difficult problem or challenge.

Example: The government is grappling with rising housing costs.

On the fringe

At the edge of something; not central or mainstream.

Example: He lived on the fringe of the city, far from the busy centre.

15 Conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.      What is Bantar Gebang, and what do people do there?

2.      What do the people who work at Bantar Gebang say about the work?

3.      What is the government planning to do with Bantar Gebang, and what are the implications of this?

4.      Did anything surprise you about what the waste pickers said?

5.      What would be the most challenging aspect of this job and existence for you?

6.      How do you think the waste pickers view their lives?

7.      Do you think it is possible to have a happy life as a waste picker in Bantar Gebang?

8.      Do you feel guilty about the amount of rubbish and waste that you produce?

9.      What are some jobs that you would never want to do?

10.    Do you have good banter with your colleagues?

11.    In your job, what moments bring you happiness, satisfaction and joy?

12.    In your job, what moments bring you stress or disappointment?

13.    From the article, which image/ video is the most striking for you?

14.    Are you able to manage your own time at work, and is this something you appreciate?

15.    What should be done to help these people?