Mixer #26 | Intermediate B1

What do you want to buy?

Listen to six people share what they would like to purchase.

Jeanie, United States
speakerOne thing I really wish I had enough money to buy is actually a new home for my mother, because she has done so much for me in life and I feel like I'd like to do something really special for her. Aside from that, as far as for me personally I'd like to have enough money just to be able to travel the world.

Naomi, Australia
speakerI wish I had enough money to buy a new car. Actually the car I drive around now is a 1983 Suburu wagon which is full of rust, but it does go pretty well. It's smooth and the engine sounds nice but it's very rusty and looks aweful.

Mark, United States
speakerIf money were no object, and money were not a problem, I would like to buy a boat. That's sort of my dream, one day, I will have enough money and I will buy a boat. There's something about when I'm on the water in a boat I just feel completely relaxed, yeah, and definitely, that's what I'd buy if I had the money. In terms of anything smaller, or something that I could buy these days, maybe a plane ticket to another country cause I really like to travel.

Simon, Canada
speakerOne thing that I would like to buy if I had enough money, or if I had enough money to buy something, I would buy an island, which would mean that I got a lot of money to basically to be the king of a place. You know some people like to buy houses. I want to have an island.

Ruth, England
speakerI'd probably say a ticket to go around the world and enough spending money as well but you know, that would be amazing but everytime I want something and I buy it, then I want something different so if I went around the world, I would come back and I would want a new car, or I'd want a house so I say a trip around the world but probably that might change.

Barbara, Australia
speakerSomething I really wish I had enough money to buy is my own computer. I would really love to get a laptop computer with a printer and possible a scanner. At the moment I just have to go to the internet cafe, or use the computers in my guesthouse, and often they don't work. As a matter of fact, today they are not working and if I go to the internet cafe, that's expensive and troublesome. I really wish I had enough money to buy my own laptop computer.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

do something really special

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I'd like to do something really special for her.

Here, to 'do something really special' means to do something that makes another person very happy. Notice the following:

  1. I'd like to do something special for my girlfriend's birthday.
  2. My parents are planning something really special for their anniversary.

rust

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My 1983 Suburu wagon which is full of rust.

'Rust' is the reddish brown stuff that forms on metal when we leave it outside in the rain. Notice the following:

  1. Don't leave your bicycle outside. It will rust.
  2. Most new cars have factory rust protection.

the king of

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I would basically be the king of a place.


Here, to be 'the king of' a place means to be in charge. Notice the following:

  1. If I had my own business, I'd be king of the place.
  2. John's the coolest guy in school. He's king of the place!

As a matter of fact

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As a matter of fact, today they are not working.

We use the phrase 'as a matter of fact' when we want to add some important information. Notice the following:

  1. That was a terrible movie. As a matter of fact; the worst!
  2. Elllo is a great ESL website. As a matter of fact, it's one of the best.

troublesome

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That's expensive and troublesome.

Something or someone that is 'troublesome' is a problem or causes problems. Notice the following:

  1. We fired the new employee. He was troublesome.
  2. The complex new tax rules are troublesome for our accountant.

Vocabulary Quiz

really special • rust • the king of
of fact • troublesome
  1. Sometimes technology can be very .
  2. I want to do something to celebrate his 30th birthday.
  3. As a matter , I was just about to call you.
  4. There was a lot of on the car after only 5 years.
  5. He grew up being of his house, so he isn't used to compromising.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

One Minute English Video

Speakers
Mixer Video #26
What is your shopping wish list?

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