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ENGLISH LESSON

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Unit 2

Buy Nothing New

30-Day Zero-Buy Challenge

Lead-in 01

How many things did you buy this week that you didn't really need? Could you go one month without buying anything new? 🛍️

In 2010, Australians started a radical challenge: buy nothing new for 30 days. Not just to save money — but to rethink what we really need.

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Challenge

30-day zero-buy

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Secondhand

Thrift & flea markets

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Swapping

Online swap sites

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Upcycling

Old → beautiful

Could you spend a month without buying anything new — and actually enjoy it more?

Reading 02

Skimming Task ⏱️

Read the article quickly. Answer three questions:

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WHO?

Who runs the Buy Nothing New challenge?

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WHAT?

What are the three alternative ways to get things?

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WHY?

Why was the challenge created?

WHO: Started in Australia in 2010; promoted globally  |  WHAT: Shopping secondhand, swapping, and upcycling  |  WHY: To reduce waste and rethink the environmental impact of shopping habits
Section One
The Challenge
One question. One month. Could you do it?
Reading 03
CHALLENGE QUESTION
Could you live for one month without buying anything new? Buy Nothing New Month started in Australia in 2010. It challenges people once a year to buy nothing new—except food, products used for hygiene, and medicine—for 30 days.
This is a direct address to the reader using the second person ('you') and a yes/no question. It functions as a hook: it immediately engages the reader personally and creates a challenge. The word 'could' (not 'would') tests the reader's ability, not just willingness — implying it might be harder than expected.
Reading 04
ORIGIN OF CHALLENGE
Could you live for one month without buying anything new? Buy Nothing New Month started in Australia in 2010. It challenges people once a year to buy nothing new—except food, products used for hygiene, and medicine—for 30 days.
The sentence establishes origin (Australia) and time (2010). It uses simple past ('started') because it is a completed historical fact. The brevity — just five words after the subject — creates a punchy, definitive statement: no hedging, no qualification. Short declarative sentences often signal established fact.
Reading 05
THE RULES
Could you live for one month without buying anything new? Buy Nothing New Month started in Australia in 2010. It challenges people once a year to buy nothing new—except food, products used for hygiene, and medicine—for 30 days.
The double dashes create a parenthetical aside — information inserted without breaking the sentence. Commas could work grammatically, but dashes create stronger visual separation, signaling that the exceptions are important but secondary to the main rule. The dash pair says: 'Here's a clarification — don't be confused — now back to the main point.'
Section Two
Why It Matters
Not deprivation — but creativity and choice.
Reading 06
DUAL PURPOSE
The aim is to encourage people to be less wasteful and to make us think about the impact our shopping habits have on the environment. But the challenge is not simply about going without. People can find other, creative ways to get the things they want.
The two infinitive phrases are joined by 'and' after a single stem ('The aim is to...'). Two parallel infinitive phrases create breadth of purpose — the challenge is not just behavioral (buy less) but cognitive (think differently). The shift from 'people' to 'us' is significant: it makes the author part of the challenge, creating solidarity.
Reading 07
REFRAMING THE CHALLENGE
The aim is to encourage people to be less wasteful and to make us think about the impact our shopping habits have on the environment. But the challenge is not simply about going without. People can find other, creative ways to get the things they want.
'Not simply about going without' is a pre-emptive rebuttal — it anticipates the reader's assumption that the challenge is just deprivation. The word 'simply' suggests that this could be a partial explanation, but it's incomplete. The sentence functions as a pivot: it closes one interpretation and opens the door to the alternative solutions that follow.
Reading 08
CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES
The aim is to encourage people to be less wasteful and to make us think about the impact our shopping habits have on the environment. But the challenge is not simply about going without. People can find other, creative ways to get the things they want.
The comma after 'other' means 'creative' is a separate, additional modifier (not a compound: 'other-creative'). It emphasizes that the alternatives require imagination, not just effort. 'Creative' is a value judgment that frames what follows (secondhand shopping, swapping, upcycling) as exciting and inventive — not boring compromises.
Section Three
Shopping Secondhand
Thrift stores, flea markets, phenomenal prices.
Reading 09
SECONDHAND SHOPPING
Many people shop for secondhand products at places like thrift stores and flea markets. You can usually find a wide variety of items at phenomenal prices, and your money often goes to a good cause. And while you're there, why not donate something you no longer use so someone else can buy it?
'Like' signals that thrift stores and flea markets are examples, not an exhaustive list. It invites the reader to think of their own local equivalents. This generalizing technique makes the advice feel globally applicable rather than US/AU-specific. It also avoids over-restricting — any venue selling used goods qualifies.
Reading 10
PHENOMENAL PRICES
Many people shop for secondhand products at places like thrift stores and flea markets. You can usually find a wide variety of items at phenomenal prices, and your money often goes to a good cause. And while you're there, why not donate something you no longer use so someone else can buy it?
'Phenomenal prices' = sincerely positive — unusually low prices. The author is enthusiastic, using a strong positive adjective to counter the image of thrift shopping as low-quality. It's part of the article's persuasive strategy: reframe secondhand as desirable and exciting, not a last resort. The word 'phenomenal' (Greek: 'relating to phenomena') has been informally re-semanticized to mean 'amazingly good.'
Reading 11
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Many people shop for secondhand products at places like thrift stores and flea markets. You can usually find a wide variety of items at phenomenal prices, and your money often goes to a good cause. And while you're there, why not donate something you no longer use so someone else can buy it?
'Why not + V' is a suggestion formula — it is neither a command nor a question, but a gentle invitation. It implies the action is obvious and easy. Combined with the charity framing ('so someone else can buy it'), it frames donation as socially responsible generosity rather than just clearing clutter. The 'while you're there' is a casual, friendly tone that makes the advice feel natural.
Section Four
Swapping
Post it. Trade it. Get what you need.
Reading 12
INTERNET MAKES IT EASY
With the Internet, swapping is easier than ever before. There are many websites, such as swap.com, where you can post a photo of something you don't need. Then, other users can offer something as a swap.
'With the Internet' is a prepositional phrase of means/instrument — it explains what makes swapping easier. 'Than ever before' is a superlative comparison: it implies that swapping existed historically but internet access has maximized its convenience. The sentence is implicit history: before the internet, swapping was harder; now it's the easiest it has ever been.
Reading 13
HOW IT WORKS
With the Internet, swapping is easier than ever before. There are many websites, such as swap.com, where you can post a photo of something you don't need. Then, other users can offer something as a swap.
Relative clause: 'where you can post a photo...' — it modifies 'websites'. 'Where' (not 'which') is used because 'websites' function as a location for activities. The relative clause provides the mechanics of the process efficiently within one sentence rather than needing a new sentence to explain. This is subordination for information efficiency.
Reading 14
THE EXCHANGE
With the Internet, swapping is easier than ever before. There are many websites, such as swap.com, where you can post a photo of something you don't need. Then, other users can offer something as a swap.
'Then' is a temporal connector signaling sequence: it implies 'after you post your photo, the next step is...' It creates a step-by-step narrative that makes the process feel simple and clear. The word 'can' (not 'will' or 'must') implies possibility and user agency — users choose to respond, which feels more organic than a required exchange.
Section Five
Upcycling
Turn the old into something beautiful.
Reading 15
WHAT IS UPCYCLING
Upcycling involves turning something you no longer need into something much more useful. For example, you can turn an empty drink bottle into a beautiful vase, or an old door into an interesting table. So why not try the challenge for yourself? You can be a friend to the environment and also to your wallet.
'Involve + V-ing': 'involves turning.' 'Involve' requires a gerund (-ing form) as its complement — NOT an infinitive. WRONG: 'Upcycling involves to turn.' This is a collocational rule: certain verbs always take gerunds (involve, enjoy, avoid, suggest, consider, risk). The gerund here makes the turning sound like an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
Reading 16
CONCRETE EXAMPLES
Upcycling involves turning something you no longer need into something much more useful. For example, you can turn an empty drink bottle into a beautiful vase, or an old door into an interesting table. So why not try the challenge for yourself? You can be a friend to the environment and also to your wallet.
Two examples prevent overgeneralization — one example might seem like a special case; two suggest a pattern. The examples are also well-chosen for contrast: a bottle is small/everyday; a door is large/structural — showing upcycling works at any scale. The examples also use parallel structure ('turn X into Y, or Z into W'), making them memorable.
Reading 17
CALL TO ACTION
Upcycling involves turning something you no longer need into something much more useful. For example, you can turn an empty drink bottle into a beautiful vase, or an old door into an interesting table. So why not try the challenge for yourself? You can be a friend to the environment and also to your wallet.
'So' is a conclusion signal — it announces that everything argued above has led to this recommendation. It mirrors the opener (which also asked a direct question), creating structural circularity. 'For yourself' is an individualization device: it suggests the reader has a personal stake, not just a civic duty. The article ends where it began — with you.
Reading 18
DOUBLE BENEFIT
Upcycling involves turning something you no longer need into something much more useful. For example, you can turn an empty drink bottle into a beautiful vase, or an old door into an interesting table. So why not try the challenge for yourself? You can be a friend to the environment and also to your wallet.
Parallelism: 'a friend to X and also to Y.' The structure equates environmental benefit and financial benefit — both are framed as friendships, not sacrifices. This is a key persuasive move: the challenge was first framed as environmental concern, but the final line adds self-interest (wallet), broadening its appeal to readers who might not be motivated by ecology alone.
Language 19

Involve + -ing (Gerund After Verbs)

Verb Patterns: Which Verbs Take Gerunds?

A) Upcycling involves turning something old into something new.

B) The challenge encourages reducing waste across all age groups.

C) Upcycling involves to turn old items into new ones. ❌ (wrong: infinitive)

D) RULE: involve / enjoy / avoid / suggest / consider / risk + V-ing (NOT to-infinitive)

Which verbs always take gerunds? Choose and use in a sentence:
involve enjoy avoid suggest consider risk finish

These verbs are called 'gerund verbs' — they require the -ing form. There is no grammatical reason why; it is a lexical property of each verb. Common gerund verbs: involve, enjoy, avoid, suggest, consider, risk, finish, miss, deny, resist. Contrast with infinitive verbs: want, hope, decide, plan, manage, agree. Some verbs take BOTH with meaning change: stop + -ing (stop the action) vs. stop + to (pause in order to do). The best strategy: learn verb + pattern together, not the verb alone.
Language 20

Why Not + V (Suggestion Formula)

Making Suggestions: Formal vs. Informal

A) Why not donate something you no longer use?

B) So why not try the challenge for yourself?

C) Why not to donate something? ❌ (wrong: base verb, no 'to')

D) RULE: Why not + base verb = suggestion | also: Why don't you + V / How about + V-ing

Which suggestion formula matches each context? Choose and compare:
Why not Why don't you How about You could What about

'Why not + base verb' is an indirect suggestion — it frames the recommendation as a question the reader asks themselves, avoiding a direct command. This makes it persuasive but polite. Compare the suggestion spectrum (formal → informal): 'It is recommended that...' → 'You should...' → 'Why not...' → 'How about...?'. Note: 'Why not' ALWAYS takes the bare infinitive (base form), never the -ing form or 'to + V'. 'How about' takes the -ing form: 'How about donating?'
Language 21

Relative Clauses with Where vs. Which

Choosing the Right Relative Pronoun

A) There are many websites, where you can post a photo of something you don't need.

B) Thrift stores, which sell used goods, are popular during the challenge.

C) There are websites which you can post a photo. ❌ (missing preposition OR use 'where')

D) RULE: where = location (place/context) | which/that = thing/fact | who = person

Which relative pronoun fits? Choose and explain your reasoning:
where which that who whom whose

'Where' replaces 'in which' / 'on which' for nouns that function as locations or contexts (websites, places, countries, situations, circumstances). 'Which' replaces the noun when it's the subject or object of the relative clause, not a location preposition. Elegant: 'The city where I grew up' (not 'the city in which I grew up' — technically correct but stilted). Common error: 'a website which you can post photos' — this is missing 'on'; correct: 'where you can post' (=on which) or 'on which you can post.'
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Lesson Complete

Unit 2: Buy Nothing New

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30-Day Challenge

Buy nothing new for one month

🏬

Secondhand

Thrift stores, flea markets, great prices

🔄

Swapping

Online swap platforms like swap.com

🔨

Upcycling

Old items → creative new uses

You can be a friend to the environment and also to your wallet.