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Module 1 • Build-Up B1 Writing Preparation

Decluttering & Second-Hand Things

Warm up your vocabulary, linking phrases, and phrasal verb word order before writing your essay.

📋 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 For the teacher:

Set aside 15 to 20 minutes for these quick activities before moving on to the essay task.

Let learners check their scores automatically, then review the phrasal verb rules together as a class.

✍️ For the learner:

Work through the vocabulary, linking words, and sentence rewriting questions one by one.

Read the short grammar recap before you try the final three phrasal verb questions.

Word Forms

Change the word in brackets into the correct form to complete each sentence.

1. Before moving house, we spent the whole weekend [declutter] our spare bedroom.

Type the missing word:

____ (Your answer...)

2. Broken appliances that cannot be repaired or recycled are completely [use].

Type the adjective that means 'not able to be used':

____ (Your answer...)

3. Instead of using disposable paper coffee cups, many students now carry [reuse] mugs.

Type the adjective form describing something you can use again:

____ (Your answer...)

4. After three years of regular hiking, the soles of his boots were heavily [worn].

Type the past participle form meaning damaged from long use:

____ (Your answer...)

5. The museum decided to [auctioned] off some duplicate paintings to fund a new gallery.

Type the base verb form:

____ (Your answer...)

Word Partners (Collocations)

Pick the word that naturally goes best with the surrounding words.

6. Our neighbours organized a ________ sale on their driveway to sell old toys and kitchen equipment.

____ a. garage ____ b. attic ____ c. wardrobe

7. I have far too many clothes that I never wear, so I need to clear out my ________.

____ a. auction ____ b. wardrobe ____ c. junk

8. Instead of throwing out good dresses, we held a clothes ________ where everyone traded items for free.

____ a. garage ____ b. declutter ____ c. swap

9. We climbed the wooden ladder to bring down the old suitcases stored under the roof in the ________.

____ a. attic ____ b. wardrobe ____ c. auction

10. The basement had become unusable because it was filled with piles of broken ________.

____ a. swap ____ b. junk ____ c. garage

Common Essay Phrases

Complete each sentence using one phrase from the bank below. Use each phrase once.

Word Bank: As a result For instance In my view On the other hand In addition

11. ________, secondary schools ought to spend more time teaching practical skills like personal budgeting.

Which phrase introduces the writer's personal opinion?

____ a. For instance ____ b. As a result ____ c. In my view

12. Walking to work keeps you physically active. ________, it eliminates daily fuel and parking costs.

Which phrase adds an extra supporting point?

____ a. On the other hand ____ b. In addition ____ c. In my view

13. The company failed to update its computer software. ________, customer records were accidentally lost.

Which phrase introduces the outcome or consequence?

____ a. As a result ____ b. For instance ____ c. In addition

14. Working remotely provides great flexibility. ________, it can sometimes make employees feel isolated from their colleagues.

Which phrase introduces the opposing side or drawback?

____ a. In my view ____ b. As a result ____ c. On the other hand

15. Cities can take easy steps to cut energy waste. ________, street lights can be switched to low-energy LED bulbs.

Which phrase gives a specific example?

____ a. On the other hand ____ b. For instance ____ c. In my view

Rewrite the Sentence (Paraphrase)

Choose the sentence that keeps the exact same meaning using different words and structure.

Original Sentence:

"Buying used items helps families save money."

Which sentence expresses this idea best?

____ a. Purchasing second-hand goods allows households to cut down on expenses. ____ b. Families spend more money when they look for items in second-hand shops. ____ c. Brand-new products are usually cheaper for most families than used items.

Original Sentence:

"Many people throw away old belongings because they do not have enough storage space."

Which sentence expresses this idea best?

____ a. Having extra storage space encourages people to get rid of older items. ____ b. A lack of room at home leads many individuals to dispose of their unwanted possessions. ____ c. People buy new wardrobes so they can keep every single item they have ever owned.

Original Sentence:

"Second-hand shops protect the environment by decreasing the amount of landfill waste."

Which sentence expresses this idea best?

____ a. Second-hand shops produce more waste than shops selling new goods. ____ b. Landfills are expanding because thrift shops are unable to sell used products. ____ c. Charity and thrift stores benefit the natural world by reducing the volume of rubbish sent to dumps.

Grammar Recap: Phrasal Verbs

Words that can split apart vs. words that must stick together.

💡 Why this works: A simple guide to word order

1. Verbs that can split apart

With verbs like throw away and give away:

• With a noun name: You can say "throw away the box" OR "throw the box away". Both are correct!
• With little words like it or them: The small word must go in the middle:
"She threw it away."
"He gave them away."

⚠️ Never say: "threw away it" or "gave away them".

2. Verbs that stick together

With verbs like look after and get rid of:

• The parts of the verb never split apart. The thing or person always comes after the whole phrase:
"Look after it carefully."
"I want to get rid of it."

⚠️ Never say: "look it after" or "get it rid of".

19. Those old cardboard boxes are completely torn. Please throw ________ before someone trips over them.

Choose the correct phrase:

____ a. away them ____ b. them away ____ c. away it

20. A second-hand bicycle can run smoothly for many years if you look ________ with regular cleaning and oil.

Choose the correct phrase:

____ a. after it ____ b. it after ____ c. them after

21. My winter wardrobe is overflowing with worn coats, so this weekend I will definitely get ________.

Choose the correct phrase:

____ a. them rid of ____ b. rid them of ____ c. rid of them

Module 2 • The Task Writing Task

Essay Writing: Advantages & Disadvantages

Put your vocabulary and phrasal verbs into action by writing your complete essay.

📝 Essay Question

"Many people now buy second-hand things instead of new ones. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of this?"

📏

Length

Write at least 200 words.

🔤

Unit Words

Include at least 5 words from the Unit vocabulary list.

⚙️

Grammar Focus

Use at least 3 sentences with phrasal verbs from the Unit.

🏗️ 4-Paragraph Plan Template

Organise your essay into four paragraphs. Begin each paragraph using only the exact starter phrase shown below.

1 Paragraph 1: Introduction

"In this essay I will discuss..."

2 Paragraph 2: Advantage

"One advantage is..."

3 Paragraph 3: Disadvantage

"However, one disadvantage is..."

4 Paragraph 4: Conclusion

"In conclusion,..."

✅ Writer's Self-Check List

Tick each item when you have checked it in your draft:

____ 1. My essay has at least 200 words and follows the 4-paragraph structure with the required starter phrases. ____ 2. I have discussed both the advantages and the disadvantages clearly. ____ 3. I have used at least 5 Unit words: attic, wardrobe, garage, junk, declutter, swap, auction, useless, worn, reusable. ____ 4. I have included at least 3 sentences using the target phrasal verbs (throw it away / throw away the box, look after it, give them away, get rid of it) with correct word order.

✍️ Free-Writing Essay Box

Write your full response below (minimum 200 words).

Grading Criteria:

Task Response Coherence and Cohesion Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy

____ (In this essay I will discuss...)

💡 Tip: Remember to write at least 200 words and include both advantages and disadvantages.

Module 3 • Model Essay Sample Response

Model Essay & Pattern Notes

Read this sample B1 essay to see how the starter phrases, vocabulary, and phrasal verbs fit together.

Second-Hand Goods: Advantages and Disadvantages

Written in the voice of a strong B1 student

204 words 4 Paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Nowadays, many people prefer to purchase used goods instead of brand-new products. In this essay I will discuss the main benefits and drawbacks of this growing trend.

Paragraph 2: Advantages

One advantage is that second-hand items are much cheaper. When people decide to declutter their home, they often sell nice furniture or clothes at a low price. If buyers find something useful, they can look after it for many years without spending a lot of money.

📌 Pattern: Words that stick together (like look after it) — the small word stays at the end.

Furthermore, buying pre-owned objects is good for our planet. When people do not want older things, they can give them away to charity shops instead of filling up the rubbish dump with useless junk.

📌 Pattern: Words that split apart (like She picked it up and smiled.) — the small word goes in the middle.

Paragraph 3: Disadvantages

However, one disadvantage is that used items can be dirty or damaged. For example, a worn jacket from someone's wardrobe or an old lamp stored in a dusty attic might break easily. Sometimes owners want to get rid of it because it no longer works properly.

📌 Pattern: Words that stick together (like get rid of it) — the whole group stays together.

Moreover, shoppers cannot always return items or throw away the broken piece if there is no guarantee or receipt.

📌 Pattern: Words that can split apart (like throw away the box or throw the box away) — both ways work with full noun names.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

In conclusion, buying used goods helps people save money and recycle reusable products. Even though some items may be worn, shoppers can still find great bargains if they check things carefully before buying.

🔍 Why this works: Checking against the task goals

🏷️ Unit Words (7 used)

Includes declutter, useless, junk, worn, wardrobe, attic, and reusable.

⚡ Grammar Focus (4 used)

Uses both patterns: look after it, give them away, get rid of it, and throw away the broken piece.

📐 Structure (4 starters)

Each paragraph opens with the required starter phrase without adding extra claims about real governments or companies.

IELTS Writing: Second-hand Shopping and Decluttering

Decluttering & Second-Hand Things

📋 How to use this lesson

Word Forms

Word Partners (Collocations)

Common Essay Phrases

Rewrite the Sentence (Paraphrase)

Grammar Recap: Phrasal Verbs

💡 Why this works: A simple guide to word order

Essay Writing: Advantages & Disadvantages

🏗️ 4-Paragraph Plan Template

✅ Writer's Self-Check List

✍️ Free-Writing Essay Box

Model Essay & Pattern Notes

Second-Hand Goods: Advantages and Disadvantages

🔍 Why this works: Checking against the task goals

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