📙 Part 2: Describe something you own that you want to replace

This episode's vocabulary

Frayed (adj.) - with the threads at the edge coming loose.

Metaphorically (adverb) - relating to or using metaphors (= expressions that describe a person or object by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics).

Vividly (adverb) - in a way that is very clear, powerful, and detailed in your mind.

Sunk (adj.) - experiencing serious trouble, or unable to solve a problem.

To fall to pieces (idiom) - to break apart into smaller parts.

Cracked (adj.) - if something is cracked, it is damaged with one or more thin lines on its surface.

Knackered (adj.) - broken or too old to use.

Hunk (noun) - a large, thick piece, especially of food.

Adjustment (noun) - a small change.

Questions and Answers

M: Rory, hello!

R: Hello!

M: Give us your story!

R: Well, I really do love it, I think I'll have to get a new smartphone soon. I've had it for ages. And it's a bit frayed at the edges. Quite literally, actually, in addition to metaphorically. It's a Samsung S10. And it comes everywhere with me since I need it for work and studying and entertainment. I use it to make recordings and read articles and watch or listen to videos. I even have a few workout plans on there as well. So it covers everything. It was originally a gift from a former partner who worked for Samsung. So I got it for free, which is just as well since I think they were pretty expensive at the time it was given to me. And that was Christmas 2019. So that's almost four and a half years ago now, maybe five years ago. I remember it vividly since it was just before the pandemic. And without the new phone and my new laptop, which I got at the time, I would have been sunk during everything that followed because my old phone wasn't working so well. And my old laptop was falling to pieces too. So it was almost perfectly timed for the switch over to online work, exclusively online work. Since then, like I said, it's been everywhere with me. And I've been able to do all kinds of things with it. To be honest, maybe it's come to a few too many places because the screen is slightly cracked. And I'm fairly certain the battery must be knackered at this point since it doesn't hold the charge very well compared to what it used to. And really, why should it be after so many years? I think I could get another year out of it if I had to. But I have a birthday coming up. And what better time to ask for a new phone that will work a little bit better? I still feel a bit bad about it, though. Even though it's just a hunk of plastic and metal. That thing and I have been through a lot together and I will miss it when I get something better eventually, hopefully, the adjustment period will be easy after so long using the same thing.

M: Aw... And will you get a new one soon?

R: Well, my birthday is in two months. So that seems quite soon.