Bags
Do you like bags? What kinds of bags do you like? Do you have different bags for different occasions? Do you usually carry a bag when you go out? What do you put in your bag?
Vocabulary
  • Accessory (noun) - a thing which can be added to something else in order to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive.
  • Compartment (noun) - a separate section or part of a structure or container.
  • Backpack (noun) - a large bag used to carry things on your back, used especially by people who go camping or walking.
  • Rucksack (noun) - a bag with shoulder straps which allow it to be carried on someone's back, typically made of strong, waterproof material and widely used by hikers.
  • To fling (verb) - to throw or hurl forcefully.
  • To sling (verb) - to suspend or arrange (something), especially with a strap or straps, so that it hangs loosely in a particular position.
  • To lug around (phrasal verb) - to carry or pull something with effort or difficulty because it is heavy.
  • Miscellaneous (adj.) - consisting of a mixture of various things that are not usually connected with each other.
  • To drag around (phrasal verb) - to pull something or someone along with difficulty around places.
  • Tote bag (noun) - a large open bag with two handles, often made of strong cloth.
  • Durable (adj.) - able to last and be used for a long time without becoming damaged.
  • To go the distance (idiom) - to finish or complete something, esp. something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
  • Waterproof (adj.) - not allowing water to go through.
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Questions and answers
M: Do you like bags?

R: I mean, I like them as a practical way to carry things, but as a fashion accessory, I'm a bit lost in that regard, to be honest. I don't know how people make choices in that regard. I just like it when they have a lot of pockets and compartments.

M: What kinds of bags do you like?

R: I think I've only ever owned backpacks and rucksacks if I'm honest. I just like the fact that you can fling things in them and then sling them over your shoulder, and you're pretty good to go, to be honest.

M: Do you have different bags for different occasions?

R: Not really, no. I have a gym backpack and I have a work backpack, and then I've got a slightly larger rucksack for longer journeys. But I haven't made one of those in a while. So it's kind of... It just sits there now, it's an ornament, almost.

M: Do you usually carry a bag when you go out?

R: Well, no, but I don't have that much stuff to lug around, to be honest. It's only when I have an overnight stay or when I go on holiday that I'll have one.

M: What do you usually put in your bag?

R: Well, whenever I do have one, it's usually stuffed with clothes and toiletries and other miscellaneous items that I can't carry on my person. Like my laptop, for example. I can't drag that around with me. Although my current one is so small that I probably could if I wanted to. And then if we're talking about the tote bags that are used for shopping, then obviously they're filled with shopping.

M: What factors do you consider when you buy a bag?

R: Like I said, it's the number of pockets and compartments, really. I need to have a lot because there's lots of different bits and pieces I put in them. And something durable, something that can really go the distance because, well, unlike having something that's not going to fall apart that I have to worry about replacing. And... Oh yeah, something waterproof because, well, just given the weather conditions that I have to put up with, it's kind of essential.
Discussion
M: Hey, dear listener, so bags. Aren't you excited about bags?

R: I am very excited for bags.

M: Yeah, Rory is excited about bags. And you know what? When the examiner asks you a question, like: Do, like, bags? You can crack a joke, like: Oh, you mean like bags under my eyes? Because this... When you don't sleep and you have bags under your eyes. Rory, do you have bags under your eyes?

R: Well, I was about to say. What if you're like me and you don't have bags under your eyes?

M: If you don't have enough sleep, so you can have them, right? So you can crack a joke. So dear listener, bags under our eyes. And here we go. Bags are a fashion accessory. So this is the word for you. A fashion accessory. And we know that a proper look is not complete without a designer bag. A designer bag like Gucci, Prada, LV, Chanel... So we call them designer bags. Rory, of course, doesn't own one. So bags are a practical way to carry things. So we carry things in our bags. And also people make choices about different bags. And you can say something about fashion like: Oh yes, I love bags. Bags are the most important accessory to keep up with fashion along with clothes. Yeah? So we keep up with trends like fashion using different bags. And you also can say that women's handbags are considered a fashion statement, right? So for ladies, women's handbags, so careful, a woman, women, women's handbags. Right? So make sure that you do mention some kinds of bags. Right? Rory mentioned backpacks and rucksacks.

R: Yes. What's the difference?

M: I think a rucksack is more like a school kind of bag?

R: Oh, really? I think the big difference is backpacks are smaller and for personal journeys or work, for example, whereas a rucksack is bigger and goes up mountains and things like that.

M: So dear listener, if you are not sure you just can call it a bag. Anything is a bag. But to be more specific, so a rucksack, a backpack for men. Also, if you're a man that you can say something about wallets. Wallets, are kinds of bags. So you put your money in a wallet.

R: Bags of money.

M: For ladies. Ladies, we have so many different kinds and names for bags. So make sure you Google and then you choose maybe like two or three names. So to give you some, we can say something like a handbag, designer handbag, like a Prada handbag, even if you don't have it just say it. Also a clutch bag, a clutch, like a small clutch, you know, for the evening dress and stuff, a clutch or a purse. Right? So a clutch bag or a purse. Also, Rory showed us a tote bag. Okay, so a tote bag or a shopping bag. It's kind of like a large open bag with two handles. So these are called handles and yeah, a tote bag. Also we have a crossbody bag, a cross body bag. Across your body. Yeah, I know. You see? But this is cool because this is specific vocabulary, topic-specific vocabulary for your band nine. And also you can say like, the belt bag is really fashionable now, so the belt you just wear it here on your waist. Yeah? So the belt bag. Rory told us that you can fling things in the bag. So you fling things. So you just throw things into the bag, right? So you fling things. And you sling them over your shoulder. Am I correct? So you just like or put it on your shoulder, you sling them.

R: Well, you're slinging very gently, clearly with my bags it would be like throwing it over my shoulder and being like, Yeah, I can just do that. I treat my stuff like rubbish because it's very durable. And I believe there was an idiom about durability. Something that can go the distance.
M: Oh.

R: Just something that will last over a very long distance or a very long period of time. Bags can go the distance because they are durable. If you go the distance with a person, it means that your friendship is strong and lasts for a long time.

M: We can use different bags for different occasions, occasions like events, different days. So for example, if you go to the gym, if I go to the gym, I usually carry a backpack or a rucksack. Yeah? Or a slightly larger rucksack. Right? So, ladies, we can say again, if I go out, I carry a clutch or a handbag or a purse or again, like a belt bag, right? Or I carry my tote bag, my shopping bag all over the place when I'm out and about. Lug around. Rory, what did you mean by lug around. A phrasal verb?

R: It is a phrasal verb. If you lug something around, it means that you have filled your bag with stuff and it's very heavy and difficult to carry around easily. So lugging around like... Difficult to carry.

M: Could you give us another example with lug around?

R: I don't like to lug around a lot of stuff with me, so I only carry my phone, my earbuds and the spare battery.

M: Can I say that I do love to lug around a lot of stuff with me.

R: I don't really think that people enjoy the experience of lugging stuff around. You might say, I like to carry around a lot of things with me. Because if you use lug around, it means it's heavy and that's not an enjoyable experience.

M: We usually carry different things in our bags and Rory, he didn't say anything about like, keys, wallets, money, cards, phones. Right.? Like he goes like: Oh, yeah, I carry clothes.

R: But I did use a nice verb. It's stuffed with clothes. So it's just like stuffed like, put them in there.

M: My bag is stuffed with clothes or ladies, we carry so many things. For example, what? Medicines, cosmetics, perfume...

R: Women carry so much stuff with them. It is insane. I don't know how you get anything done.

M: Other valuables... Right? So things in our bags are called valuables, like value, valuables we need on a daily basis. Right? So... And we can put toiletries. What do you say? Toiletries.

R: Toiletries? Yes. Toiletries are things that you use to get ready after you have a shower, I guess. So things like deodorant. I'm a man, so my choices are limited. Deodorant, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner. That's like the four things that I have.

M: What about for women? It's the same, like toiletries?

R: How on earth would I know?
M: No, but we call them the same. Like toiletries, not cosmetics.

R: No, cosmetics would be things that you apply to your face in order to make you look more beautiful. Toiletries are things you use in the bathroom to clean yourself without putting too much of a point on it.

M: And you can also say other miscellaneous items like, anything could go in our bag. Well, you know, so other miscellaneous items like: Oh, I have a stone, you know...

R: Why do you have a... Oh, never mind. I'm going to get too much... If you're a normal person, other miscellaneous items could include earbuds, your flash drive or your charger cable.

M: Another synonym you can use for "carry your bag with you, you can say "drag your bag with you". So I have to drag this nice but heavy bag with me... Drag it with me. When Rory buys a bag, he checks out the number of pockets. Yes, because a bag has different pockets and compartments. Oh, it was my birthday, by the way. So whoever wants to give a present, just a bag, you know, a nice bag. Well, you know, my style. So. Yeah, I would be so happy to get a bag or like, your money for our premium. Because whenever you invest in our premium, we get the money. I get the money. Some money. Well not a lot now because not all people in the world have bought our premium yet.

R: But if they did, that would be great.

M: Anyway, if you want to give me a bag, just check out our premium episodes. The link is in the description. Okay?

R: Well, if you don't believe in buying Maria bags, I would like to point out that I spend the money on practical things like, like earbuds. For example.

M: When you pick a bag, when you choose a bag, you should make sure that it's durable. So durable - it can last for many years, like my Nike bag. So it's durable or it can really go the distance. Yeah? So if a bag goes the distance, it can last forever, right, Rory?

R: Yes, Well, it can last for a long time, maybe not forever. Although I'm looking at my bags now. They've gone the distance so far.

M: Also, a bag could be waterproof. So being waterproof, durable. Also, you can say, well, durability, so durable, and the noun is durability, is one of the factors to consider when you buy a bag. Also, style and affordability, dear listener. So if you can afford the bag or not afford the bag. Right? So durability, style and affordability. Rory, are you ready for the wrap-up joke? We started with a bags joke and we should finish on a high note.

R: Do I have a choice?

M: No.

R: Okay, let's wrap it up and get this one in the bag. There we go. That's my pun for the episode. Come on, then.

M: What do bears in Turkey... Bears like animals. What do bears in Turkey say when they see tourists in sleeping bags? Kebab wrap.

R: Oh...

M: It's hilarious!

R: It's hilarious for you...

M: Kebab wrap is like a wrap. So bears they're hungry. They see a tourist. A tourist is in a sleeping bag. You know, a bag when you go out in the mountains, you sleep in a sleeping bag like this. And bears like: Oh, yum yum yum, tourists! Kebab crap! And it happens in Turkey. Oh, Turkish listeners, please tell me it's hilarious!

R: In three weeks I am going to Turkey. So Turkish listeners and viewers, if you are offended by Maria's jokes, please just understand that I share your pain and I am not responsible for the content that she adds to the episodes.

M: Check out our premium and the course on phrasal verbs. The links are in the description. Bye!

R: Bye!
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