Recall and read
- Work in pairs. Name the kinds of collections in the pictures on page 77. Then order the collections from the least.
- marble f. music CD
- puppet g. stamp
- shells h. key
- toy animal i. autograph
- ticket j. comic book
- a. Look at four things you should consider when starting a collection.
What do you think they refer to?
affordability origin quirkiness storage
- Read the magazine tips to check or find the answers.
How to start a collection
The more unusual and quirky your collection is, the more interesting it’ll be. One option is to collect something out of the ordinary. How about a collection of paper clips, airsickness bags from airlines, or chip bags.
If you’d rather collect something slightly more mundane, then find a theme for your collection. The more offbeat your idea is, the more remarkable the collection will be. If, for example, you want to collect toy animals, choose one kind of animal. If stamps are your passion, choose a topic you’re interested in and collect stamps connected to it.
Another thing to take into consideration is where you’re going to store your collection. Don’t collect large objects if you don’t have the space. Try to keep you collection in a case that’s easy to transport so that you’ll be able to display your collection at school or a local fair.
If you eventually want to sell your collection, keep a written record of the items and where they came from. You may own a famous person’s autograph, but how can you prove it’s genuine and not a fake?
Finally, don’t buy pieces for your collection if you can’t afford them, and don’t to complete it too quickly. An exceptional collection will take years to complete.
Meaning of the words:
Affordability – the cost of making the collection
Origin – knowing the objects are from
Quirkiness – how unusual the collection is
Storage – having somewhere to keep and store the collection
- Read and listen to six people talking about their collections.
Match each person to one of the pictures on page 77.
- Joe:
Some of my friends think I’m a little weird. I can understand why. To an outsider, it must seem like a really mundane-someone’s home, a car, or a drawer in a desk.
- Elisa:
Famous people can be unpredictable. You never know how they’ll react. Sometimes they’ll be really nice and ask you your name. This one’s my favourite. It’s kind of an “alternative” signature. I mean, who else signs their name like that?
- Tony:
I’ve been buying them since I was about eight years old, and I’ve never thrown any away. I like all kinds, but the more offbeat the story and characters, the better.
- Yolanda:
I was on vacation and saw some in an antique store. I thought they were extraordinary. I started with one and then slowly built up the collection. I think the detail on the faces and clothes is remarkable. Sometimes I put on a show with friends, but just for fun.
- Scott: I inherited my grandpa’s collection and I’ve continued it. I know it’s a little ordinary, but there are some exceptional examples from different countries. I think emails are predictable. And they don’t come in an envelope.
- Lucy
One day I thought the collection looked a little nondescript, so I bought the case to make it look a little more out of the ordinary. What do you think.
Answer key
- Joe – keys
- Elisa – autographs
- Tony – comic books
- Yolanda – puppets
- Scott – stamps
- Lucy – shells
- Write the missing words by using the words in the parenthesis to help you.
out of the ordinary exceptional remarkable
offbeat unpredictable mundane
Joe: Some of my friends think I’m a little weird. To an outsider, it must
seem like a really 1) _________ (normal and unexciting) thing to collect.
Elisa: Famous people can be 2) ________ (surprising and changeable). This one’s
my favourite. It’s kind of an “alternative” signature.
Tony: The more 3) _________ (unusual and unconventional) the story and
characters, the better.
Yolanda: I thought they were extra ordinary. I think the detail on the faces and clothes is 4) _________ (surprising and impressive).
Scott: I know it’s a little ordinary, but there are some 5) ________ (extremely good
and unusually impressive) examples from different countries. I think emails
are predictable.
Lucy: One day I thought the collection looked a little nondescript, so I bought the case to make it look a little more 6) _________ (unusual and different).
- Replace the words in purple with the words below.
commonplace odd off-the-wall run-off-the-mill
At first glance I thought the collection was very 1) ordinary, but when I looked closer I found a couple of 2) strange items created by an 3) offbeat recycled glass artist. Suddenly the collection didn’t seem so 4) predictable.
- Speak
Work in pairs: Discuss the different collections in the pictures on page 77 and agree on one that you would both like to own. Give reasons for the choice.
