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Unit 3: English In A Minute
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Session 90

Welcome to English In A Minute. Give us a minute and we'll give you a hot tip about English vocabulary... there's so much to learn! And all taught by your favourite BBC Learning English staff!

Wayiitiwwan marii boqonnaa kana keessaa

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Wayitii marii qabxii 90

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

How to use 'material'

Beth teaches how to use 'material'.

Vidiyoo daawwadhuuti shaakala kana xumuri

Barreeffama agarsiisiBarreeffama dhoksi

Beth
Material is something physical that things can be made from. For example, wood, plastic or bricks.

What material is your water bottle made from? Is it plastic?
To build a house, you'll need to buy materials like stone and bricks.

Similarly, material is another word for cloth. Clothes and other products are made from material.

Your scarf is so soft. What material is it?
Towels are made from absorbent material because they need to absorb water.

Also, as a noun, material can be information that's used for writing, often for promotional purposes.

Your family drama would make really good material for a book.
I'm collecting material for a food documentary. Can I interview you?

Finally, as an adjective, material can relate to possessions like objects and money. We often hear it used with the noun 'world'.

We live in a material world. Lots of people want the best and latest products.

Material

Material is what things are made from. 

  • What material is this table? It's wood.

Material can also be another word for cloth. 

  • Can you make a dress using this material?

Material is information used in writing as well, often for promotional purposes.

  • Take this material and write an article using it. It's interviews about living in the UK.

Finally, the adjective material can mean possessions, such as objects and money, and is often used with 'world'.

  • Of course she wants the latest smartphone. It's a material world. 

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English In A Minute Quiz

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More

We hope you enjoyed English in a Minute. You can find more episodes here. 

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