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Hi Amy, in Brighton we call a Charity shop a 'Chazzer', and you're right, they are used by the most fashionable people, only the other day Kate Moss was seen buying nice skirt in the Brighton Age Concern shop.

Hullo! there. I come back again. I've found we got new homework, and it is about transitions this time. Of course, it is another great exercise on BBC Learning English blogs. Here the five sentences below is my answers to this homework: (1) This week, I bacame too busy doing office works, however, I was managing time to read Amy's blog and comments to my blog. (2) I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts, but it might be a repetition for some of you. (3) The roof is a thatch roof, and the height is around 2 to 2 and a half meters. (4) In some places of Nepal red mud is used more than white mud because of its availability. (5) Though the metal sheet roof makes the top story too hot during the day time, but people prefer it to become free from tension of maintaining the roof every year. Phew, the above is a student's answer. As for the charity shops, it is rare in Taiwan, but we do have several charity carnivals every year here. In the charity carnival there are a lot of stalls selling goods for collecting money to help the disabled, to support charity organizations, etc.

it is really an excellent place for me to enjoy the authentic usages of english.come on teacher Amy,i wil support you forever

Hello Amy, regarding rechecked and rewritten sentences, these techniques endose the skill of students especially beginner as a consequence I would rather do it. Today, I will provide you new correction sentences as the following. 1. I became too busy doing office works this week while I was managing time to read the Amy’s blog and commented to my blog. 2. I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts which can be a repetition. 3. The roof is thatched roof ; height is around 2 to 2 and half meters. 4. In some places of Nepal red mud is used more that white mud because of their availability. 5. The metal sheet roof makes the top story too hot during the day time, nontheless; people prefer it to become free from tension of maintaining the roof every year. In addition, charity shops similar exists in my country. Some shops look vaule and good to buy, but some store don't. I am always travelling to see and going around whereever the shop opens. However, in my point of view I love it not much. With warm good wishes. Wisarut.

Hi Amy, Oh I love that kind of store, too. In Canada they call it "thrifty" store. Volunteers work at those shops. Also, people, who want to get rid off the things they don't use anymore, organize an yard sale - it is rather a way of socializing- people in fact do not make money by doing this. But in Mongolia we do not have charity shops at all. Now I will try to fix some of Kiran's sentences: 1. Although I have became very busy with office works in recent days I have always managed to make time to read the Amy’s blog and comments to my blog. 2. I would like to go in detail on the construction materials to build these huts even though they can be already known to some of you. 3. The roof, about 2 - 2.5m tall, is thatched. 4. In some places of Nepal red mud is more often used than the white one depending on its availability. 5. Disadvantage of using the metal sheet for the roof of the house is to heat up the top floor even more in some hot days, but people still prefer it because of its durability. Thanks Amy, for being so helpful!

Hello Amy! There aren't charity shops in my country, though we have shops that sell second-hand things (clothes mostly). Some of them are big shops but others are just stalls at the open markets. The clothes are piled up in big heaps there. I call them "ройся-копайся" which mean burrow and dig. Goodbye.

Hello Amy Thanks a lot for your informative posts. Now, let me first have a guess at some new vocabulary you provided in this post. At some stage means at some extent. To have a good grasp of something means to master something and to have control over it, also it means to have good understanding. Second, let me try to answer the first question about joining sentences: 1. This week, I became too busy doing office works, although I was managing time to read the Amy’s blog and comments to my blog. 2. I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts, but may be for some of you it can be a repetition. 4. In some places of Nepal red mud is used more that white mud; this is because of their availability. 5. Although the metal sheet roof makes the top story too hot during the day time, people prefer it to become free from tension of maintaining the roof every year. I hope I answered right!! Good luck everyone. Bïa

Hi Amy i am chinese person, of course i am living in ShangHai China, this is my first time in this place and to see your blogs,i am really happy i can read your blogs which is so useful for me to know another country more and improve my english level, certainly i very admire at the good relationship between you and kiran. i think i am not capable to write blog by myself, i will do my best to learn english and wish someday i can to show you my hometown's view and culture, i hope i can make friends with you if you are agreed!!! ths more Dino/china

Amy you chose an interesting topic today. The Salvation Army is one of several charity organizations in Finland. They also have charity shops all around the country. In addition to the Sally Ally, the Red Cross, without a doubt, has a high reputation for doing charitable work all around the world. But, part from these well known organizations, many private people run second hand shops selling all sorts of bric-a-brac, for a business mind you. Private people also sell their unwanted bits and pieces in flea markets. I for one have been selling my stuff there making a bundle! Without further ado, I will sign off until next time.

Hi, Amy I love to go the charity shops and buy books for my son, clothes and so on. The big problem is that I buy or accumulate all sort of things from the charity shops because I feel they are dirt cheap and good value for money, but most of them are unnecessary for me. I sometimes overspend and get told off from my husband who is tight-fisted and a miser (ha ha…). By the way the economic problem seems hitting the grass roots hard because a few charity shops in our town offer them one buy get one free. Are you a good entertainer or a good storyteller for your sons? Have a good day!xx

Hi Amy, I don’t think we have charity shop like yours in India. Have you seen any charity shop in Delhi? It is a good idea to promote a helping hand to the suffering people. Oxfam, Help age India, World vision of India are supporting to the people who are in need around the globe. We can extend our hand supporting these kinds of groups to buy products from these kinds of charity shops. The college girls, like minded people or some associations organize special show once in a year for specific purpose. For example donating the amount to the children home or providing equipments to the physically challenged children. At that event people auction the old materials like furniture or dresses or music system. I have seen these kinds of auction in the churches. But it is once in a year, not a routine one. This is also one way of charity work. Charity begins in a family. Do you agree my point?

Hi Amy, I don't know of charity shops here in Brazil. But there are places where they sell used things, usually clothes, but I don't think the money goes to charity. They call these kinds of shops "brechó". Anyway, I loved the idea. I wish we had these kinds of shops here too. I live in a small town. What we have here sometimes are some events where they set some selling tents and some of them are for charity. But it's nothing like the one you showed us in the picture. They usually sell only old stuff. Amy, the exercise you gave us today is quite hard. I don't think I can do it. I'll have to wait for the answers. Nice talking to you again. See you soon. Bye.

Hi, Amy. I discover this blog a feel days ago and I loved read the texts and the comments. It's quite easy to understand despite there are a lot of new words and expressions. Your explanations are very clear. I need english in my job and I will visit the United Kingdon next year and because of these I need to improve my english. I think this blog will be a good help. Let's go try to make the homework: 1. This week, I became too busy doing office works and even then I was managing time to read the Amy’s blog and comments to my blog. 2. May be for some of you it can be a repetition but I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts. 3. The roof is thatched roof whose height is around 2 to 2 and half meters. 4. Because of their availability in some places of Nepal red mud is used more that white mud. 5. Though the metal sheet roof makes the top story too hot during the day time THE people prefer it to become free from tension of MANTENANCE the roof every year. In Brazil, some institutions have charity shops to keep the activities. In my city there are a charity shop that belong to an institution that care women with cancer. I am a volunteer in an animal protection institution. Next month we will do a bric-a-brac to get some money for spay and neuter, for food, medicines, vets. We don´t have a place for a shop, so we do this event some times a year in diferent places. Bye, Amy! Bye, everybody! See you tomorrow!

Hi Amy! I liked very much your 70s style mug collection. They are really pretty. Unfortunately, we do not have any charity shops in Slovakia. I think I would love to cast around for bric-a-brac there. I only know about the UNICEF shops where you can buy postcards, calendars, T-shirts, small presents to name but a few. By buying these things you are supporting children in developing countries. On the other hand the number of English second hand clothes shops has mushroomed recently here. Best wishes,

Hi Amy - in my town,there aren't any charity shops while you can find some charity stalls in a bric-a brac market that takes places once a month on Sunday.Usually I don't buy anything but I'm drew by books and jewellery. Homework: at some stage=at some time,sooner or later; a good grasp of=a knowledge; bric-a-brac=collection of old things that some people got rid of; clear-out=to get rid of things to create more space in the house (it's that I'm doing at home but I'm fighting a losing battle!) Sentences: 1)Although this week I have been too busy at work, I have managed to read the Amy's blog and comments on mine. 2)I would like to describe in detail the construction and the materials used to build these huts even if it can be a repetition for some of you. 3)These houses have a tatched roof and their height is about 2 or 2 and half metres. 4)In some areas of Nepal red mud is used more than the white one for its availability. 5)Although the metal sheet roof makes the top story too hot during the day, people prefer it to avoid the annual roof maintenance. See you soon

Hi Amy ; Charity shop is a wonderfull idea .Unfortunantely, we don't have the same concept in Morroco . When i was in France , 5 years ago i saw a concept of cahrity that called " Resto du coeur" = restaurent of heart . The poor poeple can get the meals free during the winter . Kind Regards Redouane

Hi Amy, Here in Argentina we have kind of charity shops but they are located in the schools. Let me explain it. People in charge of this matter collect any type of things and then at the weekends, the school opens a kind of market where people can go and buy anything. Eventually, the money collected is given to charity. Bye for now, Cris

Charity shops! nice idea!Dear Amy, it's the first time I hear of such idea. In fact, I've seen charity bazars in which some gather and exhibit items they have manufactured. The money obtained from their selling, then goes to the charity targeted.Here are my suggestions in inserting a few linkers: Even Though,I was too busy doing office work this week, I was managed to read Amy’s blog and comments to my blog. 2. I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts, which might be a repetition for some of you. 3. The roof is thatched roof and the height is around 2 to 2 and half meters. 4. Because of its availibility, red mud is used more that white mud in some places of Nepal . 5. Though the metal sheet roof makes the top storey too hot during day time people usually prefer it to avoid the tension of maintaining the roof every year.

Hello Amy, thank you for the interesting topic about Charity Shops. I really liked the idea. There might be some also in Iran but not in Ahwaz where I live. I tried to put some linkers to Kiran sentences: Though this week, I happened to be too busy doing my office works, I was capable of managing my time to read Amy’s blog and comments to my blog. 2. Even though, I believe it might be repetitious substance for some of you, I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts. 3. The roof is thatched and the height normally is around 2 to 2 and half meters. 4. In some places of Nepal red mud is used more that white mud since it’s more available. 5. In spite of the fact that the metal sheet roof makes the top storey too hot during day time, people prefer it to avoid the trouble of repairing the roof every year. All the best, Maryam

Hi Amy! I only had a glance about charity shop for first time while reading an online version of a British newspaper (The Times). Yes, I think it’s absolutely brilliant! I didn’t know charity shop could be so nice like this one (Is that you in this picture?)! Do they sell antiques as well? Unfortunately, I think they are only available in developed countries. I’ve never seen something like this in India (at least in West Bengal). Amy, have you ever seen any charity shop in Delhi? Well, I think Charity firms can’t open shops in developing countries. Because of severe poverty and presence of Kavadi-Wallahs! Because if we need a clear-out, unlike Britain (and other developed countries) we don’t donate these things to someone but we simply phone (one thing that most Indians own, yes, mobile phone. Thanks to cheap call rate!) to our regular Kavadi Wallah instead :-) Yes, I’ve read all of your posts which you’d written in last year :-) Anyway, straight down to homework:- 1. I was managing time to read the Amy’s blog and comments to my blog , even though I became too busy doing office works in this week. 2. I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts, but for some of you it can be a repetition. 3. The is a thatched roof, and its height is around 2 to 2 and half meters. 4. In some places of Nepal red mud is used more that white mud, because of their availability. 5. Though the metal sheet of the roof makes the top storey of the house too hot during the daytime but people prefer it to become free from tension of maintaining the roof every year. Vocabulary:- 1. at some time. 2. a person’s understanding of a subject or of difficult facts. 3. ornaments and other small decorative objects of little value. 4. a process of getting rid of things that you no longer want. Well, what did you mean by “2 to 2”? Did you want to say “2 by 2” instead? Thank you very much for sharing this nice post and pictures with us. I’m eagerly waiting for your next one! With kind regards, Pritam.

Hello Amy and all readers! I haven't heard about charity shops in my country. The idea to help with money from such shop or to donate bric-a-brac is great. Despite I doubt such type of shop have a chance here, I would like to work as a shop assistant at such place. It is mainly because I would like to look closely at people, who donate or buy in order to help others.It is a typical social activity, which I admire warmly. Amy, I like the phrase "next to nothing" about the price very much. Thank you for the nice post!Diema

Hi Amy ! I am Madhav Paudel from Nepal. The series of your posting attracted me very much, especially your go of managing the meeting with your granny. Going little further about some concerns of your granny particularly the thinning mutuality among ourselves, frankly , no matter which corner we belong to, we poorly spare any time to think about the past. In my view, we are the outcome of the hard past that our earlier had ventured and overcome. Although, today is much technically advanced (I doubt the correct positioning of the adverb ‘technically’) from every angle then the past thanks to the development in science, we have become more personal, more reserved, more unique and have divided from so many ways. We even argue about this further. Turning the context, now I would like to have a try at you’ve set forth Amy ,if that don’t replicate the answer made by the other commenter friends. 1. Despite becoming too busy doing office works this week, I was managing to read the Amy’s blog and comments to my blog 2. I would like to go in detail about the construction and the materials used in making these huts; however, for some of you it can be a repetition. 3. The roof is thatched roof and height is around 2 to 2 and half meters. 4. Because of their (it’s?) availability, in some places of Nepal red mud is used more that white mud. 5. The metal sheet roof makes the top story too hot during the daytime even though people prefer it to become free from tension of maintaining the roof every year. Thank you very much.

Hi Amy and All Readers Thank you very much Amy for the topic you choosed. When I went to London, charity shops was the one of first things I draw attraction. I think this is a extend of english life style. Everbody from different countires says they are not common as well as Turkiye. Surely There are many organizations for charity every country. The ones in England are more different than others because many disabled and old people have an opportunity to work at charity shops.Thus, all those feel happy and being worthy themselves by doing something. Charity shops are brilliant idea and very useful for many aspects. I wish they should be very common all over the world. Come to my country, there are many ways to raise many for charity, one of them some people are together to establish non government organizations with different aims; to support the women in rural areas, children, researches against the diesases and the like. Come to my home work 1. at some point 2.knowledge 3. smal things 4.this word reminds me the television programme on BBC "cash in the attic" We need sometimes clear out to open more space at our houses or to refresh.If the collected ones can turn into money there is a Turkish saying to express happiness " don't eat them, sleep next to them" I hope you understand. Thank very much Amy. :))

Oh I love those charity shops! We haven't got anything like that here in Austria and I've never seen one in a country other than the UK. I reckon they are quite a British thing. I'm always amazed at how much interesting stuff you can actually find there if you really give it a try. Personally, I can't leave a charity shop without buying SOMEthing. You can always spare a couple of quid for a book, can't you?

Hi Amy! What a wonderful mugs collection you have! I also collect mugs. Here in Brazil, charity shops are very common. However they take place most of the time at churches. Generally you can buy in these charity shops clothes that people from Europe donate to churches.You can find winter clothes for a very good price. A bargain indeed :-). Oh let me try the vocabulary: At some stage: at some period of development; A good grasp of (something): a good knowledge at sth; Bric-a-brac: decorative objects which have many sizes and shapes; A clear-out: to get rid of things that you don´t want anymore. Well, that´s it Amy. I hope hear from you soon. Best wishes, Ana Paula.

It doesn't seem to me that this kind of shops exist in France exept UNICEF ones, even if it is not the same process.Of course they have the same aim : to raise money to help children all over the world but they chiefly sell handcraft from developing countries(a nice and useful way, the best I think, don't you?) and also from volunteers (handy women sew dollies,cushions and so on). A big French organisation "Emmaus" own this kind of shops, premises more like where you can find just about everything from teaspoons to toys, books, furniture and appliances.Things can even be in a yard under the sun and /or the rain!They are given after clear-out ..at home.The salesmen aren't volunteers but former downs and outs.Indeed they have a job now.I'm a bit behind the time to write something about charity shops but I just was in"Emmaus" yesterday.Our son is a student and shares a flat with a mate so he needs ,you know, some shelves, curtains, crockery...We found lampshades at 3euros, peg for towels at 5... My son sought out some very nice raincoats 3 euros each! they're worth it!

Hi Amy, I was bit busy this week so im postingmy comment quite late:(. Hope you read this time too. Im afraid i never heard any thing like charity shops here in Pakistan i think thats part of developed countries. But its a good idea, i think this is more needed in third world countries in which people cant buy proper things for themselves because they cant afford. That's it. Mahjabeen.

Hi Amy, I loved seeing your 70s style flowery mug collection!This is a good way of learning the names of the flowers and even entertaining the guests who come around.My uncle Stephen who lives in Saquarema, Rio, has a huge collection and when we go there he picks up a mug that best suits us! He has such a wide variety of styles! The pornographic ones are usually spared for the "prudish" ladies! Well, the mug business in his home makes us all have a good laugh, even the "prudish" ladies!Here in Brazil,as far as I know, we do not have charity shops, although we do have lots charity institutions which raise money for the poor by arranging parties, concerts and even meals! However, in Rio, I know of a charity fair that happens before Christmas at the British School anglican church where you can buy nice secondhand goods such as English books, bric-a-brac, even marmelade and crackers.There is another one, similar to this that happens in Porto Alegre at the Anglican church.So I have a hunch that the charity fairs we have here are immigrants´ initiative.In places like Rio, São Paulo, Santa Catarina,Paraná where there is a lot of influence of the European culture it is more common to find charity fairs. However, we, Brazilians, do not value old things as much as you, Europeans. We have that comsumerism mentality of the Capitalism society.Now I know the present I´ll give you for birthday! Love, Monica