Build to fail - BBC Learning English 2017 - 6 minute English

BBC Learning English - 6 minute English today
#BUILD #TO #FAIL
Do manufacturers design technology so that it eventually fails? Or is it just that consumers expect less these days?
Neil and Catherine explore our relationship with buying new technology and teach you six items of useful vocabulary.

#QUESTION
How much electronic waste is thrown away every year globally?

a) 420 tonnes

b) 4.2 million tonnes

c) 42 million tonnes

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

#VOCABULARY
- Gizmo : a small piece of technology – otherwise called a gadget

- Sustainable: able to continue over a long period of time (or able to continue without causing harm)

- To screw : to join together using a screw: a nail with twisting raised edges

- To lower your expectations: to reduce your belief something good will happen

- Obsolete: no longer used, out of date

- Throwaway culture: describes a society in which people throw things out very easily