English

No,〝 my confidant whispered, “it's part of their scheme of planned obsolescence to sell you merchandise with a limited life span in order to keep you coming back for more.”

1. confidant  [͵kɑnfɪˋdænt] (n.) someone you trust and can discuss your secrets and private feelings with

    confidante (n.) a woman you trust and can discuss your secrets and private feelings with

    confide  [kənˋfaɪd] (v.) to tell somone a secret or discuss your private feelings with them +in

    Example: I hope you know that you can always confide in me.

    Example: She confided to friends that she was scared of her mother.

    confide sth to sb

    Example: He confided his doubts to me.

2. obsolescence  [͵ɑbsəˋlɛsəns] (n.) the state of becoming old-fashioned and no longer used, especially because of being replaced by something newer and more effective

    obsolescent  [͵ɑbsəˋlɛsnt] (adj.) becoming replaced by something newer and more effective

    obsolete  [ˋɑbsə͵lit] (adj.) no longer used because of being replaced by something newer and more effective

    Example: Most computer hardware rapidly becomes obsolete.

    Example: obsolete concepts

3. span (n.) [ usually singular ] the amount of time that something lasts

    Example: Nearly 100 witnesses testified over a span of 20 days.

    attention/ concentration span ( = the period for which you can concentrate )

    Example: Kids these days have a very limited attention span.

    (v.) to last for a particular period of time, especially a long period

    Example: His career spanned half a century.

    (v.) to cover or cross an area completely

    Example: Our business spans the globe.

    (v.) to include a number of different things

    Example: a leisure business spanning hotels, restaurants, casinos, and pubs

Vincent, 16, and Elena, 15, admitted to having stirred up the protest.

4. stir up ( phrasal vb ) same as stir; to make someone feel upset or angry

    Example: He was accused of stirring up racial hatred.

    ( phrasal vb ) to make someone think about something

    Example: The sight of the school stirred up a lot of memories.

    ( phrasal vb ) to make someone feel enthusiastic about something

    Example: The scandal certainly stirred up interest in the business.

5. protest (n.) a strong complaint or disagreement + at/ aginst

    Example: The organization has made a formal protest against the nuclear testing.

    in protest

    Example: She resigned in protest against the company's unfair policies.

    without protest

    Example: He left the building without protest after the police arrived.

    raise/ provoke a storm of protest

    Example: The decision raised a storm of protest among farmers and agricultured workers.

    (v.) to disagree strongly with something, often by making a formal statement or taking action in public + against

     Example: Workers are protesting against high unemployment and inflation.

     + at/ about/ over

     Example: Prisoners began a hunger strike to protest at their conditions.