(gum, gums, gummed, gumming, gumshoes, gumboots, gum shield, up a gum tree, chewing gum, bubble gum, wine gum)

Two friends need money so they are filling and sealing envelopes.

We have finished two hundred.

Another eight hundred envelopes to fill and seal.

At least they are gummed. We do not have to put the glue on the envelopes. We do not have to wet the gum either.

I really need the money! My boy at school needs new gumshoes for the gym. I need gumboots for going out in rainy weather.

But we have already done a day’s work! My eyes are getting gummed up. They are tired.

My boy goes to a boxing club.

That sounds expensive. He will need special gloves. How often would he need new gum shields? He needs to shield his teeth.

I am already spending all my money. I dare not get into debt. I would be up a gum tree! I’d be in real trouble.

I hope we can stay awake until these envelopes are filled.

Here are some sweets.

We must not make marks.

Wine gums should be safe.

Let’s chew gum instead.

Shall we chew bubble gum?

Perhaps.

Look at the time! Midnight! I have to be at work by six!

I know! Let’s sing to keep ourselves awake.

Anything to help us with the last four hundred envelopes.

(they both sing)

Late to bed,

Early to rise,

Makes us earn money

But gums up our eyes.

ENDS

The Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary has a book and a CD. There are other good dictionaries.

Did you find this useful?

Can you add more ways of using ‘gum’?

Try another word from www.5minuteenglish.uk.com

There are pages about earning money.

Try ‘fill’, ‘grasp’ and ‘habit’.

Copyright belongs to Margaret Dunn.