Clutter Bugs Beware Reading Answer: IELTS Reading Practice Test

Clutter Bugs Beware Reading Passage

A. People in the twenty-first century are conditioned to believe that more is better, so it's no surprise that owning a lot of material possessions is a common problem. However, beware: all that stuff can be a huge time and energy drain. Having a disorganised pile of belongings lying around your house or bedroom can be very frustrating. Items of real value and sentiment should be stored safely, but you can do without old receipts, invitations, catalogues, trashy magazines, and unwanted gifts. How much of your day do you think you waste trying to find lost items or sorting through junk mail to get to the documents you need? The old adage "a place for everything and everything in its place" holds a lot of truth. 
 

B. Get your life in order and keep it that way for good with the help of this time-tested organising principle. It's first necessary to create a system with a limited set of choices, Put everything that comes in at work (or at home) in your inbox, and then tackle each task as it comes in. Do them right away, or sort them into A, B, and C orders, giving the highest priority to the A tasks.

C. One more piece of advice: put things in their proper places. Is that where it belongs before you slap something down on the counter or the couch? If an item doesn't already have a permanent resting spot, create one and always put it there. Remember to avoid procrastination at all costs by labelling boxes, containers, drawers, and cupboards. Put things away in the correct storage areas right away. Put all of your effort into it until it becomes second nature. Empty any and all flat surfaces, including your office desk, kitchen counter, and bedroom mattress.
 

D. Try to clean up and straighten up during the time between tasks and be aware of transition stages. Every once in a while, you should take an evaluation of your organisational system and see if any tweaks are needed. Maybe there's still more clutter to get rid of, or maybe things just need to be moved around a bit. Maybe you use something that's currently stored in a different room than you keep it. Uncompleted tasks also fall under the category of clutter, so schedule some time in your schedule to wrap up any unfinished business. Getting rid of clutter and getting organised can have a positive impact on many areas of your life.

 

E. Clutter is discouraged by feng shui because it blocks the flow of chi or energy and creates an environment where negative chi can flourish. When chi is unblocked and flowing freely, everyone benefits from increased productivity and peace. (It's interesting to note that the word "clutter" originates from an Old English word that means "to cause to become blocked or obscured." Hoarding, it seems, generates an excess of 'yin' energy, which disrupts the flow of life and leads to discord. According to the literature, this can lead to a host of consequences, including a weakened immune system, trouble focusing, stress, and resentment. Clutter is blocked energy that has far-reaching effects on a person's entire being. Physical and mental clutter keeps people mired in the past. It also affects how they see themselves and how others see them (as neglected, unworthy, disorganised, or ignored). If it's true that your environment is a reflection of who you are, then decluttering must have a transformative effect on your life.
 

F. Call it feng shui if you like, but clutter just gets in the way of keeping things clean and allows dirt and bacteria. It disrupts your life, prevents you from seizing new opportunities, chaos in your home, and strains your relationships. When asked why they do it, hoarders rarely offer a satisfactory answer. 
 

G. Numerous theories have been advanced to explain why some people seem compelled to accumulate and store useless possessions. Psychologists used to believe that a lack of money and resources during childhood led to this condition, but now it is believed that a lack of love and acceptance during adolescence is to blame. Obviously, fear plays a significant role in this as well, whether it be the fear of scarcity, the fear of losing the memories attached to the items, or the fear of feeling powerless or unsafe. Perhaps egotism plays a role in the fact that so many people use the acquisition of material goods as a symbol of their status in society. Some people may engage in this behaviour as a means of self-compensation for their own emotional issues.
 

H. It is said that having a lot of clutter in your home and life is debilitating, that it drains your energy, destroys your spirit, and anchors you in the past, no matter what the motivation behind the clutter may be. It is counterproductive to economic growth as well. If you work to create a space where positive energy (or "chi") can flow freely, you may find that your home becomes not only a more pleasant and relaxing environment but also a safer, more supportive one that can help you realise your deepest aspirations. If you clean up, you'll be healthier, richer, and happier.

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