Reading Comprehension – Spring cleaning

Apa kabar!

(that’s one way to say “hello” in Singapore).

March is almost over which means that half the hemisphere is now in Spring. But even if you live in the southern hemisphere, it’s always good to do a little spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning is the practice of thoroughly cleaning a house in the springtime. The practice of spring cleaning is especially prevalent in climates with a cold winter.

Basically, people clean their entire house from top to bottom, usually on the first warm days in spring. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets their affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be doing some spring cleaning.

In North America and northern Europe, the custom found an especially practical value due to those regions’ continental and wet climates. During the 19th century in America, prior to the advent of the vacuum cleaner, March was often the best time for dusting because it was getting warm enough to open windows and doors (but not warm enough for insects to be a problem), and the high winds could carry the dust out of the house.

Remember we gave you tips on creating a great workspace? Well, start with a spring clean and then organize your desk or bedroom or office, and we guarantee you will get more done!

Vocabulary

Thoroughly – including every possible part or detail.

Prevalent – accepted, done, or happening often or over a large area at a particular time : common or widespread.

Heavy duty – very intense or serious.

Enterprise – a project or activity that involves many people and that is often difficult.

Affairs – work or activities done for a purpose : commercial, professional, public, or personal business.

Audit – a complete and careful examination of the financial records of a business or person

Prior – existing earlier in time.

Advent – the time when something begins or arrives : the first appearance of something.

Dusting –