B2 – Upper Intermediate
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, affecting oceans, wildlife, and human health.
With global plastic production continuing to rise, finding effective solutions has become urgent. This topic explores practical strategies—from reducing single-use plastics to advancing recycling technologies—that can help tackle the world’s plastic problem and build a more sustainable future.
Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is the meaning of “outweigh“? “In fact, the amount of plastic on our planet outweighs all the land and sea creatures currently alive.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
- What does the idiom “to grow at scale” mean? “Plastic became very popular with the military during the Second World War, but it only grew at scale commercially in the 1960s.” Make one sentence using the phrase. Give a similar expression.
- What is “circular approach“? “One way to address these problems is to take a circular approach to plastic, designing it to stay in use for as long as possible..” Use the term in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you believe banning single-use plastics is an effective solution to the plastic problem? Why or why not?
- Should governments and individuals be more responsible for reducing plastic waste? Share your insight.
- What are the biggest challenges in reducing global plastic consumption, and how can they be overcome?
- How can businesses and industries be encouraged to use less plastic in packaging and production?
- What role should education and public awareness play in solving the world’s plastic problem?