Tag: Environment

New York’s Water System Is Complex

B2 – Upper Intermediate

While nature provides water, many of us depend on a sophisticated system of pipelines, pumps, and other equipment. An industrialized society depends on the services that a water supply system offers, including the delivery of water from sources to users. The economic health, security, and social cohesion of the communities are all closely related to water supply systems.

Watch the video about and uncover the secrets of New York’s complex water system.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sizeable” mean in this sentence? “The water shortage is mostly due to lack of sizeable supply of fresh water.” Give 2 synonyms of the word.
  2. What does the term“tidal estuary” mean? “The East River is a tidal estuary.”. Make your own sentence using the term.
  3. In the sentence, “Two of the world’s longest and largest aqueducts were built to accomplish this.”, what does “aqueducts” mean?

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is the water supply abundant in your country?
  2. Where does your city get its water from?
  3. Are there laws regulating the usage of water in your country?
  4. Do you worry about the future availability of water?
  5. What do you think will happen if the water supply in your country or city gets cut off?

The Willow Project

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The oil drilling in the Arctic has brought so much talk these days, as many disagree because of its potentially catastrophic effect on the environment.

How this initiative will impact the struggling environment in particular is a topic of considerable discussion.

To discover more about the subject, please read the article below.

https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/03/16/willow-project-and-race-to-pump-last-barrel-of-oil-pub-89298

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to give (sth/sb) the green light” mean? “Even as the Bureau of Land Management gave Willow the green light, the Department of the Interior said it would restrict future drilling in other parts of Alaska.” Make your own sentence using this idiom.
  2. Do you know the meaning of “outlier“? “Biden’s failure to restrict the development of domestic fossil fuel resources does not make the United States an outlier.” Please make a sentence using this word.”
  3. How about “to be choked off“? “Some Chinese industrialists want to export electric cars and ensure their country’s supply of foreign oil can’t be choked off, and Texas executives know that they can get rich by building wind turbines.” Kindly make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this drilling project in Alaska?
  2. Why do you think there are so many people opposed to this project?
  3. What effects might this project have on the environment?
  4. Do you believe it will irreparably destroy our fragile planet? Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share your thoughts on this: “Willow is only one project. But if you add up all the individual projects, you get the “existential threat” that is our climate crisis.“

A Sinking City

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As global warming becomes worse year by year, the Indonesian capital Jakarta is on the verge of sinking. The city has sunk by a few meters in the past decade.

Read the article to learn more about why this city is sinking.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/jakarta-a-sinking-city.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “torrential” mean, “Torrential rainfall in the monsoon season causes flooding on a regular basis.”? Give 2 synonyms and make your own sentences.
  2. What does “densely” mean, “Jakarta is one of the most densely populated cities in the world – home to about 10 million people.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “draw something out” mean, “Many people draw water out of the ground for drinking and other purposes.”? Make a sentence with this phrase in this context.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. According to the article, why is Jakarta sinking?
  3. In what ways can people contribute to slowing down the sinking of this city?
  4. Do you think it’s possible to stop global warming? Why or why not?
  5. What other cities do you know are in danger of sinking?
  6. Do you think your city will also be in danger of sinking? Why or why not?

Tobacco Companies Pay for Discarded Cigarettes Ends Clean-up

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is a real eyesore seeing cigarette butts scattered everywhere. Not only is it an unpleasant sight, but is also toxic. Cigarette butts release toxic chemicals such as arsenic and lead.

The Spanish government’s recent ruling states that tobacco companies will shoulder the clean up costs of cigarette butts.

Read the article and find out more details about this new environmental regulation in Spain.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/01/04/tobacco-companies-must-pay-for-clean-up-of-discarded-cigarettes-in-spain

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the verb “toss“. Give two synonyms and use each in a sentence. “Millions of cigarette ends are tossed onto Spain’s streets and beaches by smokers each year.”
  2. What does the phrase “foot the bill” mean? “Spain’s new environmental regulations have ruled that tobacco companies will have to foot the bills for removing discarded cigarettes from the country’s streets.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “come into force” mean? The measure comes into force this Friday. Give one synonym and use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on tobacco companies being held responsible for discarded cigarette butts?
  2. Do you agree with the likely consequences of this regulation to tobacco consumers mentioned in the article? Why or why not?
  3. What might be some effects of this ruling on tobacco companies?
  4. What are the harmful effects of these discarded cigarette butts?

Noise

B1 – Intermediate

Noise is defined as an unwanted and unpleasant sound that causes annoyance to people. A particular sound may be music to someone, but a noise to another.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about noise.

https://listenaminute.com/n/noise.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “noise pollution” mean? “It’s strange to think that in the past few decades, people have been talking about noise pollution.” Explain and give examples of it.
  2. What does “get to someone” mean here, “I live in the city, so noise is everywhere. Sometimes it gets to me.“? Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “surrounding” mean, “It’s stuff that makes our surroundings unpleasant.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of noise pollution?
  2. Do you ever think that some music is just noise? Why?
  3. Is there a noise that you really can’t stand? What is it and what happens when you hear it?
  4. What do you do when people are very noisy near you?
  5. What effects can too much noise have on people and the environment? Explain.

Paris is Quieting Its Noise Pollution

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Noise pollution in cities affects individuals more than we realize. Paris, in particular, is making significant efforts to address this issue.

Read the full article using the link below.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/04/how-paris-is-quieting-its-noise-pollution/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “cacophony”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. The phrase “layers and layers” is used in the statement below. In your own words, describe what it means.

Those of us that live in a city love it for the layers and layers of life, light, and vibrancy that come from a busy and populous environment.

3. What does “to pay a price” mean here, “While it is an exciting and bustling place to live, we can also pay a price living in a city when, say, we’re just trying to go to sleep.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has noise pollution impacted the life of Parisians?
  2. Consider the innovative measures that Paris implemented from 2015-2020. Were they efficient in halting noise pollution?
  3. Paris’ second phase of the noise reduction plan in 2023 includes imposing a fine of 135 euros on drivers who drive noisy vehicles. What is your opinion about this policy?
  4. Do you live in a noisy community? How do you deal with it?

Europe Feels the Winter Heat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Looks like winter didn’t come as expected this time around. In some European countries, it didn’t snow as much as the usual. This could be a preview on how winters are going to be like in the years to come. This change could be brought about by the continuous rise in the temperatures around the world. 

The consequences of this could extend not only all through out the tourism industry.

Read the article to know more about how Europe felt a warmer winter this time.

https://www.voanews.com/a/snow-is-a-no-show-as-europe-feels-the-winter-heat-/6909079.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “blanket” mean in this sentence, “Mild weather has left many regions of Europe that would normally be blanketed in snow at this time of year bare, and winter sports resorts are fearing for the future.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “grapple with” mean? “In the Swiss village of Adelboden, organizers of Saturday’s ski World Cup race grappled with above-freezing temperatures to ensure athletes could compete in the popular event while spectators basked in the blazing sunshine.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “soar” mean? “Michael Hayboeck of Austria soars through the air at the fourth stage of 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Jan. 6, 2023.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news? How was the last winter in your country like? Talk about some changes in the the climate that you noticed.
  2. How does this change in the winter weather impact Europe?
  3. How is tourism like in your country in winter?
  4. Do you like traveling in winter? Why or why not?

Electricity

B1 – Intermediate

Electricity is defined as a form of power that modern age people have a tough time surviving without. It has a great influence in media both in communication and entertainment. It powers almost all the appliances that are used on a daily basis such as telephones and cellphones.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about electricity.

https://listenaminute.com/e/electricity.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “flick” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the word important and use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “dangerous” mean? Give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is electricity?
  2. What kind of world would we live in without electricity?
  3. Do you think electricity is the greatest invention ever? Why / Why not?
  4. What dangers does electricity pose in your house?
  5. What do you do to save on your electricity bills?

Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For years, scientists have been looking for alternative energy sources to end our dependence on fossil fuels.

American scientists have successfully produced a nuclear fusion reaction.

Read the article and watch the video to know more about the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/12/us/common-questions-nuclear-fusion-climate/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “breakthrough” mean? Give at least 3 synonyms of this word.
  2. What does “abatement” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase, “a race against the clock” mean? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is nuclear fusion and why does it matter?
  2. What are the pros and the challenges in generating nuclear fusion?
  3. What are your thoughts on this milestone?

Incorrect Battery Disposal Causes Needless Fires

B1 – Intermediate

One of the most common energy sources is batteries. Everyone uses them. However, if we are not careful in handling their disposal, they could cause fires that could have really serious consequences.

Read this lesson about how incorrectly disposing batteries can start needless fires.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2212/221205-batteries-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “needless” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “bit” mean in this sentence, “Everyone can do their bit…by disposing of batteries correctly.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the uses of batteries?
  2. What are the consequences of incorrectly disposing them?
  3. What are the best ways to dispose of batteries?