vocabulary
define air pollution in one simple sentence
Air pollution is dirty or harmful gases/particles in the air that people and animals breathe.
give 2 examples of reduce at school
use a reusable bottle; print less/double-sided; bring your own lunch box; don’t take extra paper/handouts (any two).
Name 3 current global environmental problems.
climate change, deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, plastic waste, biodiversity loss,....
One advantage of city life + one advantage of nature life.
City advantage: more jobs/services/entertainment. Nature advantage: clean air/quiet/more green space (one + one).
Finish the sentence with a connector: “We should reduce waste, ___ it saves resources.”
We should reduce waste, because it saves resources.” (also possible: so / as a result with a slight change).
What is the difference between pollution and contamination?
Pollution is the general presence of harmful substances in the environment. Contamination is when a specific place (water/soil/food) becomes unsafe because a harmful substance gets into it.
give 2 examples of reuse at home
reuse jars/containers for storage; reuse shopping bags; use old clothes as cleaning cloths; refill soap bottles (any two).
Choose one: water pollution or air pollution. What causes it? (2)
Water pollution causes: sewage, industrial chemicals, oil spills, farm pesticides/fertilisers, plastic waste (any two).
Air pollution causes: car exhaust, factories/power plants, burning coal/wood, construction dust (any two).
What makes a city “greener”? Name 3 things.
good public transport and bike lanes; more parks/trees; recycling and waste management; renewable energy; low-emission zones (any three)
Say one polite disagreement sentence using: “I see your point, but…”
I see your point, but recycling alone isn’t enough—we need to reduce what we buy.
explain toxic waste
Toxic waste is dangerous waste (chemicals, heavy metals, medical waste) that can harm people and nature. Example: battery chemicals or factory chemical waste.
give 2 examples of recycle correctly + 1 common mistake
Sort paper/cardboard; recycle clean plastic bottles/cans.
mistake: putting dirty food packaging in recycling or mixing materials that can’t be recycled together.
choose one: deforestation or plastic in oceans. What are 2 effects?
Deforestation effects: habitat loss, fewer animals/plants, more CO₂, soil erosion/flooding (any two).
Plastic in oceans effects: animals eat plastic and die, microplastics in the food chain, polluted beaches/water (any two).
A company wants to build a shopping centre on a green area. Give 2 arguments FOR and 2 AGAINST.
Shopping centre:
FOR: jobs, economic growth, more services/shops, better transport.
AGAINST: loss of green space/habitat, more traffic and pollution, noise, higher CO₂
Make one sentence using on the other hand about city vs countryside.
City life is convenient; on the other hand, the countryside is quieter and has cleaner air.
define carbon emissions and name one main source
Carbon emissions are CO₂ released into the air, mainly from burning fossil fuels. Main source: cars/transport, power plants, factories (any one).
Which is most important: reduce, reuse, or recycle? Defend your choice with 2 reasons.
Reduce (most likely). It prevents waste from being created, saves resources and energy, and reduces pollution before it happens. Reuse and recycle help, but they come later.
Explain how air pollution can affect human health (3 effects).
Health effects: asthma/breathing problems, heart disease risk, irritation of eyes/throat, higher risk for children/elderly (any three).
Suggest 4 realistic changes your city/school could make to reduce pollution.
more buses/trams and bike lanes; plant trees/green roofs; ban or reduce single-use plastics in school; recycling bins + education; car-free zones near school; energy-saving lights (any four).
Use these 2 words in one sentence: carbon footprint + as a result.
People drive everywhere; as a result, their carbon footprint becomes much higher.
explain renewable energy vs. fossil fuels
Renewable energy comes from sources that naturally renew (sun, wind, water) and produces much less pollution. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) are limited, release a lot of CO₂, and cause more air pollution.
Create a 3-step class plan to cut waste this month (must include reduce + reuse + recycle).
Reduce: no single-use bottles/cups; fewer printed papers.
Reuse: set up a “reuse box” for folders/notebooks; bring lunch boxes.
Recycle: clear labelled bins + a weekly class check to keep recycling clean.
"Individual actions matter vs system change matters more.” Choose a side and give 3 arguments.
Sample stance (system change matters more):
Big industries produce most emissions and waste, so laws and regulations have a bigger impact.
Cities need infrastructure (public transport, renewables) so people can make green choices.
Roleplay: You have 30 seconds to convince your partner to use public transport more. Use however or therefore.
example: We should use public transport more because it reduces traffic and air pollution. Therefore, we’ll have cleaner air and less noise in the city. It’s also cheaper than driving every day.
Mini-debate: Speak for 40 seconds. Include 2 connectors and 1 real example about RRR.
I think reduce is the most important step. However, many people only talk about recycling and still buy too much. For example, if you bring a reusable bottle to school, you cut plastic waste every day. As a result, there is less litter and less pollution from producing new bottles. We should reduce first, then reuse, and recycle what is left.”