1Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
1What effects does plastic waste have on our planet?
2Why should we recycle plastic?
3What do you think are some ways we can reduce our use of plastic?
2Look at the photos and answer the questions.
1What environmental issues do these photos show examples of?
2Do you think we can resolve these issues? How?
3Read the text below. Answer the questions.
♻️ No-one's Too Young to Make a Difference
In March 2019 more than 1.4 million students from around the world took the day off school to protest about climate change. It all began with 16-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden, who started her solo protest last year. Her voice and message were powerful enough to go viral on social media and persuade thousands of other young people to follow her.They wanted to get the governments in their countries to really pay attention to today's serious environmental problems such as pollution, the use of plastics and global warming. Students in 2,233 cities and towns in 128 countries left school for the day to join the protest, with a simple message: 'We need to cooperate and share our resources to help this planet. We need to recycle, refill, reuse and be conscious of the consequences of our actions.'
One young protester said, 'We need to prevent more damage from happening to our planet by reducing plastic waste and getting rid of the big industries that cause serious pollution'. Many parents called the movement 'inspiring and powerful'. However some schools and teachers think that children are just using the protest as an excuse to miss school.
1. Why are students protesting?
2. What did the students do?
3. Who did Greta Thunberg first protest with?
4. Which environmental issues are mentioned in the article?
5. Students from how many countries participated in the protest?
6. What do the protesters want people to do?
7. How do many parents feel about the protest?
8. What do some schools and teachers think?
💡 Model answers:
1. To get governments to do more about climate change · 2. They took the day off school · 3. She protested alone · 4. Pollution, the use of plastics, global warming · 5. 128 · 6. Cooperate and share resources (recycle, refill and reuse), prevent damage to the planet, get rid of big industries that cause pollution · 7. They think it is inspiring and powerful · 8. That children are just making excuses not to go to school
1. To get governments to do more about climate change · 2. They took the day off school · 3. She protested alone · 4. Pollution, the use of plastics, global warming · 5. 128 · 6. Cooperate and share resources (recycle, refill and reuse), prevent damage to the planet, get rid of big industries that cause pollution · 7. They think it is inspiring and powerful · 8. That children are just making excuses not to go to school
4Match words 1–6 with definitions a–f.
Click a word (left), then click its definition (right).
Matched: 0 / 6
5Watch the video from the start to 02:08. Complete the sentences. Use 1–4 words in each gap.
1. Today, we're looking at ways in which we can .
2. I'm amazed at all the .
3. … and most of it is going to end up .
4. Plastic was only invented .
5. Less than a fifth of plastic .
6. … items that aren't recycled can take thousands of years .
7. Well, I'm here at the Refill Pantry to see if we can try and solve .
8. … the idea is that people bring .
6aSally uses three different kinds of containers in the shop. What are they? Watch from 02:28–03:42 to check.
Container A
a glass jar
Container B
a paper bag
Container C
a recycled/glass bottle
Watch the video from 02:28–03:42 and check your answers.
7aChoose the correct alternatives to complete the extract from the video. Then watch from 03:54–04:22 to check.
A: These little nuts you
/
a few into a bag,
/
them in with your laundry and it
/
your washing.
B: Sold! I'll / some of those and I've just / this reusable bag, so if I / everything in there I can bring it back next time.
B: Well, that's been an interesting experience — and an example of a small change you can / in your daily life that can / a big difference to the environment.
B: Sold! I'll / some of those and I've just / this reusable bag, so if I / everything in there I can bring it back next time.
B: Well, that's been an interesting experience — and an example of a small change you can / in your daily life that can / a big difference to the environment.
Click each pair to choose the correct word.
8Watch the whole video again. Decide if the sentences are True (T) or False (F).
9Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
1Would you shop in a place like this? Why/Why not?
2What are the positive things about this type of shop?
3What are the negative things about this type of shop?
4Do you think shops like this will become more popular in the future? Why/Why not?
10Work in pairs. Make a list of things you own that are made of plastic. Then discuss the ways you could help to reduce the amount of plastic you and your partner own.
A: I have a plastic toothbrush.
B: You could use a wooden toothbrush.
B: You could use a wooden toothbrush.