Use of English

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Unit 6: Saving
energy
Unit 6: Saving energy

1. Zero conditional
2. First conditional
3. Vocabulary: Saving energy
We use zero conditionals to talk about an
action that always has the same result. Zero
conditional talks about facts, things that are
true all the time, and not just in one
particular situation.

Examples:

If people burn garbage, they pollute the

environment. (fact)

When I go to sleep, I always turn off my

cellphone. (always true)

You waste energy if you don’t unplug

appliances at night . (fact)

You help the planet when you use LED light

bulbs. (always true)
A conditional sentence has two clauses:

If people burn things, they pollute the

environment.

Clause 1: If people burn things,

(condition)

If + subject + verb+ complement

Clause 2: they pollute the environment

(result)

Subject + verb + complement

We use present simple in both clauses.

You can also say:

People pollute the environment if they burn

things. (it’s not necessary to use the comma)
We use first conditionals to talk about a
specific action that will most likely happen.

For example:

• If you reduce the use of energy, you’ll

save some money.

• You’ll save some sea animals if you

recycle plastic.

• If we stop ordering delivery food, we’ll

reduce the use of plastic.

• You’ll save water if you take 5-minute

long showers.
A conditional sentence has two clauses:

If you reduce the use of energy, you’ll save some

money.

Clause 1: If you reduce the use of energy,

(condition)

If + subject + verb+ complement

Clause 2: you’ll save some money.

(result)

Subject + will + verb + compl

We use present simple in the condition and we use

future will in the result..

You can also say:

You’ll save some money if you reduce the use of

energy. (it’s not necessary to use the comma)
Observe:

Condition Result

If people burn garbage, they pollute the environment.

When I go to sleep, I always turn off my cellphone.

If you reduce the use of energy, you’ll save some money.

If we stop ordering delivery food, we’ll reduce the use of plastic.

I. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets to make sentences using
first conditional.
1. You _________ (save) sea turtles if you _______ (not / throw) plastic to the sea.
2. If we ________ (use) solar panels, pollution _______ (decrease) a lot.
3. I ___________ (teach) my friend how to recycle if she _________ (not/know) how to do it.
4. If you ___________ (turn off) you lights, you ___________ (save) energy.
5. We _____________ (save) water if we ___________ (take) short showers.
6. We _____________ (not / pollute) the air if we _________ (start) using bikes every day.
7. You _____________ (consume) energy unnecessarily if you _________ (not/unplug) your appliances at night.
8. If you ___________ (accept) single-use plastic bags, you _________ (make) more and more garbage.
9. If your mom ___________ (not / know) how to buy energy-efficient appliances, you ______ (have) to go with
her when she has to buy one.
10. You _______________ (consume) a lot of energy if you ___________ (fall) asleep while the TV on.
11. If your computer __________ (not/be) energy-efficient, ______ you _______ (change) it?
 Check your answers.
1. You will save (save) sea turtles if you don’t throw (not / throw) plastic to the sea.
2. If we use (use) solar panels, pollution will decrease (decrease) a lot.
3. I will teach (teach) my friend how to recycle if she doesn’t know (not/know) how to do it.
4. If you turn off (turn off) you lights, you will save (save) energy.
5. We will save (save) water if we take (take) short showers.
6. We won’t pollute (not / pollute) the air if we start (start) using bikes every day.
7. You will consume (consume) energy unnecessarily if you don’t unplug (not/unplug) your appliances at
night.
8. If you accept (accept) single-use plastic bags, you will make (make) more and more garbage.
9. If your mom doesn’t know (not / know) how to buy energy-efficient appliances, you will have (have) to go
with her when she has to buy one.
10. You will consume (consume) a lot of energy if you fall (fall) asleep while the TV on.
11. If your computer isn’t (not/be) energy-efficient, will you change (change) it?
Match the phrases to make complete sentences.

a) they decrease pollution of fossil fuels.

1. When you change your habits, …
b) you lower your electricity bill.
2. When you use biodegradable bags, …
c) you help the whole world.
3. When more and more people use solar panels, …
d) you help others to recycle.
4. When you buy energy-efficient appliances, …
e) you help sea animals that eat the normal
5. When you separate your garbage, …
ones and die.
6. Students make people aware of pollution …
f) when you take short showers.
7. You help to improve education about the environment…
g) when you teach other people about it.
8. You save a lot of water …
h) when you stop buying bottled water.
9. You stop the production of more plastic …
i) when you don’t print documents
10. You save trees…
unnecessarily.
j) when they make campaigns about it.
Check your answers.

1. c
2. e
3. a
4. b
5. d
6. j
7. g
8. f
9. h
10. i
1. electrical appliance
2. electricity bill
3. energy efficient
4. fossil fuel
5. lightbulb
6. renewable energy
7. save energy
8. thermostat
9. unplug
10. waste
4a. Vocabulary: Saving energy
Look at the short conversations. Complete them with the correct word from the box.

1. A: Hey!You should always ______ your mobile phone before you go to sleep.
B: I know! I’m sorry. I promise I won’t _________ any more energy. 1. electrical appliance
2. A: The use of _________ pollutes the environment a lot. 2. electricity bill
B: That’s right! That’s why _________________ is the best option to produce energy.
3. energy efficient
3. A:You have to buy _______________ appliances for your home. 4. fossil fuel
B:Yes. Also, we have to use LED _________________.
5. lightbulb
4. A:Oh no! The _________________________ is very high this month.
B: I knew it! The ___________ is not working well. It is consuming too much energy. 6. renewable energy
7. save energy
5. A: When you ________________, you help all the world.
B: That’s true. We have to do it for the planet, not only for our economy. 8. thermostat

6. A: If you want to buy an ___________________, I can help you choose a good one. 9. unplug
B: Thank you. I know that you care a lot about the environment and I want to do it too. 10. waste
 Check your answers.

1. A: Hey! You should always unplug your mobile phone before you go to sleep.
B: I know! I’m sorry. I promise I won’t waste any more energy.

2. A: The use of fossil fuel pollutes the environment a lot.

B: That’s right! That’s why renewable energy is the best option to produce energy.

3. A: You have to buy energy efficient appliances for your home.

B: Yes. Also, we have to use LED light bulbs.

4. A:Oh no! The electricity bill is very high this month.

B: I knew it! The thermostat is not working well. It is consuming too much energy.

5. A: When you save energy, you help all the world.

B: That’s true. We have to do it for the planet, not only for our economy.

6. A: If you want to buy an electrical appliance, I can help you choose a good one.
B: Thank you. I know that you care a lot about the environment and I want to do it too.
 Sources &
Credits
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● https://www.pinterest.com/
● Exercises: Guisella Villavicencio
● English Discoveries Student platform

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