CLC2_SPEAKING HANDOUT 5

TOPIC: ENVIRONMENT
I. VOCABULARY INPUT
Match a word on the left with a word on the right to make common expressions.
1. freezing cold 7. greenhouse effect
2. boiling hot 8. endangered species
3. exhaust fumes 9. public transport
4. renewable energy 10. natural habitats
5. air quality 11. soaked to the skin
6. environmentally friendly

II. EXAM FOCUS

Part 1: Social Interaction (3’)
1. Can you describe your country’s climate?
Well, we have an extreme climate. Our winters are absolutely freezing cold and our summers are
boiling hot. That means the people, the houses, the transport system….Everything needs to be
prepared to cope with every kind of weather.
2. Does the weather influence your mood?
Yes, it certainly does. It’s the rain that affects my mood the most. It makes me feel down because
it’s hard to go out, without getting soaked to the skin anyway. And the sky is so dismal and
overcast. It’s miserable!
3. Do you think air pollution is a big problem nowadays?
Yes, definitely. Air pollution is especially grave due to the increasing amount of exhaust fumes
which are produced by some vehicles such as cars and motorbikes, and results in poor air quality.
4. What do you often do to protect our environment?
A lot of things…First, I don’t litter. Also, my family and I try to buy environmentally-friendly
goods/products and use public transport whenever we can.
5. Have you ever participated in any environmental events?
Yes, of course! Last year, I took part in an event in my hometown, which was about preserving
nature…We were taught about the greenhouse effect and many endangered species in the world.
6. What effects do you think humans have on wild animals?
Well, we have destroyed a lot of natural habitats, and as a result, many animals such as tigers and
rhinos are in danger of extinction.

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Part 2: Solution Discussion (3’)

Situation: World Environment day is coming and your class is planning to do something together
to protect the environment. There are three options: holding a workshop on environmental
protection at school, planting a tree in the school garden and hosting a clean-up day. Which one
would be the best choice?

Holding a workshop Planting a tree Hosting a clean-up day

- It can raise many people’s - It can help beautify the - It can involve all the class
awareness about school garden. members.
Pros protecting the
environment.

- It may take a lot of time - It is not easy to care for a - Too many students may
Cons and effort to prepare for tree. be overwhelming for the
the workshop. project.

Part 3: Topic Development (4’)

Work in groups and prepare a short presentation about this topic.

Topic: Everyone should be responsible for environmental protection.

The government Companies/Factories Individuals Your own ideas

- Raise public - Use renewable - Use
awareness about materials and energy environmentally-
protecting the - Apply efficient waste friendly products
environment treatment and waste - Use public
- Impose stricter disposal systems transport
environmental - Reduce, reuse,
standards recycle
- Enforce related laws