Modern life, perfect life?

Look at this comic (The last picture will be cut out) How does the story continue?

It was a long, long way into 21st Century life,

wasn’t it? What are the benefits (positive aspects)
of modern life? What are the disadvantages
(negative aspects)? What problems are connected
with present day life?

1) Watch the video “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson. What problems can you
identify as a result of “modern life”? Tick ( ) the items on the list that you can
see.

WARS CONTAMINATION ANIMAL KILLING

HURRICANES VOLCANIC ERUPTION WATER POLLUTION
DEFORESTATION AIR POLLUTION
 2) Water Pollution is a real problem in many countries. Read the article and
discover what the causes are.

Water Pollution
Water is essential to life, and at the same time, water pollution is one of
the most serious ecological problems we face today. So, what is water
pollution?
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and
groundwater), very often by human activities. It affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans
as well as individual living species, entire populations and water ecosystems.
Water pollution occurs when pollutants (particles, chemicals or substances that make water
contaminated) are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without enough treatment
to remove toxic, dangerous compounds. Pollutants get into water mainly by human causes or
factors.
What are the causes of water pollution?
Industrial waste: Industries cause huge water pollution with their activities. These come
mainly from:
Sulphur – This is a non-metallic substance that is harmful for marine life.
Asbestos – This pollutant has cancer-causing properties. When inhaled, it can cause illnesses
and some types of cancer.
Lead and Mercury – These are metallic elements and can cause environmental (affecting the
air, water or land) and health problems for humans and animals. It is also poisonous.
Oils – Oils do not dissolve in water. This can stop marine plants receiving enough light for
photosynthesis. It is also harmful for fish and marine birds.
Oil Pollution by Oil Industries - Oil spills cause major problems, and can be extremely
harmful to local marine wildlife such as fish, birds and sea otters and other aquatic life. Because
oil does not dissolve, it stays on the water surface and suffocates fish. Oil also gets caught in the
feathers of sea birds stopping them from flying. Some animals die as a result.

Other causes
Sewage and waste water
Every day, we cook, flush the toilet, wash our cars, shower and do many things that use water.
In many developed communities, this waste water and soluble waste (called sewage) is treated,
cleaned and dumped into the sea or river. Even though they are treated, they are never the same
as fresh water.
In some not-so-developed countries , the sewage is not treated, but quickly dumped into the sea
or water bodies. This is VERY dangerous because they contaminate the environment and water
bodies and bring many deadly diseases to us.

Ocean and marine dumping

In some countries, paper waste, food waste, plastic, rubber, metallic and aluminum waste are
deposited into the sea, and they take time to decompose. When these end up in the sea, they
harm sea animals and cause a lot of deaths.

3) What are the causes of “water pollution”? What is the problem with them?
Complete the chart.
 CAUSES PROBLEM

4) Complete these sentences with the correct word. Then match the sentences
to the pictures.

waste water – chemicals – pollutant – environmental – die – harmful

1) Asbestos is a ______________which causes cancer.

2) Chemicals such as sulphur are ________________for marine life.

3) Industrial waste can cause ______________________ problems and damage

nature.

4) Many animals ____________ as a result of oil spills.

5) In underdeveloped countries such as Africa, ____________________ is not treated.

6) Sulphur, asbestos, lead and mercury are ___________________.

a) b) c) d)

e) f)

Water pollution is a big problem and we can help stopping contamination. How?
Here are some ideas.
Industries should treat their waste products.

Industries shouldn’t throw chemicals into the river. throw (rubbish)

Underline the correct ending to the rule:

We use should / shouldn’t when

a) It is/isn´t necessary to do something
b) It is/isn´t a good idea to do something or the correct thing to do

We also use should / shouldn’t to give advice

Notice
should = ought to
1) Complete these ideas about the prevention of pollution with should / shouldn’t

1) People _______________throw pesticides into the water.

2) People _______________ reduce the quantity of water when washing the car.

3) People __________ throw rubbish into the water.

4) People __________ take their rubbish home.

5) Factories _________ throw chemicals or oil into the water.

6) People ____________prevent disasters.

7) People ____________pollute beaches.

8) People ___________ protect the environment.

Read this text about rivers in Argentina. What should / shouldn’t people do? And the
authorities? Identify activities and problems connected with pollution in the text.
Are these activities positive/negative? Write sentences using should / shouldn’t.

Polluted Rivers: Argentina’s Matanza-Riachuelo River

Let’s have a look at the heavily

polluted river Matanza-Riachuelo.
This river in Buenos Aires has been
heavily polluted for years by
industrial waste, sewage, and
everyday rubbish. For the 7 million
people that live near or along the river that means dirty water, dirty
air, and a number of health problems.

The pollution in this river is not new for Argentina. For almost 200
years the government has made efforts to clean the river. There are
thousands of industrial buildings along the river, and an average of
82,000 cubic meters of industrial waste enters the river daily.

This waste comes from chemical,

pharmaceutical, or petrochemical plants along
the river. Petroleum factories spill 8.3 tons of
oil into the river every day. Elevated levels of
chemicals (lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium,
copper, magnesium, and nickel) have a
constant presence in these waters. 21% of
the pollution comes from the meat, tannery, and dairy industry
dumping blood, internal organs, and skin into the river. This practice
often gives the river a dark colour, and is where the name Matanza-
Riachuelo comes from. The food, paper, textile and metallurgic
industry contribute with the contamination of the river.
Litres and litres of raw sewage are dumped into the river every day by
people living along the shore. 35% of the population does not have
safe drinking water, and 55% do not have access to the sewer system.
People don’t have sanitation facilities, and so they dump contaminated
water into the river.

Children living near the river suffer the consequences. Exposure to

lead can cause headaches, stomach pains, anemia, it can affect a
child’s brain development and damage to the nervous system. Yet, the
government doesn’t take action to stop this problem.

What paragraph mentions: consequences? ______, industrial causes?

_____
home causes? ____, introduction? _______
 What do you think the future will be like if we don´t control water pollution? Read what
scientists say about the possible consequences of water pollution.

1. Water will become a valuable 3. Poor quality

2. Population will increase. We
resource (property). water can make
won’t have enough water for all
people sick.
of us.
4. We might have wars about the 5. Fish might eat chemicals, for
control of rivers and lakes. example cadmium, and die.
6. Water pollution may kill life
that depends on water bodies,
7. High levels of algae in the water
such as rivers, lakes or oceans.
will make the water undrinkable.

1) Tick ( ) the correct answer. Do the sentences describe:

a) An event that scientists plan to do

b) An event that scientists expect / predict to happen
c) An event that scientists want to happen

2) Which verb forms can you find? Underline them.

3) Notice the short form ‘ll=will
won’t= will not
4) What is the form of the verbs? _________+_________

1) Write the verbs in the correct order from the most probable to the least probable

100% (most probable) 0% (least probable)

Will

2) Complete the sentences with will - may/might – can -won’t. There are different
possibilities.

1) Pesticides ________pollute the ground water.

2) Detergents _________reduce the oxygen in the water.
3) Drinking contaminated water __________make people sick.
4) Animals contaminated with oil __________ survive.
5) Contaminated water ________produce cholera.

3) Here are some more predictions scientists made about this terrible problem.

1) If fish and birds eat plastic bags floating in the ocean, they will die.

2) If industries throw pesticides or solvents into the water, people or animals might get

sick.

3) Land animals will become sick, if they drink contaminated water.

1) Are the sentences about:

a) the present? b) the future?

2) Which verb form comes after IF?

_____________________________

3) Which verb form can you find in the other part of the sentence?

________________________________

We use this structure to refer to a possible future event and its consequence.

1) Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verbs

1. If sediments __________________(contaminate) the water, they

____________________ (destroy) aquatic habitats.

2. If people ______________(throw) batteries in the water, they

______________ (poison) it.

3. You _________________(die) if you ____________(eat) contaminated fish.

4. If farmers _____________ (use) too much pesticides, the quality of the earth

______________ (be) affected.

5. You _________________(get) cancer if you _____________ (swim) in

contaminated water.

2) Here are some more ideas to make predictions about the future. Write sentences.
There are different possibilities.

People throw rubbish / chemicals / pesticides get cancer / cholera

Industries don’t treat waste wáter die
Ships dump oil in the sea have skin / health problems
We drink contaminated water harm the environment
What can we do to help? Read these tips.

 Don’t throw rubbish away in the street, rivers or lakes.

 Take your rubbish home.

 Don’t keep water running when not in use.

 Reduce the amount of water when you wash the car or have a shower.

Look back at the sentences. How can we give solutions to the problem?

With a _____________ in affirmative or ____________ at the beginning of the

sentence.

Here are some more tips. Can you complete them? Use these verbs in affirmative or
negative!

buy – close – throw (x2) – reduce - overuse

 ____________________ chemicals down the sink.

 _____________________ plastic bags in rivers or oceans.

 _____________________ pesticides .

 _____________________ environmentally safe cleaning liquids.

 ____________________ the tap if you are not using the water.

 ___________________ the use of fertilizers in the garden.

Planning an article for a report

Read this report about water pollution in Africa

Africa has a big problem with the access to clean water. Statistics say that only 16% of the population has

access to drinking water, and what is more, there is risk of contamination for different factors.

Water sources are highly polluted. The mine industry throws chemicals in the water, affecting and

poisoning it. Human activity such as bathing, washing and defecating in the water produces pollution in

the water, too.

As a result of contamination, young children die of malnutrition or cholera. This problem might be solved

if the government treats the water to make it drinkable. Also, people shouldn’t throw rubbish, and they

should use water wisely.

What can people and the authorities do to prevent contamination?

* Don’t throw rubbish into rivers

* Control mining industries

* Control the use of chemicals and pesticides

What paragraph:

talks about the consequences of pollution? ______

introduces the problem? _______

talks about the causes of pollution? ________

gives tips to prevent contamination? _______

What useful phrases can you use in other reports? Underline them.
Name: …………………………………… Date: ………………………………………

E.E.M Nº 3. 5º 3ª –

Final Task: Writing

Design an awareness campaign about Water Pollution. These questions will help
you with the writing:
 What is water pollution?
 What rivers are polluted in Argentina?
 What are the causes of contamination?
 What are the consequences?
 How can we prevent the problem?
 What tips/solutions can you give?

Water Pollution is a big problem around the world. Water Pollution is …….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Name: …………………………………… Date: ………………………………………

E.E.M Nº 3. 5º 3ª –

Final Task: Listening

Listen to your partners talking about Water Pollution and complete the chart

NAME CAUSES CONSEQUENCES SOLUTIONS/TIPS

Name: …………………………………… Date: ………………………………………

E.E.M Nº 3. 5º 3ª –

Final Task: Reading

Read this article and do activities A and B

Pollution everywhere
Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles or smoke are introduced into the atmosphere in
a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant. This is because the air becomes
dirty (contaminated or unclean). The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air (made up of
various gases) called the atmosphere. The atmosphere helps protect the Earth and allow life to
exist. Any additional gas or particles that are introduced into the air (either by nature or
human activity) distort this natural balance and cause harm to living things can be called air
pollution.
Air pollution can result from both human and natural actions. Natural events that pollute the
air include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of
organic compounds and natural radioactivity. Pollution from natural occurrences are not very
often.
Human activities that result in air pollution include: emissions from industries and
manufacturing activities coming out from chimneys; burning fossil fuels when using cars and
other means of transport; household and farming chemicals such as pesticides, insect killers
and cleaning products
Air pollution has a great negative impact on nature. Chemical reactions involving air pollutants
can create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings. Sometimes,
when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up
clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. When acid rain falls over an area,
it can kill trees and harm animals, fish, and other wildlife. Acid rain destroys the leaves of
plants. Ground-level ozone is another important problem. Chemical reactions involving air
pollutants create a poisonous gas ozone (O3). Gas Ozone can affect people’s health and can
damage vegetation types and some animal life too.

A.What paragraph …
mentions the causes of air pollution? _____
mentions the consequences of pollution? _____
introduces the topic? _______
mentions the human causes of pollution? ____

B.Answer True or False. Correct the false sentences.

1. If dust particles are introduced in the atmosphere, they produce air pollution.
___
2. There is life on Earth because there is an atmosphere. _____
3. Air pollution is only caused by human factors. ____
4. Volcanic eruptions are caused by human activities. ______
 5. Acid rain is the combination of chemicals and rain. _____
6. Gas ozone doesn´t affect people’s health. ______

Final Task: Speaking

Ss prepare their report in the Final Task Writing as an oral lesson and to be used for the

Listening Paper, too.

Study these words

NOUNS
Pronunciation Spanish
water bodies ____________________________
lake ____________________________
river ____________________________
pollution ____________________________
pollutant ____________________________
chemical ____________________________
treatment ____________________________
illness ____________________________
disease _____________________________
environment ____________________________
health _____________________________
oil spills _____________________________
sewage _____________________________
pesticides ____________________________
rubbish _____________________________

ADJECTIVES
dangerous ____________________________
waste _____________________________
harmful _____________________________
poisonous _____________________________

VERBS
discharge _____________________________
die ______________________________
dump ______________________________
throw ______________________________
remove ______________________________
treat ______________________________
solve ______________________________
overuse ______________________________
reduce ______________________________
contaminate _______________________________
pollute ______________________________
suffocate ______________________________
harm ______________________________
get (cancer/an illness) ______________________
Escuela Media Nº3
5º3 – Julia Ibarra

Project: Modern life, perfect life?

Water pollution
Level: Elementary

Theme: Water Pollution

General objectives:

 To reflect on the causes and consequences of water pollution

 To understand a written text on the causes and consequences of
water pollution
 To learn vocabulary connected with the topic and use it productively
 To express their ideas about the topic and provide possible solutions
to the problem, giving advice about the proper use of water
 To understand an oral message provided by their partners

Specific objectives
 To make correct use of the structures should / shouldn’t; modal verbs
of prediction and Imperatives
 To learn specific vocabulary to be used in a written and oral
production
 To write a short text on the topic
Final Tasks:
WRITING: to write a magazine article describing the causes and
consequences of water pollution, giving useful tips so as not to pollute
and/or waste water

SPEAKING: to share a written production with the group

LISTENING: to understand their partners’ productions, taking down notes

of the causes, consequences and tips they are providing.

READING: to identify different information such as concept, causes,

consequences and solutions to the problem of Air Pollution; and to decide
on the veracity of some statements.

Content:
Thematic aspect: Causes and consequences of water pollution
Solutions to the problem

Linguistic aspect: Modal verbs of probability: will / may/ might / can /

could
1st Conditional
Should / shouldn’t
Imperatives

Vocabulary: see list at the end of the project

Evaluation
Formal
Informal