Unit 6: Going Green

Quick Check

A. Vocabulary. Complete the sentences with these words:

1. It’s freezing in here. Why is the consumption set so high?
2. Half of the average family’s energy air conditioner is used for heating and cooling their home.
3. Farmers use pesticides to stop bugs and weeds from killing their crops.
4. organic food is produced entirely without chemicals.
5. Pollution is the source of many environmental problems.
6. When the cost of electricity increases, people are more likely to conserve energy.

B. Comprehension. Answer the questions.

1. Name two ways you can conserve water.

Collect rain water for use; not leave the water running; take quick showers.

2. What is something green to consider when buying a car?

Fuel efficiency.

3. What materials can be recycled?

Plastic, paper, glass, and metal.

4. How can farmers make fruits and vegetables that look perfect?

They can use pesticides.

5. What’s the worst way to bring home your groceries?

in plastic bags.

3. Grammar

A. Circle the correct verb forms. Sometimes both the gerund and the infinitive are possible.

• Do you want (1. having / to have) a positive impact on the environment? I suggest (2. giving / to give) these steps a try:
• Do you hate (3. throwing / to throw) away old clothes in the garbage? Consider (4. giving / to give) clothes that no longer fit you to other people who can wear them.
• Quit (5. using / to use) disposable batteries. Begin (6. using / to use) rechargeable batteries.
• Learn (7. buying / to buy) products with less packaging. Attempt (8. buying / to buy) large containers of water, juice, and soda instead of individual serving-size containers.
• Learn (9. avoiding / to avoid) creating trash whenever possible. For example, when ordering food, avoid (10. taking / to take) any unnecessary utensils and napkins.
• Start (11. making / to make) a shopping list before you go shopping. This will help you stop (12. buying / to buy) things you don’t need on impulse.
• Keep (13. reusing / to reuse) your supermarket bags.

B. Answer the questions with complete sentences. Then discuss your answers.

1. Do you think cars will stop running on gas in the near future?

Yes, I think that in the near future cars will stop running on gas.

2. Do you think people will begin to change their habits of consumption?

Yes, I think that people will begin to change their habits of consumption.

3. What is something you try to do every day to help the environment?

Every day I try to remember to recycle trash, like bottles and paper bags.

4. What is something harmful to the environment that you want to quit doing?

I would like to quit driving long distance in my car.

5. What is something that you often forget to do?

I forget to bring a bag when I go to the grocery store.

6. Would you ever consider growing your own vegetable garden?

Yes, I'd consider growing my own vegetables garden.

7. What is something you could stop buying?

I could stop buying water in bottles.

8. What changes do you hope to see in the environment in the next decade?

In the next decade, I hope to see energy consumption.

C. Rewrite each sentence using the verb in brackets and a gerund or infinitive. Make any other necessary changes.

1. We’re going to set the air conditioner on a timer at night. (plan)

We plan to set the air conditioner on a timer at night.

2. I don’t really read newspapers. I like reading the news online better. (prefer)

I prefer reading the news online to reading newspaper.

3. Arya thinks it’s a good idea to print on both sides of the paper. (recommend)

Arya recommends printing on both sides of the paper.

4. I can’t believe I left the lights on again. (keep)

I can't believe I keep leaving the lights on again.

5. Gardening is one of my favourite activities. (enjoy)

I enjoy gardening.

6. We should continue to find ways to use less energy. (keep)

We should keep finding ways to use less energy.

4. Conversation

About the Conversation

1. How does the subject of recycling come up?

Jasim and Ibrahim are cleaning up after a party and there are soda cans everywhere.

2. What are some reasons Jasim gives for recycling?

Jasim says that recycling reduces energy consumption, lessens air and water pollution, and saves landfill space.

3. Why does Ibrahim say “Whoops” at the end of the conversation?

Because Ibrahim accidentally threw a can into the garbage rather than recycling it.

5. Listening

Listen to the information about glass recycling. Answer true or false.

1. false It takes 500 years for a glass bottle to decompose.
2. true Glass is made mostly from sand.
3. false Glass is not 100 percent recyclable.
4. false at recycling facilities, glass is separated by size.
5. true Crushed glass is called cullet.
6. false the manufacturer melts the glass at 500° Celsius.
7. true the liquid glass is poured into Molds.
8. false Glass produced from recycled materials reduces related air pollution by 50 percent.

7. Vocabulary Building

A. You will see these words in the reading on pages 88 and 89. Match the words with their meanings.

1. e relying
2. d utility
3. f bold
4. c committed
5. g perspective
6. h harsh
7. b enormous
8. a sacrifice

8. Reading

After Reading

Answer the questions.

1. What are some public utilities that most of us rely upon?

electricity, natural gas, and water.

2. Define “the grid.”

The linked system that supplies electricity to most homes and buildings in developed nations.

3. How does wind energy work?

When the wind blows, windmills turn, producing energy which is turned into electricity by a generator.

4. What are some reasons people choose to live off the grid?

Concern for the environment and a desire for self-reliance.

5. What are two alternatives to using a public water utility?

a private well or a cistern to collect rain water.

6. How could someone reduce his or her waste?

By growing their own fruits and vegetables, and raising and tending animals for food.

10. Writing

3. Look at the essay again and write which person is used in each paragraph: I, you, he or she and so on. What is the effect?

Paragraph 1: I, we
Paragraph 2: We
Paragraph 3: We

5. Are there any passive forms? What are they used for?

Passive forms are used to present information, facts, detached manner.

6. How are ideas and facts connected? Provide examples from the text.
• conjunctions/linking words
• combined clauses/sentences
• use of pronouns

Conjunctions/linking words: But, on the other hand combined clauses/sentences: .... are invested in packaging as a way of making the product more attractive, we are not sure it is always effective use of pronouns: We, I, it..

11. Form, Meaning and Function

A. Complete the sentences with the words in parentheses. Use the simple present or the present progressive of the verbs.

1. Water boils at 100 °C (212 °F). (boil)
2. The water is boiling. Please turn it off. (boil).
3. The scientists don't understand the cause of the problem. (not/understand)
4. Does it snow in your country in winter? (it/snow)
5. The moon goes around Earth. (go)
6. What do you think of my idea? (you/think)
7. Currently, the number of immigrants in our country is increasing. (increase)
8. Most people realize how important it is to conserve energy these days. (realize)
9. Dubai is part of the UAE, but it doesn't have as many oil reserves as Abu Dhabi. (not/have)
10. Ahmed has a part-time job on Saturdays, but he isn't working today. (not/work)

C. Complete the sentences about facts. Use the simple present or will in the second clause.

1. If you heat (heat) water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils (boil).
2. If they climb (climb) up to 4,000 meters, they will need (need) oxygen.
3. If you don't cross (not cross) its path, the snake will not bite (not bite) you.
4. If we get (get) this HD television, we will see (see) the game better.
5. If you mix (mix) flour and water, you end up (end up) with batter.
6. If he doesn't obey (not obey) the speed limit, he will get (get) a ticket.

D. Work with a partner. Say what will/might happen in the following situations.

1. If we don’t reduce carbon (CO2) emissions, It will create an air pollution.
2. If we teach young children in school about green issues, It will raise the awareness of the community.
3. If we find alternative sources of energy, It might reduce the costs and the air pollution.
4. If we dump chemicals into the river, It might kill the life of fishes.
5. If we take the bus to school, We might get more weight.
6. If we have time, We will study more subjects.
7. Your idea: If we have money, we might help poor people.
8. Your idea: If we study hard, we will pass the exams.