Unit 6: Going Green

A. Write the words from the box next to their definitions.

1. This is the water that you get right out of the sink. tap water
2. This is what we do when we turn something up, like the heat or the volume on our radio. crank up
3. These are chemicals that farmers use to keep bugs and animals away from the fruits and vegetables they grow. pesticides
4. This is the gauge that controls the temperature of our heat, air conditioning, or hot water heater. thermostat
5. This is when we try to save something by only using a little of it. We usually do this because there is a limited supply of it and we don’t want to waste it. conserve
6. This is a synthetic material that we use in place of metal and wood. It’s light and difficult to break. plastic
7. This is the act of using something, or the amount that we use of something. consumption
8. This is where something comes from; the origin. source
9. This is how we describe something that is productive or economical. efficient
10. This is when we make something new out of old material. recycle

B. Answer the questions.

1. Why do farmers use pesticides? What is one problem with using pesticides to grow food?

Pesticides keep bugs and animals away. They can hurt the environment.

2. What can you crank up?

You can crank up the radio, the TV.

3. What are some things that are commonly made of plastic?

Bottles, silverware, and furniture are commonly made of plastic.

4. What things do you or your family recycle?

Plastic and glass bottles, tin cans.

5. Why do most people want cars that are fuel efficient?

They want to save money on gas.

C. Read the letter. Circle the gerunds.

Dear Editor,
I am writing because I have a concern about our community and our environment. I have been living in this town for three years now.
I love living here because most people are interested in protecting the environment. However, I have noticed that when I go shopping, most people have been using the plastic bags that the store provides.
I quit using those years ago because they are damaging our planet.
I can’t stand seeing people who say they care about the environment using them.
I recommend buying three or four canvas bags at the store and using them every time you go shopping.
I advise keeping them in the car or near your front door so that you remember to take them when you go to the store.
By making small changes, I think we can make a big difference to our world.
Thank you,
Bagging Betty

D. Write the verbs in the correct column of the chart.

E. Write the verb in either its gerund or infinitive form.

1. The Smiths are considering getting (get) solar panels.
2. We quit watering (water) our yard during the summer.
3. Mohammed is planning to get (get) a hybrid car next year.
4. I advise separating (separate) your paper and glass recycling.
5. The government wants us to conserve (conserve) energy.
6. I expect to have (have) a low energy bill this month.
7. Sara just finished insulting (insulate) her hot water heater.
8. We agreed to eat (eat) only locally grown vegetables this summer.

F. Look at the pictures. Write three sentences that you think each person would say. Be sure to use a verb followed by a gerund or infinitive.

1. Ahmed
a. I love growing my own vegetables.
b. I recommend eating fruits and vegetables every day.
c. I hate eating old vegetables from the supermarket.

2. Khaled

a. I attempt to recycle everything possible.
b. I recommend getting two recycle bins.
c. I like knowing that I'm helping the earth.

3. Abdullah
a. We like biking to work.
b. We hate paying for parking in the city.
c. We prefer to bike to work on rainy days.

G. Write a sentence using each verb followed by a gerund or an infinitive. If the verb can only be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, then write only one sentence. If the verb can be followed by both a gerund and an infinitive, then write two sentences.

1. begin The farmer began using organic methods.
2. decide We decided to get solar panels.
3. prefer I prefer to eat organic food.
4. expect We expect to see her soon.
5. quit She quit smoking.

H. Complete the conversation with the words and phrases from the box.

Andrea: Whoops! I left my water bottle inside. I’ll be right back.

Elizabeth: Oh, wait! I have bottles of water right here! You can have one of these.

Andrea: Actually, I try not to drink out of plastic bottles.

Elizabeth: Really? It seems like such (1) a hassle to always have to carry that stainless steel bottle around with you.

Andrea: Actually, it’s (2) a piece of cake. You’re always carrying around the plastic ones.

Elizabeth: True. But if I get tired of carrying it, I can always (3) chuck it. Anyway, I usually recycle them.

Andrea: Well, that’s a good start, but don’t you think it’s (4) lame to use the energy to recycle plastic bottles when it’s so easy to just reuse the same one over and over?

Elizabeth: (5) I guess. It still seems like I’m doing something since I at least recycle them most of the time.

Andrea: Anyway, plastic bottles are bad for your health. Elizabeth: Really?

Andrea: Yeah. The chemicals from the plastic can get into the water and cause health problems.

Elizabeth: Hmmm…well, in that case, it sounds like (6) a no-brainer. Want to help me pick out a stainless steel water bottle?

Andrea: Sure!

I. READING

Read the article and answer the questions.

1. One problem with organic fruits and vegetables is that b.

a. they’re grown with pesticides

b. they’re often shipped from far away

2. Produce probably means a.

a. fruits and vegetables

b. farm animals and meat

3. CSAs began in the 1960s in a.

a. Europe and Japan

b. the U.S.

4. A share of the farm is b.

a. vegetables that you buy at the market every week

b. a bag of vegetables that you buy before the growing season, but pick up every week

5. One benefit of a CSA for both farmers and consumers is that they get to a.

a. know each other

b. learn about new vegetables and new ways of cooking

J. Answer the questions. Write sentences.

1. Why are products packaged in a particular way? Think of examples.

To protect them from damage, make packing and transport easier.

2. Is packaging used to preserve food products?

Only certain types of packaging.

3. Is it used to promote products?

Packaging is used to promote products.

4. Why do people who live off the grid avoid buying packaged goods?

T avoid polluting the environment.

5. Think of products that have multiple packaging, e.g. plastic wrappers as well as a paper box.
What do you do with the packaging? Do you think it’s necessary? Why? Why not?

We do the packaging for many purposes:

1. To protect the product.
2. For marketing and advertising.
3. For creating unforgettable experience for the customer, so I think it is necessary.

L. Look at the picture. Take notes on the things and people (nouns) you can see and what is happening (verbs). Write words to describe the picture (adjectives). Write sentences to tell people how they can go greener.

1. They are proud to be active participants in "green" projects.
2. They often participate in "clean the forest" campaigns.

N. Complete the sentences with the words in parentheses. Use the simple present or present progressive.

1. Trees grow (grow) more quickly in cooler climates than in the desert.
2. Scientists say that the world’s climate is changing (change) rapidly.
3. Planet Earth goes (go) round the sun.
4. Farmers work (work) long hours in all parts of the world these days.
5. Governments are considering (consider) measures to limit overfishing.
6. How does he know (he/know) which type of fuel is the greenest?
7. The polar ice caps are melting (melt) at a dramatic rate.
8. The UAE doesn't have (not/have) a high level of rainfall.
9. We are currently researching (currently/research) ways of conserving water.
10. Do you believe (you/believe) that the oceans will cover Earth one day?

O. Complete the sentences. Use the simple present and the present progressive of the verb in parentheses for the permanent or temporary situations.

1. Water boils at 100oC, but don’t touch it when it is boiling. (boil)
2. Noura studies English at school, and now she is studying for exams. (study)
3. At present the boys are living with their uncle in Jeddah, but they usually live with their parents in Makkah. (live)
4. Air pollution is depleting the oxygen levels these days, and this generally depletes our quality of life. (deplete)
5. The weather outlook doesn't look very favourable now, but we are looking at the long-range forecast. (Not look)

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

1. If you heat (heat) ice, it wil melt (melt).
2. If they replant (replant) the forest, it will take (take) several years to grow again.
3. The city’s atmosphere won't improve (not improve) if we don't stop (not stop) burning fossil fuels.
4. If we install (install) photovoltaic panels, will we cut (cut) our fuel costs?
5. If you don't water (not water) plants, they wont grow (not grow).
6. The ranger will ask (ask) you to leave if you don't obey (not obey) the park rules.
7. If we teach (teach) children in school about green issues, they will treat (treat) the environment with more respect.
8. The consequences will be (be) disastrous if we don't reduce (not reduce) carbon emissions.

Q. Complete the sentences to say what will/might happen in the following situations. Use your own ideas.

1. If we don’t find alternative sources of energy, we might use solar panels for generating energy.
2. If we develop more efficient farming methods, we wil reap more.
3. If we keep our town streets clean, we will get ride of illness.
4. If we limit the fish industry, we will increase and keep the fisheries up.
5. If we stop using plastic bags, we might hurt the environment.
6. If we all work together, we will achieve more.