UNIT 9: PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

I.       TÓM TẮT LÝ THUYẾT

1.        Nội dung

Pronunciation: Rhythm

Vocabulary: Words and phrases related to the environment and ways to protect it

Grammar: Reported speech

Reading: Reading for main ideas and specific information in a text about environmental problems

II.   BÀI TẬP ÁP DỤNG

Getting Started

Listen and read

Nam’s father: What are you doing, Nam?
Nam: I’m preparing a presentation for my geography class.

Nam’s father: What’s the topic?
Nam: It’s environmental protection. My teacher asked me to do some research, but I don’t know where to start.

Nam’s father: I think you should identify some environmental problems first. What have you found so far?
Nam: I’ve come up with a range of environmental issues such as global warming, deforestation, endangered animals and pollution, but I don’t know how to organize them.

Nam’s father: You should focus on each problem, explain the main causes of it, and then suggest the solutions.
Nam: Thanks, Dad. But presenting all the solutions will be hard.

Nam’s father: Have you asked your teacher for advice?
Nam: Yes, I have. She advised that I should start with small, practical actions to protect the environment before coming up with big ideas that need a lot of effort or money to succeed.

Nam’s father: Sounds good. You’d better follow her advice. When did she ask you to present it?
Nam: She said I should present it the following week.

Nam’s father: You still have a lot of time. Good luck!
Nam: Thanks, Dad.

Read the conversation again and answer the questions.

1. What did Nam’s teacher ask him to do?

2. What has Nam come up with so far?

3. When does Nam have to deliver the presentation?

Match the words in A with the words in B to form phrases in 1.

Complete the following sentences based on the conversation.

1. My teacher _______ me to do some research on environmental protection.

2. She _______ that I should start with small, practical actions to protect the environment.

3. She _______ I should deliver my presentation the following week.

Từ vựng

1. environmental protection /ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl prəˈtɛkʃən/ (n.phr): bảo vệ môi trường
Eg: Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, organizations and governments.

2. endangered animals /ɪnˈdeɪnʤəd ˈænɪməlz/ (n.phr): động vật có nguy cơ tuyệt chủng
Eg: Are you reading the book about endangered animals in the world?

3. do some research /duː sʌm rɪˈsɜːʧ/ (v.phr): thực hiện một số nghiên cứu
Eg: My teacher asked me to do some research, but I don’t know where to start.

4. ask someone for advice /ɑːsk ˈsʌmwʌn fɔːr ədˈvaɪs/ (v.phr): hỏi xin lời khuyên của ai đó
Eg: Why don’t you ask your sister for some advice?

5. practical action /ˈpræktɪkəl ˈækʃ(ə)n/ (n.phr): những hành động thiết thực
Eg: She advised that I should start with small, practical actions to protect the environment before coming up with big ideas that need a lot of effort or money to succeed.

6. come up with /kʌm ʌp wɪð/ (phr.v): nghĩ ra
Eg: What has Nam come up with so far?

7. identify /aɪˈdentɪfaɪ/ (v): xác định
Eg: I think you should identify some environmental problems first.

8. deliver /dɪˈlɪvə(r)/ (v): thực hiện, trình bày
Eg: When does Nam have to deliver the presentation?

9. organize /ˈɔːgənaɪz/ (v): tổ chức, sắp xếp
Eg: Not yet, but I think we’ll organize more activities to raise local people’s awareness of environmental issues.

10. deforestation /ˌdiːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ (n): nạn phá rừng
Eg: I’ve come up with a range of environmental issues such as global warming, deforestation, endangered animals and pollution, but I don’t know how to organize them.

11. explain /ɪkˈspleɪn/ (v): giải thích
Eg: You should focus on each problem, explain the main causes of it, and then suggest the solutions.

Language

Pronunciation

a. Listen and repeat. Pay attention to the stressed words in the sentences.

1. ‘Don’t ‘pick the ‘flowers when you ‘go to the ‘park.

2. The ‘students ‘clean the ‘school ‘playground ‘every ‘weekend.

3. ‘What’s ‘happening with the ‘polar ‘bears?

4. Did you ‘watch the docu‘mentary about ‘air pol‘lution?

b. Mark the stressed syllables in the words in bold. Then practice saying the sentences with a natural rhythm.

1. Don’t feed the animals in the zoo while they are resting.

2. The teacher asked his students to focus on their work.

3. What were you doing when I rang you up an hour ago?

4. Are you reading the book about endangered animals in the world?

Vocabulary

a. Match the words and phrases with their meanings.

b. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words and phrases in a.

1. ______ is important because plants and animals depend on each other to survive.

2. A new series of educational programs shows the importance of ______ to humans.

3. Their work involves protecting and creating natural ______ for plants and animals.

4. Countries need to work together to deal with global issues such as deforestation and ______.

5. Pollution can have serious effects on the balance of ______.

Grammar

a. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. Minh’s teacher asked him if he was ready to present the following day.

2. Nam’s father suggested that Nam should focus on one aspect of the problem.

3. Tuan said he would complete his project the following week.

4. Mai asked her teacher where she could get the information from.

5. Phong said he had handed in his project the previous day.

b. Change these sentences into reported speech.

1. ‘The burning of coal leads to air pollution,’ Mrs. Le explained.

2. ‘I have to present my paper on endangered animals next week,’ Nam said.

3. ‘Do human activities have an impact on the environment?’ Linda asked the     speaker.

4. ‘What environmental projects is your school working on?’ Nam asked Mai.

5. ‘I will read more articles before writing the essay, Nam,’ Tom said.

Từ vựng

1. pick /pɪk/ (v): hái
Eg: Don’t pick the flowers when you go to the park.

2. playground /ˈpleɪɡraʊnd/ (n): sân trường
Eg: The students clean the school playground every weekend.

3. polar bears /ˈpəʊlə beəz/ (n.phr): gấu Bắc Cực
Eg: What’s happening with the polar bears?

4. documentary /ˌdɒkjuˈmentri/ (n): phim tài liệu
Eg: Did you watch the documentary about air pollution?

5. rest /rest/ (v): nghỉ ngơi
Eg: Don’t feed the animals in the zoo while they are resting.

6. ring someone up /rɪŋ ˈsʌmwʌn ʌp/ (v.phr): gọi cho ai đó
Eg: What were you doing when I rang you up an hour ago?

7. biodiversity /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ (n): đa dạng sinh học
Eg: Species diversity within an ecosystem (also called alpha diversity) is an example of biodiversity.

8. ecosystem /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ (n): hệ sinh thái
Eg: This is upsetting the natural balance of ecosystems, which can be harmful to all living and non-living things.

9. depend on /dɪˈpend ɒn/ (v): phụ thuộc vào nhau
Eg: Plants and animals depend on each other to survive.

10. involve /ɪnˈvɒlv/ (v): liên quan
Eg: Their work involves protecting and creating nature for plants and animals.

11. global issues /ˈɡləʊbəl ˈɪʃuːz/ (n.phr): các vấn đề toàn cầu
Eg: Countries need to work together to deal with global issues such as deforestation.

12. effect /ɪˈfekt/ (n): ảnh hưởng
Eg: I think I’m suffering from the effects of too little sleep.

13. fly /flaɪ/ (v): bay
Eg: She will fly to Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow.

14. hand in /hænd ɪn/ (phr.v): nộp, giao
Eg: Phong said he had handed in his project the previous day.

15. lead to /liːd tuː/ (phr.v): dẫn đến
Eg: The burning of coal leads to air pollution.

16. have an impact on /hæv ən ˈɪmpækt ɒn/ (v.phr): có tác động
Eg: Do human activities have an impact on the environment?

Reading

Work in pairs. Look at the pictures and answer the following question.

What environmental problems do you see in the pictures?

Read the text and choose the best title for it.

a. Environmental problems: What are they?

b. Environmental protection: How important is it?

c. Environmental solutions: How practical are they?

The environment we live in is facing many serious problems. We need to be aware of these problems so that we can find ways to protect nature.

A. Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere. It is one of the biggest issues facing humans today. It can have serious consequences such as rising sea levels, polar ice melting, and extreme weather events like floods or heatwaves.

B. Another environmental problem is the cutting and clearing of natural forests. The loss of forests can have a negative impact on the environment. It can damage the natural habitats of many animals and put wildlife in danger. It can also destroy the natural soil and lead to climate change.

C. Air pollution is also a serious problem. It is mainly caused by waste gases that come out of vehicles, machines, or factories. When these harmful gases combine with the water in the air, they come down as rain or snow, which can damage all forms of life. In addition, this problem leads to global warming and climate change. It is also a major cause of respiratory diseases or even lung cancer.

D. Around the world, the number of endangered animals is rising. Many of them disappear because of pollution and climate change. In addition, humans illegally hunt and kill animals, and catch too many fish at once. This is upsetting the natural balance of ecosystems, which can be harmful to all living and non-living things.

Read the text again and decide which paragraph contains the following information.

1. an example of harmful substances in the air and water

2. one of the reasons for destroying wildlife habitats

3. an increase in the level of the world’s oceans

4. an effect of illegal hunting on the ecosystem

Complete the sentences with the information from the text. Use no more than TWO words for each answer.

1.    Global warming can cause extreme _______ such as floods or heatwaves.

2.    The natural _______ of many animals can be destroyed in the process of cutting         down forests.

3.    One of the main causes of air pollution is _______ produced by machines and    factories.

4.    When many animals disappear, this damages the natural balance of _______.

Work in groups. Discuss the question.

Từ vựng

1. be aware of /biː əˈweər ɒv/ (v.phr): nhận thức
Eg: We need to be aware of these problems so that we can find ways to protect nature.

2. global warming /ˈgləʊbəl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/ (n.phr): sự nóng lên toàn cầu
Eg: Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere.

3. rising sea levels /ˈraɪzɪŋ siː ˈlevəlz/ (n.phr): mực nước biển dâng cao
Eg: It can have serious consequences such as rising sea levels, polar ice melting and extreme weather events like floods or heat waves.

4. loss /lɒs/ (n): việc mất rừng
Eg: The loss of forests can have a negative impact on the environment.

5. natural habitats /ˈnæʧrəl ˈhæbɪtæts/ (n.phr): môi trường sống tự nhiên
Eg: It can damage the natural habitats of many animals and put wildlife in danger.

6. climate change /ˈklaɪmət ʧeɪndʒ/ (n.phr): biến đổi khí hậu
Eg: It can also destroy the natural soil and lead to climate change.

7. waste gases /weɪst ˈɡæsɪz/ (n.phr): khí thải từ xe cộ
Eg: It is mainly caused by waste gases that come out of vehicles, machines or factories.

8. come down /kʌm daʊn/ (phr.v): tạo thành
Eg: When these harmful gases combine with the water in the air, they come down as rain or snow, which can damage all forms of life.

9. respiratory diseases /rɪˈspɪrət(ə)ri dɪˈziːzɪz/ (n.phr): bệnh về đường hô hấp
Eg: It is also a major cause of respiratory diseases or even lung cancer.

10. disappear /ˌdɪsəˈpɪə(r)/ (v): biến mất
Eg: Many species disappear because of pollution and climate change.

11. illegally /ɪˈliːɡəli/ (adv): bất hợp pháp
Eg: In addition, humans illegally hunt and kill animals, and catch too many fish at once.

12. substance /ˈsʌbstəns/ (n): chất
Eg: Rubber is a flexible substance.

Speaking

Work in pairs. Match the environmental problems with the suggested solutions.

1. DISAPPEARANCE OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS

2. DEFORESTATION

3. AIR POLLUTION

a. Recycle paper, plastics, and wood products

b. Use electric vehicles or public transport, and plant more trees

c. Stop illegal hunting and fishing

d. Stop burning leaves, rubbish, and other materials

e. Avoid products that are made from animal parts

f. Introduce strict laws to prevent the cutting of natural forests

Work in pairs. Complete the presentation outline below with the information in the box.

SOLUTIONS TO AIR POLLUTION

1. Welcoming the audience and introducing the topic

2. The first solution

3. The second solution

4. Finishing the presentation and thanking the audience

A. The first solution is to stop burning leaves, rubbish, and other materials. This will reduce the smoke produced in the air.

B. That concludes our presentation today. Thank you for listening.

C. Another solution is to use electric vehicles or public transport. This will reduce the gas emissions from private vehicles and will make the air cleaner.

D. Hi everyone. I’m here today to talk to you about the solutions to one of the most serious problems in our city – air pollution.

Work in groups. Choose an environmental problem in 1 and make a presentation on the solutions to it. Use the expressions below to help you.

Useful expressions

Welcoming the audience and introducing the topic

Hi everyone.

Good morning / afternoon.

I’m here today to talk about / discuss …

I’d like to talk about …

Today, I’d like to share with you …

Introducing the first point / idea

Firstly, the problem can be solved by …

The first solution is to …

Introducing the second point / idea

My next point is …

Another solution is to …

Finishing the presentation and thanking the audience

That concludes our presentation.

That’s the end of our presentation today.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for your attention.

Từ vựng

1. heat waves /ˈhiːt weɪvz/ (n): sóng nhiệt
Eg: Global warming can cause extremes such as floods or heat waves.

2. cut down forests /kʌt daʊn ˈfɒrɪsts/ (v.phr): chặt phá rừng
Eg: The nature of many animals can be destroyed in the process of cutting down forests.

3. machines and factories /məˈʃiːnz ænd ˈfæktəriz/ (n.phr): máy móc, nhà xưởng sản xuất
Eg: One of the main causes of air pollution is produced by machines and factories.

4. recycle /ˌriːˈsaɪkl/ (v): tái chế
Eg: The Japanese recycle more than half their waste paper.

5. vehicles or public transport /ˈviːɪklzɔːˈpʌblɪk ˈtrænspɔːt/ (n.phr): xe và phương tiện công cộng
Eg: The best solution is to use electric vehicles or public transport.

6. rubbish /ˈrʌbɪʃ/ (n): rác
Eg: The first solution is to stop burning leaves, rubbish and other materials.

7. avoid /əˈvɔɪd/ (v): tránh
Eg: People should avoid products that are made from animal parts.

8. gas emissions /gæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ (n.phr): khí thải
Eg: This will reduce the gas emissions from private vehicles and will make the air cleaner.

Listening

Work in pairs an answer the question.

What is happening to the animals in the pictures?

Nam and Mai are talking about Mai’s project on ways to save endangered animals. Listen to the conversation and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F). 

1. Mai will complete her mid-term project in two weeks. ___________

2. Nam believes that people should first be made aware of the importance of the problem. ___________

3. Mai thinks that illegal hunting may not destroy wild animals’ natural habitats. ___________

4. Nam believes that illegal hunting can be prevented by banning wildlife trade. ___________

Listen to the conversation again and complete the notes. Use ONE word for each gap.

Ways to save endangered animals

Helping people understand the 1) _________ of the problem

Introducing strict 2) __________ to prevent people from illegal hunting

Banning wildlife 3) __________

Avoiding products made from endangered 4) __________ parts

Work in groups and answer the questions.

Which is the most effective way to save endangered animals? Why?

Từ vựng

1. wildlife trade /ˈwaɪldlaɪf treɪd/ (n.phr): buôn bán động vật hoang dã
Eg: Nam believes that illegal hunting can be prevented by banning wildlife trade.

2. mid-term project /mɪd-tɜːm ˈprɒʤɛkt/ (n.phr): dự án giữa kỳ
Eg: Mai will complete her mid-term project in two weeks.

3. prevent someone from /prɪˈvɛnt ˈsʌmwʌn frɒm/ (v.phr): ngăn cản ai đó
Eg: The police tried to prevent him from leaving.

Writing

Work in pairs. Look at the picture and answer the questions.

1. Do you recognize the animal?

2. Where does it come from? 

3. What do the letters WWF stand for?

Read the text about WWF and complete the table.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), originally called the World Wildlife Fund, is a non-governmental organization. It was set up in 1961, and today it is the world’s largest environmental organization. It aims to stop the process of destroying the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans respect nature. Much of the work of WWF focuses on the survival of endangered animals and the protection of their natural habitats. These animals include the Indian elephant, the gorilla, the giant tortoise, and the giant panda. Currently, WWF has 5 million supporters worldwide. It works in more than 100 countries and supports around 1,300 environmental projects.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Kind of organization: 1) _______

Set up in: 2) _______

Aims: – 3) _______
   - to build a future in which humans respect nature

Focus of their work: 4) _______

Number of projects supported: 5) _______

Write a paragraph (120-150 words) about Save the Elephants, using the information in the table below.

                                                Save the Elephants (STE)

Kind of organization: non-profit organization

Set up in / by: 1993 / Iain Douglas-Hamilton

Aims:

• to make sure elephants do not die out
• to protect the habitats in which elephants are found

Focus of their work:
Protection – stopping the illegal hunting of elephants, especially in Africa and Asia
Research – working together with scientists and experts to conduct research on elephant behavior
Awareness – raising people’s awareness through films, television, and new media sources

Number of projects supported: 335 projects in 40 countries

Từ vựng

1. survival /səˈvaɪvl/ (n): sự sinh tồn
Eg: Much of the work of WWF focuses on the survival of endangered animals and the protection of their natural habitats.

2. tortoise /ˈtɔːtəs/ (n): rùa
Eg: These animals include the Indian elephant, the giant gorilla, the giant tortoise and the giant panda.

3. supporter /səˈpɔːtə(r)/ (n): người ủng hộ
Eg: Currently, WWF has 5 million supporters worldwide. It works in more than 100 countries and supports around 1,300.

4. die out /ˈdaɪ aʊt/ (phr.v): chết
Eg: Dinosaurs died out millions of years ago.

conduct /kənˈdʌkt/ (v): tiến hành
Eg: Research working together with scientists and experts to conduct research into the behaviors of elephants and raise people’s awareness through films, television and new media sources.

Communication and Culture / CLIL

Everyday English

a. Listen and complete the conversations with the words in the box. Then practice it in pairs.

A. Never mind

B. I’d like to apologize for

C. That’s all right

D. I’m sorry to

Mai: 1) ________ submitting my assignment late. I’m sorry, but my laptop was broken.
Mr Ha: 2) ________ Next time you should finish it earlier and have a back-up copy in case you have any technical problems.

Nam: 3) ________ keep you waiting for so long. The talk was longer than expected.
Mai: 4) ________ We still have enough time for dinner before the show.

b. Work in pairs. Make similar conversations making and responding to apologies. Use the expressions below to help you.

Useful expressions

Culture

a. Read the text and complete each blank of the fact file about Earth Hour with ONE word.

EARTH HOUR

Earth Hour is a global event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Held every year, it encourages people and businesses to turn off their lights and other unnecessary electrical devices for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of March. Earth Hour was started as a lights-out event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Since then, it has grown to become an international movement for the environment, happening in more than 7,000 cities and towns across 187 countries and territories.

Earth Hour has created a positive environmental impact. It shows the public support for protecting the environment and saving the planet. It also draws attention to climate change and global energy issues, and promotes green activities worldwide.

Viet Nam joined the event in 2009 and has been an active and keen supporter since then. Besides switching off lights, people can take part in a number of activities to raise awareness of environmental problems and call for action for climate, people and nature.

EARTH HOUR

Organized by: World Wide Fund for Nature

Held from: 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the last (1) ________ of March

Started in: Sydney, Australia, in 2007

Aims:

• to show the public (2) ________ for protecting the environment and saving the planet
• to draw attention to (3) ________ change and global energy issues
• to promote green (4) ________ worldwide

First held in Viet Nam in: (5) ________ with a variety of activities nationwide

b. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions.

1. Do you want to take part in this lights-out event in Viet Nam? Why or why not?

2. If you have a chance to take part in the event, what would you do?

Từ vựng

1. apologize for /əˈpɒləʤaɪz fɔː/ (phr.v): xin lỗi vì
Eg: Trains may be subject to delay – we apologize for any inconvenience caused.

2. back-up copy /ˈbæk ʌp ˈkɒpi/ (n.phr): bản sao lưu
Eg: Next time you should finish it earlier and have a back-up copy in case you have any technical problems.

3. turn off /tɜːn ɒf/ (phr.v): tắt
Eg: Held every year, it encourages people and businesses to turn off their lights and other unnecessary electrical devices for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of March.

4. territories /ˈtɛrɪtəriz/ (n): vùng lãnh thổ
Eg: Since then, it has grown to become an international movement for the environment, happening in more than 7,000 cities and towns across 187 countries and territories.

5. save the planet /seɪv ðə ˈplænɪt/ (v.phr): cứu hành tinh
Eg: It shows public support for protecting the environment and saving the planet.

6. draw attention to /drɔː əˈtɛnʃən tuː/ (v.phr): thu hút sự chú ý
Eg: It also draws attention to climate change and global energy issues, and promotes green activities worldwide.

7. lights-out /laɪts aʊt/ (n): tắt đèn
Eg: Do you want to take part in this lights-out event in Viet Nam?

Looking back

Pronunciation

Listen and mark the stressed syllables in the words in bold. Then practice saying the sentences with a natural rhythm.

1.    Don’t buy products that are made from wild animal parts.

2.    What can we do to help the animals in the wild?

3.    Larger tigers tend to live in colder areas while smaller tigers live in       warmer countries.

4.    Elephants are endangered because of illegal hunting ad body part trade.

5.    Do you know why so many endangered animals are disappearing?

Vocabulary

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. Many wildlife habits / habitats will be destroyed if people keep cutting down the forests.

2. Researchers are looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact / affect of air pollution on the local community.

3. It’s illegal to kill pandas, tigers or any other dangerous / endangered animals.

4. Global warming / climate is mainly caused by pollution and clearing of forests.

Grammar

Change the following sentences into reported speech.

1. ‘The rising sea level is a result of global warning,’ the teacher explained.

2. ‘I will take part in the competition next month,’ my friend told me.

3. ‘The clearing and burning of forests lead to air pollution,’ the speaker said.

4. ‘Are you interested In Joining the event this weekend, Minh?’ asked Tuan.

5. ‘When are you going to deliver your presentation on the environment, Mai?’ asked Nam.

Từ vựng

1. tend to /tɛnd tuː/ (phr.v): có xu hướng
Eg: Larger tigers tend to live in colder areas while smaller tigers live in warmer countries.

2. be interested in something /bi ˈɪntrəstɪd ɪn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ (v.phr): có hứng thú với việc gì đó
Eg: Are you interested in joining the event this weekend, Minh?

3. Earth Hour /ɜːθ ˈaʊə/ (n): Giờ Trái Đất
Eg: Earth Hour is all about spreading the awareness of environmental issues in our global and local communities.

Project

Work in groups. Find information about a local or an International environmental organizations and complete the table. Present it to the class.

1. Name of the organization 

2. Set up in 

3. Aims 

4. Activities