“Economic growth to be sustainable must be based on the protection,
conservation and rehabilitation of the environment.” At this age where there is a blossoming of global industrial modernization which “have had negative impacts on many natural systems” and when people are forgetting the importance of sustaining a balanced ecosystem, there is a need to awaken the youth of their distinct role as agents of change in this degraded environment.
A. LISTENING TO CONVERSATIONS
Before You Listen
1 Preparing To Listen. Discuss the photos with your classmates or in
a small group.
1. Describe the given photos, and then be able to tell what kind of pollution does it show?
2. Which of the two photos illustrate a kind of pollution that is more serious?
3. What are the ways to solve the problems?
2 Vocabulary Preview. Chan is visiting Cheska.
1. Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation. Put an (x) mark before the
unfamiliar words.
Nouns Verbs Expression
environment to pick up to give a speech
oil refineries to pollute
pollution to clean up
Cheska: Come on in!
Chan: Hello, Cheska. What are you doing today?
Cheska: I’m making a sign for Earth Day.
Chan: What is that?
Cheska: On Earth Day, people think about pollution and other problems with
the environment.
Chan: Wow, that’s great! When is Earth Day?
Cheska: Next Saturday.
Chan: When did it start? I never really heard of it.
Cheska: A college student and a U.S. senator started it. The first Earth Day was on
April 22, 1970. They wanted people to be more aware of problems
with the environment.
Chan: What happens on Earth Day?
Cheska: Well, in Italy, 150 towns and cities have car-less week ends when nobody could
drive. In Washington, D.C., thousands of people marched to the U.S. government for laws on clean energy.
Chan: This goes on all over the world?
Cheska: Yes, there are celebrations and protests all over the world on Earth Day! In Japan, many people ride bicycles that day instead of driving their cars and in Africa, people protest the air pollution caused by oil refineries.
Chan: So what are you planning to do on Earth Day?
Cheska: I’m planning to give a speech about pollution. Also, I’m going to carry this sign.
Chan: What does it say? Save the Earth! That is great. Can I go with you and help?
I want to help, too.
Cheska: Yes, sure. Would you like to carry a sign, too?
Chan: Yes, I sure would.
3 Listening for Main Ideas. Answer the following questions based on the conversation.
1. What is Cheska doing?
My answer: ________________________________________.
2. On Earth Day, what do people think about?
My answer: ________________________________________.
3. Who is going to give a speech?
My answer: ________________________________________.
4. Why does Chan want to help?
My answer: ________________________________________.
4 Listening for Specific Information. Go over the conversation once more. This time, fill in the chart below with the Earth Day activities you hear. The first one is done for you.