Learn English with this pollution English lesson

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen

• limit
• minimal
• lend a hand
• contribute

• greenhouse gases
• harm
• make a difference
• stride

• hazardous waste
• make a dent

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen

Humans create a lot of garbage. It’s not only the things we can see, like bags and boxes and paper, it’s also greenhouse gases from driving and running large machines. All this pollution is actually harming the environment. Although making a difference doesn’t have to be hard.

People can take small strides to make a dent in how dirty the world is. They can limit the water they use to reduce waste. They can buy food with minimal packaging. They can take public transportation or bike. Every little bit helps, especially when everyone is working together.

Does Marni or Gary care more about the environment? Find out in today’s English lesson!

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Gary

Marni:  Hey, Gary, can you give me a hand with this recycling?

Gary:  Why?

Marni:  Because I need to take it out to the recycling bin because the recycling truck’s coming tomorrow.

Gary:  Oh, because you think someone’s actually going to reuse it?

Marni:  Yes, I do. Because I know that it’s making a difference.

Gary:  Why? What’s the point?

Marni:  The point is to reuse it so that we’re not putting it in the landfill.

Gary:  It’s not going to make a dent in anything. It’s just going to go into another place where all this other stuff is, and it’s garbage!

Marni:  How can you say that? I believe in making a difference. I take public transportation everywhere. I recycle everything I can. I use minimal electricity. I limit my showers to only five minutes.

Gary:  And I’m guessing you take public transportation…

Marni:  Uh-huh, I do!

Gary:  …because you don’t want to contribute to hazardous waste that will make its way into the landfill.

Marni:  Well, I don’t want to contribute to greenhouse gases that are harming our atmosphere and causing climate change. But, yes, I think it is important that we all take strides to think about our impact on this planet.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Present Progressive Tense" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3