English Learning for Beginners: Climate Change
Dialogue
Alice: Hey Bob, did you notice how warm it is today?
Bob: Alice! I was just thinking that! It’s December, but I’m sweating!
Alice: Right? My ice cream melted before I even left the store. This climate change thing is no joke.
Bob: Yeah, it’s getting a bit crazy. I tried to walk to work this morning, but then I saw a hot dog stand and just… got a taxi.
Alice: Haha! So much for reducing your carbon footprint!
Bob: Hey, I carried my own reusable bag for the hot dog! Small steps, Alice, small steps.
Alice: True. I actually bought one of those “eco-friendly” water bottles. It’s so big, my backpack looks like it’s carrying a small whale.
Bob: At least you’re trying! I tried to turn off all the lights at home yesterday, but then I couldn’t find my socks. It was a dark, sockless adventure.
Alice: Oh no! Did you use your phone’s flashlight?
Bob: Of course! And then my phone battery died. So I just went to bed early. Mission accomplished?
Alice: Haha, kind of! At least you saved some energy.
Bob: Exactly! What else can we do, besides having early, dark bedtime adventures?
Alice: Well, we could try to eat less meat? Or plant a tree.
Bob: Planting a tree sounds nice. But do they sell tiny trees for city apartments?
Alice: Maybe a cactus? It’s green and doesn’t need much water!
Bob: A climate change cactus! I like it! Let’s get one tomorrow.
Alice: Sounds like a plan, Bob! Maybe we’ll save the world, one cactus at a time.
Bob: And one dark, sockless adventure!
Current Situation
Climate change means our Earth’s weather is changing in strange ways. We often see hotter summers, unusual cold snaps, or more storms. This is happening because of human activities. When we burn fuels for cars, factories, and electricity, it releases gases into the air. These gases trap heat and make our planet warmer. This global warming affects animals, plants, and people everywhere, making it a very important topic for everyone to understand and act on.
Key Phrases
- How warm it is: Used to express surprise or observation about the temperature.
Example: “Look how warm it is today! It feels like summer.”
- Climate change: The long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns.
Example: “Many scientists agree that climate change is a serious issue.”
- Reduce your carbon footprint: To lessen the amount of greenhouse gases you produce.
Example: “I try to walk more to reduce my carbon footprint.”
- Reusable bag: A bag that can be used many times, often for shopping.
Example: “Don’t forget your reusable bag when you go grocery shopping.”
- Small steps: Little actions that can lead to a bigger goal.
Example: “Changing our habits takes time, but small steps can make a big difference.”
- Eco-friendly: Not harmful to the environment.
Example: “This new washing machine is very eco-friendly and uses less water.”
- Turn off the lights: To switch off electric lights.
Example: “Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room to save electricity.”
- Sounds like a plan: An informal way to say you agree with a suggestion or idea.
Example: “Let’s meet at 7 PM. – Sounds like a plan!“
Grammar Points
1. Present Simple (for facts and habits)
We use the Present Simple to talk about things that are always true, facts, or habits (things we do regularly).
- Fact: “It is December.” (The current month is December.)
- Habit: “I try to walk to work.” (This is something Bob usually does.)
- General Truth: “My ice cream melted.” (When it’s warm, ice cream melts.)
Form: base verb (I/You/We/They) or base verb + -s/-es (He/She/It)
Examples: “The Earth gets warmer.” “I usually walk.”
2. Present Continuous (for ongoing actions or temporary situations)
We use the Present Continuous for actions happening now, at this moment, or for temporary situations.
- Action happening now: “I’m sweating!” (Bob is sweating right now.)
- Temporary situation: “It’s getting a bit crazy.” (The situation is changing/becoming crazy.)
Form: am / is / are + verb-ing
Examples: “The climate is changing.” “We are learning English.”
3. Adjectives (for description)
Adjectives are words that describe nouns (people, places, things, ideas). They tell us more about something.
- warm (describes temperature): “It’s so warm today.”
- crazy (describes a situation): “It’s getting a bit crazy.”
- big (describes size): “It’s so big, my backpack looks like…”
- dark (describes light): “It was a dark adventure.”
- nice (describes quality): “Planting a tree sounds nice.”
Examples: “The weather is hot.” “This is an important topic.”
4. Modal Verbs “Can” and “Could” (for ability and suggestions)
Can: Used to express ability (what someone is able to do) or possibility.
Example: “What else can we do?” (What are we able to do?)
Could: Used to make polite suggestions or talk about possibilities.
Example: “We could try to eat less meat?” (This is a suggestion.)
Form: can / could + base verb (no -s/-es for he/she/it)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Use words from the box to complete the sentences:
[ climate change, reusable, turn off, small steps, warm ]
- It’s so _______ today, even in winter!
- Always bring a _______ bag to the supermarket.
- To save electricity, please _______ the lights when you leave.
- Making _______ can help us reach big goals.
- Scientists are worried about _______.
Show Answers
1. warm
2. reusable
3. turn off
4. small steps
5. climate change
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Verb Form (Present Simple vs. Present Continuous)
Choose the correct word in parentheses for each sentence.
- The Earth (gets / is getting) warmer every year.
- I usually (walk / am walking) to school, but today I (take / am taking) the bus.
- She (always turns / is always turning) off the lights when she leaves.
- Look! The ice cream (melts / is melting) very fast!
- What (do you do / are you doing) to help the environment?
Show Answers
1. The Earth is getting warmer every year.
2. I usually walk to school, but today I am taking the bus.
3. She always turns off the lights when she leaves.
4. Look! The ice cream is melting very fast!
5. What do you do to help the environment?
Exercise 3: Make a suggestion using “Can” or “Could”
Complete the sentences with a suggestion using “can” or “could”.
Example: I’m bored. -> We could watch a movie.
- It’s very sunny. -> We _______ go to the park.
- I want to save energy. -> I _______ turn off the TV.
- The planet needs help. -> We _______ recycle more.
- I’m hungry. -> We _______ make a sandwich.
Show Answers
(Possible answers)
1. It’s very sunny. -> We could go to the park. / We can wear hats.
2. I want to save energy. -> I could turn off the TV. / We can use less hot water.
3. The planet needs help. -> We could recycle more. / We can plant a tree.
4. I’m hungry. -> We could make a sandwich. / We can order pizza.
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