Reading 1: "China's air pollution again at danger levels"

Beijing residents advised to stay indoors as much as possible with severe pollution at
high levels. Dangerously high pollution levels have covered Beijing in smog(") for the
second time in about two weeks, forcing airlines to cancel flights because of poor
visibility and asking the city government to warn residents to stay indoors.

The outlines of buildings in the Chinese capital receded into(*) a white mist as
pedestrians wore face masks to guard against the thick(") air. The US embassy
reported a level of PM2.5, one of the worst pollutants, at 526 micrograms per cubic
metre, and more than 20 times higher than World Health Organisation safety levels
over a 24-hour period.

The Beijing city government advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible
because the pollution was "severe". It said that because there was no wind, the smog
probably would not dissipate quickly.

Visibility was less than 100 metres in some areas of eastern China, the official Xinhua
news agency reported. Air China cancelled 14 domestic flights in or out of the Beijing
airport, and an airport in the eastern city of Qingdao was closed, cancelling 20 flights.
The disorganization came in the first week of the country's apogee, six-week period
for travel, linked to the 10th of February lunar new year. Every year, China's transport
system bursts at the seams(") as tens of millions of people travel for the holiday, in the
world's people largest seasonal migration of

Celebrity Pan Shiyi, who has previously pushed for cities to publish more detailed air
quality data. called for a clean air act on Tuesday and said he would use his status as a
delegate to the National People's Congress to propose such legislation

In less than three hours, his post was forwarded more than 2,300 times and received
14,184 votes. with 99.1% in favour
Source: https://en.islcollective.com
Target Audience: 10th-grade students, B1 level

PHẦN 1: TỪ VỰNG (VOCABULARY)

A. Match the words with their definitions:

1. Smog

2. Visibility

3. Pollutant

4. Dissipate

5. Legislation

6. Seasonal migration

a. Harmful substance in the air or environment.

b. A mix of smoke and fog that makes the air hard to breathe.

c. The ability to see clearly in certain conditions.

d. The movement of people during a specific time of the year.

e. Laws or rules created by a government.

f. To gradually disappear or spread out until it is no longer visible.

1_

2_
3_

4_

5_

6_

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1. The __________ in Beijing was so poor that flights were canceled.

2. PM2.5 is considered a dangerous __________ for human health.

3. Many people travel during __________ holidays like Lunar New Year.

4. To solve this problem, the government needs to introduce strict __________.

PHẦN 2: ĐỌC HIỂU (READING COMPREHENSION)

Read the passage and answer the questions below:

1. Why were Beijing residents advised to stay indoors?

2. What is PM2.5, and why is it dangerous?

3. How did air pollution affect transportation during the Lunar New Year?

4. What action did celebrity Pan Shiyi suggest to address air pollution?

True/False Questions:

5. The smog in Beijing cleared up quickly because of strong winds. (T/F)

6. Air China canceled 14 domestic flights because of poor visibility. (T/F)

7. More than 99% of people supported Pan Shiyi's proposal for a clean air act. (T/F)

PHẦN 3: NGỮ PHÁP (GRAMMAR)

A. Passive Voice Practice:

Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice.

1. The government warned residents to stay indoors.

2. People posted thousands of comments about air pollution online.

3. Air China canceled 14 flights due to poor visibility.

B. Conditional Sentences (Type 2):

Complete the sentences:

1. If there were less pollution, ______________.

2. The flights wouldn’t have been canceled if ______________.

3. If people didn’t wear face masks, ______________.

PHẦN 4: VIẾT (WRITING)

1. Short Paragraph: Write a paragraph (50-70 words) describing the effects of air
pollution in Beijing.

2. Formal Letter: Imagine you are a resident in Beijing. Write a letter to the city
government suggesting three actions to improve air quality.

PHẦN 5: TỰ LUẬN (DISCUSSION TASK – OPTIONAL)

Discuss with your classmates:

- How does air pollution affect people's health and daily lives?

- What can individuals and governments do to reduce pollution levels?

Reading 2: Saving the planet

Years ago there wasn't a problem with rubbish because things like plastic and
disposable isposable nappies hadn't been invented. There wasn't so much packaging
on items you bought either. But now with everything so over packaged wrapped and
disposable we are suffering the consequences of far too much waste. The trouble is not
everything can De recycled or will rot away. You used to be able to get a refund on
glass bottles when you took them back to the shop. Now they are either collected from
your house by the council or you can take them to a bottle bank.

The fact that paper can be recycled and is easy to dispose is great, but remember paper
is made from trees, which are important to the environment. The rainforests have been
slowly disappearing for a while now. We need them not just because it helps with the
climate. They are important as like all plants they give us oxygen. They are also a
home to many animals who rely on them for their survival.

The best waste is organic, dead leaves; carrot tops, onion skins and so on all rot down
and make fertile soil. This in turn will help the plants and vegetables giving them
much needed food. So if you are able to have a compost heap in your garden you'll be
helping the environment and your garden will love you for it.
Acid rain is another serious problem it is damaging to plants and is caused by
pollutants such as

sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These come from the buming of coal, oil and
gas. Dropping litter is not just a lazy thing to do it makes work for other people, is bad
for the environment and looks ugly. So think before you drop litter either bin it tor
keep it and then bin it.

When rivers and seas are polluted by waste we are not only stealing their beauty but
were spoiling it for ourselves too. Our health can also suffer Sadly accidents wreck the
environment. Animals tend to suffer the most from do occur; oil slicks sometimes
happen and these incidents. We should really have in place something that will
prevent so much destruction, rather than just waiting for trying to clean up the
damage. it to happen, then

Nuclear waste has been the cause of controversy would be very serious indeed, it
Although we are trying to can cause real harm. over the years. Radioactive material
leaking out arm. This is why it is the most worrying. stop the hole in the ozone layer
getting any bigger, nuclear nu waste is still a

serious problem. The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultra violet rays. Its hole
has been caused by chlorofluorocarbons (cfc's) a chemical that was found in some
products. Refrigerators ors used to contain them. So do we care enough about the
earth we have inherited and our passing onto future generations? ons? Or is it now all
too late to do anything? Each one of us can make a difference and each and every one
of us is responsible to the environment. It takes care of us, we should take care of it.
Source: http://www.childrenswebmagazine.com/Environment.htm (slightly adapted)

Target Audience: 10th-grade students, B1 level

PHẦN 1: TỪ VỰNG (VOCABULARY)

A. Match the words with their definitions:

1. Disposable

2. Recycle

3. Compost

4. Pollutants

5. Deforestation
6. Ozone layer

a. Harmful substances that damage the environment.

b. The process of converting waste into reusable material.

c. A protective layer in the atmosphere that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays.

d. Single-use items that are thrown away after use.

e. Cutting down trees in forests on a large scale.

f. Organic waste that decomposes and improves soil fertility.

1_

2_

3_

4_

5_

6_

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1. _________ items like plastic bags are a major cause of pollution.

2. _________ is an effective way to reduce organic waste.

3. The _________ is essential to protect us from ultraviolet rays.

4. Cutting down rainforests causes _________ and affects the climate.

PHẦN 2: ĐỌC HIỂU (READING COMPREHENSION)

A. Answer the questions:

1. Why is there more rubbish today compared to the past?

2. What are the benefits of composting organic waste?

3. How does acid rain affect the environment?

4. What is the role of rainforests in the ecosystem?

B. True/False Statements:
5. Glass bottles can no longer be recycled. (T/F)

6. Acid rain is caused by burning coal, oil, and gas. (T/F)

7. The ozone layer has been damaged by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). (T/F)

PHẦN 3: NGỮ PHÁP (GRAMMAR)

A. Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice:

1. People burn coal, oil, and gas, which causes acid rain.

2. Governments are introducing stricter laws to reduce pollution.

3. Humans are destroying rainforests for farming and urbanization.

B. Complete the conditional sentences (Type 1 or Type 2):

1. If people _________ (recycle) more, there would be less waste.

2. The ozone layer will recover if we _________ (stop) using harmful chemicals.

3. If rainforests _________ (disappear), many animals will lose their homes.

PHẦN 4: VIẾT (WRITING)

1. Short Writing Task: Write a paragraph (50-70 words) explaining why composting is good for the
environment.

2. Essay Task: Write an essay (100-120 words) on the topic: How I Can Help Protect the Planet.
Include at least three actions you can take.

PHẦN 5: THẢO LUẬN (DISCUSSION – OPTIONAL)

Discuss with your classmates:

- What is the most serious environmental problem in your community? Why?

- What can young people do to help save the planet?