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1. Read the article. Do you agree with Ben?
| Green Earth> Monthly Competition > April 2016 | |
 | littleleaf1998 Moderator |
| ‘Most people do not take global warming seriously enough.’ Do you agree? Join the debate. A prize for the best article!
| |
 | ben_the_climber |
| Global warming is probably the most serious threat we face, and we should all be worried about it. And indeed, it seems to me that most people take the issue very seriously. These days, people take a lot of care to recycle plastic, paper, glass and other materials. If recycling bins are available, they use them. What is more, they often choose to walk or cycle somewhere in order to reduce carbon emissions. There are people who believe that it is normal for the temperature of the Earth to go up and down. They don't believe that humans are causing global warming, so they don't believe that humans need to alter their behaviour. Other people may just be too selfish to lead a green lifestyle. Nevertheless, the majority of people believe the evidence and do whatever they can to combat climate change. | |
Writing StrategyWhen you are expressing your opinions and the opinions of others, give your text a clear structure. For example: • In one paragraph, give your opinion with two or three arguments that support it. • In another paragraph, give the opposing view with one or two arguments supporting it. You can then say why you disagree with the opposing view (a counter-argument). |
2. Read the Writing Strategy and answer the questions.
1. In paragraph 1 of Ben's article, how many arguments does he give in support of his opinion?
2. In paragraph 2, how many arguments does he give in support of the opposing view?
3. Does he give a counter-argument?
3. VOCABULARY Complete the collocations from the text with the words below.
Climate change
alter cause combat lead recycle reduce
1. _____ plastic/ paper/ glass
2. _____ carbon emissions
3. _____ global warming
4. _____ your behaviour
5. _____ a green lifestyle
6. _____ climate change
| ⇒ Vocabulary Builder 4H Climate change: page 124 |
4. KEY PHRASES Read the phrases below. Add the highlighted phrases in Ben's post to the correct group (A–D).
A. Expressing an opinion
I think / don't think that ... To be honest, ...
As I see it, … In my opinion, ...
I believe / don't believe that ... _____________
B. Presenting an opposing opinion
Having said that. ... On the other hand, ...
_____________
C. Presenting a counter-argument
However, ... In spite of this, … _____________
D. Making an additional point
Moreover, ... Furthermore, ... In fact, ... _____________
5. Work in pairs. Read the statement and decide if you agree or disagree. Prepare arguments for and against it. Use the ideas below to help you.
"Global warming is the most important problem facing us today." Do you agree?
• For: We need to protect the planet / prevent climate change / save endangered species.
• Against: There are other problems such as poverty, disease, nuclear war, etc. / Millions of people die every year because of ... / A nuclear war could destroy ...
6. Write your article (120–150 words). Use phrases from exercise 4 and your ideas from exercise 5 to help you. Follow the structure suggested in the Writing Strategy.
CHECK YOUR WORKHave you … • followed the advice in the Writing Strategy? • included useful phrases from exercise 5? • checked the spelling and grammar? |
