📝 Lesson Practice
🗣️ English Goal
Explain causes and contributing factors in sustainability conversations using precise and natural B2-level language.
🌱 Sustainability Goal
Understand how to identify and describe causes and contributing factors of environmental issues to improve communication and problem-solving.
💭 Warm-Up Question
Can you think of a local environmental problem caused by everyday activities?
📖 Short Reading
Many environmental problems start with specific causes that lead to negative effects. For example, excessive use of plastic is a major cause of ocean pollution. Plastic items do not break down easily, which means they accumulate and harm marine life. Another contributing factor is improper waste disposal. When people throw trash into rivers or streets, it increases pollution and affects water quality. Air pollution often comes from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. This releases harmful gases that contribute to climate change and health issues. In some cities, traffic congestion is a significant cause of poor air quality because cars emit a lot of pollutants. Understanding these causes helps communities find better solutions. For example, cities can encourage public transport use to reduce car emissions. Additionally, educating people about recycling can decrease plastic waste. Discussing causes clearly also supports cooperation between governments, businesses, and citizens. It is important to note that causes may vary between places due to different lifestyles and economic activities. Therefore, effective communication about causes and contributing factors is a key step in planning responsible actions toward sustainability.
🔎 Check Your Understanding
1.
What is an example of a contributing factor to ocean pollution mentioned in the reading?
2.
Why does traffic congestion affect air quality?
3.
What solution does the reading suggest for reducing car emissions?
4.
According to the reading, why is it important to communicate causes clearly?
📚 Key Vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| contributing factor | something that helps cause a problem but is not the main cause | Traffic congestion is a contributing factor to air pollution in many cities. |
| accumulate | to gather or increase over time | Plastic waste tends to accumulate in the ocean, harming marine animals. |
| improper disposal | throwing away waste in the wrong places | Improper disposal of trash can lead to polluted rivers and streets. |
| emission | a gas or substance sent out into the air | Car emissions contain gases that affect air quality and health. |
| pollutant | a harmful substance that makes air, water or land dirty | Factories should control pollutants to protect the environment. |
| climate change | long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns | Air pollutants from factories contribute to climate change. |
| waste management | the process of handling and disposing of waste correctly | Good waste management helps reduce environmental damage. |
| stakeholder | a person or group affected by or involved in a situation | Stakeholders like businesses and governments must work together on sustainability. |
| responsible development | planning growth while considering environmental and social effects | Responsible development balances industry needs and nature protection. |
| long-term impact | the result or effect that lasts for a long time | Understanding the long-term impact of pollution is important for decision making. |
💬 Useful Language
describing a problem:
One major issue is that…
explaining a cause:
This happens because…
explaining an effect:
As a result, …
comparing choices:
Compared to option A, option B has less impact on…
suggesting a solution:
A possible way to address this is to…
expressing an opinion:
I believe that understanding the root causes is essential because…
💬 Dialogue
🙂 Alex: Sam, have you noticed the increase in traffic pollution in our city?
😀 Sam: Yes, Alex. I think the main cause is the number of cars on the road during rush hours.
🙂 Alex: That’s true. Another contributing factor is the old buses that emit more pollutants.
😀 Sam: As a result, air quality has worsened, and more people have respiratory problems.
🙂 Alex: Do you think promoting public transport could help reduce emissions?
😀 Sam: Definitely. Compared to private cars, buses and trains have a lower long-term impact.
🙂 Alex: But what about waste causing water pollution? I heard some factories have improper disposal methods.
😀 Sam: Yes, that happens because they don’t follow strict waste management rules.
🙂 Alex: A possible solution is to improve regulations and educate local businesses.
😀 Sam: I agree. Understanding all causes helps stakeholders make better environmental decisions.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1.
Traffic jams are a ____ factor in worsening city air quality. (main / rare / contributing)
2.
Plastic waste tends to ____ in oceans if not properly managed. (accumulate / destroy / disappear)
3.
Factories with poor ____ disposal can pollute nearby rivers. (proper / improper / careful)
4.
Car ____ release gases that affect the atmosphere negatively. (collections / contaminations / emissions)
5.
We need better ____ management to reduce harmful environmental effects. (waste / energy / water)
6.
Understanding the ____ impact of pollution helps plan long-term actions. (short-term / long-term / medium)
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1.
Contributing factor
2.
Accumulation of plastic
3.
Emission
4.
Improper disposal
5.
Responsible development
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1.
Which phrase introduces an environmental problem?
2.
What does 'stakeholder' mean?
3.
Why should people understand root causes of problems?
4.
What is an effect of burning fossil fuels?
5.
Which is a suggested solution for traffic pollution?
🧩 Mini Practice
Practice answering aloud.
Say: One major issue is that traffic causes pollution.
Say: This happens because many cars emit harmful gases.
Say: As a result, the city air quality decreases.
Say: A possible way to address this is to improve public transport.
Ask: Can you explain a cause of plastic pollution in your area?
Say: In my area, plastic pollution is caused mainly by people throwing trash into the streets.
Ask: What is one contributing factor to air pollution where you live?
Say: One contributing factor is the number of old cars that produce a lot of smoke.
🌿 Small Sustainability Action
Observe one source of pollution near your home or workplace, and think about what causes it and who might help reduce it.
📝 Reflection
How can understanding the causes of local environmental problems help your community find better solutions?
🧭 Lesson Summary
This lesson helps you explain causes and contributing factors clearly in sustainability discussions. You learned key vocabulary and useful phrases for describing problems and solutions. Keep practicing to communicate environmental issues naturally and precisely.
🔎 Answer Key
Check Your Understanding
- Improper waste disposal
- Because cars emit pollutants
- Encouraging public transport
- To support cooperation between groups
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
- contributing
- accumulate
- improper
- emissions
- waste
- long-term
Exercise 2 – Matching
- Contributing factor – Something that helps cause a problem but is not main cause
- Accumulation of plastic – Build up of waste causing harm in oceans
- Emission – Gas released into the air from sources like cars
- Improper disposal – Throwing waste in the wrong places
- Responsible development – Careful planning that considers environment and society
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
- One major issue is that…
- A person or group affected or involved
- To create better solutions
- Air pollution and climate change
- Promote public transport