Talking About the Environment
Explore everyday conversations about recycling, pollution, and choices that help the environment.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. 选择正确答案。
What will the shopper use to carry their groceries?
Cashier: Would you like a bag?
Shopper: No, thanks. I brought one from home.- A new paper bag from the store
- The bag they brought with them
- A new plastic bag from the cashier
The shopper already has what they need.
Show solution
- The bag they brought with them
Bringing a bag from home means you can reuse it instead of taking a new one.
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2. 选择正确答案。
Where should the clean, empty soda can go?
Building notice: Put clean metal cans in the blue recycling bin. Food scraps go in the green bin. Other household waste goes in the gray bin.
- In the blue bin
- In the green bin
- In the gray bin
Look for the rule about the can's material.
Show solution
- In the blue bin
Recycling bin colors can differ between places, so local instructions matter.
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3. 选择正确答案。
How do they plan to get to the library?
Alex: Should we drive to the library?
Sam: It's only a ten-minute walk. Let's leave the car at home.
Alex: Good idea.- By bus
- By bicycle
- On foot
Sam suggests a way to travel without a vehicle.
Show solution
- On foot
Walking short distances avoids fuel use and gives you some exercise.
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4. 选择正确答案。
When should the water be running?
Parent: Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Turn it back on when you need to rinse.
- The whole time you brush
- When you need to rinse
- While you put toothpaste on the brush
The parent names the moment when water is needed.
Show solution
- When you need to rinse
Turning off the faucet between uses saves water without changing how you brush.
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5. 选择正确答案。
What is Maya trying to do?
Leo: It's dark in here. I'll switch on the light.
Maya: Wait—it's sunny outside. Let's open the curtains instead.- Use daylight to light the room
- Block sunlight to cool the room
- Keep people from seeing inside
Think about what opening the curtains lets into the room.
Show solution
- Use daylight to light the room
Using daylight can reduce the need for electric lights.
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6. 选择正确答案。
What problem does the neighbor want to reduce?
Neighbor: The delivery trucks leave their engines running while they wait. The air smells bad near our windows. Could the drivers turn their engines off?
- Trash left behind after deliveries
- Traffic blocking the sidewalk
- Air pollution from the trucks
The complaint connects running engines with the air near the windows.
Show solution
- Air pollution from the trucks
An engine running while a vehicle is stopped still burns fuel and produces exhaust.
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7. 选择正确答案。
What do they plan to do with the extra food?
Jordan: We cooked too much rice.
Casey: Let's let the extra rice cool down and put it in the refrigerator. We can have it with lunch tomorrow.- Save it for another meal
- Leave it on the table overnight
- Throw it away after dinner
Casey mentions a future meal.
Show solution
- Save it for another meal
Planning a meal around leftovers helps prevent food waste.
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8. 选择正确答案。
Which reply gives the information Nina needs?
Organizer: We're picking up litter in the park on Saturday.
Nina: I'd like to help. Is there anything I should bring?- We're meeting at the park entrance.
- Gloves and a reusable water bottle would be useful.
- The cleanup usually lasts about an hour.
Nina asks about useful things to take with her.
Show solution
- Gloves and a reusable water bottle would be useful.
“Is there anything I should bring?” asks what equipment or supplies are needed.
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9. 选择正确答案。
What two benefits does Eli mention?
Rosa: Why did you buy a used table?
Eli: It cost less than a new one, and a perfectly good table didn't go to waste.- A higher price and a shorter delivery trip
- Less cleaning and more space at home
- A lower price and less waste
One benefit concerns money; the other concerns the table's future.
Show solution
- A lower price and less waste
Buying used items keeps useful products in use for longer.
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10. 选择正确答案。
Why does Pat prefer the large container?
Lee: These small yogurt cups hold the same amount of yogurt as this one large container.
Pat: Let's get the large one. It uses less plastic overall, and we'll finish the yogurt before it goes bad.- It gives them more yogurt for the same price.
- It creates less packaging waste.
- It keeps every serving in a separate container.
The amount of yogurt is the same. Compare the packaging.
Show solution
- It creates less packaging waste.
A larger container can use less packaging than several small ones holding the same amount.
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11. 选择正确答案。
What does the bottle's label tell them?
Ava: This bottle says “Made from recycled plastic,” but our recycling center doesn't accept this type.
Ben: The label tells us what it was made from, not where we can recycle it.- Recycled plastic was used to make the bottle.
- Every recycling center accepts the bottle.
- The bottle contains no plastic.
Separate the bottle's materials from the rules for disposing of it.
Show solution
- Recycled plastic was used to make the bottle.
“Recycled” describes material used before. “Recyclable” describes whether something can be recycled.
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12. 选择正确答案。
What is Morgan's plan?
Morgan: I'd like to drive less. I can take the bus on most workdays, but when I work the early shift, I start before the first bus runs. I'll drive on those days.
- Stop driving completely, even for early shifts
- Take the bus only on days off
- Take the bus when the schedule makes it possible
Morgan makes an exception for one situation.
Show solution
- Take the bus when the schedule makes it possible
Driving less does not have to mean never driving. A practical plan can include exceptions.
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13. 选择正确答案。
What matters most to Taylor in this decision?
Taylor: For this trip, the train would be better for the climate than flying. It takes longer and costs more, but I'm willing to accept that.
- Arriving as quickly as possible
- Reducing the trip's effect on the climate
- Finding the cheapest ticket
Taylor accepts two disadvantages to get a benefit that matters more.
Show solution
- Reducing the trip's effect on the climate
“I'm willing to accept that” shows that someone accepts a disadvantage because a benefit matters more to them.
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14. 选择正确答案。
How does Dana respond to the tree-planting idea?
Chris: Let's plant trees to give the playground more shade.
Dana: Good idea, but young trees need water during dry weeks. Let's arrange for people to take turns watering them.- Dana supports it and wants a plan for ongoing care.
- Dana rejects it because trees cannot provide shade.
- Dana thinks planting the trees is enough by itself.
Dana agrees, then adds something the project will need.
Show solution
- Dana supports it and wants a plan for ongoing care.
“Good idea, but…” can show support while pointing out a problem that needs solving.
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15. 选择正确答案。
Which plan best addresses both of Priya's concerns?
Owen: Let's close the street beside the school to all cars in the morning.
Priya: Cleaner air would be great. But some children cannot walk far and need a ride to the entrance. We should keep access for them while stopping other cars.- Close the street to every car, with no exceptions.
- Keep the street open to all morning traffic.
- Keep most cars out but allow access for children who need it.
Priya wants cleaner air without removing necessary access.
Show solution
- Keep most cars out but allow access for children who need it.
A compromise can protect the environment while also meeting people's different needs.