Academic English

Recycling and protecting the environment is very important in our world today. Now, you will listen to an award-winning essay on trees in which a girl explains why she loves trees? What ideas would you expect to hear in such an essay?

“money doesn’t grow on trees” = don’t waste money because it isn’t always easy to come by
“Watch how much you spend because money doesn’t grow on trees.”

“have a green thumb” = special ability at making plants grow well
“She has a real green thumb for growing beautiful decorative trees.”

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

What environmental problems can you think that pose great danger to nature and our world (e.g., acid rain, deforestation, water pollution)? Are these threats caused by human activity or by natural occurrences? What are some solutions to these problems? Share your ideas on these important issues.