IELTS Speaking Lesson about Environment
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Table of Contents
IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: Renewable Energy
Renewable (adj.) /r ɪ ˈnjuː ə bəl/
Renewable energy sources include wind and solar power.
Renewables (n. Pl.)
Renewables include wind and solar power.
Renewable energy = energy from sources that won’t run out
(they are always being renewed.)
Clean energy = energy from sources that don’t release air pollutants
Green energy = energy from natural sources
- To pollute (v.) /pəˈluːt/
- Pollutant (n. C) /pəˈluː tənt/
- Pollution (n. U) /pəˈluː ʃən/
Wind (n./adj.) /wɪnd/
Collocations
- Wind energy
- Wind power
- Wind turbines
- Wind farms
- A windmill
Wind turbines are an eyesore!
An eyesore = something not nice to look at.
Solar energy (n.U) /ˈsəʊ.lə/ = energy from the sun
- Solar energy
- Solar panels
- Solar heating
It’s not cheap to install solar panels
To install = to put up, to connect (solar panels)
Hydropower (n.U) = power from water
- Hydropower energy
- Hydropower plant
- Hydropower dam
I don’t know the ins and outs of hydropower, but it seems to be popular in many areas.
Hydropower dams do need some deforestation.
To know the ins and outs of something = to know the details of something
Zero emission (adj.) = energy sources that give off no waste or pollutants
Scientists are developing zero emission motors
Net zero (adj.) = the carbon we put in the air is no more than what we take out.
The result is total greenhouse gas emissions in the air would never increase.
Many countries aim to be net zero by 2050
Listening Activity
Listen to Jack and Sarah talking about renewable energy.
1) How many energy sources do they mention?
Click the arrow to see the answer
FIVE
- Solar panels
- Burning coal
- Gas
- Wind farms / turbines
- Fossil fuels
2) Listen to the conversation again. Fill the boxes with the missing word you hear.
1. only _____ forward
2. it pays ______
3. defeat the whole ______
4. mess ______ wildlife
5. ______ the planet
6. magic _______
Click the arrow to see the answer
1. Only way forward = (only path forward)
2. It pays off = (it compensates)
3. Defeat the whole point = (destroys the initial idea)
4. Mess up wildlife = (destroy)
5. Wrecking the planet = (destroying)
6. Magic fix = (solution)
IELTS Speaking Idioms: Environment
1. A drop in the ocean = a very small or insignificant amount
Switching off one light bulb feels like a drop in the ocean when it comes to stopping climate change.
2. To jump on the bandwagon = to join an activity that has become popular
20 years ago, no-one was worried about recycling, now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.
3. To go green = to adopt environmentally friendly practices
Many companies are trying to go green by reducing their carbon emissions
4. To blow hot and cold = to frequently change opinion or feeling about something
Some governments blow hot and cold when it comes to taking action on climate policies
Similar idiom
To be in two minds
IELTS Speaking Model Answer
Click below to watch the model answer about this question.
Describe an environmental issue you care about
- Before watching, guess which environmental issue he will talk about.
Watch again and note any useful collocations
Click the arrow to see the answer
Before watching guess which environmental issue he will talk about.
- Renewable energies, including solar and wind energy.
Full Script
Click the arrow to see the full script
NOTE: Phrases in pink are connectors / signposts for better fluency
Describe an environmental issue you care about
When it comes to describing an environmental issue, I care about I’d like to talk about renewable energy.
So, many countries in the world now are moving towards net zero emissions and it seems that a key way of doing this is substituting fossil fuels for renewable energy sources.
It seems clear that fossil fuels are bad for the environment causing a lot of pollution and that’s why there’s a lot of research now on creating other sources of energy.
I think two aspects that have direct relevance for me are solar energy and wind energy.
First of all, wind energy – well, there are many wind farms in the UK and the government is investing in this area. I know there are downsides (=disadvantages) like the wind turbines are an eyesore, but I think that something will get used to and we have to invest in new technologies like this.
Secondly, solar energy is also becoming more popular in the UK more and more people are putting solar panels on their roof to get energy that can be stored in batteries and used when there is no sunshine.
The government are offering subsidies (=financial support) to incentivise people to do this and it seems a lot of people are jumping on the bandwagon which is a good thing.
I honestly don’t think they’re any simple solutions to the climate change problem, but this isn’t an environmental issue I care about.
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