The Environment
Reading exercises for English learners passionate about the environment
Our Earth seen from space over the Indian sub-continent (image courtesy NASA)
These lessons include readings, vocab, quizzes and comprehension questions, as well as topics for discussion and essays. If you care about our Earth, but find it hard to express your opinions and concerns in English, these pages will help you.
Environment Vocabulary
all levelsDo you consider yourself an earth activist? Talking about environmental issues is difficult to do in a foreign language. Learning the following words will help you express your thoughts and concerns in English.
Natural Habitats
level: intermediateEvery living thing has a particular place in which it lives, and we call this place its habitat. A good habitat provides everything an organism needs to survive. It provides food and shelter, places for breeding or laying eggs, the right kind of climate, and so on.
The Disappearing Honeybee
level: intermediateDid you know that the honey bee is disappearing? Find out how this could change the world in this lesson.
Greenpeace
level: intermediateRead about Greenpeace, one of the world's biggest environmental organizations, best known for its direct-action campaigns against nuclear testing, seal and whale hunting, as well as against destructive fishing and forestry practices. With vocab and quiz.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
level: intermediateThe World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a non-governmental organization (or "NGO") founded in 1961 to protect endangered species of wildlife and preserve natural habitats. With vocab and quiz.
Environmental Activist David Attenborough
level: intermediateDo you like watching shows about nature and wildlife? If you do, you've probably seen documentaries by British naturalist Sir David Attenborough such as his famous Life on Earth series. With vocab and quiz.
Climate Activist Greta Thunberg
level: intermediateHow did a 15-year-old high school student from Sweden become the world's most famous climate change activist? With vocab and quiz
Greta Thunberg on Climate Change
level: intermediateDid you know that environmental activist Greta Thunberg features in a music video by British rock band The 1975? She speaks about climate change while stock footage and graphics play, implying that in the future images like these could be the only way people can see what our planet looked like before it suffered the effects of global warming. With vocab and quiz.
Environmental Activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
level: intermediate Read about environmental activist and rapper Xiuhtezcatl Martinez. Watch his music videos and do a gapfill exercise based on the lyrics of one. With vocab list, links to related materials and quiz.
Endangered Species
level: intermediateDid you know that the Arctic is warming faster than any other place in the world? Find out what this means for our polar bears in this lesson.
Pollution
level: upper-intermediateDid you know that pollution causes premature death all over the world? Learn about the main types of pollution and their associated health risks in this lesson.
Eco-Communities
level: advancedDid you know that building planners and construction companies are "going green" on a global scale? Learn more about a Canadian eco-community in this lesson.