“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 5: Society and Environment
Story 03: The Devastating Effects of Ocean Pollution
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- array
- catastrophic
- ingestion
- suffocation
- entanglement
- decimate
- livelihood
- contamination
- responsible waste management
- sustainable practice
Read or Listen to the following passage:
The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is home to an incredible array of marine life. However, human activities have caused massive amounts of pollution to be dumped into the ocean, creating a catastrophic impact on the environment. Ocean pollution is caused by a variety of sources, including oil spills, industrial waste, and plastic litter.
One of the most harmful types of ocean pollution is plastic waste. According to a recent study, over 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, which is equivalent to dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. This plastic pollution can cause serious harm to marine life, as many animals mistake the plastic for food, leading to ingestion, suffocation, and entanglement. Plastic waste also harms the health of humans who rely on the ocean for food and resources, as toxic chemicals from the plastic can enter the food chain.
Oil spills are another major source of ocean pollution. When oil spills occur, they create a slick on the surface of the water that can cover large areas of the ocean. This slick can harm marine life by preventing oxygen from entering the water and suffocating fish and other sea creatures. The oil can also contaminate the shorelines, destroying habitats and killing plants and animals that live there.
The impact of ocean pollution is not limited to marine life alone. It also affects the economy and human health. Fishing industries are devastated when fish populations are decimated by pollution, causing loss of income and livelihoods for those who rely on the ocean for their income. In addition, toxic chemicals from ocean pollution can contaminate water sources and lead to illness and disease in humans.
In conclusion, ocean pollution is a global crisis that demands urgent action. The damage caused by pollution is devastating and long-lasting, impacting the environment, marine life, the economy, and human health. We must take responsibility for our actions and work to reduce our impact on the ocean through responsible waste management, conservation efforts, and the development of sustainable practices.
Comprehension Questions:
- What are some of the sources of ocean pollution?
- What is the impact of plastic pollution on marine life?
- How does oil pollution harm marine life and the environment?
- How does ocean pollution affect the economy?
- What can be done to reduce ocean pollution?se possible?
Conversations Starters:
- What are some of the most catastrophic effects of pollution on the environment and human health?
- Have you ever witnessed the ingestion of plastic by marine life? How did it make you feel?
- How can entanglement of marine animals in fishing gear be prevented?
- What are some sustainable practices that individuals and communities can adopt to reduce their environmental impact?
- How can responsible waste management practices help prevent contamination of the environment?
- Do you think citizens should call out people who litter in public? What do you do when you see someone littering?
- What are some of the economic and social impacts of ocean pollution on coastal communities?
- How can governments and corporations be held accountable for their role in contributing to pollution and environmental damage?
- What role do individuals have in reducing pollution and promoting sustainable practices?
- How can education and awareness-raising campaigns help to reduce pollution and its impact on the environment?
