Home > Plastic Pollution

Plastic Pollution examines how we can reduce our use of plastic, particularly in our oceans. Plastic bags are the preferred method of packaging for many products because they are light, inexpensive, and simple to manufacture. By the end of these activities, you will be able to discuss the hazards of using plastic bags as well as potential solutions to the problem.
Time
60-80 minutes
Main Skills
Listening and Reading
Theme and topic
Sharing the Planet: Plastic Pollution
Download Available
Audio Transcript
A Plastic Ocean is an adventure documentary shot on more than 20 locations over the past 4 years. Explorers Craig Leeson and Tanya Streeter and a team of international scientists reveal the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and share solutions.
Listen to a TED Talk given by Lauren Singer about plastic pollution and answer the following questions. Also, note down the things Lauren did and the benefits of her actions.
Read the review of the movie that is about plastic pollution in the ocean, written by Gary Truong. Then answer the questions at the bottom..
Here are the words and phrases covered in this lesson about plastic pollution:
- causes and consequences
- contaminated seafood
- convert
- degrade
- durability
- eliminate
- embrace
- environmental study student
- garbage can
- immune system problems
- ingrained
- incentivise
- juxtaposition
- landfill sites
- marine environment
- microplastics
- package-free
- plastic pollution
- pristine environment
- second-hand
- small proportion
- stabilized
- sustainability
Plastic bags are the preferred mode of packaging for many products as they are light and inexpensive as well as easy to produce. Write an essay on the dangers brought about by the use of plastic bags and possible solutions to the problem.
Task-specific success criteria
- The essay has a clear structure - introduction, body and conclusion
- The introduction provides context and includes a thesis statement
- Each body paragraph provides one part of the big picture
- The body paragraphs provide a range of points to support the thesis statement
- Each body paragraph provides a topic sentence, evidence to support the topic and an explanation of how the evidence supports the topic.
- The transition between paragraphs is smooth and seamless.
- The conclusion provides a sense of closure for readers and gives readers an idea or question to ponder after they put the essay down.
- The register is formal.
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