An inconvenient truth - ESL worksheet by lavande - Free Printable

Let's go through each section of the worksheet "An inconvenient truth" and solve it step by step, explaining the answers clearly.

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1. Right or wrong? (R / W)

We need to determine whether each statement is Right (R) or Wrong (W) based on scientific knowledge about climate change.

1. The atmosphere which surrounds the Earth is compared to a thin layer (couche) of varnish.
✔ R – This is a metaphor used in Al Gore’s film *An Inconvenient Truth* to illustrate how thin the atmosphere is relative to Earth's size.

2. The atmosphere lets the sun shine in and retain its heat, like a greenhouse.
✔ R – This describes the greenhouse effect, where gases trap heat and warm the planet.

3. The higher the CO₂ level in the atmosphere, the colder the climate is.
✘ W – Higher CO₂ levels lead to warmer climates due to increased greenhouse effect.

4. When temperatures get higher, storms are less devastating.
✘ W – Warmer temperatures often lead to more intense storms (e.g., hurricanes, cyclones), not less devastating ones.

✔ Answers:
- R
- R
- W
- W

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2. Everything has been mixed up: Put the words below in the right order

We need to rearrange jumbled phrases into meaningful sentences.

#### a) Responsible / 90 per cent / motor / vehicles / carbon monoxide / of / emissions / for / are.

➡️ Motor vehicles are responsible for 90 per cent of carbon monoxide emissions.

> Explanation: The subject is "motor vehicles", then "are responsible for", followed by the object "90 per cent of carbon monoxide emissions".

#### b) 200 / extinct / everyday / deforestation / worldwide / some / species / become / and / because of / pollution

➡️ Everyday, 200 species become extinct worldwide because of deforestation and pollution.

> Explanation: Start with time ("everyday"), then number and subject ("200 species"), verb ("become extinct"), location ("worldwide"), reason ("because of deforestation and pollution").

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3. Fill in the blanks with the words provided

Given words:
Polluer / couper = abattre / traiter de / absorber augmenter / renforcer / tenir / déverser / respirent / planter / monter / conscient / trop

Text:
> The film by Al Gore …………………… with a topical issue: Global warming. Both pollution caused by industries and deforestation are …………………… responsible for climate change.
> On the one hand, industries …………………… their fumes into the atmosphere and …………………… the air we …………………… . By discharging their fumes into the air, they make the level of carbon dioxide …………………… , thus they …………………… the greenhouse effect.
> On the other hand, deforestation has gone too far: Too …………………… trees have been …………………… without …………………… new ones. Trees and plants …………………… CO₂ so cutting trees in large quantities results in climate change by …………………… the greenhouse effect.

Now fill in:

1. traiter de → The film by Al Gore traite de a topical issue.
2. trop → both pollution and deforestation are trop responsible (too much).
3. déversent → industries déversent their fumes.
4. polluent → and polluent the air we…
5. respirent → the air we respirent.
6. monter → make the level of CO₂ monter.
7. renforcent → thus they renforcent the greenhouse effect.
8. trop → Too trop trees have been...
9. abattues → have been abattues (cut down).
10. planter → without planter new ones.
11. absorbent → Trees and plants absorbent CO₂.
12. augmentant → results in climate change by augmentant the greenhouse effect.

✔ Final filled-in version:

> The film by Al Gore traite de with a topical issue: Global warming. Both pollution caused by industries and deforestation are trop responsible for climate change.
> On the one hand, industries déversent their fumes into the atmosphere and polluent the air we respirent. By discharging their fumes into the air, they make the level of carbon dioxide monter, thus they renforcent the greenhouse effect.
> On the other hand, deforestation has gone too far: Too trop trees have been abattues without planter new ones. Trees and plants absorbent CO₂ so cutting trees in large quantities results in climate change by augmentant the greenhouse effect.

Note: "trop" appears twice — this may be a typo in the original list, but it fits logically.

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4. What will be the consequences? What is likely to happen?

Fill in the blanks with logical outcomes.

1. If trees are cut down on very large areas, CO₂ ……………………
➡️ CO₂ increases / rises / accumulates
> Trees absorb CO₂; removing them means more CO₂ stays in the atmosphere.

2. If the level of carbon dioxide keeps rising on the Earth, the climate ……………………
➡️ the climate gets warmer / changes / becomes unstable
> Direct consequence of greenhouse effect.

3. If the world temperature keeps increasing, devastating storms ……………………
➡️ become more frequent and intense
> Warmer oceans fuel stronger storms.

4. If Greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, glaciers and snow ……………………
➡️ melt / disappear / retreat
> Rising temps cause melting ice.

5. If we do not take precautions, sea levels …………………… and some places ……………………
➡️ rise / flood / sink
> Melting ice raises sea levels, causing coastal flooding.

✔ Answers:
1. increases
2. gets warmer
3. become more frequent and intense
4. melt
5. rise / flood

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5. Who is to blame? Make a few sentences

Use the given vocabulary to write sentences assigning blame.

Words:
- To REPROACH someone
- To ACCUSE someone
- To BLAME someone
- To HOLD someone RESPONSIBLE

People: US authorities / politicians / ordinary people / industrialists / experts / Al Gore
Adjectives: blind / short-sighted / egoistic / indifferent / ignorant / feel concerned / responsible
Verbs: ignore / take into consideration / think of long-term consequences / close their eyes

Examples:

1. We should reproach industrialists for ignoring the environment and polluting the air.
2. Many people accuse politicians of being short-sighted and not taking climate change seriously.
3. We cannot blame ordinary people if they are ignorant about the effects of global warming.
4. Experts should hold the US authorities responsible for not reducing emissions.
5. Some people close their eyes to the problem and pretend nothing is happening.

> You can use any combination that makes sense.

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6. What should be done to reduce global warming worldwide? Can you help stop global warming as an individual? Write 5 suggestions

#### Global actions:
1. Governments should invest in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
2. Industries must reduce emissions by using cleaner technologies.
3. Countries should sign and enforce international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
4. Deforestation should be stopped, and reforestation programs should be promoted.
5. Public transportation systems should be improved to reduce car usage.

#### Individual actions:
1. Use public transport, bike, or walk instead of driving.
2. Reduce energy consumption at home (turn off lights, use energy-efficient appliances).
3. Recycle and avoid single-use plastics.
4. Eat less meat (livestock produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas).
5. Support environmentally friendly policies and companies.

✔ Example answer (5 suggestions):

1. Use public transport or carpool to reduce carbon emissions.
2. Turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use.
3. Plant trees or support reforestation projects.
4. Reduce meat consumption to lower methane emissions.
5. Educate others about climate change and encourage sustainable habits.

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✔ Summary of All Answers:

#### 1. Right or Wrong?
- R
- R
- W
- W

#### 2. Corrected Sentences:
- Motor vehicles are responsible for 90 per cent of carbon monoxide emissions.
- Everyday, 200 species become extinct worldwide because of deforestation and pollution.

#### 3. Fill in the Blanks:
- traite de
- trop
- déversent
- polluent
- respirent
- monter
- renforcent
- trop
- abattues
- planter
- absorbent
- augmentant

#### 4. Consequences:
1. increases
2. gets warmer
3. become more frequent and intense
4. melt
5. rise / flood

#### 5. Who is to blame? (Example)
- We should reproach industrialists for polluting.
- Politicians are accused of ignoring climate science.
- We cannot blame ordinary people if they lack information.
- Experts hold governments responsible for inaction.
- Some people are indifferent and close their eyes.

#### 6. Suggestions:
1. Use public transport.
2. Save electricity.
3. Plant trees.
4. Eat less meat.
5. Educate others.

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This worksheet helps students understand climate change, language structures, and personal responsibility. It combines grammar, vocabulary, and environmental awareness. Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a teacher's key!