Destroy vs Preserve the Environment worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to match each sentence with the correct word from the list.

We have 24 words numbered 1 to 24. We’ll read each sentence (a to x) and pick the best-fitting word based on meaning.

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a. “__________ is very harmful to the environment.”
→ Think: What general thing harms nature? “Pollution” fits perfectly.
→ Word #4 = pollution

b. “Air __________ is a problem for all of us.”
→ Air + something bad → “pollution” again? But we already used it. Wait — maybe “exhaust fumes”? No, that’s too specific. Actually, “air pollution” is common, but let’s check if another word fits better later. For now, hold on.
Wait — look at word #10: aerosol? Not quite. Word #9: extinct? No.
Actually, “air pollution” is still best — but since “pollution” was used in ‘a’, maybe this is also “pollution”? But instructions say “most suitable word” — perhaps repetition is allowed? Let’s see other options.
Alternatively, “exhaust fumes” (#21) could fit here — cars emit them into air. But sentence says “air ___ is a problem”, so “pollution” is still better. Maybe both a and b can use “pollution”? But let’s check the list — only one #4. So probably not.
Wait — look at word #17: acid rain? That’s related to air, but not exactly “air ___”.
Word #24: carbon dioxide? Also possible, but not as general.
Actually, re-reading: sentence b says “Air __________ is a problem...” — likely “pollution” is intended again? But since we must choose unique words? The task doesn’t say words can’t repeat, but typically in matching, they don’t. Let’s skip and come back.

Actually, looking ahead — many sentences will need different words. Let’s try to assign uniquely.

Better approach: go one by one and pick the most precise match.

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Let me make a table mentally:

List of words:
1-oil slicks
2-global warming
3-polar ice caps
4-pollution
5-rainforests
6-reusable
7-renewable
8-endangered
9-extinct
10-aerosol
11-climate
12-greenhouse effect
13-biodegradable
14-balance
15-combat
16-destruction
17-acid rain
18-biodiversity
19-drought
20-erosion
21-exhaust fumes
22-fertilizers
23-wind energy
24-carbon dioxide

Now solve each:

a. Very harmful to environment → pollution (#4)

b. Air ________ is a problem → Could be “pollution” again, but let’s see — maybe “exhaust fumes” (#21)? Or “carbon dioxide” (#24)? But “air pollution” is standard phrase. However, since #4 is taken, perhaps this is “exhaust fumes”? But exhaust fumes are part of air pollution. Hmm.

Wait — look at sentence j: “The air get polluted with the __________ of thousands of cars.” → That’s clearly “exhaust fumes” (#21). So for b, maybe “pollution” is still okay? But let’s assume no repeats unless necessary.

Alternative: “acid rain” (#17) is caused by air pollutants, but not “air acid rain”.

Perhaps “climate” (#11)? “Air climate” doesn’t make sense.

I think “pollution” is meant for a, and for b, it might be “exhaust fumes” — but that feels forced.

Wait — another idea: “aerosol” (#10) — spray cans release aerosols into air. But sentence c is about spray cans.

Let’s do c first.

c. An __________ is contained in a spray can. → Definitely aerosol (#10)

So c = 10

Then b: Air ________ → Now, what’s left? “Carbon dioxide” (#24) — CO2 is in air and causes problems. Or “greenhouse effect” (#12)? But that’s not “air greenhouse effect”.

Actually, “air pollution” is so common, maybe the worksheet allows reuse? But let’s check the number of sentences: a to x is 24 sentences, and 24 words — so likely one-to-one mapping. So no repeats.

Therefore, for b, we need a different word.

What about “smog”? Not in list. “Fumes”? Exhaust fumes is #21, but that’s for cars.

Perhaps “acid rain” — but acid rain falls from air, isn’t “air acid rain”.

Another thought: “climate change” — but word is “climate” (#11). “Air climate” no.

Wait — word #2: global warming — that’s related to air, but not “air global warming”.

I think I made a mistake. Let’s look at sentence e: “CO2 has a lot to do with the so-called __________.” → That’s “greenhouse effect” (#12) or “global warming” (#2). Both possible, but “greenhouse effect” is more direct.

But let’s proceed systematically.

Start over with clear matches:

c. Spray can → aerosol (#10) — solid.

d. __________ continues to decline each year all over the world. → What declines? Rainforests? Biodiversity? Polar ice caps?
“Rainforests” (#5) are declining due to deforestation. “Biodiversity” (#18) also declines. “Polar ice caps” (#3) melting, so declining in size.
But sentence says “continues to decline” — could be any. Look at context. Later sentences mention rainforests, biodiversity, etc.
Perhaps “biodiversity” — but let’s see sentence k: “The __________ of nature is very fragile.” → That sounds like “balance” (#14) or “biodiversity” (#18).
Sentence o: “population of some __________ animals” → “endangered” (#8)
Sentence u: “they will become __________” → “extinct” (#9)
So for d, “rainforests” might fit — they are declining.
Or “polar ice caps” — melting, so declining.
But “decline” often used for populations or areas. “Rainforests” area is declining.
Let’s tentatively put rainforests (#5) for d.

e. CO2 has a lot to do with the so-called __________. → Greenhouse effect (#12) or global warming (#2). “Greenhouse effect” is the mechanism, “global warming” is the result. Usually, CO2 is linked to “greenhouse effect”. So #12.

f. __________ are chemicals given to plants to promote growth. → Fertilizers (#22) — obvious.

g. If the __________ melt, ocean levels will rise. → Polar ice caps (#3) — yes.

h. Large __________ were found near the coast. → Oil slicks (#1) — oil spills near coast.

i. Sunlight is a __________ resource because we can use it without using it up. → Renewable (#7) — yes, solar is renewable.

j. The air get polluted with the __________ of thousands of cars. → Exhaust fumes (#21) — perfect.

k. The __________ of nature is very fragile. → Balance (#14) — “balance of nature” is a common phrase.

l. The __________ did severe damage to the harvest and was followed by famine. → Drought (#19) — lack of rain damages crops.

m. The laws to __________ air pollution should be stricter. → Combat (#15) — fight against pollution.

n. The Mediterranean __________ is good for growing citrus fruits. → Climate (#11) — Mediterranean climate is known for that.

o. The population of some __________ animals is declining dramatically. → Endangered (#8) — yes.

p. The use of renewable sources could stop the __________ of the rainforests. → Destruction (#16) — stopping destruction.

q. There are two kinds of plastic bottles: __________ bottles and single-service bottles. → Reusable (#6) — opposite of single-use.

r. They started a campaign to slow down the process of __________. → Erosion (#20)? Or extinction? But erosion is soil loss. Sentence w is about soil erosion.
What process? Could be “destruction” but used in p.
“Extinction” (#9) — but sentence u is about becoming extinct.
“Global warming” (#2)?
Look at sentence s: Trees absorb CO2 — related to climate.
Perhaps “erosion” — but let’s see.
Another option: “biodiversity loss” but not direct.
Word #16 is destruction, used in p.
Perhaps “extinction” — but o and u are about endangered/extinct.
Sentence r: “slow down the process of __________” — could be “extinction” of species.
But let’s check available words.
After assigning others, we’ll see.

s. Trees give off oxygen and absorb __________. → Carbon dioxide (#24) — photosynthesis.

t. Tropical __________ are the Earth's oldest living ecosystems. → Rainforests (#5) — but we used #5 for d? Conflict.
Problem: I assigned d to rainforests, but t is clearly rainforests.
So d cannot be rainforests.
Revise d.

For d: “__________ continues to decline each year” — what else? Biodiversity (#18) — yes, biodiversity is declining globally.
Or polar ice caps (#3) — but g is about them melting.
G is “if the __________ melt”, so #3 for g.
So for d, “biodiversity” (#18) — declining.
Then t: tropical rainforests (#5) — yes.

So d = biodiversity (#18)
t = rainforests (#5)

Good.

Back to r: “slow down the process of __________”
Available words: let's list assigned so far.

Assigned:
a: ?
b: ?
c: 10 (aerosol)
d: 18 (biodiversity)
e: 12 (greenhouse effect)
f: 22 (fertilizers)
g: 3 (polar ice caps)
h: 1 (oil slicks)
i: 7 (renewable)
j: 21 (exhaust fumes)
k: 14 (balance)
l: 19 (drought)
m: 15 (combat)
n: 11 (climate)
o: 8 (endangered)
p: 16 (destruction)
q: 6 (reusable)
r: ?
s: 24 (carbon dioxide)
t: 5 (rainforests)
u: ?
v: ?
w: ?
x: ?

Remaining words: 2,4,9,13,17,20,23

Words left:
2-global warming
4-pollution
9-extinct
13-biodegradable
17-acid rain
20-erosion
23-wind energy

Sentences left: a,b,r,u,v,w,x

a. Very harmful to environment → pollution (#4) — yes, still good.

b. Air __________ is a problem → now, with pollution taken, what? Acid rain (#17)? But acid rain is not "air acid rain". Global warming (#2)? "Air global warming" no.
Perhaps "carbon dioxide" but used in s.
S is 24, so CO2 taken.
Another idea: "exhaust fumes" is used in j, so not available.
Perhaps "aerosol" but used in c.
I think "pollution" is the best for a, and for b, it might be "acid rain" — but let's see sentence v or others.

Sentence v: "We only use detergent... that is __________ so that we don't add to pollution" → biodegradable (#13) — yes, breaks down naturally.

So v = 13

Then for b, still stuck.

Sentence u: "Unless whales are protected, they will become __________" → extinct (#9) — yes.

So u = 9

Sentence w: "Wind and water are the main agents of soil __________" → erosion (#20) — yes.

So w = 20

Sentence x: "__________ comes out of a turbine and is turned into electrical energy." → wind energy (#23) — turbines for wind power.

So x = 23

Now remaining sentences: a,b,r

Remaining words: 2,4,17

Words: global warming (2), pollution (4), acid rain (17)

Sentences:
a: very harmful → pollution (4)
b: air __________ is a problem → could be acid rain? But acid rain is a type of pollution, and it's related to air. "Air acid rain" isn't standard, but perhaps acceptable. Or global warming.
r: slow down the process of __________ → what process? With words left: global warming, pollution, acid rain.
"Slow down the process of global warming" makes sense.
"Slow down pollution" also possible.
But "process of pollution" is vague; "process of global warming" is better.
Also, sentence e is about CO2 and greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming.
So r = global warming (#2)

Then for b: air __________ is a problem → acid rain (#17)? But acid rain is not typically called "air acid rain". However, it is caused by air pollutants.
Perhaps "pollution" for b, and a for something else, but a is general harm, pollution is perfect.
Another thought: in some contexts, "smog" but not in list.
I think we have to go with:
a: pollution (4)
b: acid rain (17) — even if not perfect, it's the only one left that relates to air problems.
But let's confirm.

Sentence b: "Air __________ is a problem for all of us."
If we put "acid rain", it's a bit awkward, but acid rain is an air-related environmental problem.
"Global warming" is also air-related, but we assigned it to r.
Perhaps swap.

Let's see sentence r: "They started a campaign to slow down the process of __________."
If we put "pollution" here, "slow down the process of pollution" — possible, but "combat pollution" is in m.
M is "laws to combat air pollution", so pollution is addressed there.
For r, "slow down global warming" is very common phrase.
So r = 2 (global warming)

Then for b, with words left: 4 and 17.
A is "very harmful" — pollution is general harm.
B is "air ___" — acid rain is a specific air pollution effect.
Perhaps b = acid rain (17), a = pollution (4)

Yes.

Now, what about sentence r? We have it as global warming.

But let's list all to verify.

Final assignment:

a. pollution (#4)
b. acid rain (#17) — though not ideal, it's the best fit left.
c. aerosol (#10)
d. biodiversity (#18)
e. greenhouse effect (#12)
f. fertilizers (#22)
g. polar ice caps (#3)
h. oil slicks (#1)
i. renewable (#7)
j. exhaust fumes (#21)
k. balance (#14)
l. drought (#19)
m. combat (#15)
n. climate (#11)
o. endangered (#8)
p. destruction (#16)
q. reusable (#6)
r. global warming (#2)
s. carbon dioxide (#24)
t. rainforests (#5)
u. extinct (#9)
v. biodegradable (#13)
w. erosion (#20)
x. wind energy (#23)

Now, check if all words used: 1 to 24.

Used: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 — yes, all covered.

For b: "Air acid rain is a problem" — while not grammatically perfect, in educational contexts, it might be accepted as "acid rain" being an air pollution issue. Alternatively, perhaps the intended word is "pollution" for b, and a for something else, but a is general, so pollution fits a better.

Another possibility: in some curricula, "air pollution" is separate, but here since only one "pollution", and a is general, b might be intended for "exhaust fumes", but j is specifically about cars' exhaust.

I think our assignment is as good as it gets.

So final answers:

a. 4
b. 17
c. 10
d. 18
e. 12
f. 22
g. 3
h. 1
i. 7
j. 21
k. 14
l. 19
m. 15
n. 11
o. 8
p. 16
q. 6
r. 2
s. 24
t. 5
u. 9
v. 13
w. 20
x. 23

Now, to present the answer as per requirement.

Final Answer:
a. 4
b. 17
c. 10
d. 18
e. 12
f. 22
g. 3
h. 1
i. 7
j. 21
k. 14
l. 19
m. 15
n. 11
o. 8
p. 16
q. 6
r. 2
s. 24
t. 5
u. 9
v. 13
w. 20
x. 23