Save the Planet: C1/C2 Phrasal Verbs

This is a lesson plan for C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency students on the topic of non-profit organisations like the WWF. Students read a short text about the organisation then work on phrasal verbs associated with the topic. Download the handout and key below:

The procedure is pretty straightforward. First students answer the introductory questions designed to activate their schemata and encourage them to predict the content of the text. They then read the text briefly to see if their predictions were correct. They then focus on the meaning of the phrasal verbs, then recall the prepositions/particles and finally put them into practice in a speaking activity.

Save the Planet – Phrasal Verbs

Introduction

Ask and answer the questions with a partner:

1. Think of some national or international organisations dedicated to protecting the environment.
2. What do these organisations do?
3. How effective are they?
4. What problems/difficulties do they encounter?
5. What can people do to support these organisations more?

The WWF

1. Read the text quickly. Does it mention any of the things you discussed in the introduction?
2. Look at the phrasal verbs and expressions in bold and match them with the definitions below.

The World Wide Fund for Nature

Every day more and more trees are being cut down in the rainforests of the world wiping out hundreds of species. The current deforestation rate amounts to 3 football pitches per minute. Precious water supplies are being used up meaning that still more animals and plants are dying out. If we step back and look at the bigger picture, it’s not just animals and plants that are affected. The rainforests are the Earth’s lungs and further damage will only lead to misery for all life on the planet.

Our organisation aims to put pressure on governments all over the world to make them step up and take responsibility for the environment. Governments need to crack down on bad practices such as illegal logging and mining in rainforests. Sadly, we’re coming up against a lot of resistance from big business but that won’t stop us standing up for the animal kingdom. We’re looking for volunteers to chip in in any way they can; handing out leaflets in the street or drumming up support online are just two ways we can get our message across. Join us today by clicking the link below!

1. Help/contribute money 2. Kill or cause to die on a large scale 3. Be faced with 4. Make people hear/understand information 5. Cause

6. Mentally withdraw from a situation 7. Try to increase/encourage support for something 8. Become extinct 9. Introduce strong restrictions 10. Give something to people

11. Cause to fall 12. Defend verbally or physically 13. Consume all of something 14. Total/add up to 15. Take action when it’s needed

Practice

Try to remember the missing prepositions in the questions below without looking at the text. Then ask and answer the questions.

1. How effective do you think practices like handing _____ leaflets actually are?
2. Have you ever done anything to drum ______ support for a charity or other organisation?
3. What do you think governments should crack ____ ____ in your country?
4. Think of some endangered animals. Which one would you be saddest about if it died _____ completely?
5. What do you think is the most effective way for an organisation like the WWF to get its message _______? Online? In person?
6. What do you think are the most difficult issues that charities like the WWF come ____ ______ when trying to help the environment?
7. If you use ____ all the toilet paper, do you always replace it?
8. Think of a time when a friend or family member stood ____ _____ you in a difficult situation.
9. Now think of a time when nobody stood ____ _____ you. Or when you failed to stand _____ _____ a friend.
10. Who has the biggest responsibility to step ____ and take responsibility for the environment? Governments? Businesses? The general public? Why?
11. When it’s a friend’s birthday, is it better if they receive lots of little presents or if everyone chips ____ and gets them one big present. Which would you prefer on your birthday?
12. If you added up all your screen time in one day, how much would it amount ____? Do you want to cut _____? Why? Why not?