ENGLISH COURSE BOOK FORM 4

ACTIVITY 3

TOPIC: COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS EFFECT TO NATURE

Write a summary of 200 words long about the article.

Are lower poltluhteioCnovleidve-1ls9rpeaanlldyetmheics?ilver lining of

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate headlines with distressing messages about
the negative effects on health and the economy. But sometimes a positive message creeps
through.
The long months of lockdown and reduced economic activity have reduced emissions of
greenhouse gases and air pollutants. In many areas, improved air quality has been hailed
as a key side benefit of the crisis. But as economic activity picks up again, are lower
pollution levels really the silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic? The short answer is no,
and there are at least three reasons for this.

First, the reduction in environmental pressures was extremely costly. The sudden shutdown
of entire sectors and decline in economic activity was not related to improvements in the
way we produce, or in what we consume. When economic growth really picks up again –
and who does not want to start adding jobs again to the global economy? – emission levels
will also pick up.

Second, despite reduced environmental pressures in 2020, environmental quality did not
improve much. Greenhouse gas concentration levels did not drop – and climate change is
driven by concentrations, not emissions. Similarly, as soon as activities resumed air
pollution levels shot up again, any reduction in air pollution related illnesses and
premature deaths was short-lived. The use of raw materials decreased, not least because
construction projects were delayed or cancelled; increasing construction activities is seen
as a key driver for resuming economic growth. Land use change was hardly influenced at
all, implying continued pressure on ecosystems and biodiversity loss.

Third, while the pandemic will likely have effects on environmental pressures well beyond
the coming years, these effects will fade over time. Furthermore, growth rates of emissions,
materials use and land use change are projected to rebound fully within a few years.

Adapted from: https://oecd-environment-focus.blog/2021/06/04/are-lower-pollution-levels-
really-the-silver-lining-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/

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GRAMMAR:
VERB

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NOTES

A verb is a word that expresses:
A physical action (e.g., "to swim," "to write," "to
climb").
A mental action (e.g., "to think," "to guess," "to
consider").
A state of being (e.g., "to be," "to exist," "to appear").

You might find it useful to think of verbs as words to tell
action you are doing.

Verbs Expressing Physical
Actions

Here are some sentences with verbs that express physical
actions. In each example, the verb is in red.

She sells Italian pasta and pastries.
(In this example, the word "sells" is a verb. It expresses the
physical activity "to sell.")

The doctor wrote the prescription.
(In this example, the word "wrote" is a verb. It expresses the
physical activity "to write.")

Alison bought a new album.

(The word "bought" is a verb. It expresses the physical activity

"to buy.") 102

Verbs Expressing Mental
Actions

While many verbs express physical actions (e.g., "to jump," "to
dance," "to sing"), verbs can also express mental actions. For
example:
She considers the job done.
(The word "considers" is a verb. It expresses the mental activity
"to consider.")
Peter guessed the right color.
(The word "guessed" is a verb. It expresses the mental activity
"to guess.")
I thought the same thing.
(The word "thought" is a verb. It expresses the mental activity
"to think.")

Verbs Expressing a State of
Being

Verb "to be" is a group of verbs that do not express any type of
action but only a state of being. Here is the verb "to be" in the
different tenses:

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Here are some real examples with the verb "to be":
Edwina is the tallest student in the class.
(The word "is" is a verb from the verb "to be.")
It was a joke.
(The word "was" is a verb from the verb "to be.")
I am a girl.
(The word "am" is a verb from the verb "to be.")

Here are some other verbs that express a state of being.
Mermaid life almost certainly exists.
(The word "exists" is a verb from the verb "to exist.")
It seemed funny at the time.
(The word "seemed" is a verb from the verb "to seem.")

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ACTIVITY 1

Complete the following sentences with the correct
verb forms.

1. Zara _________ the pavlova yesterday.

(a) will buy (b) bought

2. Now Mr. John _______ questions to see if his

daughter has understood the lesson.

(a) is asking (b) asks

3. As he_________ (to be) not satisfied with the
taste, he_________ new cake tomorrow.

(a) was, bakes (b) is, will bake

4. Ana had a car accident and I went to see her

yesterday. It _______ painful to look at her as

she broke both her legs.

(a) was (b) is

5. Christopher_______ in Japan for two years now
(a) has been staying (b) has been stayed

6. Most probably he_______ to Canada next

year.

(a) will goes (b) will go

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ACTIVITY 2

Fill in the blank with the correct form of verb
forms.

Next Monday, my little sister, Ayana______
(turn) 10 years old. I ______ (be,plan) to get her
dream dress that she ______ (talk) for months
now. The dress is very unicorn-like and has lots of
embroideries on each layer. One thing about
Ayana, she ______ (believe) that unicorn life
certainly _______ (exist). When she _______
(be) 5, we_______ (have) to wear unicorn
costumes for her birthday party or else she
_______ (cry) all day. At that time, I _______
(think) her obsession ________(end) when she
got into school, little did I know the
momentum______ (be) still going strong.
Anyway, I ______ (be) always happy and ready
to ______ (support) her in everything she
_______ ( do) about because she_____
(be) my only little sister that I______ (have).
I_____ (pray) that she will grow up wisely and
become a good person to everyone.

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ANSWERS

107

THEME 1 : SPORTS CORNER

READING SKILLS

LESSON 1 : SPORTS CORNER

A. READING COMPREHENSION

1.A 2. C 3. B
4.C 5. A

ENRITCHMENT ACTIVITY 1
1.Sport helps children to develop both physically

and mentally
2.What type of sport or activity will suit best the

child considering his/her conditions and
abilities
3. Sport can also have the power to help us rest

SPEAKING SKILLS

LESSON 2 : SPORTS TIME

a. Any preffered answer
b. Any preffered answer

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WRITING SKILLS

LESSON 3 : SPORTS FOR ALL

EXERCISE 1 - CONTINOUS WRITING

1.the big games like Olympics and
Paralympics, for the first time in the
history of the modern games, have been
postponed

2.many millions of jobs are therefore at risk
globally, not only for sports professionals
but also for those in related retail and
sporting services industries connected
with leagues and events

3.professional athletes are also under
pressure to reschedule their training,
while trying to stay fit at home

EXERCISE 2 - DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Any prefered answers

EXERCISE 3 - SUMMARY WRITING 109

Any prefered answers

LISTENING SKILLS

LESSON 4 : SPORTS LOVE

A. Word to word

1. Is it a popular sport ?
2.How do you play it ?
3.Who does it ?
4.Is the sport all female ?
5.How fast do you go ?
6.That's in Wales, isn't it ?
7.Can you tell us about sport ?
8.Can you explain what that is ?

B. Multiple Choice Question

1.A 5. C
2.A 6. C
3.A 7. B
4.A 8. B

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C. Grouping

Wakeboarding

a. The sport began in the 1930s.
c. This sport involves doing tricks in the air.
d. There are more guys than girls doing it.
f. It started in California.
h. There are strong influences from other,
similar sports.
i. A big event for this sport is held in Wales.

Roller derby

b. It’s becoming really popular in the UK.
e. There are more girls than guys doing it.
g. When you compete, you score points for
your team.
j. The clothes people wear for this sport have
changed

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GRAMMAR

PAST TENSE

1. took
2. did not enjoyed
3. did not disturb
4. went
5. could not sleep
6. did not eat
7. was not
8. laughed
9. flew
10. did not cost

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THEME 2: FAMILY

READING SKILLS

A. READING COMPREHENSION
1.A 2. B 3. D 4.A 5.B 6.C

B. FAMILY IDIOMS
ANY PREFFERD ANSWERS

SPEAKING SKILLS
ANY PREFERRED ANSWER

WRITING SKILLS
ANY PREFERRED ANSWER

LISTENING SKILLS
EXERCISE 1

1. Paper kangaroos 2. Glue 3. Rode
her bicycle 4. Cousin 5. House
EXERCISE 2

ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS 113

GRAMMAR
EXERCISE 1
A.
1.I go to school everyday.
2.She is sleeping right now.
3.On Mondays, I watch television.
4.Look! He is reading a book.
5.She is running in the park now.
6.We are going on a trip today.

B.
1. Never
2.At the moment
3. Usually
4. Listen!
5.Every day

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THEME 3: ANIMALS

Lesson 1 : Let's Save Animals!
Skill : Reading

1.Biodiversity is a habitat where a group of
diverse microorganisms live together to
benefit one another.

2.Three interventions caused by humans or
nature are illegal hunting, constructions,
and natural disasters.

3. sign/hint.
4.the environmental dangers associated with

their extinction have resulted in harmful
effects on human health after the
extinction of Bald Eagles.
5.Poaching for cultural symbol.
6. epidemic.

Lesson 2 : Knowing Animals Better
Skill : Speaking

Activity 1: Any preferred answer
Activity 2: Any preferred answer

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Lesson 3 : Animal Lives Are Important
Too!

Skill : Writing

Activity 1: Any preferred answer
Activity 2: Any preferred answer
Activity 3:
Pros
1. Pets are good companions.
2. Develop quality in children-responsibility.
Learn to focus on another being instead of
themselves

Cons
1. Another way for parents to over pamper
their children.
2. Children could be allergic, prone to risk of
disease.
3. Failed to care for pets, pets ended up
thrown away.

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Lesson 4 : The Nature of Wild Animals
Skill : Listening

Activity 1:

List of verbs from the song:

To love look

To lose took

choose to ease

feel crying

drunk trace

running following

saw break

Activity 2:
Suggested points for mind map.
Size. largest living land animal. ten feet tall
at the shoulder. weigh up to 18,000 pounds.
the largest elephant in recorded history was
13 feet tall and weighed about 24,000
pounds.
Food & drinks.
-50 gallons of water
-220 pounds of food, approximately 70,000
calories per day

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Intelligence
- recognize themselves in a mirror
-ability to problem-solve with tools
-superb memory as they migrate from place
to place
Population
-African elephants vulnerable in some
countries
-southern Africa, overpopulation of African
elephants
-Asian elephant populations have decreased
immensely
-only exist in isolated pockets between India
and Indonesia.

Activity 3:
A.
1. False 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. True

B.
1. Elephants are big, heavy.
2. Kangaroos can be found in a zoo.
3. can't be seen casually
4. Racoons and squirrels.

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Grammar: Future Tense

A.
1.will drive
2.will be nice
3.will take
4.will not tell
5.will rain
6.will play
7.will go
8.will fly

B.
1.will be travelling
2.will be playing
3.will be raining
4.will be looking
5.will the baby be sleeping
6.will be waiting
7.will you be doing
8.will be watching

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Grammar: Future Tense

C.
1.will have started
2.will have had
3.will have become
4.will have taken
5.will have done
6.will have fallen
7.will have left
8.will have forgotten

D.
1.will have been working
2.will have been liviing
3.will have been studying
4.will have been playing
5.have been talking
6.have been looking for
7.have been paying
8.have been watching

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THEME 4: NATURE

READING SKILL
TOPIC: SAVE THE OCEAN
ACTIVITY 1:

1. (a) CORRECT (/)
(b) NOT CORRECT
(c) CORRECT (/)

2. Yes, water is important because all living things
must have water to survive. Without water, any one
of us will be subject to variables that will cause
challenges and struggle to live a healthy life.
3. Oil spills, industries waste, littering.
4. C – Food Packaging
5. Pick up garbage and litter near beaches, Use
reusable products (Any preferred answers).
6. Humans will live a miserable and unhealthy life/
Humans will fight each other for water. ( Any
preferred answers).

121

SPEAKING SKILL
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING 3R
ACTIVITY 1:

- My family has been practicing the 3R

concept in our daily life.

- My mom taught us to separate our waste

since we were kids. How about you?

- In my family, we did not start from a young

age but we discovered it when we went to

an environmental seminar. At the seminar,

we learnt better about the concept and how

it is very beneficial to our environment.

- By reusing back waste such as plastic

bottles helps to bring down the number of

plastics thrown away in the ocean or river.

- Collecting papers such as old magazines,

books and newspapers makes it easier to

send to places or factories that reproduce

things made from paper.

- ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS 122

ACTIVITY 2:

HOW TO REDUCE WASTE:
- Buy secondhand items
- Donate used goods
- Use reusable grocery bags
HOW TO REUSE WASTE:
- Turn boxes into tools container
- Plastic bottle into vases
HOW TO RECYCLE WASTE:
- Prepare different kinds of rubbish bins for
different types of waste.
APPLYING 3R IN DAILY LIFE HELPS TO CURE
NATURE.
- Less waste
- Reduce water pollution (sea, river)
- Better air quality
(ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS)

ACTIVITY 3
STORYTELLING

(ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS)

123

LISTENING SKILL
TOPIC: NATURAL DISASTERS

ACTIVITY 1:

LANDSLIDE
- Downhill movement of rock, debris and soil.
- More trees will help to solve the issue.
- Can occur on sandy or rocky surfaces, on land
and underwater.
- Induced by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic
activity and mining.

FLOOD
- A dry area or land suddenly gets submerged
underwater.
- Sea water can be carried by strong winds and
hurricanes onto dry coastal land.
- Flash, Rapid Onset, Slow Onset and Storm
Surge.

(ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS)

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ACTIVITY 2
1.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
2. Use less heat and air conditioning
3. Change a light bulb
4. Drive less and drive smart
5. Buy energy-efficient products
6. Use less hot water
7. Use the “Switch” off
8. Plant a tree
9. Encourage others to conserve
10. Get a report card from your utility company.

ACTIVITY 3
1. A secure basement, a closet, or a bathroom
with no windows
2. Save from collapsing roof
3. A weather-radio.
4. It will give evacuation orders or instructions
on how to survive in your shelter/ Update on the
weather situation as waiting for the all-clear
signal
5. TRUE -Leave the vehicle

TRUE - Find a building to shelter

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6. - Open spaces

- Auditoriums

-Gyms

-Stadiums

-Large hallways

7. Tsunami

8. Coastal areas

9. Flood

10.- Move to safer and higher grounds

- Bring important papers in a waterproof

container

11. Swim on the back with arms behind to

steer.

12. Slide of the slope/ Snow/ Center

13. D – Find a sturdy tree and climb it.

14. A – Be able to breather.

15. Use a wet cloth to cover your nose and

mouth.

16. Treeless and bush less.

17. The firefighter can save people inside the

house

18. B- California, Nevada, Alaska 126

19. -
(a) Drop to the floor
(b) Get underneath a table
(b) Cover your head with one hand and hold on
with the other.

WRITING SKILL
TOPIC: ISSUE AROUND NATURE

ACTIVITY 1
ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC, A WIN FOR THE
NATURE
Write an essay about the alternatives to plastic
and how it is beneficial to the environment.
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
- Examples of plastic alternatives: Metal straw,
natural fiber cloth, ceramic products, glass
products.
- Benefits:
- Reduce plastic waste
- Improve water quality
- Preserve endangered species such as coral
stone
- Reduce mass production
- ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS

127

ACTIVITY 2
MAN-MADE WASTE
Man-made waste is not avoidable. Write a
persuasive essay on the topic and prove your side
of the case.
IF AVOIDABLE:
- Change to plastic alternatives industries.
- Empower 3R practice
- Promotes vegetarian lifestyle
IF UNAVOIDABLE:
- Mainstream industries are growing to
support human needs.
- Human population are growing, the
demands are growing.
- Plastic alternatives are not last long as
plastic
(ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS)

ACTIVITY 3
TOPIC: COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS EFFECT TO
NATURE.

( ANY PREFERRED ANSWERS)

128

GRAMMAR
TOPIC: VERB

ACTIVITY 1
1. B – bought
2. A- is asking
3. B- is, will bake
4. A- was
5. A- has been staying
6. B- will go

ACTIVITY 2
1. Will turn
2. Am planning
3. Has been talking
4. Believes
5. Exists
6. Was
7. Had
8. Will cry
9. Thought
10. Will end
11. Is

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13. Support
14. Does
15. Is
16. Have
17. Pray

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referenceS

1.Mª Carmen Guarddon. (2020, May 29).

The Importance of Sport for Children's

Health. READING COMPREHENSION.

https://contenido.uned.es/cuid/prueba_

libre/ingles/ingles_b1_cl.pdf.

2. Sports interviews. LearnEnglish Teens -

British Council. (n.d.).

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.

org/skills/listening/upper-intermediate-

b2-listening/sports-interviews.

3.ESL Sport Writing. ExcellentESL4U.

(n.d.).

https://www.excellentesl4u.com/esl-

sport-writing.html.

4.SaveOurOceans.(2020, Sept 16). Water

Pollution: Save Our Oceans.

https://twitter.com/sooceans2020/statu

s/1306193446579761154

5.British Council Learn English. (2018,

April 9). Phrases for expressing an

opinion. [ Video]. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/I5l7e6oW-GM

131

6. Keerti's CraftShala. (2020, June 15). Story of

the Lion and the Mouse, Storytelling With Props. [

Video]. Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Zi31dr59VTI

7. Learning Junction. (2018, Feb 27). Flooding

Explanation-Learn About Flood- Video for kids. [

Video]. Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=udRNUBHbE0o

8. Learning Junction. (2021, Jan 29). What is a

landslide and what causes it, Landslide. [ Video].

Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=N-gXK72VMWs

9. Fun Facts. (2020, Feb 7). 10-ways to reduce

Global Warming. [ Video]. Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch? 132
v=mNf2bvdTqV4

10. BRIGHT SIDE. (2018, Jan 6). 7 Ways to
Survive Natural Disasters. [ Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mNf2bvdTqV4
11. The Best Schools. ( 2018, Feb 26). 7 Quick
Tips for Writing a Great Persuasive Essay.
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/tips-for-
writing-persuasive-essay/
12. Ramage N. (n.d). How to Write a Factual
Essay. eHowUK.
https://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6924635_write
-factual-essay.html
13. McCombes. S. (2020, Nov 23). How to
Write a Summary. Scribbr.
https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/how-
to-summarize/

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14. Dellink. R. (2021, June 4). Are lower
pollution levels really the silver lining of the
Covid-19 pandemic?. OECD Environment
Focus. https://oecd-environment-
focus.blog/2021/06/04/are-lower-pollution-
levels-really-the-silver-lining-of-the-covid-19-
pandemic/

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