LISTENING: Consumer quiz
Garbage. Imaxe de Hans en Pixabay. Licenza CC 0
One of the main problems that affect the environment today is waste production.
In pairs, read the quiz below and choose what you think is the correct option. Then, listen to the recording below and check if your predictions were right.
Ana Losada e José Luis Murado. CC BY-SA
Exercise 1. Quiz
Exercise 2
Listen to the recording again and say if the statements below are True or False.
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False
She had just finished her homework
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True
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False
She thinks it’s important
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False
She also mentions reducing the amount by writing on both sides of a sheet
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True
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False
She uses a cloth bag
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False
She thinks repairing is a great idea
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Listen to the recording one more time with the script:
Linda: Mary, are you busy?
Mary: No, I’m not. I’ve just finished my homework.
Linda: Great. Would you mind if I ask you a few questions about our consumer habits?
Mary: Not at all! I love going shopping.
Linda: Well, this quiz is not exactly about going shopping…it’s about how much waste we produce.
Mary: Never mind, it’s a very important issue.
Linda: It is! Let’s get started. Question 1: How much rubbish does a person produce in Galicia each year? a) 100 kilos b) 600 kilos or c) 1000 kilos?
Mary: It’s hard to say. 100 kilos perhaps?
Linda: Oh, that would be great but it’s 6 times more: 600 kilos. Too much waste, really. Question 2: How much paper does a person in Galicia throw away each year? The equivalent to a) 1 tree, b) 2 trees, c) 3 trees?
Mary: I’m afraid it’s c. We use too much paper.
Linda: You’re right. In fact it’s more than 3 trees, it’s the equivalent to 3.7 trees, almost 4 trees!
Mary: Oh God! I’m going to start recycling paper right now.
Linda: Recycling is as important as reducing the amount. For example, whenever possible, write on both sides of a sheet.
Mary: Sure, I will! Question 3?
Linda: How many glass bottles does each family in Galicia use in a year? a) 200, b) 400, c) 600?
Mary: No idea, 400?
Linda: Not so many, it’s a) 200. I think most of the bottles we use are made of plastic.
Mary: Plastic pollution is a big problem too.
Linda: It is! a very serious problem. In fact, seas and oceans have too much plastic, it’s terrible. Question 4 is about plastic: How many plastic bags does a person in Galicia use a year? a) 150, b) 200, c) 300
Mary: Tell me it’s 150
Linda: Sorry, Mary. It’s double the number: 300
Mary: Oh no!
Linda: Unfortunately, we need to reduce the use of plastic bags. I take my own cloth bag whenever I go to the supermarket.
Mary: Yes. I reuse the plastic bags I have at home. That’s something.
Linda: Yes, it’s something. Question 5 is about the use of cans: How many cans does each family in Galicia use in a year? a) 200, b) 250 or c) 300
Mary: 200?
Linda: Yes, it’s the smallest number but still is a big one.
Mary: Right. I’m going to think about it and follow the rule of the 4Rs
Linda: The 4Rs? I know the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Mary: The 4 R is something really useful: repair.
Linda: Great idea! Thanks Mary!
Mary: You’re welcome! Bye Linda!
Linda: Bye Mary!