I would respond to the local Green group's questions about environmental issues in Hong Kong in the following way: The article discusses how people tend to produce more household waste during the Christmas period than any other time of year. It found that waste includes shopping bags, leftover food, wrapping paper, gift packaging, as well as disposable tableware. Additionally, increased electricity usage and travel have further negative environmental impacts during this season. However, small changes like reusing materials for wrapping gifts or decorations, having candlelit dinners, and reducing overall consumption can help lessen environmental effects. Educating others about more sustainable practices during the holidays is important.

1. Speaking
Environmental
Issues

2. This handsome man may ask you…
Do you think plastic
bags should be
banned in shops?
Yes, I agree with you!
So what are the advantages
of recycling?
Wow! I also
agree with you,
but why do
people prefer
to drive rather
than walk?
Do you want to have a date with me?

3. If you were interviewed by a local Green group
discussing the environmental issues of Hong Kong, how
could you respond in an appropriate and formal way…..
I don’t know !

4. Type of question Responses
Personal In my opinion,…..
Personally, I…..
Literal The article states/suggests.....
The report describes/explains…..
There are few/many/several…..For
example….
Interpretive I believe that….
I think the reason why…..is that

5. The article below appeared in the
newspaper: Christmas crackdown
•
• People say that Christmas is a time of giving, but a recent study has revealed that it
is also a time of wasting. The study conducted by Green Ways, found that more
household waste is produced during the Christmas period at any time of year. The
waste included shopping bags, leftover food, wrapping paper and gift packaging,
as well as tableware such as napkins, tablecloths, paper plates and plastic cutlery.
•
• Of course, people want to enjoy the festival season by spoiling family and friends
with gifts and nice meals, but little do they realize that they are also spoiling the
environment. On top of all this waste, they also use more electricity and do more
travelling, which has a further negative effect on the environment.
•
• This Christmas season, why not think of ways you can reduce your effect on the
environment? Reuse old magazines or newspapers as wrapping paper, make
decorations out of old Christmas cards, and have dinner by candlelight. Who
knows, you could even find this approach more fun, and save money at the same
time!

6. Discuss with your group about the
questions
• Why people tend to produce more waste during the
Christmas period?
• What kind of environment problems do people
contribute to during Christmas?
• What people can do to be more environmentally
friendly during Christmas?
• Anything else you think is important.