Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. cope
    • ex. He's learning to cope with the challenges of living in a new country.
  2. mortality
    • ex. Vaccines have decreased mortality from dangerous diseases.
  3. urban
    • ex. Tokyo is an urban area with trains, offices, and many shops.
  4. nonprofit
    • ex. This nonprofit organization teaches reading to children for free.
  5. forestry
    • ex. Marco studies forestry to learn how to plant and protect trees.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

Font size

Keith Lambert and his family cope with the very hot summer in Chicago by moving in and out of their house quickly and keeping their windows covered. He said it is about “doing your best to stay cool.” Lambert is like many Americans facing heat waves, with temperatures over 32°C. Records show that extreme heat causes many deaths. In fact, mortality reports from New York City show that about 350 people die from extreme heat every year. Experts say heat waves are dangerous but often ignored.

One way to fight the heat in urban areas is by planting more trees and making green spaces like parks. In Phoenix, Arizona, a nonprofit group called Unlimited Potential has a program for forestry workers. It helps grow and care for trees in the city, especially in poor neighborhoods. Without enough trees, these areas are hotter.

In New York City, new laws were passed to add more trees by 2035. Another group, Project Petals, helps communities make gardens and other green spaces. Since 2015, it has helped create 10 green areas in the city.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Green Spaces

  • Some nonprofit groups in the U.S. help poor neighborhoods create green spaces. Why do you think trees or gardens are important in these areas? Discuss.
  • One way to fight the heat in urban areas is by planting more trees. Do you think trees can fight heat better than machines, like fans and air conditioners? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you are the mayor of your city/town. What would you do to protect it from heat waves? Discuss.

Nonprofit Groups

  • Nonprofit groups like Unlimited Potential plant trees in poor neighborhoods. How do you think focusing on these areas could change the city as a whole? Discuss.
  • Nonprofit groups depend on donations and volunteers. Do you think this makes them stronger or weaker than government programs? Why? Discuss.
  • Nonprofit groups focus on different issues: health, education, poverty, and the environment. Which area do you think nonprofits should focus on today? Why? Discuss.