122 o n e h u n d re d a n d t we nt y - t wo

Do you know what recycling means? Recycling involves reusing materials in order to create new products. Thanks to this we can not only avoid wasting materials that can still be useful, but also reduce the use of new raw materials and energy and diminish air and water pollution. This idea has existed for a very long time: most people reused food containers and refilled bottles. In the past, recycling was used because the availability of new materials was more limited than today, especially during wars. In the 1950s the throw-away culture and consumerism began. Then, in

the 1970s, when the cost of energy increased, interest in recycling started again.There are different forms of collecting recyclable materials. If they are collected through mixed waste collection (together with the rest of the rubbish), the material to recycle has to be separated and cleaned, but great quantities of it, especially paper, cannot be used because it is too dirty. The advantage is that the city or town has no costs for separate collection and there is no need for public education about this subject.

Don’t throw it away!

1 Invalsi Read the article and choose the best answer, A, B, C or D.

1 In the past recycling was used especially… A to create new ideas. B when there was too much waste. C during wars. D to make bottles.

2 Recycling… A was very popular in 1950s. B has always been unpopular. C became popular again in the 1970s. D was not necessary in the 1970s.

3 If mixed waste collection is used, much cannot be used because it is…

A too expensive. B too dirty. C made of plastic. D made of metal.4 If all recyclable materials are collected separately

from other waste… A it is too dirty. B there is less pollution. C the cost of cleaning is reduced. D it must be organic.

5 Metals are separated… A using strong magnets. B according to their colour. C according to their weight. D thanks to strong men.

6 One material often not recycled is… A plastic. B glass. C metal. D good quality paper.

7 Some materials, such as paper, cannot be recycled many times without…

A losing in quality. B losing colour. C creating too much pollution. D being lost.

8 Recycling can reduce… A air pollution. B greenhouse gases. C water pollution. D all of the above A, B and C.

9 Most people today think that… A recycling is nearly perfect. B recycling is bad thing. C ecology is too expensive. D something must be done to help the world.

10 The text says that… A money can be made from recycling. B recycling is not possible in big cities. C interest in the environment is decreasing

today. D almost all recycling is anti-economic.

Exam Maximiser - Reading comprehension C

CLIL: Geography

123o n e h u n d re d a n d t we nt y - t h re e

If all recyclable materials are collected separately from other waste, the cost of cleaning is reduced, but people must be taught which materials can be recyclable. If, then, each material is cleaned and separated before being collected, there is less work to do but the collection cost is still very high. Organic waste is not recycled but it can be treated and used as fertilizer for gardens. Once the material is taken to a central collection facility, automatic machinery divides it.Metals are separated thanks to strong magnets. Glass is sorted according to its colour. Paper and plastic are separated according to their weight.

Recyclable materials include paper, glass, plastic, metal, textile and electronics. They are usually brought to a collection centre where they are divided, cleaned and reprocessed. But some materials are too difficult or expensive to recycle, for example plastic, so some people criticise recycling, saying that the cost of collecting and transporting makes it economically inefficient. They also say that some materials, such as paper, cannot be recycled many times without losing quality.

Those who are in favour of recycling reply that, thanks to this process, there are fewer greenhouse gases and air pollution. Besides some minerals are very rare and we could run out of them without recycling. Some other materials, such as iron, steel, aluminium and glass, are easier and cheaper to recycle than to produce. What is true is that this process is more efficient in densely-populated areas and there must be a consumer market for the recycled goods and modern, efficient recycling processes. Today interest in the environment is increasing and most people agree that something must be done to help our world.

Parlare in pubblicoParlare in pubblico può causare difficoltà anche al presentatore più preparato. Parlare in pubblico in un’altra lingua è ancora più difficile, ma seguendo alcuni piccoli accorgimenti potrai migliorare l’esposizione e vincere la paura. Studia sempre a voce alta, controllando pronuncia e intonazione. Quando è possibile, registra la tua voce, riascoltati e giudicati obiettivamente. Puoi sempre usare la funzione “registrazione” del tuo FLIP BOOK.Cerca di parlare in inglese anche quando non stai studiando. Sentirsi parlare è il modo migliore per capire dove migliorare e per apprezzare i propri sforzi.

Exam Competences

Questionnaire2 Answer the questions.

1 Did the habit of recycling exist in past times?

2 What is mixed waste collection?

3 What happens to organic waste?

4 What criteria is used to divide glass?

5 Does recycling reduce air pollution?

6 Is it easier to produce iron and aluminium than to recycle it?

7 What are your habits when it comes to recycling?

8 What could the community you live in do to stop pollution?

Oral presentation

3 Research Do some research on the Internet or using your science book on alternative energy. Prepare a list of topics you want to cover and take notes. Include the following points:

• types of alternative energy

• problems caused by the use of fossil fuels to create energy

• examples of alternative energy in the area where you live

4 Use your notes to prepare your oral presentation about alternative energy. Prepare to speak for about 1 minute. Give your presentation to your classmate, take notes of his feedback and try to find a way to improve your presentations together.

CLIL: Science

raw materials materie prime

refilled ______________

reprocessed riconvertiti

New Words