IELTS SPEAKING BAND 6.

5
Lesson 11 - The natural world

Students are able to talk about climate change in Speaking.

Objective 1 use collocations to talk about weather

Objective 2 use collocations to talk about climate change and its consequences

Objective 3 expand answers in Speaking using reference and cohesive devices

A. Getting started
What is happening in these images? What are the causes behind these phenomena?

B. Language focus
Weather
I. Match the beginning of each sentence to its correct ending based on the provided context.
1. Scorching hot temperatures... a. during a sudden storm, forcing everyone indoors for
2. Heavy rain... safety.
3. I got soaked... b. makes it hard to see more than a few meters ahead,
4. The weather deteriorates... causing delays on the motorway.
5. The wind blows... c. can soak you completely in just minutes, especially
6. Thick fog... if you’re caught outside without a raincoat.
7. The wind whistles... d. make it almost unbearable to stay outside, even in
8. Freezing cold weather... the shade.
e. often comes with biting winds and frost, making
outdoor activities very uncomfortable.
f. steadily across the open fields, carrying leaves and
small debris along with it.
g. through the trees, creating an eerie and high-pitched
sound.
h. because I forgot to bring an umbrella during the
storm and had to run back home.
Climate change and its consequence
I. Read the interview with Gary Prime, an American rock star known for his support of
environmental campaigns, who is visiting London. Match the bolded collocations with their
meanings based on the interview with Gary Prime. Some may not be used.
Interviewer: Would you agree that climate change is the most urgent issue facing us today?
Prime: Definitely. You only have to look at the changing weather patterns in many parts of the
world. It’s absolutely vital that we change our ways before it’s too late. Parts of Europe which used
to be cooler now experience intense, searing heat, and temperatures soar above the average every
summer. Other areas suffer widespread flooding on a regular basis. We can’t continue in this way
without there being dire consequences.
Interviewer: So what can people do in the face of this irreversible climate change?
Prime: Well, for a start we can all reduce our carbon footprint by flying less, and reduce our food
miles by buying local produce. Some airlines have schemes now for offsetting carbon emissions.
Interviewer: Flying’s only one part of it, though. Most of the problems come from vehicle emissions
and power stations.
Prime: True, but there are things we can do about that too. Buy a hybrid car, develop alternative
energy sources for homes, solar heating for instance, and build more offshore wind farms. Oil
supplies will run dry within 50 years. Renewable energy can make a real difference. And
politicians shouldn’t be afraid of introducing green taxes and incentives to encourage eco-friendly
design in architecture. With sufficient will, we can find a solution.
Interviewer: Gary Prime, thank you for giving up your time for this interview.
Prime: No problem. I’ve got just enough time to catch my flight to Los Angeles.
a. extremely serious result ………………………………
b. distance food has to travel between where it is grown or made
and where it is consumed ………………………………
c. extreme heat ………………………………
d. reduce the amount of carbon dioxide created by a person /
business ………………………………
e. paying for an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide to be saved
elsewhere ………………………………
f. a car can alternate between different energy sources (e.g petrol
and battery) ………………………………
g. run out ………………………………
h. taxes relating to the protection of the environment ………………………………

II. Complete the sentences with the bolded phrases in Exercise 1.

1. ………………………… can have devastating effects on both human populations and wildlife.
2. We need to find ways to reduce our…………………………to combat climate change effectively.
3. One way to help the environment is by reducing ………………………… by purchasing locally
grown food.
4. By 2050, it is predicted that oil supplies will ………………………….
5. Governments are starting to implement ………………………… to discourage the use of fossil
fuels.
6. A ………………………… is an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their reliance on
fossil fuels and decrease their environmental impact.
7. During the summer, the region experiences …………………………, making it almost unbearable
to go outside.
8. Some companies are now …………………………………………………… by investing in
renewable energy projects to balance out their environmental impact.
C. Exam skills
Expand answers in part 3 using reference
I. Choose the correct option in italics to complete the text.
Changes in the weather can have a significant impact on our lives. For a. this / these reasons, people
often check forecasts before leaving the house. If b. this / that morning starts with 3 thick / strong
fog, commuters may face delays on their way to work. Similarly, c. heavy / thick rain can cause roads
to flood, making driving conditions hazardous.
Weather can also affect our health. d. Freezing / Scorching cold days may lead to illnesses if people
aren’t dressed warmly enough, while e. this / these hot days in summer can cause heat exhaustion.
When f. the wind blows / the rain whistles strongly, outdoor activities often need to be postponed.
For g. this / such reasons, it’s always important to prepare for unpredictable weather.

We use the words this, these, that, those, such, do so and modal verbs to connect ideas and
avoid repetition.

● The number of teenagers who regularly purchase music decreased. The availability

of free music online was the main reason reported by these young people.

● The government decided to increase the number of hours spent on art in primary

schools. Such a big decision was always going to create disagreement.

II. Complete the following sample answers with this/ that/ these/ those/ such/ do so in Exercise
I. In some cases, more than one answer is possible.
The weather in Hanoi is very diverse, with four distinct seasons. Summers are scorching hot, often
reaching over 35°C, and a.…………… makes it difficult to stay outdoors during the day. Winters are
the complete opposite, feeling freezing cold by local standards, especially when the temperature
drops below 10°C. b.…………… kind of cold, combined with high humidity, makes people layer
up to keep warm.
Spring and autumn, on the other hand, are much more comfortable. During these seasons, the mild
temperatures of 20–25°C and the cool breeze create an inviting atmosphere. c.…………… times of
the year are perfect for strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake or visiting flower markets. d.……………
activities really highlight Hanoi’s charm and make the city feel so peaceful and vibrant.
That said, the weather here isn’t without its challenges. Heavy summer rains often cause flooding in
older parts of the city, disrupting transportation and daily routines. The government has been
working to address this issue, but they need to e.…………… more effectively by improving the
drainage systems. Despite f.…………… challenges, I think the variety of weather gives Hanoi its
unique character, and people here have learned to adapt to g.…………… conditions.
Expand answers in part 3 using cohesive devices
I. Classify the following cohesive devices into three categories.
If conversely It should be noted (that) on the other hand
in that case (un)fortunately provided that unless
whereas more important(ly) on the contrary unquestionably
in contrast alternatively

Add opposing ideas Put forward an idea more forcefully Provide a condition

Cohesive devices are helpful to structure and expand your answer. Besides giving a
straightforward answer, you can do the following to lengthen your answers:
● add an opposing ideas
● provide a condition
● add another idea but leave the important one behind
II. Complete the following sample answers with cohesive devices in Exercise 3.
a. What could be the consequences of deforestation?
Well, deforestation has pretty bad consequences, to be honest. ……………………… cutting down
trees means more carbon in the air, which makes global warming worse.
…………………………………………, it also causes widespread flooding and destroys animal
homes. ……………… we don’t stop, things will get even worse.
b. Do you think your government is doing enough to save endangered species?
……………………, I don’t think they’re doing enough. Sure, ……………………………… they’ve
set up some nature reserves, but it’s not enough to stop hunting and habitat loss. ……………………
they spend more money and make stricter rules, I think many animals might still disappear.
c. What do you think can be done to stop global warming?
I think we can all help by doing small things like reducing our carbon footprint—maybe flying less
or buying local food. ……………………, governments should invest in stuff like solar heating and
alternative energy sources. ……………… we work together, it can really make a difference.
d. How important is recycling, in your opinion?
Oh, recycling is super important! It helps cut down waste and saves resources, .…………………,
………………… we don’t recycle, it creates more pollution and fills up landfills. …………………
everyone does a little bit, it can make a big difference for the planet.
III. With a partner, answer the following questions. Use the collocations you have just learnt.
Part 3:
1. What could be the consequences of deforestation?
2. Do you think your government is doing enough to save endangered species?
3. What do you think can be done to stop global warming?
4. How important is recycling, in your opinion?

Checklist – I can … Example

use collocations to talk about weather
use collocations to expand answer in Part 3
use reference and cohesive devices to connect ideas

References
Boyd, E. (2017). Expert IELTS. Band 7.5, Students’ resource book without key. Pearson.