Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Pollution, Waste & the Circular Economy

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de discutir con fluidez temas complejos relacionados con el medio ambiente, utilizando un léxico avanzado y preciso sobre la gestión de residuos y la sostenibilidad. Deberás haber dominado el uso de las cláusulas de relativo (tanto definidas como no definidas, reducidas y nominales) para añadir información detallada o compleja en tus ensayos y presentaciones.

Asimismo, habrás desarrollado la capacidad de argumentar a favor o en contra de políticas ecológicas, utilizando estructuras gramaticales sofisticadas para conectar ideas. Este examen de revisión busca consolidar tu capacidad de síntesis y tu precisión léxica, preparándote para el nivel de exigencia de un examen Cambridge C1 Advanced.

Grammar consolidation

Part 1: Rewrite the sentences using the prompts provided to maintain the same meaning. Do not change the meaning.

1. The factory was closed because it was releasing toxic chemicals into the river. Use a non-defining relative clause: The factory, ____________.

2. I don't know the reason why the government implemented this recycling scheme. Rewrite using a nominal relative clause (starting with 'what'): ____________.

3. The landfill site is located near the coast. It is being expanded next year. Use a reduced relative clause (participle clause): The landfill site ____________.

4. He is a scientist. His research focuses on biodegradable polymers. Rewrite using a possessive relative structure: The scientist ____________.

Part 2: Error Correction. Identify and correct the mistake in each sentence.

5. The legislation, that was passed last month, aims to reduce carbon emissions. ____________.

6. The amount of waste which we produce is increasing every year. (Rewrite to be more concise using a reduced relative clause). ____________.

7. What we need to do is to invest in renewable energy sources. (This sentence is correct or incorrect? If incorrect, fix it). ____________.

Part 3: Sentence Transformation. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.

8. WHICH The company decided to adopt a circular economy model. This was a groundbreaking move. The company's decision to adopt a circular economy model was ________.

9. WHOSE The activist, who's work focuses on ocean plastic, is giving a lecture tomorrow. The activist ________ is giving a lecture tomorrow.

10. THAT The fact that the ozone layer is healing is a relief to scientists. The news ________ is a relief to scientists.

Vocabulary activation

Part 1: Word Formation. Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in capitals.

1. The _____ of single-use plastics has led to a global crisis. (CONSUME)
2. We must find _____ solutions to the problem of electronic waste. (SUSTAIN)
3. The government has introduced new _____ to penalise polluters. (REGULATE)
4. The _____ of the landfill site was much higher than expected. (CONTAMINATE)

Part 2: Collocations. Complete the sentences with the correct verb or adjective to form a C1-level collocation.

5. To mitigate the effects of climate change, we must _____ drastic measures.
6. The company has been accused of _____ greenwashing to hide its poor environmental record.
7. We need to _____ a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
8. The _____ impact of industrial waste on local ecosystems is devastating.

Part 3: Register and Context. Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence (A, B, or C).

9. The transition to a circular economy requires a fundamental _____ in how we view resources. A) shift | B) move | C) changeover

10. Many species are facing _____ due to habitat loss and pollution. A) extinction | B) disappearance | C) termination

11. The policy aims to _____ the production of non-recyclable materials. A) curb | B) stop | C) halt

12. The _____ of the ecosystem is vital for human survival. A) integrity | B) wholeness | C) unity

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Myth of Infinite Growth

The current global economic model is built upon the premise of continuous growth, a concept that stands in direct contradiction to the finite nature of our planet's resources. As we consume materials at an unprecedented rate, the resulting waste and pollution threaten to destabilise the very ecosystems that support human life. Proponents of the circular economy argue that we must move away from the 'take-make-dispose' linear model towards a closed-loop system where waste is designed out of the process. However, critics suggest that true sustainability is impossible within a capitalist framework that requires constant expansion. They argue that 'green growth' is an oxymoron and that we must instead focus on degrowth to truly protect the environment.

Instructions for the student:

Lee el texto anterior y escribe una respuesta de entre 180 y 220 palabras. En tu respuesta, debes evaluar la viabilidad de la economía circular frente al concepto de 'degrowth' (decrecimiento). Debes utilizar un registro formal y emplear vocabulario avanzado relacionado con el medio ambiente y la economía. Asegúrate de estructurar tu texto con una introducción, párrafos de desarrollo y una conclusión clara.

Speaking checkpoint

1. Compare: Compare the environmental impact of living in a major metropolitan city versus living in a rural area.
2. Speculate: How might the way we manage waste change in the next fifty years if current recycling trends continue?
3. Evaluate: Some people believe that individual lifestyle changes are useless unless large corporations change their practices. To what extent do you agree?
4. Justify: Why might a government prioritise economic growth over environmental protection in the short term?
5. Compare: Compare the effectiveness of 'taxing polluters' versus 'subsidising green technology'.
6. Speculate: If we successfully transition to a fully circular economy, how would our daily lives and shopping habits be different?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. The factory, which was releasing toxic chemicals into the river, was closed. 2. What I don't know is why the government implemented this recycling scheme. 3. The landfill site being expanded next year is located near the coast. (OR: The landfill site located near the coast is being expanded next year). 4. The scientist whose research focuses on biodegradable polymers... 5. The legislation that was passed last month... (OR: The legislation passed last month...) 6. The amount of waste produced is increasing every year. 7. Correct. 8. ...was a groundbreaking move. 9. ...whose work focuses on ocean plastic... 10. ...that the ozone layer is healing...

Vocabulary activation 1. Consumption 2. Sustainable 3. Regulations 4. Contamination 5. Take / implement 6. Engaging in / practicing 7. Adopt / implement 8. Devastating / profound 9. A 10. A 11. A 12. A