SESSION 4: ENVIRONMENT

PROBLEM – SOLUTION ESSAYS

Content:
➢ Vocabulary related to “Environment”
➢ VNU Writing Task 2: Problem-­­Solution essays
• Functional language
• Practice

A. VOCABULARY
A.1 Deforestation
Study the following words and phrases related to the theme of deforestation. After finishing the
exercises, make your own sentence with each of the words and phrases.
English Vietnamese Sample Sentence

1. Deforestation Sự phá rừng

2. Biodiversity Đa dạng sinh học

3. Erosion Hiện tượng xói mòn

4. Habitat destruction Tàn phá môi trường sống tự nhiên

Hệ thống hấp thụ và lưu giữ khí

5. Carbon sink
CO2 tự nhiên

6. Sustainable forestry Lâm nghiệp bền vững

Phương pháp đốn hạ toàn bộ cây

7. Clear-cutting
trong một khu vực cùng lúc

8. Illegal logging Khai thác gỗ trái phép

Kết hợp trồng cây và canh tác đất

9. Agroforestry
để đạt hiệu quả cao

Việc trồng lại cây để thay thế cho

10. Replanting
các cây đã bị đốn hạ
Task 1: Matching
Match the word or expression with its English definition
Expressions Meanings
1. Deforestation A. The practice of managing forests in a way that meets economic,
2. Biodiversity social, and ecological needs.
3. Erosion B. A natural system that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the
4. Habitat atmosphere.
destruction C. The loss of a natural environment where plants and animals live.
5. Carbon sink D. The variety of living things in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole.
6. Sustainable E. Growing crops and trees together in a way that benefits both.
forestry F. The process by which soil is worn away by natural forces such as
7. Clear-­ cutting wind or water.
8. Illegal logging G. The harvesting, transporting, buying, or selling of timber in
9. Agroforestry violation of national laws.
10. Replanting H. The clearing of trees from forests.
I. The act of planting new trees to replace those that have been cut
down.
J. A method of harvesting trees where all trees in an area are cut
down at once.

Task 2: Fill in the blank with a suitable word or expression

Read the following sentences about deforestation and fill in the blanks with the words in the box
deforestation agroforestry illegal
sustainable biodiversity unsustainable

1. is a major contributor to climate change.

2 The loss of trees has led to a decline in in many parts of the world.

3. Many countries are promoting forestry practices to combat deforestation.

4. involves growing crops and trees together in a way that benefits both.

5. Governments around the world are taking measures to stop logging.

6. Many companies are resorting to practices to meet the increasing demand

for wood.
Task 3: Fill in the blank
Read the following passage about deforestation and fill in the blanks with the appropriate word
or expression from the list above.
Deforestation is a major environmental issue that has significant impacts on biodiversity and
contributes to climate change. When trees are cleared from forests, it can lead to soil1.
and habitat 2. . Trees also act as carbon sinks, so when they are
cut down, it can result in increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To combat
deforestation, many countries are promoting 3. forestry practices and
encouraging 4. , which involves growing crops and trees together. Additionally,
measures are being taken to crack down on 5. logging, which is a serious
problem in some areas.

A.2 Environmental protection

Read the following paragraph about environmental protection and complete the table below.
Protecting the environment
Humans have a responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainability to ensure
a healthy planet for future generations. Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, can
help reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. Recycling is an important way to
minimize waste and conserve resources. However, pollution, deforestation, and habitat loss
threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services that are crucial for life on Earth. The increase in
greenhouse gases is causing global warming, making it imperative that we build climate
resilience and transition to a circular economy. By embracing sustainable practices, we can
create a better world.

Vietnamese
Words/Phrases English meanings
translations

The benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems,

1. Ecosystem
including things like air and water purification and climate
Services
regulation.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising

2. Sustainability
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The destruction or degradation of natural habitats, which

3. Habitat Loss
can lead to the decline or loss of species.

4. Ecological A measure of how much land and resources are required

Footprint to sustain an individual, population, or activity.

Any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by

5. Greenhouse
trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, including carbon
Gas
dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

6. Climate The ability of a community or system to adapt and

Resilience withstand the impacts of climate change.

7. Circular An economic model focused on minimizing waste and

Economy promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.
 Vietnamese
Words/Phrases English meanings
translations

8. Renewable Energy that comes from sources that are replenished

Energy naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydro power.

9. Global The gradual increase in the average temperature of the

Warming Earth's atmosphere and oceans

10. The act of protecting and preserving the natural

Conservation environment and its resources.

Task 4: Fill in the blank with a suitable word or expression

Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks with the words in the box
ecological footprint recycling biodiversity
habitat loss sustainability carbon footprint

1. The measures how much land and resources we use as individuals.

2. is a major threat to many species of animals and biodiversity.
3. Humans have a responsibility to protect the environment and promote to
ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
4. A circular economy aims to minimize waste by reusing and materials.
5. Reducing your can help mitigate climate change.
6. Protecting is crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Task 5: Make sentences with the following words or phrases

1. habitat loss/importance/biodiversity
→ Habitat loss is a major threat to many species of animals and highlights the importance of
protecting biodiversity.

2. carbon footprint/ reduction/climate change

→

3. conservation/national parks/habitats
→

4. sustainability/future generations/planet
→
5. deforestation/loss/climate change
→

6. greenhouse gas/atmosphere/global warming

→

7. circular economy/waste/reuse
→

Task 6: Translate the following sentences into English. Use the phrases in the table above for
the phrases in bold
1. Tàn phá rừng gây mất đi sự đa dạng sinh học và góp phần vào biến đổi khí hậu
→

2. Các công viên quốc gia đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc bảo tồn động vật hoang dã.
→

3. Năng lượng tái tạo như năng lượng mặt trời và gió có thể giảm thiểu lượng khí thải carbon.
→

4. Hiện tượng nóng lên toàn cầu là kết quả của sự gia tăng khí nhà kính trong khí quyển.
→

5. Bảo tồn các loài động vật hoang dã là cần thiết để duy trì sự đa dạng sinh học.
→
B. PROBLEM-­­SOLUTION ESSAYS

B.1 Essay structure

Read the two outlines and compare between the point-­­by-­ point structure & block structure.

Point-by-Point Structure
Section Content Useful Phrases and Expressions

Introduction - Introduce the topic - In recent years, there has been growing concern
about [topic].
- An issue that has been the subject of much
debate recently is
- Provide background - [Topic] is a complex issue that affects many
information people around the world.

- However, despite efforts to address this issue,

there are still many challenges that need to be
- State the problem
overcome.

Body - Discuss the 1st cause - Cause 1: [cause description], Solution: [solution
Paragraph of the problem and description]
1 propose solutions - One of the main problems associated with [topic]
is [problem].
- This problem can be attributed to [cause]
- One potential solution to this problem is [solution
1].
- This solution could be implemented through
[method], which would result in [benefit].

Body - Discuss the 2nd cause

Paragraph of the problem and - Cause 2: [cause description], Solution: [solution
2 propose solutions description]

- Summarize the key - In conclusion, [summarize topic, problem, and

Conclusion
solutions].
points

- Restate the - It is important that people continue to address

importance of the issue [topic] in order to ensure [benefit].

- Call to - To achieve this, people must [call to

action/Recommendation action/recommendation].
Block Structure

Paragraph

Paragraph

Conclusion
B.2. Useful language

Problems Solutions

The problem with (insert issue) is that... A practical solution to this problem is...

One major concern with (insert issue) is... One possible way to address this issue is...

An issue of growing importance is... An effective approach to solving this problem is...

There are several problems associated

with (insert issue), including... A viable solution to these problems could be...
The challenge we face with (insert issue)
is...
One potential solution is to...

One significant problem with (insert issue) A promising approach to solving this problem
is... is...

The issue at hand is... A feasible solution to this issue is...

To surmount this difficulty, it may be necessary

A current problem in (insert area) is...
to...

An alarming trend is.. A workable solution to this problem might be...

A major hurdle to overcome is... A reasonable solution to this hurdle could be...

The primary difficulty with (insert issue)

is... A practical remedy for this issue would be...

A pressing concern in (insert field) is... One potential solution to this concern is...

The main issue with (insert problem) is... In order to make a real impact, people need to
The crux of the matter appears to be… take decisive action...
The root cause of this problem is... To fully address this issue, people need to adopt
a multi-pronged approach...
To contend with this complex problem,…

B.3 Practice
Task 7: Read the two following extracts of students’ essays and identify the types of
structure
Write a problem-­­solution essay of at least 250 words

Environmental pollution is a major global issue that affects the health and well-­­being of
humans and the planet as a whole. In your opinion, what are the main causes of
environmental pollution, and what measures can individuals and governments take to
address this problem?
 Extract A Extract B

The first issue to address is air pollution. One key solution to addressing environmental
This is caused by harmful gases and pollution is reducing carbon emissions. This can be
particles released into the atmosphere from achieved by a combination of individual actions and
cars, factories, and other sources. To tackle government policies. For example, individuals can
this problem, governments should reduce their use of fossil fuels by driving less and
implement stricter regulations on emissions using public transportation or electric vehicles.
from vehicles and factories. In addition, Governments can also implement regulations on
more people should be encouraged to use industries to reduce their carbon footprint. A second
public transportation or walk/bike to reduce solution is to increase the use of sustainable energy
the number of cars on the road. sources such as wind and solar power. By investing
in renewable energy, we can significantly reduce our
reliance on nonrenewable sources such as coal and
natural gas, which are major contributors to pollution.

Task 8: Work in pairs -­­ Brainstorm causes and solutions for the following environmental
problems
a. Problem: Pollution
➢ Causes:
• Industrial factories releasing toxic chemicals into the air and water
• Excessive use of
• Burning
➢ Solutions:
• Implement stricter regulations on industrial factories to limit
• Encourage the use of instead of plastic.
• Promote the use of to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
b. Problem: Deforestation
➢ Causes:
• Illegal
• Clearing of land for agriculture, ranching, or urban development
• Climate change leading to that destroy forests
➢ Solutions:
• Enforce
• Encourage
• Implement
Task 9: Work individually – Brainstorm ideas for the topic in Task 7 in the following
table then write a full essay.
Introduction:

Body Paragraph 1: Main idea:

-­­ Supporting idea 1:

-­­ Supporting idea 2:

Body Paragraph 2: Main idea:

-­­ Supporting idea 1:

-­­ Supporting idea 2:

Conclusion
Task 10: Essay writing
Choose one of the following topics and write a problem-­­solution essay of at least 250
words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of task fulfilment, organization,
vocabulary and grammar.
1. Topic: Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that poses a threat to marine life and
human health. What are the main causes of plastic pollution, and what steps can
individuals and governments take to address this problem?
2. Topic: Deforestation
Deforestation is a significant environmental issue that leads to loss of biodiversity, soil
erosion, and climate change. What are the primary causes of deforestation, and what
measures can individuals and governments take to protect forests and ecosystems?
3. Topic: Air Pollution
Air pollution is a critical global issue that affects public health and contributes to climate
change. What are the primary causes of air pollution, and what actions can individuals
and governments take to reduce emissions and promote cleaner air quality?