Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What holidays do you look forward to?
- What holiday food do you like?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- prioritize /prahy-AWR-i-tahyz/
- independent /in-di-PEN-duhnt/
- pre-loved /pree-LUHVD/
- deforestation /dee-fawr-uh-STEY-shuhn/
- overspending /ow-vr-SPEN-duhng/
[verb] – to designate or treat (something) as more important than other things
For now, prioritize your health over your work.
[adjective] – a shop, small business, etc. that is not part of a large company
My family owns an independent bento shop.
[adjective] – not new, but having been used before, used especially when selling something to avoid using the word “second-hand”
We’re planning to sell our pre-loved winter clothes.
[noun] – the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the destruction of forests by people
The deforestation rate in the village has decreased by 20%.
[noun] – the action of spending more money than you should
Don’t overspend this holiday season. Make sure to save up.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Many customers are prioritizing the environment over prices this holiday season. American Express data shows that people are dedicated to spending more on “green” gifts. So how can we transform our existing buying habits into more environmentally friendly ones?
One approach is to stick to your neighborhood’s independent retailers. Author Sian Conway-Wood explains that this allows money to stay in the local economy. There’s no need to waste time chasing down different sources because many websites sell products from a range of independent companies with moral intentions. Another option is to buy pre-owned products. The popularity of promoting the reuse of objects like clothing and furniture to reduce pollution has resulted in new ways to shop for pre-loved products. When it comes to food, eat less. While turkey is the traditional Christmas dinner meat, there are worries about how soya is used as cattle feed. Soya has been linked to deforestation, and its vast majority is grown in Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, where its production poses a threat of deforestation. Making your own with seeds and grains will be enough.
It’s difficult to avoid overpreparing for Christmas, but the most sustainable approach is to buy fewer products. After all, the spirit of Christmas is about having quality time with family and friends, not about overspending.
One approach is to stick to your neighborhood’s independent retailers. Author Sian Conway-Wood explains that this allows money to stay in the local economy. There’s no need to waste time chasing down different sources because many websites sell products from a range of independent companies with moral intentions. Another option is to buy pre-owned products. The popularity of promoting the reuse of objects like clothing and furniture to reduce pollution has resulted in new ways to shop for pre-loved products. When it comes to food, eat less. While turkey is the traditional Christmas dinner meat, there are worries about how soya is used as cattle feed. Soya has been linked to deforestation, and its vast majority is grown in Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, where its production poses a threat of deforestation. Making your own with seeds and grains will be enough.
It’s difficult to avoid overpreparing for Christmas, but the most sustainable approach is to buy fewer products. After all, the spirit of Christmas is about having quality time with family and friends, not about overspending.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Based on the article, what does the American Express data show?
- What does Sian Conway-Wood say about sticking to one’s neighborhood’s independent retailers?
- What does the reuse of clothes or furniture reduce?
- Based on the article, what has soya been linked to?
- In which countries are the vast majority of soya grown?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Please share an instance where you overspent on a holiday.
- For you, is it better to spend the holidays outside or at home? Why?
- If you were to prepare for Christmas, would you purchase eco-friendly items? Why or why not?
- Do you think there are enough shops in your country that sell eco-friendly items?
- In your opinion, what is the best way to celebrate Christmas?