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Urban Trees and City Life

A complete B1 classroom lesson designed in the EnglishDrills teacher-lesson format.

B150–60 minutesEnvironment & citiesPrintable

Teacher lesson: Look at the title. What do you already know about this topic? Write two ideas, then compare with a partner. Work through the nine panels in order, or choose the sections that suit your class. Teacher answers and the listening script are stored separately.

Teacher Answers Back to Teacher Lessons

1 Lesson Goals

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

understand the main ideas and key details in Urban Trees and City Life.
learn and use important vocabulary from the lesson.
use the lesson language in speaking or writing.

Start here: What do you already know about this topic? Tell a partner one idea.

2 Reading

Before you read:

Look at the title. What do you already know about this topic? Write two ideas, then compare with a partner.

Trees are an important part of many cities. They provide shade, reduce heat and improve the appearance of streets and parks. Trees also release water vapour into the air, which can help cool the surrounding area. Their leaves catch dust and small particles, while the trees themselves absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Urban trees can also support birds and insects by providing food and shelter.

The benefits are not only environmental. Research suggests that people often feel calmer when they spend time near green spaces. A short walk in a park can help people relax after a busy day, and even a view of trees from a window may improve wellbeing. However, planting trees in cities requires careful planning. Different species need different amounts of space, water and sunlight. Roots can damage footpaths or underground pipes if the wrong trees are planted in the wrong place.

For this reason, city planners need to choose suitable species and think about long-term care. A healthy urban forest is not created simply by planting as many trees as possible. It depends on good planning, local knowledge and regular maintenance.

3 Vocabulary

Key words: urban · shade · particles · wellbeing · maintenance

Write a short meaning or synonym for each word.

urban –

shade –

particles –

wellbeing –

maintenance –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. Name two ways trees can cool a city.

2. How can trees improve air quality?

3. How may green spaces affect people?

4. Why can tree roots cause problems?

5. What does a healthy urban forest depend on?

5 Language Focus

Complete each sentence with a, the or no article (Ø).

1. trees can reduce summer heat.

2. A city needs long-term plan for tree care.

3. plan should include suitable species.

4. Trees can improve air quality.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher. You will hear the text twice. Answer the questions.

1. What do some cities map?

2. What three kinds of information may be recorded?

3. Why do workers use the information?

4. How can records help planners?

Speak

Discuss with a partner or small group.

• Which places in your town need more trees?
• What problems can badly chosen trees cause?
• Should cities spend more money on green spaces? Why?

Urban Trees and City Life — Continued

7 Use Your English

Something New

In pairs, redesign a hot city street. You may add only three improvements. Agree on them and explain your choices to another pair.

Write

Write 120–150 words explaining how urban trees can improve city life and what planners need to consider.

8 Puzzle or Game

60-Second Word Race

In one minute, write as many English words as you can that connect with Urban Trees and City Life. Compare your list with a partner.

Circle three words you think are especially useful.

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

I can explain the main idea of the lesson.
I can use at least three new words correctly.
I can complete the language task.
I can share an idea in spoken or written English.

One thing I am proud of today:

10 Show What You Can Do

Final challenge: Urban Trees and City Life

Plan: Note your strongest idea, 3 useful words or phrases, and one supporting detail from the lesson.

Respond: Write a short paragraph of 6–8 sentences, or prepare a 45-second spoken response, showing what you learned.

Reflect: Underline the part of your response that best shows your progress.