How much would the sea rise if all the ice melted?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Do you live near the sea or a river?
2. Have you ever seen a glacier or a lot of snow?
3. Do you like the sea? Why or why not?
4. How has the weather in your area changed?
5. Would you live on the coast? Why?
6. What do you do to reduce your impact on the climate?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about the sea or the climate.

Choose the word that fits.

1. The average height of the sea surface is called .
2. Greenland and Antarctica are covered by a huge of ice.
3. In the mountains, a large, slow river of ice is called a .
4. Cities near the sea are called cities.
5. Burning coal and oil produces carbon dioxide .
6. Each possible future described by scientists is called a .
7. To protect the coast, towns build a .
8. If the water rose, low land would .

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. to melt = to change from
   air to dustwater to iceice to water
2. an ice sheet is a very large area of
   ice on landwater in a lakesnow on a roof
3. a flood = a lot of water on
   a platedry landthe moon
4. a scenario is a description of a
   past birthdaynew carpossible future
5. to threaten = to be a
   help forfriend ofdanger to
6. gradually =
   slowly, step by stepvery quicklynever

Use these phrases to describe causes, results and possible futures.

• If all the ice melted,...Якби весь лід розтанув,...If all the ice melted, the sea would rise by tens of metres.
• It would take...Це забрало б...It would take thousands of years.
• The sea is rising,...Море підіймається,...The sea is rising gradually.
• Although..., it is...Хоча..., це...Although the change is slow, it is serious.
• Unless emissions are reduced,...Якщо викиди не скоротять,...Unless emissions are reduced, the sea will rise faster.
• It has been measured that...Було виміряно, що...It has been measured that the sea has risen about 20 cm since 1900.
• Coastal cities will be...Прибережні міста будуть...Coastal cities will be protected by seawalls.
• In order to adapt,...Щоб пристосуватися,...In order to adapt, towns are building walls.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. All the ice on land would raise the sea by 65 to 70 metres, according to estimates.
   TrueFalse
2. Experts expect all this ice to melt soon.
   TrueFalse
3. Melting sea ice floating in the sea greatly raises the sea level.
   TrueFalse
4. Sea level has risen since 1900.
   TrueFalse
5. The text says there is only one scenario for the future.
   TrueFalse

1. Which is more important: to reduce emissions or to adapt to changes?
2. Should rich countries help poor coastal countries?
3. Would you move away from the coast if you had the money?
4. How can we judge whether a prediction is reliable?

Common mistakes: passive with the right form of be, although / despite with the right structure, and no will after if. ✗ The ice is melted now → The ice is melting now. ✗ Despite the sea is rising → Although the sea is rising. ✗ If the ice will melt → If the ice melts.

1. The sea level
   has measuredhas been measured
   for many years.
2. Walls
   are buildingare being built
   in some towns.
3. DespiteAlthough
   the change is slow, it is serious.
4. In order
   to adaptadapt
   , towns build walls.
5. If ice melts, the sea
   riseswill rise
   .
6. If the sea rises, floods
   will becomewould become
   common.
7. If all the ice melted, the sea
   would risewill rise
   by tens of metres.
8. If we
   had actedacted
   earlier, we would have saved more.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. The ice is melted now, so the sea is rising. →
2. Despite the sea is rising, many people stay. →
3. If the ice will melt, the sea will rise. →
4. Unless emissions don't fall, the sea will rise faster. →
5. Cities are protecting by seawalls. →
6. If we acted earlier, we would have saved more. →

Answer in detail. Use the passive, linking words and conditionals.

1. What would happen to your city if the sea rose by one metre?
2. What is being done in your country to adapt to climate change?
3. Although the change is slow, why is it serious?
4. If you were a mayor of a coastal city, what would you do?
5. What will happen unless emissions fall?
6. How would you explain this problem to a child?

Three people talk about rising seas. Compare their views. Who is the most worried? Who is the most practical? What would you do if you lived on the coast?

This is the final speaking task of Block 7. Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: describe a change in nature using the passive (is being / has been).
3. Part 2: connect two ideas with a contrast and a result (although, despite, so, therefore).
4. Part 3: say what will happen if we act, what will happen unless we act, and what you would do if you were in charge.

1. What is the weather like where you live now?
2. How has it changed since you were a child?
3. What do you do to reduce your impact on the planet?
4. Would you live near the sea?
5. What would you do if the water rose near your home?
6. What is being done in your town for the environment?
7. Although you are busy, what do you do for nature?
8. Which of the topics in this block interested you most?

1. Who in your family worries about the climate?
2. Who has changed their habits?
3. Who would you ask to explain climate science?
4. Who should lead the action: governments or companies?
5. Who would you help if there were a flood?
6. Who has taught you the most about nature?

1. Will governments do enough about climate change?
2. Should flying be limited?
3. Is it better to prevent or to adapt?
4. What will our coasts look like in 2100?
5. Can small actions of ordinary people make a difference?