Warm-up
Sounds of Nature
Forests, rivers, birds and the quiet outdoors
Today’s grammar
Talk first
- Where do you like to go outdoors?
- What natural sounds do you love?
- What animals do you hear near your home?
After this lesson you will be able to...
- Describe nature using sounds, smells and touch.
- Join sentences with who, which and that.
- Talk about forests, rivers, mountains and the sea.
- Say why nature is important to you.
Vocabulary
Words to learn
| a forest | ліс I love walking in the forest. |
| a river | річка The river sounds peaceful. |
| a mountain | гора We climbed a high mountain. |
| a bird | птах Birds sing in the morning. |
| the wind | вітер The wind moves the trees. |
| a leaf | листок A leaf fell on my shoulder. |
| the sea | море The sea is loud today. |
| the grass | трава The grass is soft and wet. |
Grammar
Relative clauses with who, which, that
A relative clause gives more information about a noun. We use WHO for people: The man who lives next door is kind. We use WHICH for things: The river which flows through the town is clean. We can use THAT for both people and things: The bird that sings every morning is a robin.
The relative pronoun is the subject of the clause, so we do not add another subject: The girl who sings (NOT who she sings).
| The woman who lives next door loves birds. |
| The river which flows through the town is clean. |
| The bird that sings in the morning is a robin. |
| I like places that are quiet. |
Where and whose
WHERE is for places: The forest where we walk is beautiful. This is the place where I was born. WHOSE is for possession: The man whose dog is barking is my neighbour.
Use commas only when the extra information is not necessary: My sister, who lives in Paris, loves the sea (information is extra). My sister who lives in Paris is the oldest (we need it to know which sister).
| The forest where we walk is beautiful. |
| This is the village where I was born. |
| The man whose dog is barking is my neighbour. |
| My sister, who lives in Paris, loves the sea. |
Describing nature
Use sense words: The forest smells of wet leaves. The river sounds like a quiet song. The grass feels cool under my feet. The wind is warm on my face.
Useful phrases: It’s so peaceful here. I can hear birds singing. It smells like pine trees. I feel calm and free.
| The forest smells of wet leaves. |
| I can hear birds singing. |
| The grass feels cool under my feet. |
| I feel calm and free here. |
Speaking
Easy — warm up your speaking
- Do you like nature?
- Is there a park near your home?
- Do you walk in the forest?
- Do you like the sea?
- What is your favourite tree?
- Do you hear birds at home?
- Do you like mountains?
- Do you have a river in your town?
- Do you like flowers?
- What season is the best for walking?
- Do you go outdoors often?
- What do you take when you go to the forest?
Medium — say more
- Describe the forest where you like to walk.
- What does a river sound like?
- What smells do you love in nature?
- What do you feel when you walk on grass?
- Tell me about a day in nature that you remember.
- How does the sea sound? How does it smell?
- Which birds do you know, and what do they sound like?
- Describe the place where you feel most peaceful.
- What do you hear in the forest at night?
- Tell me about a person who loves nature.
- What would you take on a trip to the mountains?
- What is the best thing about a day outdoors?
Deeper — explain and give reasons
- Why is nature important for people?
- How can we protect forests and rivers?
- Why do people feel calm in nature?
- Is it better to live in the country or in the city?
- What are the biggest problems for nature today?
- Do you think people can live without nature?
- How do we learn from nature?
- If you could save one place in the world, what would it be?
More questions
- What is the place that you love most?
- Who is the person who taught you about nature?
- Which animals sing in the morning?
- What is the sound that you love in nature?
- Where is the river that flows near your town?
- Do you like places that are quiet?
- What is the tree which smells good?
- Who is the friend that goes walking with you?
- Where do you go when you need peace?
- What do you wear when you walk in the forest?
- Do you pick flowers or leave them?
- How do you feel when you hear thunder in the mountains?
Opinions and what-ifs
- Do you think everyone should spend time in nature?
- Would you rather live by the sea or in the mountains?
- What if there were no forests?
- Is a quiet walk better than a long trip?
- Which is better: a park in the city or the forest?
- Would you like to camp in the forest?
- Do you think nature sounds help us relax?
- What advice would you give to someone who never goes outdoors?