Student Handbook: IELTS Listening and

Speaking Preparation for High Schoolers

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Learning Objectives
3. Understanding IELTS for Students
4. Lesson Overview
5. Real-Life Applications
6. Vocabulary and Expressions for Environmental Topics
7. In-Class Activities
8. FAQs

1. Introduction
Welcome to your IELTS Listening and Speaking Preparation Handbook! This guide will help
you learn how to discuss conservation and the environment effectively, recognize functions in
Speaking Part 3 questions, and express your opinions with the right emotional tone.

2. Learning Objectives
1. What are IELTS students learning? Students will learn to speak in detail about
environmental issues, express their opinions clearly, and recognize different question
functions in IELTS Speaking Part 3.
2. Why are IELTS students learning? Students prepare for the IELTS exam, which is
crucial for university admissions and future career opportunities. High scores can open
doors for academic and professional growth.
3. How does this lesson relate to IELTS guidelines? The lesson aligns with IELTS
guidelines by focusing on speaking skills, including articulating opinions, providing
details, and engaging in discussions about environmental topics.
4. What is the lesson's real-life application to IELTS speaking/listening preparation?
The lesson enhances students' ability to participate in discussions about environmental
conservation, a relevant topic in both academic and everyday conversations.

3. Lesson Overview
Lecture Topic: Conservation and the Environment
In this lesson, you will discuss various aspects of environmental conservation, including
pollution, climate change, and the importance of sustainable practices.

4. Real-Life Applications
Environmental Issues Overview

 Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes.

 Man-Made Pollution: Plastic waste, air pollution, oil spills.

Understanding these concepts is essential for meaningful discussions about environmental

sustainability and policy-making.

5. Vocabulary and Expressions for Environmental Topics

 Describing Environmental Issues: pollution, conservation, climate change,
sustainability, ecosystem, habitat, biodiversity, carbon footprint, greenhouse gases,
renewable energy, waste management, deforestation, emissions, global warming,
recycling, conservation efforts.
 Expressing Opinions: I believe, I feel, it seems to me, in my opinion.

6. In-Class Activities
Activity 1: Nature Walk Discussion

Objective: Engage in a conversation about environmental issues while exploring nature.

Instructions: Go for a walk in a local park or nature reserve. Pair up and discuss the following
questions:

 What do you observe about the environment around you?

 Are there any signs of pollution or environmental degradation?
 How can local communities promote conservation?
Example Vocabulary to Pull From:
 Conservation
 Ecosystem
 Pollution
 Biodiversity
 Habitat
  Sustainability
 Natural resources
 Awareness
 Preservation
 Urbanization

Tiered Responses:

1. Band 8 Answer:
During our walk, I noticed the vibrant flora and fauna that characterize this park.
However, I also observed litter scattered along the paths, indicating a significant issue
with local pollution. To promote conservation, I believe the community could initiate
educational programs to raise awareness about waste management and its environmental
impact. Engaging local schools in these initiatives would foster a sense of responsibility
among younger generations.
2. Band 7 Answer:
While walking in the park, I saw many trees and flowers, but there was also some trash.
This shows that pollution is a problem. I think local communities could work together to
clean up these areas and teach people about recycling. By organizing regular clean-up
events, we could make a real difference in keeping our environment clean.
3. Band 5 Answer:
When I walked in the park, I saw nice plants but also some garbage. This means there is
pollution. The community can help by cleaning the area and telling people to throw trash
in bins. More awareness can make a difference.

Activity 2: Role-Play: Environmental Debate

Objective: Simulate a debate on environmental policies to practice persuasive speaking.

Instructions: Choose a specific environmental issue (e.g., climate change, plastic pollution,
deforestation). One partner takes the pro side, and the other takes the con side. Present arguments
and counterarguments for 3-5 minutes each.
Example Vocabulary to Pull From:

 Legislation
 Greenhouse gases
 Renewable energy
 Conservation efforts
 Mitigation
 Advocacy
 Environmental impact
 Responsibility
 Solutions
 Awareness campaigns
Tiered Responses:

1. Band 8 Answer:
I strongly advocate for renewable energy as a solution to combat climate change. The
increasing levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are alarming and necessitate
immediate action. Transitioning to renewable sources like wind and solar can
significantly reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, implementing strict legislation to
regulate emissions is crucial for sustainable progress. This approach not only benefits the
environment but also creates green jobs and stimulates the economy.
2. Band 7 Answer:
I believe that using renewable energy is important to fight climate change. Greenhouse
gas emissions are rising, and we need to do something about it. By shifting to renewable
energy sources such as solar and wind, we can help the environment and reduce
pollution. Governments should also enforce laws to limit emissions and promote clean
energy. This can create jobs and improve our economy too.
3. Band 5 Answer:
I think using renewable energy is good for the environment. Greenhouse gases are a big
problem, and we need to fix it. If we use solar or wind energy, we can help. Governments
should make rules to stop too much pollution. This is important for people and the earth.

Activity 3: Interview an Expert

Objective: Conduct a mock interview with a “local environmental expert” (your partner).
Instructions: Prepare questions about environmental issues affecting your community (e.g.,
waste management, pollution). Take turns being the interviewer and the expert. The “expert”
should provide detailed answers as if they were in a real interview setting.
Example Vocabulary to Pull From:

 Pollution levels
 Waste management
 Community initiatives
 Environmental education
 Conservation strategies
 Local policies
 Restoration projects
 Ecosystem health
 Impact assessment
 Sustainable practices

Tiered Responses:

1. Band 8 Answer:
As an environmental expert, I can assert that waste management is one of our
community's critical issues. Our current system is overwhelmed, leading to increased
 pollution levels. To tackle this, we must implement comprehensive recycling programs
and promote community engagement in waste reduction. Furthermore, integrating
environmental education into local schools will empower future generations to adopt
sustainable practices, ensuring long-term benefits for our ecosystem.
2. Band 7 Answer:
In my view, waste management is a big problem for our community. We produce a lot of
waste, and it often ends up polluting our environment. To improve this, we can start
recycling programs and involve more people in cleaning up. Educating students about the
environment will also help them understand how to protect it.
3. Band 5 Answer:
Waste management is a problem in our community. We have too much trash, and it can
cause pollution. We need to recycle more and help people understand why it is important.
Teaching kids about taking care of the environment can help in the future.

Activity 4: Environmental Awareness Campaign

Objective: Create a brief presentation for an imaginary environmental awareness campaign.

Instructions: Choose an environmental issue that concerns you. Outline your campaign’s goals,
target audience, and strategies. Present your campaign to the group, explaining its importance
and impact.
Example Vocabulary to Pull From:

 Awareness
 Campaign
 Outreach
 Engagement
 Strategies
 Impact
 Community involvement
 Education
 Behavior change
 Sustainability

Tiered Responses:

1. Band 8 Answer:
Our campaign, “Clean Oceans, Healthy Future,” aims to tackle plastic pollution in our
local waterways. Our target audience includes school students and families. We plan to
organize beach clean-up events and educational workshops on the impacts of plastic
waste. By increasing community engagement and awareness, we hope to foster a culture
of sustainability, encouraging individuals to reduce plastic use and participate actively in
protecting our oceans.
2. Band 7 Answer:
I propose a campaign called “Protect Our Oceans” that focuses on reducing plastic waste
 in our local waters. The main audience will be students and their families. We will hold
beach clean-ups and provide information on how plastic pollution affects marine life. By
getting people involved, we can make a difference and encourage everyone to reduce
their plastic use.
3. Band 5 Answer:
I want to create a campaign called “Save Our Oceans” to help reduce plastic waste. We
can target students and families. We will have clean-up days at the beach and share
information about plastic pollution. This will help people understand the problem and
encourage them to use less plastic.

Activity 5: Community Solutions Brainstorm

Objective: Collaboratively brainstorm solutions to environmental issues faced in your

community.
Instructions: Form small groups and identify a specific environmental problem in your area.
Spend time discussing and brainstorming practical solutions. Present your ideas to the class.
Example Vocabulary to Pull From:

 Solutions
 Implementation
 Collaboration
 Innovation
 Community action
 Resources
 Feasibility
 Partnership
 Education
 Sustainability

Tiered Responses:

1. Band 8 Answer:
In our brainstorming session, we identified air pollution as a significant issue in our
community. To address this, we propose a multi-faceted approach: first, increasing public
transport options to reduce car usage; second, launching a community tree-planting
initiative to improve air quality; and third, partnering with local businesses to promote
sustainable practices. Implementing these solutions requires collaboration between local
government, residents, and businesses to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.
2. Band 7 Answer:
We discussed air pollution as a major problem in our community. To solve it, we can
improve public transport to get more people out of cars. We can also start a tree-planting
project to help clean the air. Finally, we can work with local businesses to encourage
them to use more eco-friendly methods. It’s important to get everyone involved for these
ideas to work.
 3. Band 5 Answer:
We talked about air pollution in our community. We think we can help by having better
public transport so fewer cars are on the road. Planting more trees can also clean the air.
We should work with local shops to make them more eco-friendly. Everyone needs to
join in to make these ideas successful.

7. FAQs
 Q: What if I don’t understand everything during discussions?
A: Focus on the main ideas and keywords. You can always ask for clarification
afterward.
 Q: How can I improve my speaking skills?
A: Practice speaking with classmates, participate in discussions, and record yourself to
improve fluency and confidence.
 Q: Why is vocabulary important?
A: A rich vocabulary allows you to express your thoughts more clearly and persuasively,
which is crucial for IELTS speaking tasks.