Environmental Issues

Talking about the planet

This module gives you the core Italian words to talk about the environment. Italian nouns come with an article (il, la, l'), which shows the gender, so learn each word with its article. You will learn the key terms, from l'ambiente, the environment, to il riciclaggio, recycling, then practise recognising them before writing about an environmental issue in English.

Environment, drought, recycling

Learn each Italian word with its article and meaning:

Match each word to its meaning

What la siccità means in Italian

What does the Italian word la siccità mean in English?

• Drought
• Recycling
• The environment
• Global warming

A word for the exam

Il riscaldamento globale, global warming, is Higher-tier vocabulary and one of the biggest environmental problems. Notice the article: il tells you the noun is masculine. Learning the article with the word is the reliable way to get the gender right in your writing.

Which are about the environment?

Select the TWO Italian words that are about the environment.

• il riciclaggio
• la siccità
• il libro
• il biglietto

Problems and actions

Some words name environmental problems; others name what we can do to help.

Environment and drought in Italian

The world around us is the _____. A long period with no rain is a _____. Sorting waste so it can be used again is _____. The planet heating up is _____. Materials from nature, like water and wood, are _____.

Spot the environment words

Tap the TWO Italian words that are about the environment.

• il riciclaggio
• il libro
• la siccità
• il biglietto
• la casa

Choose the right word

Which Italian word means 'recycling'?

• il riciclaggio
• la siccità
• l'ambiente
• il libro

Never leave the opinion without a reason, in Italian

The environment words become sentences with è (is), and a grade-9 answer never states a view without a reason attached: - Il riciclaggio è importante = "recycling is important". Italian keeps il in front of riciclaggio where English drops it, and è links the two halves. - Mi piace il riciclaggio perché aiuta il pianeta = "I like recycling because it helps the planet". Mi piace is "I like", literally "it is pleasing to me". perché (because) then joins the reason, which is what lifts the mark.

Attach a reason, in Italian

A grade-9 answer attaches a reason to the opinion. Which of these does that?

• Mi piace il riciclaggio perché aiuta il pianeta
• Mi piace il riciclaggio
• Il riciclaggio è importante
• Mi piace riciclaggio perché aiuta il pianeta

Writing about the environment

You can now recognise the key words. In the exam you might write about an environmental issue, and you can weave these terms in. A strong answer names a problem (such as la siccità, drought, or il riscaldamento globale, global warming) and a solution (such as il riciclaggio, recycling, or il commercio equo, fair trade).

Help the environment

Three ways to help the environment. Choose the best action each time.

• You want to fight il riscaldamento globale (global warming). What helps?
• You want to practise il riciclaggio (recycling) at home. What should you do?
• You want to protect le risorse naturali (natural resources). What fits?

Write about an issue, in Italian

Name the issue and an action IN ITALIAN, then add ONE sentence in English saying why it matters. Keep each noun with its article.

• Name the issue: la siccità (drought)
• For the top marks, use the Higher-tier term: il riscaldamento globale (global warming)
• Name an action: il riciclaggio (recycling)
• Then, in English only, say why this issue matters