The Art of the Agreement
Grammar: Passive Voice
A Level 4 English lesson exploring environment.
What's in this lesson
A Level 4 (upper intermediate) ESL lesson on environment, practising passive voice. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.
From the reading: The Art of the Agreement
In 1997, 192 countries signed the Kyoto Protocol — the first international agreement in which specific emissions targets were set for industrialised nations. Yet by 2012, the year the first commitment period ended, those targets had been exceeded by several signatories, and the United States, which had never ratified the treaty, was producing more carbon than when negotiations began. The numbers told a story that the language of the agreement had carefully avoided.
Vocabulary
- emissions targets
- had been exceeded
- ratified
- Net zero
- are to be reduced
- will be phased out
- must be provided
- Accountability
- a binding commitment
- signatories
Grammar: Passive Voice
- Present perfect
- The targets have been exceeded by several countries. — action before now, result matters
- Modal passive
- Funds must be provided by all signatories. — obligation without naming the agent
Discussion questions
- Do you think governments or individuals are more responsible for environmental damage?
- Is it ever right to sign an agreement you know you cannot keep?
- Should countries that break climate deals face economic penalties?
The Art of the Agreement
Grammar: Passive Voice
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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