Arsenio’s ESL Podcast: Season 4 – Episode 103 – Listening – Green Products

We’re back with some more listening! So, let’s first talk about what this listening is about. Are there many products in your country which claim to be “green?” Which types of product?

What do you think of the term “greenwashing” and what might it mean?

Time to listen to an interview with a consultant for a consumer protection organization and choose the best answers.

1. An American marketing firm

• found 1,018 environmentally friendly products.
• found 1,017 environmentally friendly products.
• investigated 1,018 different products.
• were astonished that they couldn’t find even just one environmentally friendly product.

1. The problem with one shampoo manufacturer was that it said

• the shampoo was organiz, but when it was tested, it evidently wasn’t.
• it had proof that the shampoo was organic, but the proof didn’t exist.
• it had proof that the shampoo was organic, but the proof was falsified.
• something that was only partially true.

1. The consultant says

• all natural products are good.
• all products are essentially natural.
• knowing a product is natural is not good enough.
• companies should list all the natural ingredients in a product.

1. The consultant tells us

• to buy products that claim they are CFC-free.
• not to buy products that claim they are CFC-free.
• any product that say it’s CFC-free is lying.
• CFC-free products are the best for protecting the ozone layer.

1. The consultant tells us that one of the keys to buying products that help the environment is

• to read all the information and then check that the information is true.
• to disbelieve the ecological claims that companies make.
• not to believe that all products with an EcoLogo or Green Seal are good for the environment.
• not to reject a product if the manufacturer mentions something negative about it.

Speaking

What would you propose to stop companies making false claims about “green” products?

What reasons are there for people not buying green products?

What could be done to encourage people to buy more?

What other things can people do to be “green” in their daily lives?

Podcast