An Inconvenient Truth: Global Warming

This activity was provided by Vera Babat, from Uruguay. Here are a few words she provided us with about herself. Thanks for your precious contribution.

Our institute's web is www.infusionenglish.edu.uy

I'm a psychologist with 12 years experience teaching teenagers and young adults. I love preparing lessons using authentic materials.

Love films that make students think as it's a great chance to think critically on certain issues.

WORKSHEET The first segment is provided here. I can't have all segments here, though, for copyrights issues. If you want to go through the whole activity, it is best to have the DVD.

An Inconvenient Truth | A global warning

Before watching the film

1. Have you heard anything about this film?
2. Do you know who Al Gore is? What do you know about him?

While watching the film

1^st Part (00’:40 – 11’45’’)

1. How does Al Gore define himself?
2. What is his opinion about his fellow politicians and their actions towards climate change?
3. He tells an anecdote about two of his teachers, what are his feelings towards them?
4. Can you explain what Mr. Gore is trying to say through the saying

“What gets us into trouble

is not what we don’t know

it’s what we know for sure

that just ain’t so”

Can you think of examples in real life where you can apply this thread of thought?

5. How thick is the Earth’s atmosphere?
6. How important is it for us?
7. Without watching... Can you explain the process of global warming? ...Now watch Al Gore and Matt Groening’s version of Global Warming

2^nd Part (11’45– 24:50’)

1. What is “just as clear as day?”




Rephrase in your own words the message that is being conveyed

3^rd Part (41’49’’- 49’:26)

1. What does he mean by the expression “two canaries in a coal mine”?
2. What is happening to the ice caps and North Pole?
3. What are the effects of this?
4. Poor Polar bears! What has happened to them?
5. Which are the planetary effects of this melting?
6. What is a conveyor?

4^th Part (49’28’ – 51’:32’’)

1. What is the theory he is posing?
2. Which effects could this have in Uruguay? Are there any already visible?
3. WATCH FROM 59’15’’ TILL 01:01’15’’

5^th Part (01:07’40’’ – 01:15’)

1. What can be clearly reflected by the map and charts presented?
2. Who is being represented by the frog?
3. What does he say about scientists who disagree with this vision on global warming? What does Al Gore compare it to?
4. What is the basic reasoning Gore exposes?
5. What is there to do then?

6^th Part (01:26’37’’ – 01:28’08’’)

1. Watch and as you listen take notes, by the end try to put them together with your partners and see if you can reproduce this excerpt from the speech!

How did you feel while and after watching this movie?

Discuss on these points:

Why do you think Al Gore did this movie? Is there a particular reason why he focused so much on the United States?

What is Gore accused of by his political opponents?

Where does the film’s name come from?

Follow up:

Write a proposal to your local authorities suggesting steps to be taken concerning global warming. For more info visit: www.climatecrisis.org

An Inconvenient Truth | A global warning

1^st Part (0:40’’ – 11’45’’)

1. How does Al Gore define himself?

2. What is his opinion about how other politicians act on climate change?

3. He tells an anecdote about two of his teachers, what does he want to show?

4. Can you explain what Mr. Gore is trying to say through the saying

“What gets us into trouble

is not what we don’t know

it’s what we know for sure

that just ain’t so”

Can you think of examples in real life where you can apply this saying?

5. How thick is the Earth’s atmosphere?

6. How important is it for us?

7. Without watching... Can you explain the process of global warming?

8. Now watch Al Gore and Matt Groening’s version of Global Warming

2^nd Part (11’30 – 18’:33 – 24’:50)

1. Rephrase in your own words the message that is being conveyed

3^rd Part (01:07:40- 01:15)

1. What can be clearly reflected by the map and charts presented?

2. Who is being represented by the frog?

3. What does he say about scientists who disagree with this vision on global warming? What does Al Gore compare it to?

4. What is the basic reasoning Gore exposes?

5. What is there to do then?

How did you feel while and after watching this movie? Write down a paragraph using adjectives to describe your feelings on this matter.

 MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH