Page 29 - English Expedition Class 6

2. In my country, we make so much waste. We buy and throw away, buy and throw away, buy
and throw away . . .
a. Which country and which city does Severn come from?
b. Which are the two emotions that have prompted Severn to say this? How do these emotions
aff ect her behaviour?
c. Why does Severn repeat the phrase ‘buy and throw away’? What does she want to emphasize?

3. ‘I wish I was rich. And if I were, I would give all the street children food, clothes, medicines,
shelter, and love and aff ection.’
a. Who says this?

b. What does it tell you about the speaker?
c. What eff ect does it have on Severn?
4. ‘You are what you do, not what you say.’

a. Who says this?
b. What eff ect do the ‘doings’ of the grown-ups have on Severn?
c. Explain this line in the context of Severn’s speech.

B. Answer the following questions.
1. What does ‘ECO’ stand for? Name the children who travelled to Rio de Janeiro as part of ECO.
2. On whose behalf was Severn there to speak?

3. What were the regular, everyday things that Severn was afraid to do?
4. What can borders and governments never change?

5. What do Northern countries need to do with respect to the needy? What do they need to
stop doing?
6. What was the ultimate challenge Severn threw at the grown-ups?

C. Refl ect and answer.

1. What impression did the Brazilian child’s wish leave upon Severn? How would you react if a
child said the same to you?

2. What would you do in Severn’s place when you see waste around you? Why?
3. Is Severn’s dream destined to remain a dream? Give reasons for your answer.

4. Do you think Severn is putting her ‘privileged life’ to good use by speaking about
environmental issues? Give reasons for your answer.

Vocabulary

A. Find words/phrases from the speech that mean the following:

1. have a noticeable eff ect on the situation, usually for the better
2. as a representative of a person or a group
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