Which is better: a real or a fake Christmas tree?

Some people love to buy a real Christmas tree every year, but others prefer an artificial tree. Which is better?

Words:

• When an object is artificial, it’s fake or man-made. It’s not natural.
• People use the word labour to refer to work or effort.
• When there are supply shortages of a certain product, it means there aren’t many left or available. It becomes hard or expensive to buy the product.
• You pay shipping fees when you have something sent to you.
• A renewable resource is something that can be regrown or will always be available. Wind, sunshine, and wood are all renewable resources.
• Your carbon footprint is how much CO2 you produce with the things you do or buy.
• Ornaments are decorations, like Christmas lights or a star on the top of the tree.
• Pine is the kind of wood that Christmas trees are made from, which has a nice smell.

1. Watch the intro of the video. Which question will presenter Carter Evan try to answer about real and artificial Christmas trees?

2. The shopper in the beginning of the video has bought an artificial tree ‘against her family’s wishes’. What do you think this means?

3. Why are real Christmas trees more expensive this year? There is more than one correct answer.

A. There is a lot of labour involved in growing a Christmas tree.

B. Plastic is getting more expensive.

C. People want a tree that’s top of the line.

D. There are supply shortages.

E. There are high shipping fees for sending trees over from China.

4. Which benefits of real trees and artificial trees are mentioned in the video? Choose ‘real tree’ or ‘artificial tree’ for each benefit.

A. You can reuse it for many years. – Real tree / Artificial tree

B. It’s a renewable resource. – Real tree / Artificial tree

C. It’s easy to recycle. – Real tree / Artificial tree

5. According to the expert who is interviewed (Bill Ulfelder), which tree is better for the environment, and why? Fill in the missing words.

The ___ Christmas tree, because ____________________.

6. What advice does the presenter give at the end of the video? Put the advice in the right box.

A. Take all the ornaments and decorations off when you recycle it.

B. Buy a pine-scented air freshener.

C. Make sure you buy one you’re going to like for many years to come.

Real trees	Artificial trees
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