A greener future (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
A greener future
Vers un avenir plus vert
Key environmental vocabulary
Understanding environmental terminology is essential for discussing green issues and sustainability in French. This vocabulary will help you express ideas about climate change, conservation, and environmental responsibility.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| effet (m) | effect |
| habituel(le) | usual |
| moyen (m) | means, way |
| nécessaire | necessary |
| plusieurs | several |
| sérieux | serious |
| voiture électrique (f) | electric car |
| actuel(le) | current |
| apparemment | apparently |
| besoin (m) | need |
| French | English |
|---|---|
| conscient(e) | conscious, aware |
| convaincre | to convince |
| façon (f) / manière (f) | way |
| ne ... aucun | not one |
| nombreux / nombreuse | numerous |
| sinon | otherwise |
These vocabulary items frequently appear together in environmental texts. Practice using them in context rather than memorising them in isolation for better retention and natural usage.
Example sentences using environmental vocabulary
Exemple d'utilisation : Environmental Vocabulary in Context
Present tense:
- Elle est consciente de l'effet des voitures sur la planète. (She is aware of the effect of cars on the planet.)
Past tense:
- Hier, nous avons discuté de plusieurs façons d'aider l'environnement. (Yesterday, we discussed several ways to help the environment.)
Future tense:
- Demain, je vais convaincre mes amis d'acheter des produits plus verts. (Tomorrow, I'm going to convince my friends to buy greener products.)
Grammar focus: être en train de
The construction être en train de + infinitive expresses an action that is currently in progress - the equivalent of "to be in the middle of doing something" in English.
This construction is essential for expressing ongoing actions in French and can be used across all tenses by simply conjugating the verb être appropriately. Don't confuse it with simple present tense - it specifically emphasises the progressive nature of the action.
Formation
Être (conjugated) + en train de + infinitive verb
Examples across different tenses
Exemple pratique : Using "être en train de" Across Tenses
Imperfect (describing past ongoing actions):
- Hier, j'étais en train de lire un article sur la crise climatique quand mon ami a téléphoné. (Yesterday, I was reading an article about the climate crisis when my friend phoned.)
Present (describing current actions):
- Elle se soucie qu'on est en train de détruire la planète. (She's worried that we are destroying the planet.)
Future (describing future ongoing actions):
- Demain à onze heures, nous serons en train de manifester contre la pollution. (Tomorrow at 11 o'clock, we will be protesting against pollution.)
Structuring your ideas
When writing essays or speaking about environmental issues, these linking phrases will help you organise your thoughts coherently:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| d'abord | firstly |
| ensuite | then |
| enfin | finally |
| désormais | from now on |
| au contraire | on the contrary |
Using linking phrases effectively
Start with your first point using d'abord, develop your argument with ensuite, and conclude with enfin. Use désormais when discussing future changes, and au contraire to present opposing viewpoints.
Logical flow is crucial in French academic writing. These linking phrases create a clear structure that French speakers expect to see in well-organized arguments about complex topics like environmental issues.
Example paragraph: D'abord, il faut reconnaître que le problème environnemental est sérieux. Ensuite, nous devons changer nos habitudes quotidiennes. Enfin, désormais, chaque personne doit prendre ses responsabilités.
Reading comprehension skills
Environmental texts often discuss current problems, personal actions, and future solutions. Look for key phrases that indicate:
- Current situations: actuellement, de nos jours, il est évident que
- Personal responsibility: nous devons, il faut, chacun peut
- Future changes: à l'avenir, demain, désormais
Pattern recognition is key to understanding environmental texts in French. These signal phrases will help you quickly identify the main ideas and organise your comprehension of complex environmental arguments.
Translation practice
Exercice de traduction : Environmental Concepts
French to English:
- Il est nécessaire de changer nos habitudes pour protéger l'environnement.
- Plusieurs personnes sont en train de manifester contre la pollution.
English to French:
- We are currently destroying the planet.
- Tomorrow, I will be convincing my parents to buy an electric car.
Answers:
- It is necessary to change our habits to protect the environment.
- Several people are protesting against pollution.
- Nous sommes en train de détruire la planète actuellement.
- Demain, je serai en train de convaincre mes parents d'acheter une voiture électrique.
Exam tips
Critical Exam Strategies for Environmental Topics:
- Reading exercises: Look for context clues when encountering new vocabulary - environmental texts often use related words together
- Writing tasks: Use the linking phrases to structure your arguments clearly
- Speaking assessments: Practice using être en train de to describe ongoing environmental actions
- Listening comprehension: Environmental topics frequently appear - familiarise yourself with pronunciation of key terms like environnement, électrique, and nécessaire
Key Points to Remember:
- Environmental vocabulary includes both problems (pollution, crise climatique) and solutions (voiture électrique, transports publics)
- Use être en train de + infinitive to express ongoing actions in any tense by conjugating être appropriately
- Structure essays with linking phrases: d'abord, ensuite, enfin for clear progression of ideas
- Practice translating environmental texts to build confidence with specialist vocabulary
- Focus on both personal actions and global issues when discussing green topics in exams