The architect who designed a vertical forest

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The architect who designed a vertical forest

Warm-up

Have you ever seen a tall building with plants on it? (Yes, I have seen...)

Vocabulary Match

provide •• builder
structures •• straight up
materials •• towers
skyscrapers •• things
architect •• give
vertical •• buildings

Vocabulary Answers

providegive
structuresbuildings
materialsthings
skyscraperstowers
architectbuilder
verticalstraight up

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In 2007, Italian ________ Stefano Boeri had an idea to create "vertical forests" on buildings. He saw that ________ in Dubai were using ________ that made the city hotter. Boeri wanted to use plants instead of glass to make buildings cooler and greener.

In 2014, the first ________ forest, called Bosco Verticale, was built in Milan. It has plants on its walls that help cool the air and ________ a home for birds. These buildings show that nature can be part of city life.

Many cities around the world, like Eindhoven and Taipei, are now building similar green buildings. These ________ not only help the environment but also make people feel happier and healthier. Boeri believes that nature should be a part of our cities.

In 2007, Italian architect Stefano Boeri had an idea to create "vertical forests" on buildings. He saw that skyscrapers in Dubai were using materials that made the city hotter. Boeri wanted to use plants instead of glass to make buildings cooler and greener.

In 2014, the first vertical forest, called Bosco Verticale, was built in Milan. It has plants on its walls that help cool the air and provide a home for birds. These buildings show that nature can be part of city life.

Many cities around the world, like Eindhoven and Taipei, are now building similar green buildings. These structures not only help the environment but also make people feel happier and healthier. Boeri believes that nature should be a part of our cities.

Quiz

  1. Who had the idea to create "vertical forests"?
  2. What material was making Dubai hotter?
  3. What is the name of the first vertical forest?
  4. Which cities are building similar green buildings?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Stefano Boeri
  2. Glass
  3. Bosco Verticale
  4. Eindhoven and Taipei

True or False

  1. Bosco Verticale was built in Dubai. T F
  2. Vertical forests help make people feel happier. T F
  3. Stefano Boeri believes nature should be part of cities. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. True

Conversation

A:Stefano, why did you want to put plants on buildings?
B:I thought it would make cities cooler and greener!
A:That's a great idea! How did it go in Milan?
B:It worked well! Bosco Verticale is a success.
A:Are other cities doing the same thing?
B:Yes, places like Eindhoven and Taipei are joining in!

Discussion

  1. Would you like to live in a building with a vertical forest?
  2. Why do you think nature is important in cities?
  3. What is your favorite plant or tree?
  4. Which park in your city do you like the best? Why?

Further Reading

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250602-how-high-rise-forests-can-transform-city-life-and-make-us-happier

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