IN 2017, KENYA BANNED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS, IMPLEMENTING ONE OF THE WORLD'S STRICTEST LAWS AGAINST PLASTIC POLLUTION

 Plastic bags are a big problem for the environment. They are light and fly everywhere. In 2017, Kenya made a big decision: it banned all single-use plastic bags. This was one of the strongest laws in the world against plastic. People in Kenya now use paper or cloth bags. In this lesson, we learn how to talk about past events using the past simple tense.

Examples:

• Kenya banned plastic bags in 2017.

• People used plastic bags before.

• Now they carry reusable bags.

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GRAMMAR

We use the past simple tense to talk about finished actions in the past.

Structure:

• Subject + past form of the verb

Examples:

• Kenya banned plastic bags.

• They used cloth bags instead.

• People followed the new rules.

Negative:

• Kenya didn’t allow plastic bags.

• People didn’t bring plastic to the market.

Questions:

• Did Kenya ban plastic bags? – Yes, it did.

• Did people follow the rules? – Yes, they did.

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VOCABULARY (10 words with definition)

1. Ban – to say something is not allowed

2. Plastic – a light, man-made material

3. Pollution – dirty air, water, or land from trash

4. Law – a rule made by the government

5. Bag – a container to carry things

6. Reusable – something you can use again

7. Cloth – a material made from cotton or fabric

8. Government – leaders who make laws for a country

9. Strict – very strong and serious

10. Protect – to keep something safe

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USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

• Kenya banned plastic bags.

• This is a strict law.

• People use reusable bags now.

• Plastic bags are not allowed.

• The rule helps the planet.

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SENTENCES

Positive:

• Kenya banned plastic bags in 2017.

• People started using cloth bags.

• The law helped reduce pollution.

Negative:

• People didn’t use plastic bags anymore.

• Shops didn’t give plastic bags.

Questions and Answers:

• Did Kenya ban plastic bags? – Yes, it did.

• Did people support the change? – Yes, they did.

• Did the ban help the environment? – Yes, it did.

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CONVERSATION

Mark: Did you hear about Kenya’s plastic ban?

Lena: Yes, it happened in 2017, right?

Mark: That’s right. They banned all single-use plastic bags.

Lena: Wow, that’s very strict. What do people use now?

Mark: They use cloth or paper bags.

Lena: That’s good! We should do that too.

Mark: Yes, it helps the environment a lot.

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READING

Kenya’s Big Change

In 2017, Kenya banned all single-use plastic bags. This was one of the strongest laws in the world. The government wanted to stop pollution. People could not use or sell plastic bags. If someone broke the rule, they had to pay a fine or go to jail. Now, people bring their own bags to the store. Many use cloth bags. This big change helped clean the streets and protect nature. Other countries look at Kenya as a good example.

Questions:

1. What did Kenya ban?

2. When did the ban start?

3. Why did Kenya make this law?

4. What do people use now?

5. What happens if someone breaks the rule?

Answers:

1. Single-use plastic bags.

2. In 2017.

3. To stop pollution.

4. Cloth or paper bags.

5. They pay a fine or go to jail.