The Problem & The Solution:
Persuasive Presentations
Mixed Conditionals & Complex Connectors
Mixed Conditionals
Mixed conditionals express a hypothetical relationship between different times — for
example, a past action affecting the present, or a present situation that could have
changed the past.
1. Past → Present
• If governments had acted earlier, climate change would not be so severe today.
• Had we reduced our emissions in the 1990s, global temperatures might be
stable now.
2. Present → Past
• If people cared more about the environment, we would have prevented many
disasters.
• Were companies more responsible, the ozone layer wouldn’t have been
damaged so badly.
Formulas:
• If + Past Perfect, → would/could/might + base verb (present result)
• If + Past Simple, → would/could/might + have + past participle (past result)
Cause-Effect Connectors
Use these to structure your essay and presentation logically:
Cause:
• owing to, due to, because of, as a result of
Many coastal cities face flooding owing to rising sea levels.
Effect:
• therefore, consequently, thus, as a result
Deforestation is accelerating; consequently, biodiversity is declining.
Condition:
• provided that, on the condition that, unless, otherwise
Carbon emissions will decrease provided that countries cooperate globally.
Writing Task – Persuasive Essay (250–300 words)
Your Mission: Write a persuasive essay about a problem and a possible solution.
Include:
1. Introduction: Briefly present the problem.
2. Causes: Explain what leads to this problem.
3. Effects: Describe the consequences if nothing is done.
4. Solution: Propose a realistic and effective solution.
5. Conclusion: Reinforce why action is necessary.
Requirements:
• Use at least 2 mixed conditionals
• Use at least 3 complex connectors
• Use academic and persuasive language
Essay Planner (Use this before writing)
Problem Chosen:
______________________________________________________________________
Why it matters:
______________________________________________________________________
Main causes:
______________________________________________________________________
Main effects:
______________________________________________________________________
Proposed solution:
______________________________________________________________________
Tip: Pick a topic that either personally affects you, interests you deeply, or you
have strong opinions about. It will make your writing and presentation far more
powerful.
Global Issues
• Climate change and global warming
• Ocean pollution and plastic waste
• Overconsumption of natural resources
• Gender inequality and women’s rights
• Mental health crisis among teenagers
• Overreliance on artificial intelligence
• Misinformation and the spread of fake news
• Refugee crises and global migration
• Food insecurity and overpopulation
• Access to quality education worldwide
• Rapid urbanization and housing shortages
• Global poverty and wealth inequality
• Cybersecurity and data privacy threats
Brazilian Issues
• Deforestation in the Amazon
• Urban traffic and poor public transportation in major cities
• Violence and public safety concerns
• Homelessness in large urban areas
• Inequality in access to healthcare
• Pollution of rivers and coastal areas
• Flooding and inadequate city infrastructure
• Education quality gap between public and private schools
• High unemployment among young people
• Political corruption and declining public trust
• Informal housing (favelas) and social inequality
• Water shortages and mismanagement of natural resources
Model Essay – Climate Change & Global Warming
Climate change is one of the most urgent crises of our era. Driven largely by fossil
fuel combustion and deforestation, atmospheric greenhouse gases have reached record
levels. Between 2010 and 2019, global emissions climbed to about 59 gigatonnes CO₂-
equivalent per year, roughly 54 % higher than 1990 levels. Today, atmospheric carbon
dioxide measures approximately 422.8 ppm, a new record, rising 3.75 ppm in 2024
alone—the largest annual increase ever recorded. Without more decisive early action,
greenhouse gases have accumulated to push Earth toward dangerous climatic tipping
points.
The impacts are already unmistakable: melting ice sheets, rising seas, more intense
storms, droughts, and shifting ecosystems. In 2024 alone, over 150 unprecedented
climate disasters struck globally, displacing more than 800,000 people. Across the
world, climate-related hazards currently contribute to ~26.4 million internal
displacements annually. Looking ahead, projections suggest that by 2050, as many as
143 million people in the Global South could be forced from their homes by climate
stresses.
Turning the tide requires immediate systemic transformation. For example, industry has
accounted for nearly 45% of incremental global greenhouse gas emissions this
century. To stay within 1.5 °C of warming, global emissions must fall by about 43 % from
2019 levels by 2030. Governments must invest in clean technologies, enforce stronger
environmental regulations, and reorient economic incentives. Citizens also have power—
in consumption, advocacy, and lifestyle change.
Climate change is a global emergency, but it is not hopeless. The decisions made today
will define the legacy we leave for future generations. If we act with urgency and resolve,
we still have a chance to restore balance to our planet.
Presentation Preparation Worksheet
Task: Create a 5 minutes TED Talk-style presentation about your chosen problem and
solution.
Tips for Success:
• Use clear transitions (as a result, consequently, provided that…)
• Include at least 1 conditional structure in your talk
• Use examples, data, or personal stories to strengthen your argument
Sample TED-Style Presentation Script – Climate Change
“Imagine a future where coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, New York, and Bangkok
are submerged under water. This is not science fiction — it is a likely scenario if we
continue on our current path. According to NASA and the IPCC, global sea levels have
already risen by about 21 cm since 1900 and are now rising at more than 4 mm per
year, a rate that’s accelerating as polar ice melts. By the end of this century, hundreds of
coastal cities could become partially uninhabitable. If governments had taken stronger
action decades ago, we might not be facing such dire consequences today.
The causes are clear and well-documented. Our heavy reliance on fossil fuels and
unsustainable land use have pushed atmospheric carbon dioxide to about 422.8 ppm,
the highest level in over 3 million years. As a result, the planet’s average temperature
has already increased by 1.2 °C since pre-industrial times, triggering dramatic
environmental changes. Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are losing over 430
billion tons of ice each year, and the frequency of major climate-related disasters has
quadrupled since 1970. Consequently, more than 26 million people are displaced
every year by floods, storms, and other climate-driven events — a number expected to
rise sharply if warming continues unchecked.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Scientists estimate that if we reduce global emissions
by about 43 % from 2019 levels by 2030, we still have a strong chance of limiting
warming to 1.5 °C — the threshold beyond which climate impacts become far more
dangerous. Provided that nations cooperate, transition to renewable energy, and protect
and restore forests, we can dramatically slow the pace of change. Renewable energy is
no longer a dream — it already supplies over 30 % of global electricity, and its costs
have fallen by over 80 % in the last decade. Every ton of carbon we don’t emit, every
hectare of forest we protect, brings us closer to a stable climate.
The choice is ours. We can continue down the path of destruction, where rising seas
swallow coastlines and billions face water and food insecurity — or we can take bold
steps to protect our planet. If we change our actions today, our children will inherit a safer,
healthier, and more sustainable world — a world where cities thrive instead of drown, and
where humanity’s progress is defined not by destruction, but by resilience.”
Halloween at Work
Vocabulary
• Do me (up). [exp] - zip up, button up, fasten my clothing
• squeaky [adj] - making a high-pitched sound like a mouse or rubber on the floor
• knock (their) socks off [exp] - impress (them)
• a law firm [n] - a company that lawyers work for
• conservative [adj] - traditional, not relaxed or fun
• dress up [phv] - put on a costume
• the non-participation guy [exp] - the guy who doesn't participate in activities in
the office
• Not on my watch. [exp] - I won't let this happen.
• fangs [n] - the long teeth of vampires, wolves, bats, etc.
• a tool [n] - an idiot
• a douche [n] - an uncool person
• dry cleaning [n] - the clothes that you can't wash in a normal washing machine
• get on (s/o) [phv] - criticize or nag (s/o)
• major guns [exp] - big strong arms (biceps)
• screwed [adj] - in big trouble
• mess up [phv] - make a mistake
• a trunk [n] - the back part of a car used for storage
Questions
1. Mitchell dressed up for Halloween at his previous law firm.
True
False
2. Mitchell's coworkers tell him that people dress up at his current law firm.
True
False
3. Almost everyone at Mitchell's law firm is wearing a costume.
True
False
4. Cam brings a suit to Mitchell.
True
False
5. Mitchell's boss wants to fire the two guys who dressed up.
True
False
6. Mitchell's boss thinks that Mitchell loves guns.
True
False
7. Mitchell's Spider-Man suit is squeaky.
True
False
8. Mitchell goes to the bathroom to wash his suit.
True
False
9. Mitchell has another suit in his car.
True
False
Vocabulary Accuracy – Modern Family: Halloween at Work
Directions: Choose the word or expression that best completes each sentence. Circle
the correct option and be prepared to explain the meaning of the expression in context.
1. Cam encourages Mitchell to ___ take their socks / take their socks off / knock their socks /
knock their socks off.
2. Mitchell thinks that Cam is ___ getting him / getting on him / getting him on / getting to him.
3. Mitchell’s boss thinks Mitchell has been hitting the gym because he has big ___ guns / tanks
/ bombs / rockets.
4. Mitchell is worried because he already messed ___ on / up / in / over.
Sentence Building
Sentence 1
when / Mitchell / arrive / office / he / realize / almost / no / one / wear / costume
_____________________________________________________________________
Sentence 2
when / Mitchell / arrive / office / he / realize / almost / no / one / dress / up
____________________________________________________________________
Sentence 3
Cam / remind / Mitchell / he / suit / trunk / car / because / he / not / bring / dry /
clean
___________________________________________________________________
Sentence 4
as / Mitchell / walk / bathroom / take / costume / boss / grab / him / and / drag /
him / meeting
____________________________________________________________________