READ with understanding
→ After reading the Empowered reader, answer the questions directly from the reading and then share your opinion in the form of Summarizing and Paraphrasing. After reading you may listen to the recording if needed. When preparing for a test, limit comments to 30-60 seconds.

Adopting a Recycling Habit


When I first moved to this city, I didn’t pay much attention to recycling. It seemed like just an extra chore, something I didn’t have time for. However, after separating my waste for a few weeks, I realized just how much I was throwing away unnecessarily. If I hadn’t taken the time to understand how the recycling process works here, I wouldn’t have known that so much of my waste could be reused or recycled.

My perspective changed completely. Had I not joined a local recycling initiative, I might never have understood the significant impact each of us can have on reducing waste. It wasn’t until I saw how the city was managing waste and recycling that I truly embraced the idea. Now, it feels like second nature. The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that our individual efforts can really make a difference. If everyone followed simple practices like recycling, imagine the positive environmental impact. Recycling may seem insignificant at first, but once you get into the habit, it’s clear that it has lasting effects on the environment.

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Summarize This Section

Summarize the reading in your own words or use the questions to help you explain the main points.

  1. How did the author feel about recycling at first?

  2. How did the author’s perspective on recycling change over time?

  3. How does the author view the role of individual actions like recycling? 


Paraphrase This Point

Say this sentence in fewer words.

"Had I not joined a local recycling initiative, I might never have understood the significant impact each of us can have on reducing waste."

Your Sentence: ______________________________