📘 Part 3: Nature and environment

This Episode's Vocabulary

Nature connectedness (noun) – The sense of connection a person has with the natural world. → Example: Being in nature can create a sense of nature connectedness, which can improve our well-being.

To unwind (verb) – To relax and allow your mind to be free from worry after a period of work or stress. → Example: Visiting natural places is a nice way to unwind.

Fast-paced environment (noun phrase) – A setting characterized by high speed and activity. → Example: It's a chance to get out of the fast-paced environment of cities and relax more generally.

Natural contours (noun phrase) – The natural shapes and outlines of a landscape. → Example: The countryside might be more calming with all the natural contours.

Cooped up (phrasal verb) – Confined in a small space with no chance of leaving. → Example: Some people need nature more, like the ones who spend their lives cooped up in towns.

To disconnect from (verb) – To separate yourself from something. → Example: They probably get the chance to disconnect from their lives in towns and reconnect with nature.

Natural habitats (noun phrase) – The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism. → Example: They get the chance to see animals and plants in their natural habitats.

Urban sprawl (noun) – The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas, often characterized by low-density housing. → Example: It might be the only way for some people, especially people in urban sprawls.

The be-all and end-all (idiom) – The most important part of something or the only reason for it. → Example: That's not the be-all and end-all by any means.

Accessible (adjective) – Able to be reached or entered. → Example: The countryside of most countries is usually rather accessible.

Packed together (phrasal verb) – Crowded into a small space. → Example: In cities, you have buildings and people packed together in close quarters.

To cater to (phrasal verb) – To provide what is wanted or needed by a particular person or group. → Example: Visiting mountains would cater nicely to their interests.

Questions and Answers

Rory: What kind of people like to visit natural places?

Maria: Well, doesn't everyone? I feel like you'd have a harder time finding people who prefer unnatural places. We need to pick particular groups, though, I suppose. People into things like outdoor sports would love it, like hikers and hillwalkers. That would cater nicely to their interests.

Rory: Why do people like visiting places with trees or forests?

Maria: Lots of reasons. It's a nice way to unwind for starters. Actually, being in nature can create a sense of something called nature connectedness, which can improve our well being. It's also a chance to get out of the sort of fast-paced environment of cities and relax more generall,y since it, well, it should be quieter with fewer people to make demands of you.

Rory: Are natural views better than city views?

Maria: I imagine that depends on your individual tastes, really. It seems the countryside or other landscapes might be more calming with all the natural contours, while city views are more inspiring since they represent opportunities and possibilities.

Rory: Do all people need some nature?

Maria: Well, based on what I said about nature connectedness, I'd certainly say so. Though there might be people who need it more, like the ones that spend their lives cooped up in towns with nowhere to escape to.

Rory: What can people gain from going to natural places?

Maria: Other than what I already mentioned, they probably get the chance to disconnect from their lives in towns and reconnect with nature. Breathe fresher air. Oh, and they get the chance to see animals and plants in their natural habitats.

Rory: Do you think that going to the park is the only way to get close to nature?

Maria: Well, it might be for some, especially people in urban sprawls, but that's not the be-all and end-all by any means. The countryside of most places or most countries is usually rather accessible. And of course, there are many opportunities to travel around to natural places these days.

Rory: What are the differences between a natural place and a city?

Maria: Other than the obvious buildings and people packed together in close quarters. Well, there tends to be more development in general, I suppose. And fewer wild animals, more pollution. I suppose I could go on forever about them, but hopefully you get the idea.