Lexical Precision

text · Article (≈300 words) — 'Why our cities need more trees'

Urban tree planting has become one of the most quietly significant environmental policies of the last decade. Once dismissed as a decorative concern, it is now widely regarded as a serious tool for tackling air pollution, urban heat and even mental wellbeing. The evidence is striking. A 2022 study by the World Resources Institute found that neighbourhoods with dense tree cover recorded a marked reduction in average summer temperatures — in some cases by as much as four degrees. The same study reported a noticeable improvement in self-reported wellbeing among residents living within walking distance of mature green space. Not everyone is convinced. Some city planners raise the obvious objection: trees take decades to mature, and the immediate benefit to a new resident is small. Others point to the heavy maintenance costs, particularly in cities with aggressive winter weather. There is also a growing concern that 'green washing' allows local councils to take symbolic action without addressing the deeper structural causes of urban pollution. Still, the broad consensus is shifting. Cities as different as Singapore, Paris and Medellín have made deliberate decisions to redirect significant portions of their public budgets towards long-term tree planting. Early results suggest a profound impact — not just on temperature and air quality, but on how residents feel about the city they live in. It would be premature, perhaps, to draw firm conclusions from a handful of cities. But the direction of travel is clear: trees, once a decorative afterthought, are increasingly seen as critical infrastructure. The question is no longer whether to plant them, but how quickly we can plant enough.

prompts · Find 10 collocations. For each:

1. Write the full collocation (e.g. 'a marked reduction').
2. Note what type it is (adj+noun, verb+noun, noun+prep).
3. Star any you'd use in your own writing this week.

questions · Rewrite each sentence

1. The new manager had a big effect on the team.
2. Some people made objections to the proposal.
3. We should make some research before we decide.
4. The report is in line with our plans more or less.
5. She is thought as one of the best designers in the company.

vocab list · Your five nouns

1. decision
2. research
3. responsibility
4. effect
5. contribution

prompts · For each noun

1. List ≥3 verbs that collocate (e.g. decision: make, reach, come to).
2. List ≥3 adjectives that collocate (e.g. decision: deliberate, tough, final).
3. Write one personal example sentence.

vocab list · Recycle ≥4 of these

1. make a significant contribution to
2. have a profound effect on
3. draw a conclusion
4. raise an objection
5. be widely regarded as
6. a marked improvement in
7. take steps to (do)
8. broadly in line with