- garden
- plant
- flowers
- seed
- stem
- leaves
- soil
- sunlight
- roots
- trees
- fruits
- vegetables
- water
- shade
- daisies
- oak tree
- tomato plants
- bud
- fruit
- gardening
Vocabulary lesson plan & materials
Flowers and Plants
B1–B2 materials about plants, flowers and gardens through reading, vocabulary, communicative situations, role-play, discussion and video comprehension.
Plant and Garden Vocabulary
Vocabulary drawn directly from the lesson texts and word banks.
Lucy’s Garden
Reading 1
Lucy’s Garden
B1–B2There was a small garden behind Lucy's house. She loved spending time there, looking at the plants and flowers. She knew a lot about them. She knew that plants need water and sunlight to grow. She also knew that some plants give us fruits and vegetables to eat.
One day, Lucy decided to plant a seed in the ground. She dug a hole and put the seed inside. Then she covered it with soil. She watered it every day and waited for it to grow. After a few days, a small green stem appeared from the soil. Lucy was very happy! The stem grew taller and taller, and soon there were leaves on it.
Lucy also loved trees. She knew that they have big roots under the ground to help them stand up tall. Trees have many leaves too, and they give us shade on hot days.
In the garden, there were many different kinds of plants. Some had beautiful flowers, while others had strange-looking fruits. Lucy loved them all. She knew that each plant is special in its own way.
Looking at the plants made Lucy feel peaceful and happy. She loved spending time with them and taking care of them.
Task 1 — Fill in the Blanks
Use the words from the original text.
Word bank: seed, stem (2), time, leaves, plants (2), care, soil, fruits, trees, sunlight, roots, special, vegetables, garden, watered, plant, flowers (2)
There was a small _____(1) behind Lucy's house. She loved spending time there, looking at the plants and _____(2). She knew a lot about them. She knew that _____(3) need water and _____(4) to grow. She also knew that some plants give us fruits and _____(5) to eat.
One day, Lucy decided to _____(6) a _____(7) in the ground. She dug a hole and put the seed inside. Then she covered it with _____(8). She _____(9) it every day and waited for it to grow. After a few days, a small green _____(10) appeared from the soil. Lucy was very happy! The _____(11) grew taller and taller, and soon there were _____(12) on it.
Lucy also loved _____(13). She knew that they have big _____(14) under the ground to help them stand up tall. Trees have many leaves too, and they give us shade on hot days. In the garden, there were many different kinds of plants. Some had beautiful _____(15), while others had strange-looking _____(16). Lucy loved them all. She knew that each plant is _____(17) in its own way.
Looking at the _____(18) made Lucy feel peaceful and happy. She loved spending _____(19) with them and taking _____(20) of them.
Answers
1 garden · 2 flowers · 3 plants · 4 sunlight · 5 vegetables · 6 plant · 7 seed · 8 soil · 9 watered · 10 stem · 11 stem · 12 leaves · 13 trees · 14 roots · 15 flowers · 16 fruits · 17 special · 18 plants · 19 time · 20 care
Task 2 — Choose the Correct Answer
- What did Lucy love doing in her garden?
- What did Lucy know about plants?
- What do some plants give us?
- What did Lucy plant in the ground?
- What did Lucy do after she put the seed in the ground?
- What appeared from the soil after a few days?
- What did Lucy know about trees?
- What did Lucy love about the different kinds of plants in her garden?
- How did looking at the plants make Lucy feel?
- What did Lucy love doing with the plants in her garden?
Answers
1 b · 2 a · 3 b · 4 c · 5 d · 6 a · 7 a · 8 d · 9 c · 10 c
Task 3 — True or False
1. Lucy's house had a big garden in front of it.
TrueFalse
2. Lucy knew a lot about plants and flowers.
TrueFalse
3. Plants need water and sunlight to grow.
TrueFalse
4. Lucy planted a seed in the air.
TrueFalse
5. A small green stem appeared from the soil after a few weeks.
TrueFalse
6. Trees have small roots under the ground.
TrueFalse
7. Trees give us shade on hot days.
TrueFalse
8. There were only flowers in Lucy's garden.
TrueFalse
9. Lucy loved all the plants in her garden.
TrueFalse
10. Lucy didn't like spending time with plants.
TrueFalse
Answers
- False — there was a small garden behind Lucy's house.
- True.
- True.
- False — Lucy planted a seed in the ground.
- False — the stem appeared after a few days, not a few weeks.
- False — trees have big roots under the ground.
- True.
- False — the garden contained different kinds of plants, including flowering and fruit-bearing plants.
- True.
- False — Lucy loved spending time with plants.
Lucy’s Garden — A Dialogue
Reading 2
Lucy’s Garden — A Dialogue
B1–B2Lucy: Dad, come look at my garden!
Dad: Wow Lucy, you've really done a great job here. What kind of plants did you grow?
Lucy: I planted a seed and it grew into this tall stem with leaves on it. And over there, I have some tomato plants that are starting to bear fruit.
Dad: That's amazing! You must be so proud.
Lucy: I am! It's so cool to see these plants grow and change every day.
Dad: And what about those flowers over there? They're so pretty.
Lucy: Yeah, those are daisies. And the big tree in the corner is an oak tree. Trees need big roots to help them stand up straight, like people need bones. Did you know that?
Dad: I didn't know that. You certainly know a lot about plants. What's your favorite thing about gardening?
Lucy: I love watching things grow and learning about how they work. Plus, spending time in the garden makes me feel happy and peaceful.
Dad: That's wonderful, Lucy. Keep taking care of these plants. They'll keep growing strong thanks to you.
Lucy: Thanks, Dad.
Task 1 — Fill in the Blanks
Use the words from the original text.
Word bank: plants, flowers, tomato, stem, tree (2), fruit, seed
Lucy: Dad, come look at my garden!
Dad: Wow Lucy, you've really done a great job here. What kind of _____(1) did you grow?
Lucy: I planted a _____(2) and it grew into this tall _____(3) with leaves on it. And over there, I have some _____(4) plants that are starting to bear _____(5).
Dad: And what about those _____(6) over there? They're so pretty.
Lucy: Yeah, those are daisies. And the big _____(7) in the corner is an oak _____(8).
Answers
1 plants · 2 seed · 3 stem · 4 tomato · 5 fruit · 6 flowers · 7 tree · 8 tree
Task 2 — Choose the Correct Answer
- Who is Lucy talking to at the beginning of the conversation?
- Which plants are mentioned in Lucy's garden?
- What did Lucy say about the plants in her garden?
- What kind of tree is in the corner of Lucy's garden?
- Why do trees need big roots?
- What is Lucy's favorite thing about gardening?
- How does spending time in the garden make Lucy feel?
- What does Lucy's dad say about her plants?
- What did Lucy say about the flowers in her garden?
- What did Lucy say about the oak tree in her garden?
Answers
1 b · 2 d · 3 a · 4 a · 5 a · 6 a · 7 b · 8 b · 9 b · 10 d
Task 3 — True or False
1. Lucy's dad is not interested in her garden.
TrueFalse
2. Lucy planted a seed that grew into a tree.
TrueFalse
3. Lucy has tomato plants that are starting to bear fruit.
TrueFalse
4. Lucy is not proud of her garden.
TrueFalse
5. The flowers in Lucy's garden are sunflowers.
TrueFalse
6. The big tree in the corner of Lucy's garden is a maple tree.
TrueFalse
7. Trees need big roots to help them stand up straight.
TrueFalse
8. Lucy's dad knows a lot about plants.
TrueFalse
9. Lucy's favorite thing about gardening is the exercise.
TrueFalse
10. Lucy feels unhappy and stressed when she spends time in the garden.
TrueFalse
Answers
- False — he is impressed with her garden.
- False — it grew into a tall stem with leaves on it.
- True.
- False — she is proud of her garden.
- False — they are daisies.
- False — it is an oak tree.
- True.
- False — he did not know that trees need big roots to help them stand up straight.
- False — she loves watching things grow and learning about how they work.
- False — she feels happy and peaceful in the garden.
Communicative Situations
Lucy: “I love flowers, they're so pretty!”
Tom: “Yeah, my favorite flowers are sunflowers.”
Emily: “Do you like fruits?”
Jacob: “Yes, I love apples and bananas.”
Sophie: “Look at this beautiful leaf I found!”
Liam: “Wow, it's really colorful.”
Ella: “What's your favorite plant?”
Noah: “I like cacti because they're easy to take care of.”
Ava: “Let's plant some seeds and see what grows!”
Owen: “Good idea, what kind of seeds do you have?”
Ben: “The stem of this flower is so long.”
Grace: “Yes, it's perfect for making a bouquet.”
Lila: “What's your favorite tree?”
Max: “I like oak trees because they provide a lot of shade.”
Sophia: “Do you like vegetables?”
Jack: “Yes, I love carrots and broccoli.”
Mia: “What's the difference between a root and a stem?”
William: “The root is usually underground and absorbs water and nutrients, while the stem is above ground and supports the plant.”
Four Opinions, Quotes & Discussion
John
“Plants are so fascinating! I once grew a sunflower from a seed and watching it grow and bloom was so satisfying. Plus, having plants around the house can improve air quality.”
Linda
“I'm not really into plants. They just seem like a waste of time and money. I've tried to keep succulents alive before, but they always end up dying anyway.”
Tom
“I don't know how I feel about plants. On one hand, they can be nice to look at, but on the other hand, I always forget to water them and then they die. I guess it depends on the type of plant.”
Sarah
“Oh my gosh, plants are everything to me! They're so beautiful and calming. Whenever I'm feeling stressed out, I go for a walk in nature and just surround myself with greenery.”
Famous Quotes
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb
“The earth laughs in flowers.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” — Liberty Hyde Bailey
“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.” — Gertrude Jekyll
“Plants are the young of the world, vessels of health and vigor; but they grope ever upward towards consciousness; the trees are imperfect men, and seem to bemoan their imprisonment, rooted in the ground.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Discussion Questions
- What is your favorite type of plant?
- Do you prefer flowers or fruit plants?
- Can you name a vegetable that grows from a plant's stem?
- How do seeds help plants grow?
- Which part of a tree can be used to make paper?
- What is the purpose of a plant's root?
- Have you ever eaten a leafy green vegetable?
- What are some common uses for plants in our daily lives?
- Can you think of any plants that have medicinal properties?
- Why are plants important for the environment?
Role-Play Games
Plant Life Cycle
Divide the class into groups and assign each group a stage of the plant life cycle: seed, sprout, plant, or flower. Each group acts out the stage and explains its physical characteristics and actions using plant vocabulary.
Plant Shop
Set up a pretend plant shop. Some students are plant sellers and others are customers. Sellers describe plants, their characteristics, and care instructions. Customers ask questions and decide what to buy.
Gardening Adventure
Create a fictional gardening adventure with roles such as gardeners, insects, or magical plant caretakers. Students solve problems and discuss plants, gardening tools, and environmental conditions.
Plant Parade
Each student chooses a plant to represent, creates a sign or costume, and introduces the plant to others while sharing interesting facts and using descriptive plant-related vocabulary.
Plant Superheroes
Students invent plant superheroes with special plant-based powers, then work together in role-play to solve environmental challenges or save plants in distress.
Video Comprehension
Two source-provided listening/video activities
Video 1 — Parts of a Plant
Choose the Correct Answer
- What is the name of the host of the show?
- What is the topic of the show?
- What is the similarity between plants and humans?
- What are the important parts of a plant?
- What is the function of a bud?
- What is the function of a flower?
- What is the function of a leaf?
- What is a fruit?
- What is the function of a stem?
- What is the function of roots?
Answers
1 a · 2 b · 3 a · 4 a · 5 c · 6 d · 7 b · 8 a · 9 c · 10 d
Video 2 — How Do Plants Grow?
Choose the Correct Answer
- Who is the protagonist of the story?
- What was Mr. Voice doing when Nosey Nina approached him?
- What did Nosey Nina say when Mr. Voice mentioned giving the carrots a drink?
- How do plants grow healthy and strong?
- What is special about plants?
- Why do we need plants?
- What does Nosey Nina want to do with what she learned?
- How do plants make their own food?
- What happens when plants make their food?
- Why is it important to take good care of our environment?
Answers
1 c · 2 a · 3 b · 4 d · 5 d · 6 d · 7 a · 8 d · 9 a · 10 a