Saving the planet. Natural changes to the environment tend. Comprehension. Endangered species. Read the following passage and answer the questions.

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Saving the planet 17 Comprehension Read the following passage and answer the questions. Endangered species Natural changes to the environment tend to take many years.

About half of the world s tropical forests have been cleared over a relatively short period of time for pasture, farms, urban land and commercial property, without replanting to regenerate the lost

1 Saving the planet 17 Comprehension Read the following passage and answer the questions. Endangered species Natural changes to the environment tend to take many years. When change is rapid, the animals and plants are unable to adapt and often many become extinct. About half of the world s tropical forests have been cleared over a relatively short period of time for pasture, farms, urban land and commercial property, without replanting to regenerate the lost forests. Forests take centuries to regrow. Although rainforests appear lush, they grow in quite poor soil; so when replanting does occur, regeneration takes place over a long period of time. In the meantime, the forest animals and plants have no shelter or food. Not only will they die; the entire finely balanced environment will be disrupted. It has been estimated that the loss of one plant species can trigger the loss of up to thirty insects, other plants and higher animal species. This is particularly worrying considering that tropical rainforests are home to a large percentage of the world s living creatures. The giant panda of China is now endangered because its bamboo food source has been cleared for agriculture and urban development. Similar destruction of animal habitats has endangered types of rhinoceros, elephants, orang-utans, leopards, bears and wolves. A further problem for the environment is human exploitation of many plant and animal species. For example, several species of whales almost became extinct during the twentieth century when they were killed for their meat, oil and blubber and to produce products such as cosmetics and fertiliser; whale bones were once used in umbrellas and corsets, and whale tendons were used to string tennis racquets. When a number of nations agreed to halt whaling, some species such as the humpback whale made a spectacular recovery. Unfortu nately, some countries still hunt whales. Furthermore, poachers still kill elephants for the ivory in their tusks, sharks are hunted for their fins to be used in soup, rhinos for their horns, turtles for their shells and gorillas for their young. Another serious problem arises when exotic species of animals and plants are introduced into a country. Customs agents are always on the lookout for live creatures and plants illegally 105

2 106 Complete English Basics 3 imported. These plants often take over the native plants natural habitats and the animals prey on native species, altering the whole ecosystem. For example, rats introduced to islands have completely wiped out some species of bird by attacking the defenceless chicks. These birds built their nests on the ground or in low shrubs where they had been quite safe in the past, which meant that the introduced rats were able to find their food easily. Australia s native plants and animals are also at risk, particularly our unique birds and reptiles, which are highly valued by overseas collectors. Customs officers have found many of these creatures illegally drugged and stuffed into cramped containers. Half of them die of fright or lack of food and air before they even leave the country. The latest research has shown that 6300 plant and animal species are endangered around the world, mainly due to human activity. We can help stem this tide. We can refuse to buy souvenirs that are made using animal parts such as turtle shells, ivory, coral, skins and fur. We can call for an embargo on the clearing of hardwood from tropical forests for the building of houses. If we all realise the importance of our natural environment, we will be much more aware of the necessity for keeping it as unspoilt as possible for future generations. Reading for understanding 1 Extinction of a species is most commonly caused by: a disease b rapid change c the introduction of foreign species 2 Rainforests grow in: a poor soil b deep soil c rich, well-composted soil 3 Destruction of rainforests means that: a there is a lack of timber for building b the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is reduced c many animals and plants lose their natural habitats 4 When any one plant species is destroyed, it: a re-establishes itself elsewhere b causes problems for many other species c does not seem to affect the balance of nature 5 Why has the giant panda of China now become an endangered species?

17 Saving the planet 107 6 What happened when a number of nations agreed to stop whaling? 7 Why have rats been responsible for wiping out some species of bird?

3 17 Saving the planet What happened when a number of nations agreed to stop whaling? 7 Why have rats been responsible for wiping out some species of bird? 7 marks Spelling and vocabulary The environment extinction emission threaten significant pesticides stability exposure uranium damage environmentalist recovery waste ozone freeze garbage hibernation protection difference atmosphere conservation sanctuary reduction pollution increase industry deteriorate desolation disposal contributed physical A word for a phrase Write down words from the spelling list that match the meanings of the phrases below. The first letters have been given to help you. 1 to make greater or to grow in number i 2 to make into ice f 3 to harm d 4 a form of oxygen o 5 to become worse d 6 to use unnecessarily or without purpose w 7 steadiness s 8 the protection of nature c 9 chemicals used for killing pests p 10 a radioactive metal used in nuclear weapons u 11 the state of no longer existing e 12 the air surrounding the Earth a 13 important s 14 the act of guarding against danger p 14 marks

108 Complete English Basics 3 Word forms 1 Complete the following sentences using words from the spelling list once only. The first letters are given to help you.

4 108 Complete English Basics 3 Word forms 1 Complete the following sentences using words from the spelling list once only. The first letters are given to help you. a A wildlife s may sometimes be able to provide p for animals faced with e. b W from u mining must be carefully disposed of. c Polar bears go into h during the winter in order to avoid e to the icy Arctic winds. d The e stated that better methods of waste d will reduce d to the o layer. e P has c to the p destruction of many natural features of Planet Earth. f The spraying of p will lead to a s reduction in some animal species. g E of dangerous chemicals into the a by heavy i will t wildlife. 2 Complete the following phrases by inserting the correct forms of the words in brackets. a a landscape (desolation) b the of the habitat (deteriorate) c solid (freeze) d a river (pollution) e the of the scientists (contribute) f the of global warming (significant) Back-of-the-book dictionary The word sanctuary means a sacred or holy place. It comes from the Latin word sanctus meaning holy. In the past, a sanctuary was a place where fugitives were formally entitled to immunity from arrest, such as a church or temple. Today, we often use the word to describe a place where animals may live safely away from humans or other outside threat. Use the back-of-the-book dictionary to write down the meanings of these words derived from sanctus. sanctity: sanction: sanctimonious: sanctify: 20 marks 6 marks 4 marks

17 Saving the planet 109 Language Confusing word pairs There are many pairs of words in the English language that are often confused and misused.

5 17 Saving the planet 109 Language Confusing word pairs There are many pairs of words in the English language that are often confused and misused. Refer to the back-of-the-book dictionary to help you select the correct words in the following exercises. Completing the sentences Select the correct word from each pair of words in brackets to complete the sentences below. 1 The mountain climber s (descent / decent) of the (glazier / glacier) was hazardous. 2 The speedboat (passed / past) over the tow-rope as it sped the swimmers (past / passed). 3 The (imminent / eminent) scientist was the (sole / soul) survivor of the explosion. 4 The (sight / site) of the snow falling touched the poet s (sole / soul). 5 Once again the (notorious / notable) con man had been able to (elude / allude) the police. 6 The farmer made considerable (profit / prophet) from his (pear / pair) orchard. 7 The guest speaker was (quite / quiet) certain that the audience would be Hints for writing Features of an exposition An exposition is a text that attempts to argue a point and persuade an audience. The purpose of an exposition is to persuade someone to accept an argument or to adopt a particular point of view. An exposition usually has the following features: (quite / quiet) during her talk. 14 marks an introduction in which the writer s position is stated and an overview of the topic is given. The statement of position is called the thesis. a preview of arguments to come. Sometimes a persuasive comment or question may be used in an attempt to capture the reader s attention. a number of arguments, arranged in paragraphs, put forward to persuade the reader. Each paragraph deals with a different point. The arguments may be supported by evidence and examples.

6 110 Complete English Basics 3 the use of language that shows the writer s attitude to the subject the use of emotive words to convince the audience a conclusion in which the speaker's position (or thesis) is re-stated. A brief summary of the arguments may be given. Look at how one student has used the essential elements of exposition writing. Structure Introductory statement giving the author s viewpoint A series of arguments to convince the audience Conclusion sums up the arguments An unhealthy planet Planet Earth is very, very sick. Its water, land, air, plants, trees, animals and fish stocks are declining at an alarming rate. Never before in its history has it suffered so much damage at the hands of the human race. The situation is desperate. Globally in the next twenty years more than two million people will die prematurely as a result of air pollution and close to two million people are likely to live with absolute water scarcity. Water is one of the major concerns. Without water, humans cannot survive. Only one in every ten of the world s major rivers reaches the sea all year round because of upstream irrigation demands. Fish stocks, a diet for several billion people, are in crisis. About 30 per cent of global fish stocks are classed as collapsed and 40 per cent are categorised as over-exploited. Greenhouse gas concentrations are one-third higher than 20 years ago. This poses the gravest danger to the future of the planet. At this point in time, supporting seven billion people is becoming impossible for Planet Earth. Global warming, the collapse of fish stocks and the extinction of species may lead to the end of humankind. The governments of the world must take action now or it will be too late. Writing an exposition Language Use of repetition to emphasise the Earth s sickness Emotive language Use of statistics to support argument An emotional call for action Write a short exposition on one of the following environmental topics. Using the library resources and the internet will enable you to create more convincing arguments. Global warming Extinction of species Going green Tropical rainforests Pollution Better transport Water the elixir of life Greenhouse gases Recycling Population explosion The motor car Saving the planet

ANIMALS UNIT 1 ACTIVATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

ANIMALS UNIT 1 ACTIVATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE LEARNING OBJECTIVES UNIT ANIMALS LEARNING OBJECTIVES Key Reading Skills Reading for main ideas; using a Venn diagram Understanding key vocabulary; using your knowledge; reading for details; working out meaning; Additional