Veloping countries, killing a child every eight seconds.

Tony: OK. And last, but not the least question. Who should pay for pollu-

tion?

Leila: The industrialised world has not yet cleaned up the mess it created,

but it is reaping the benefits of the pollution it has caused. It can hardly tell the

developing countries that they have no right to follow suit. Another complica-

tion in tackling pollution is that it does not respect political frontiers. Perhaps the

best example to illustrate this - is climate change. The countries of the world

share one atmosphere, and what one does can affect everyone.

Tony: That will be great.

12

Leila: Thanks for attention.

Tony: That is quite reasonable if it is obvious who is to blame and who

must pay the price. But it is not always straightforward to work out who is the

polluter, or whether the rest of us would be happy to pay the price of stopping

the pollution. Do you think that there are any solutions of the problem?

Leila: One of the principles that is to be applied here is simple - the pol-

luter pays.

VIII. Read the dialogue again and write down the key points of the con-

versation. Act the dialogue out.

Time to Talk

I. Tell about one of the environmental disasters mentioned in the text

above.

II. Work in pairs. Use the information from the text, the dialogue and

your background knowledge to prepare an interview “Pollution.

What are we doing to our Home?”

Check your answers to the quiz.

1-D 3-B 5-D

2-C 4-B 6-B

UNIT II ENDANGERED SPECIES

Text 1

Question Time

Quiz: Species and extinction.

Scientists warn that human activities may be bringing about the sixth

mass extinction of species in the world's history. Test your knowledge of the

web of life.

A. There are 13-14 million spe- a) Resistance to pesticides

cies in the world. How many b) High levels of vitamin

of those have been recorded A

and described? c) Resistance to plant

a) 1.75 million disease

b) 5 million F. The Sumatran tiger is at risk

c) 11 million of extinction. Which

B. What is the biggest threat to everyday product is behind

species? the threat?

a) Habitat loss a) Hamburgers - the

b) Hunting, fishing and tiger’s rainforest home

collecting is being cut down to

13

c) Alien invasive species make way for cattle.

C. How many plant species are b) Paper – logging

used in medicines companies are

worldwide? exploiting the forests

a) 1,000 – 2,000 for paper pulp.

b) 10,000 – 20,000 c) Toothpaste – workers

c) 100,000 – 200,000 collecting an ingredient

D. Which country has the from the sap of a

most endangered plants in certain tree are

the world? disturbing the tigers’

a) Indonesia breeding cycle.

b) Ecuador G. Dinosaurs were wiped out in

c) Brazil the mass extinction 65

E. Wild wheat varieties found million years ago - or were

in Turkey have a genetic they? Which modern day

property valued at $US50 group of animals do many

million a year. What is it? experts say are technically

dinosaurs?

a) Crocodiles

b) Frogs

c) Birds

Count your score and see the results:

You got 6-8 right!

Species-swot - you fall asleep mumbling about invertebrates.

You got 3-5 right!

Not bad - you've visited a few zoos in your time.

You got 0-2 right!

Embarrassing - you barely know you're a hominoid.

Time for Reading

Read the text and match the paragraph with the heading.

i. Exploitation and disturbances.

ii. Why preserve endangered plants and animals?

iii. Habitat loss.

iv. Species’ categories as defined by the Red List.

v. What are endangered species?

vi. How many species are in danger?

THE RARE ONES

(A) Rare, endangered, or threatened plants and animals are elements of our

natural heritage that are declining rapidly or are on the verge of vanishing. They

are plants and animals that exist in small numbers that may be lost forever if we

do not take quick action to stop their (i) decline. If we cherish these species, like

14

we do other rare and beautiful objects, these living organisms become treasures

of the highest magnitude.

(B) The scale of the extinction threat facing animals and plants is made

clear in the Red List from the World Conservation Union. The Red List divides

all species into the following categories:

Extinct - Last known individual has died

Critically Endangered - Extreme high risk of extinction

Endangered - Species at very high risk of extinction

Vulnerable - Species at high risk of extinction

Near Threatened - May soon move into above categories

Least Concern - Species is widespread and abundant

(C) Estimates for the total number of species on Earth vary widely; there

may be 10 million, there could be 100 million. What is certain is the limited

number of species catalogued by science - barely two million. According to the

latest Red List, 15,589 species - 7,266 animals and 8,323 plants and lichens are

Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. In other words, an eighth of

all birds and a quarter of all mammals are in jeopardy, also a third of amphibians

and almost 50% of turtles and tortoises are on the brink, too.

(D) Preservation of plants and animals is important, not only because

many of these species are beautiful, or can provide economic benefits for us in

the future, but because they (ii) already provide us many valuable services.

These organisms clean air, regulate our weather and water conditions, provide

control for crop pests and diseases, and offer a vast genetic "library" from which

(iii) we can withdraw many useful items. Extinction of a species could poten-

tially mean the loss of a cure for cancer, a new antibiotic drug, or a disease-

resistant strain of wheat. There are many examples of a species' value to society.

A new species of corn was found in Mexico; it (iv) is resistant to several dis-

eases of corn. An insect was discovered that when frightened produces an excel-

lent insect-repelling chemical.

(E) Loss of habitat or the "native home" of a plant or animal is usually the

most important cause of endangerment. Nearly all plants and animals require

food, water, and shelter to survive, just as humans do. Humans are highly adapt-

able, however, and can produce or gather a wide variety of foods, store water,

and create their (v) own shelter from raw material or carry it on their backs in

the form of clothing or tents. Other organisms cannot. Some plants and animals

are highly specialized in their (vi) habitat requirements. Some animals are de-

pendent on more than one habitat type and need a variety of habitats near each

other to survive.

(F) Direct exploitation and disturbances caused by human activity can

lead to extinction of some species. People exploited animals for food and fur. As

a result, some animals were hunted to extinction, others (vii) such as the grizzly

bear, maintain remnant populations. The presence of man and his machines may

cause some animals to abandon an area, even if the habitat is not harmed. Dis-

turbance during the nesting period is especially harmful. Disturbance combined

with exploitation is even worse.

15

Did You Get It?

I. Match the beginning of a sentence in column A with an ending in

column B to produce a statement which is true according to the text.

a) Rare plants and animals may i. are those facing a high risk of

be lost forever extinction;

b) Loss of habitat or the "native ii. more than one habitat type and

home" of a plant or animal need a variety of habitats near

each other to survive;

c) Direct exploitation and distur- iii. a species' value to society;

bances caused by human activ-

ity

d) Endangered plants and animals iv. divides all species into differ-

ent categories;

e) Some animals are dependent v. can lead to extinction of some

on species;

f) Vulnerable species vi. if we do not take quick action

to stop their decline;

g) There are many examples of vii. are elements of our natural

heritage that are declining rap-

idly or are on the verge of van-

ishing;

h) The Red List published by the viii. is usually the most important

World Conservation Union cause of endangerment.

II. What is the significance of the following numbers and statistics

found in the text

a) 2 million e) 1/8

b) 15,589 f) ¼

c) 7,266 g) 1/3

d) 8,323 h) 50

III. Say what statements are true and what ones are false. Comment on

the true statements and correct the false ones.

1) The scale of the extinction threat facing animals and plants is ex-

plained in the Red List published by the United Nations.

2) Least Concern species are those widespread and abundant.

3) Scientists know the exact number of species that exist on the Earth.

4) According to the latest Red List, it is the animals that are mostly

Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable.

5) A half of amphibians are on the brink.

6) Preservation of plants and animals is important because they already

provide us many valuable services.

7) A new species of wheat resistant to several diseases of wheat was

found in Mexico.

8) Humans are more adaptable than animals and plants.

16

9) All animals are dependent on one habitat type one.

10) People exploited animals for food and fur.

11) Some animals can abandon their habitat area because of the human

activity.

12) Disturbance combined with exploitation makes the situation worse.

IV. Complete the sentences below according to the information in the

text.

a) Rare, endangered, or threatened plants and animals are those

__________.

b) The Red List divides all species into _____________.

c) The number of species catalogued by science is ________.

d) In other words, _____________ are in jeopardy.

e) Preservation of plants and animals is important because they

__________.

f) The valuable services provided by these organisms are ___________.

g) Extinction of a species could potentially mean __________.

h) Nearly all plants and animals require ______________.

i) Some plants and animals are highly specialized in __________.

j) Direct exploitation and disturbances can lead to ___________.

k) Disturbance during __________.

V. Put the following words and phrases in the correct order to form

sentences.

a) in their (vi) habitat requirements, some plants and animals, are highly

specialized;

b) and, exploited, people, animals, for food, fur;

c) all, divides, into, categories, the Red List, species, several;

d) important, of, preservation, and, plants, animals, is.

VI. Text Organization.

What do the following words stand for?

their (i) paragraph A their (v) paragraph E

they (ii) paragraph D their (vi) paragraph E

which (iii) paragraph D others (vii) paragraph F

it (iv) paragraph D

Words, Words, Words...

I. Which animal ...?

Example: wags its tail and fetches sticks

a dog

1) has fur and whiskers and catches mice;

2) has a beak and feathers and builds nests;

3) has horns and is dangerous;

4) is supposed to be the King of the Jungles;

5) has a reputation for being stubborn;

6) has gills and fins;

7) can imitate human voices;

17

8) is the emblem of peace;

9) sometimes poisons, and sometimes squeezes to death its victims;

10) is the largest in the world;

11) lives in a stable and wears a saddle;

12) eats honey and is a popular soft toy for children

II. Match each animal with the sound it makes.

1. monkey a) roar 10. sheep j) bleat

2. lion b) cluck 11. elephant k) bray

3. dog c) meow, purr 12. pig l) hiss

4. cat d) chatter 13. donkey m) trumpet

5. horse e) crow 14. frog n) grunt, squeal

6. hen f) bark, growl 15. snake o) squeak

7. cock g) moo 16. duck p) howl

8. bee h) neigh 17. wolf q) quack

9. cow i) buzz 18. mouse r) croak

III. Match up the words to make collocations and explain their mean-

ing.

• natural • material

• endangered • endangered

• genetic • period

• habitat • heritage

• nesting • concern

• least • population

• remnant • loss

• critically • species

• raw • library

IV. Match up the words and word combinations with their definitions.

a) dependent on 1) keeping insects away;

b) a cure 2) to be on the edge, close to something;

c) insect-repelling 3) an animal that is able to live on land and in

water;

d) nesting period 4) a large reptile that has a thick shell around its

body and lives in the sea most of the time;

e) to be on the 5) not alive any more, dead;

brink

f) an amphibian 6) needing the help or support of something or

someone;

g) a tortoise 7) to terrify;

h) a turtle 8) time when birds build nests and settle there

to lay eggs;

i) a lichen 9) being not affected or harmed by diseases;

j) extinct 10) a remedy;

k) disease-resistant 11) a cluster of tiny plants that looks like moss

and grows on rocks, trees, walls, etc.;

18

l) to frighten 12) a slow-moving animal that has a hard shell

around its back.

V. Find in the text the following:

a) a verb meaning “to care for tenderly” (para A),

b) a noun meaning “ importance” (para A),

c) a noun meaning “danger; the risk of loss, defeat, harm, etc.” (para C),

d) a noun meaning “medicine” (para D),

e) an adjective meaning “able to change so as to be suitable for new

needs, different conditions, etc.” (para E),

f) a verb meaning “to leave completely and forever” (para F),

g) a verb meaning “to take away or take back” (para D),

h) an adjective meaning “very large and wide” (para D) ,

i) a verb meaning “to continue to live or to exist” (para F),

j) an adjective meaning “more than one, plentiful” (para B).

VI. Put the words in brackets into the correct form to fill the gaps in

the sentences.

a. Many scientists across the globe believe the threat facing global bio-

diversity is _______. (escalate)

b. _________ and habitat loss are pressures working against many spe-

cies. (exploit)

c. Human-induced climate change is _______ to be an increasingly sig-

nificant problem. (think)

d. There are many examples of species being ______ back from the

brink including the southern white rhino and black-footed ferret.

(bring)

e. According to estimates, amphibians are the most _______of all ver-

tebrate groups. (threat)

f. In total, 21% of amphibians are Critically Endangered or Endan-

gered, whereas the proportions for mammals and birds are only 10%

and 5% _______. (respective)

g. While most threats to biodiversity are human ______, human actions

alone can prevent many species from becoming extinct. (drive)

VII. a) Use the words from the box to complete the gaps in the texts.

A)

The project, which seeks to _(i)___ lion populations in Zimbabwe, is led

by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, working with

the Zimbabwe wildlife department. Professor David Macdonald, director of

WildCRU, told BBC News Online: "People think lions are __(ii)___, but a

survey to which we contributed came up with a very different picture. There

may be as few as 20,000 lions left across Africa - a terrifyingly small number,

and a __(iii)____ one. The lions are killed by farmers, and by __(iv)____, and

it's mainly males who die. The situation is __(v)____ by the fact that lions live

in extremely complex societies. If you kill one male, the lion who replaces him

will usually kill his __(vi)___. And we found males serving three, four or five

__(vii)___ of females, not just one. So the take is completely unsustainable

19

because the consequences of one kill just cascade. We've managed to get the

__(viii)___ halved. Another project is trying to save the guanaco, an animal of

the high Andes which is thought to be the ancestor of the llama. Other species to

benefit include __(ix)___ in Malaysia, __(x)____ penguins, and fruit bats in

Madagascar.”

• prides • trophy hunters • plausible • South African

• protect • cubs • hunting quota • complicated

• common • orang-utans

B)

The Sumatran orang-utan and the Bornean orang-utan are the only great

__(i)___ to live outside Africa. These solitary apes require a huge amount of

__(ii)__ to survive. The fruits that they live on are ___(iii)___. The lowland for-

est __(iv)___ they inhabit are disappearing to make way for agriculture and oil

palm plantations by logging and fire. Less than 2% of the orang-utan's original

habitat remains. Sadly, even the national parks that should be safe __(v)___ are

now reportedly being __(vi)____ illegally. Consequently populations have de-

clined by more than 90% in the past century. There are thought to be less than

30,000 individuals, a decline of 30-50% in the last decade. Unless they are con-

served in well-managed and __(vii)____ areas, in forests connected by corridors,

they may well be facing extinction in the wild. Conservation organisations are

trying to help orang-utans by preserving sufficient habitat, but also by fighting

the commercial and economic needs that result in forest __(viii)____. In addi-

tion, action is needed to stamp out a widespread trade in orang-utans as

__(ix)____.

• well-protected • habitats • few and far between

• pets • havens • logged

• destruction • space • apes

Time to Talk

I. Using on-line resources make a presentation (10-12 sentences) of

some endangered species. Mention what is being done by people to

stop the extinction of a species.

II. Opinion Survey.

In your group organize a survey "What measure is the best way to protect

endangered species? Complete the table below and summarize the results of the

survey. Share the results with the teacher and the group mates. What measures

are the most popular/the least popular in your group?

Possible Answers Great idea, Pretty Only a fair Bad idea, I

I’d use it good idea idea wouldn’t

Measures use

a) Captive breeding

programmes in zoos

and aquariums

20

b) Creating wildlife

reserves

c) Fund-raising for

organizations

dedicated to saving

wildlife

d) Banning pesticides

and encouraging

traditional methods

of farming

e) Encouraging tour-

ism in countries

with endangered

wildlife habitats

f) Political campaigns

III. Question for further thought...

Can you think of a time when the human race becomes endangered?

Check your answers to the quiz.

A-a; B-a;

C-b; C-b;

D-b; E-c;

F-b; G-c;

Text 2

Species are being wiped out so fast that scientists say humanity may be

triggering the sixth mass extinction in history. How much does it matter and

what should we do? Should we protect all species or just the ones that are use-

ful? Can we demand that the world's poor to stop exploiting the ecosystems they

survive on?

Question Time

I. Discuss the following questions in pairs.

1) What animals you know of are in danger of extinction? Why are they

in danger?

2) Do you think that animals in danger of extinction should be saved?

Why, or why not?

Time for Reading

Look at opinions from different sides of the debate concerning the

protection of species. Read the text and say who the following statements

belong to.

a. Sustainable hunting has often turned out be a highly effective conser-

vation measure.

21

b. We have to prioritise how much we spend, and how to spend it to pre-

serve the most.

c. Creepy crawlies are the unsung heroes of the natural world, and we

know next to nothing about them.

d. It is downright silly to say we should preserve the world's biodiversity

in toto.

e. We are mucking about with our life support system - that doesn't strike

me as sensible.

VIEWPOINTS: SAVING SPECIES

1) Mark Smith, Species Officer, WWF.

“Animals do not exist for our benefit. They exist because they

evolved to do a certain job within nature. But if a species does

not benefit people directly, they often don't see a reason to

conserve it. We at the WWF are looking at it from an ecologi-

cal point of view: All species are doing a job, even if we don't

know what that job is. Removing a species from the ecosystem

is like removing a rivet from an aeroplane without knowing its

(i) function. Nobody would want to fly in that aeroplane - but that is what we are

doing to our environment. We (ii) are causing species to go extinct without

knowing what they do. As far as we know, this is the only planet we can live on.

We are stuck here (iii) and we are mucking about with our life support system.

That doesn't strike me as sensible.”

2) Ian Parker, author and game hunter.

“As many life forms are harmful to human well-being, it is

silly to say we should preserve the world's biodiversity in toto.

We want to exterminate Aids viruses, bacteria that cause tuber-

culosis, malaria that kill millions of children annually, and

countless other harmful pathogens. Our welfare relates directly

to eliminating harmful forms of life and we are unavoidably committed to modi-

fying our environments to suit our particular needs. Common sense calls for ac-

cepting that in many cases, this means exterminating some of its elements. The

challenge conservationists face is to keep them (iv) as few as possible, and

avoiding dogmatic claims that all must be preserved.”

3) Helen Saxe, Environmental Assessment Institute.

“If we want to conserve every species on Earth starting with

bacteria and virus and ending with the African elephant, we are

saying that humans should not inhabit this Planet. Civilisation

comes with a price. And few of us would do without the com-

fort of modern life. When we choose to preserve nature - and

we should - we have to prioritise how much we will spend, and how to spend it

to preserve the most biodiversity. This takes knowing the greatest threats

22

(agriculture, forest clearing, toxic pollution, climate change, etc), and putting

our money where it works. As we see it at the Environmental Assessment

Institute, it is all about prioritisation.”

4) Dr David Hutton, Chair of the Sustainable Use Specialist

Group, IUCN.

“One way to make conservation gains is to capitalise on the

importance of wild species in human livelihoods - and para-

doxically the sustainable harvesting of plants and hunting of

animals has often turned out be a highly effective conservation

measure. When we think of biodiversity we tend to think of the

obvious elements - all the species of animals and plants that we can see and

identify around us. Should we conserve lions? Most people would say yes, but

people in Africa are happy to see the back of them (v) if it means their children

can walk to school in safety. Conservation is a difficult business, involving

tough decisions and trade-offs. Ultimately it (vi) hinges on the goodwill of the

people who live with the “biodiversity” being conserved.”

5) Professor John Lawton, Natural Environment Research

Council.

“Beyond mammals, birds and plants, we remain remarkably

ignorant of how many species there are on the planet - let alone

how many are disappearing. Even for those plants and animals

that we do know about, we understand little about their (vii)

distribution, ecology or population size. Our knowledge is

most limited for the very geographic areas where the diversity of life is greatest

- principally in the tropics. And very little is known of the deep sea. The charis-

matic mega-fauna aside, I'd like to see much more research going into things

smaller than a millimetre. If I had my time again, I'd look at nematodes, soil mi-

cro-organisms and creepy crawlies. They are the unsung heroes of the natural

world, and we know next to nothing about them (viii).”

Did You Get It?

I. Who speaks about the following?

a. things smaller than a millimetre;

b. conservation of lions;

c. life forms that are harmful to human well-being;

d. all species doing a job;

e. conservation is all about prioritisation.

II. Sum up the opinions above in one or two sentences. Which one do

you stick to? Do you have your own opinion on the issue discussed?

III. Ian Parker uses a Latin expression in toto. Can you guess its mean-

ing from the context? What is the usage of the Latin words in the

speech of a person can say about him?

23

IV. Match the beginning of a sentence in column A with an ending in

column B to produce a statement which is true according to the text.

A B

a) Civilisation 1) kill millions of children annually.

b) Animals exist 2) how much we will spend, and

how to spend it to preserve the

most biodiversity.

c) Tuberculosis and malaria 3) is a difficult business and it in-

caused by viruses and volves tough decisions and trade-

bacteria offs.

d) The sustainable harvest- 4) are agriculture, forest clearing,

ing of plants and hunting toxic pollution, climate change,

of animals etc.

e) We have to prioritise 5) is greatest in the tropics.

f) People in Africa are 6) ignorant of how many species

happy there are on the planet.

g) We remain 7) comes with a price.

h) Conservation 8) because they evolved to do a cer-

tain job within nature.

i) The greatest threats to the 9) has often turned out be a highly

biodiversity effective conservation measure.

j) The diversity of life 10) to see the back of lions if it means

their children can walk to school

in safety.

V. Answer the following questions.

1) Do animals exist for our benefit?

2) What did Mark Smith compare removing a species from the ecosystem

with?

3) What species are harmful to human well-being?

4) What challenge do conservationists face?

5) Would many people do without the comfort of modern life?

6) What do we have to do when we choose to preserve nature?

7) What is a highly effective conservation measure according to Dr.

David Hutton?

8) What does conservation hinge on?

9) Do we know everything about the species that inhabit the Earth?

10) Where is the diversity of life greatest?

11) We know nearly nothing about micro-organisms, do we?

VI. What do the following words stand for?

its (i) para1 them (v) para4

we (ii) para1 it (vi) para4

here (iii) para1 their (vii) para5

them (iv) para2 them (viii) para5

Words, Words, Words...

24

I. Match up the words to make collocations and explain their mean-

ing.

• human • pathogens

• game • clearing

• harmful • measure

• forest • mega-fauna

• climate • hunter

• charismatic • change

• conservation • goodwill

II. Find in the text words and word combinations which mean the fol-

lowing.

a) a verb meaning “to develop” (para1);

b) a phrasal verb meaning “to treat without consideration” (para1);

c) a noun meaning “physical and personal comfort, esp. good health and

happiness” (para2);

d) a verb meaning “to kill all the creatures or people in a place” (para2);

e) a phrasal verb meaning “to demand” (para2);

f) an adjective meaning “lacking knowledge, education, esp. of some-

thing one ought to know about” (para5);

g) a noun meaning “a balance between two (opposing) situations or quali-

ties, intended to produce a desirable or acceptable result”(para4);

h) a phrasal verb meaning “to happen to be” (para4);

i) a verb meaning “to give priority” (para3);

j) a verb meaning “to change” (para2);

k) an adjective meaning “reasonable”(para1).

III. Match up the following word combinations with their meaning.

a. to do without i. to have a peculiar (strong) effect on,

to impression;

b. to strike as ii. to be acceptable or convenient for, to

satisfy or please one’s needs;

c. to be stuck iii. to disappear

d. to suit needs iv. almost nothing;

e. common sense v. to manage to live without;

f. to go extinct vi. to start from the very beginning;

g. to have one’s time vii. to be fixed, impossible to move;

again

h. next to nothing viii. practical good sense and judgment

gained from experience, rather than

special knowledge from school or

study.

IV. Using the words from the box complete the following text. Note

that one word is extra.

• web • survive • to grow

• to feed • room • exploiting

25

• hard • faster • insignificant

• mass extinction • threatened

All the creatures we share the Earth with are important in some way,

however ___(i)___ they may appear. They and we are all part of the __(ii)____

of life. From the dawn of time, extinction has usually progressed at what scien-

tists call a natural or background rate. Extinction, as Steven Spielberg says,

really is for ever. Today the tempo is far ___(iii)___. Many scientists believe

this is the sixth great wave - the sixth ___(iv)___ to affect life on Earth. We

have more than doubled our numbers in half a century, and that is the most ob-

vious reason why there is less ___(v)___ for any other species. We are taking

their living room __(vi)___ our food, their food __(vii)___ ourselves. We are

__(viii)___ them, trading in them, squeezing them to the margins of existence -

and beyond. Often the choice is __(ix)___: conserve a species or feed a commu-

nity, tourists' dollars or turtles' nests. Ensuring other species keep their living

space is not sentimental. It is the only way we shall __(x)____.

V. Fill in the gaps of the sentences.

1) Many species keep us alive, purifying water, fixing nitrogen, recycling

nutrients and waste, and pollinating __(i)____.

2) Plants and bacteria carry out photosynthesis, which produces the

__(ii)___ we breathe.

3) Trees absorb ___(iii)___, the main greenhouse gas given off by human

activities.

4) Most conservation effort goes into birds and __(iv)____ - creatures

like the panda, a dim, dead-end animal that was probably on the way

out anyway.

5) Yet arguably it's the __(v)____ things that run the world, things like

soil microbes.

6) They're the __(vi)___ -known species of all.

Time to Talk

Role Play.

In your group organize a round table debate “Should we protect all spe-

cies or just the ones that are useful?”

Here is a list of participants and their roles:

Chairperson. Your job is to make a short introductory speech about en-

dangered species, their saving and what problems it involves; to introduce the

honour guests of the round table; to give the floor to each participant of the de-

bate who wants to talk; to keep order during the debate and sum up the result of

the discussion. Discussions can get heated and you may have to remind partici-

pants to remain polite, not interrupt, not monopolize the discussion and so on.

Here is some useful language:

Opening a meeting: − Right, shall we get started?

− The first thing we have to discuss / decide is ...

Inviting comments: − I’d like to gave floor to ...

26

− Mr. Hutton, is there anything you would like

to say?

− Does anyone have any further comments?

− Would you like to come in here?

Directing the proceedings: − We seem to lose the sights of the main issue.

− With respect, I don’t think that is entirely rele-

vant.

− Could we stick to the subject under discussion,

please?

− Perhaps, we will come back to that later.

− I’ll come to you in a minute.

Closing the meeting: − Are there any further points anyone wishes to

make?

− To sum up, ...

− Are we all agreed on this?

− Shall we take a vote? All those in favour? All

those against?

− Let us agree to disagree.

− I declare the meeting closed.

Professor John Lawton. You represent the Natural Environment Re-

search Council. Tell the audience your point of view on the problem discussed.

Dr David Hutton. You are a Chair of the Sustainable Use Specialist

Group, IUCN. Your task is to share your point of view.

Helen Saxe. As a representative of the Environmental Assessment Insti-

tute, share with the audience your views on the problem.

Mark Smith. You are a Species Officer of the Worldwide Fund for Na-

ture. Tell how the WWF is looking at the problem of saving species.

Ian Parker. You are a game hunter. Tell the audience what you think

about saving species.

Journalists. You are representatives of mass media, interested in envi-

ronmental issues. You can address any participant of the debate with questions,

in order to make coverage of the problem for your newspapers/ magazines/TV

programmes.

Means of Discussion

Use the following words to express your agreement or disagreement.

Agreement Disagreement

• I think so. • I don’t think so.

• I believe so. • I am afraid not.

• I suppose so. • I hardly think so.

• That’s right. • On the contrary.

• I agree with you up to a point, but... • I don’t quite agree here.

• That goes without saying. • That’s ridiculous.

• Same here. • Nothing of the kind.

27

• That’s just what I think. • Nonsense. (Rubbish)

• I see what you mean, but... • I wouldn’t say that.

• That’s may be true, but (on the other • Do you really think so?

hand)...

Use the following words to express your opinion or to ask someone

about theirs.

Expressing opinion Asking about opinion

• I think that... • What do you think of/about...?

• I believe that... • How do you feel about...?

• I feel that... • What’s your opinion of/about...?

• I consider that...

• I doubt that...

• In my opinion/ In my view

• To my mind

• If you ask me

Use the following useful phrases in your discussion.

• a proof of this is − доказательством этого явля-

ется

• a thought occurred to me − мне пришла в голову мысль

• allow me for a moment to turn − разрешите мне пока перейти

to к

• among the problems that con- − среди задач, стоящих перед

front us нами

• and here allow me to call your − и здесь разрешите мне обра-

attention to тить ваше внимание

• beyond all questions − вне всякого сомнения

• broadly/generally speaking − вообще говоря

• but I am sorry to say − но, к сожалению, я должен

сказать

• but on the other hand − но с другой стороны

• but what I want to make clear − я же хочу уточнить

is

• by the way I have not men- − между прочим, я не упомя-

tioned нул (а)

• coming back to the main sub- − возвращаясь к основному во-

ject просу

• far from it − отнюдь нет

• first of all I ask − прежде всего, я спрашиваю

• for this reason − по этой причине

• I am afraid I am not familiar − боюсь, что я недостаточно

enough with the subject знаком (а) с этим вопросом

• I am here to introduce − я здесь для того, чтобы пред-

ставить

28

• I might go further − я мог (ла) бы продолжить

UNIT III TREES

DEFORESTATION

Text 1

Question Time

"Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh

strength to our people." Franklin Delano Roosevelt (32nd President of the

United States)

Do you agree with the statement above? Give your own reasons why

trees are so important in our ecosystem and our life.

Time for reading

Read the text below and write out the key ideas in each paragraph.

Entitle the paragraphs.

THE HISTORY OF TREES

(i) Trees first appeared and began to cover the land surface of the Earth

some 370 million years ago. Today, we are so used to and dependent on trees

that it's hard to believe that animals could have existed without them or that they

did not at least simultaneously evolve together in the beginning.

(ii) Trees, with their large and thick roots, helped break up the rocky crust

of Earth's surface to create the soil that would allow the development of new

plant species, including other trees. And it was the greater evolution of plants

and trees that enabled the evolution of larger and more diverse land animals, in-

cluding mammals. The first land animals - bugs - were plant eaters, and they re-

quired more and diverse vegetation to evolve.

(iii) The most important thing that makes trees unique from all other

plants is they all have wood. Wood is a much tougher, thicker and reinforced fi-

bre necessary for trees to hold themselves up under the pressure of their weight.

(iv) The earliest known modern tree is the Archae-

opteris, a tree that looked similar to a Christmas tree

with buds, reinforced branch joints and wood similar

to today's timber. Its branches and leaves resembled

a fern. When the archaeopteris tree first appeared

370 million years ago, it quickly covered most parts

of the Earth with its first forests and was the domi-

nant tree wherever the planet was habitable. Over

the past 370 million years, countless new tree spe-

cies have evolved and eventually became extinct,

like the archaeopteris - as the Earth's land masses

29

Archaeopteris, the first moved about, climates changed, animal populations

modern tree, covered increased, and new species of plants evolved to take

most parts of Earth with the place of the extinct ones.

its first forests.

(v) Today there are approximately 100,000 known species of trees that

exist throughout the world. However over 8,000 species are threatened with ex-

tinction and 976 of those are in a critical state. The fact is that trees now cover

only about 29.6 percent of Earth's total land area (about 3.9 billion hectares).

From 1990 to 2000 about two percent of the world's forest cover - roughly 10

million hectares - was lost and not recovered.

(vi) For many nations the demands for resources from the forests are giv-

ing way to expansion and massive deforestation. Humans have cut forests pri-

marily for their resources, to build cities and housing, and for agriculture. Indus-

trialization has also been a significant contributor to the loss of our forest cover.

(vii) Human populations are growing; our demands are constantly increas-

ing but in such developing of civilization we shouldn’t forget that trees are vi-

tally important to world health on all levels. Globally, forests are essential to the

health of ecosystems and their functions, biodiversity and economics. Some of

the many key functions of forests include climate regulation, the cycling and

distribution of nutrients, and the provision of raw materials and resources. Trees

cleanse the air and provide oxygen, help soil retain water, shield animals and

other plants from the sun and other elements, and provide habitat for animals

and plants. And don't forget the majestic beauty they give us throughout each

year!

Did You Get It?

I. Say whether the following statements are true or false, correct the

false ones.

1. Animals and trees appeared on the Earth at the same time.

2. Evolution of plants made possible the evolution of land animals.

3. The first animal that appeared on the Earth was mammal.

4. Wood is the only thing that distinguishes trees from all other plants.

5. Reinforced fibre is necessary for trees to protect them from wood-

beetles.

6. The earliest known tree was deciduous.

7. The Archaeopteris was the main tree at the time when our planet was

uninhabitable.

8. The development of industry is one of the main factors of deforesta-

tion.

9. Over last decades we have lost hundreds of species and this process is

irreversible.

10. Forests don’t influence the climate changes.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Did trees and animals simultaneously evolve together million years

ago?

30

2. What allowed the development of new plant species?

3. What was the first land animal?

4. Wood is the most important thing that makes trees unique from all

other plants, isn’t it?

5. Why is wood so necessary for trees?

6. What is the earliest tree like?

7. How many species are on the brink of extinction today?

8. Can the lost forest cover be recovered?

9. Name the main reasons of deforestation.

10. Name the key functions of forests and trees.

III. What is the significance of the following numbers and statistics

found in the text?

a 370 million b 100,000

c 8,000 d 976

e 29.6 % f 10 million

Words, Words, Words…

I. Find Russian equivalents for the following words and word combi-

nations.

Reinforced fiber, to resemble, habitable, to be evolved, to be threatened

with extinction, timber, fern, demands for resources, deforestation, the loss of

forest cover, biodiversity, distribution of nutrients, raw materials, to shield ani-

mals, awesome beauty.

II. Find in the text the words or word combinations that mean the fol-

lowing.

a the most important functions (para vii);

b herbivore (para ii);

c the main tree (para iv);

d to be the only one of its kind (para iii);;

e at the same time (para i);

f plant life (para ii);

g a kind of insect (para ii);

h finally (para v).

III. The words below name the parts of a tree. Find the appropriate

definition for each term. Use a dictionary if necessary.

Part of the tree Definition

• root • a part of a tree normally below the ground, convey-

ing nourishment from the soil

• bud • a hard fibrous substance of the trunk or branches of

a tree or shrub

• bough • a tough substance that usually grow on coniferous

trees

• trunk • a limb of a tree

• branch • a main branch of a tree

31

• wood • a main stem of a tree

• leaf • a green structures of a tree, growing usu. on the side

of a branch

IV. Fill in the correct word from the list below.

• terrestrial • boreal • rainforests • deforestation

• absorbs • dinosaurs • photosynthesis • species

1) Today, there are only three great forests left on Earth: the Amazon

Forest of Brazil, and the _________ forests in Russia and Canada.

(northern)

2) Forests contain between 50-90% of ________ species. Tropical forests

alone are thought to contain between 10-50 million species - over 50%

of species on the planet. (land-living)

3) _________ cover two percent of the Earth's surface and six percent of

its land mass. Yet they are home to over half of the world's plant and

animal species. (tropical forest with heavy rainfall)

4) Forests provide a wide range of products, with some 15,000 of

_________ wild plants and animals are used for foods, medicines and

other functions. (class of things having some common characteristics)

5) All of Earth's oxygen is produced by _________, the process plants

use to combine water and carbon dioxide to create glucose and oxy-

gen. (a process in which the energy of sunlight is used by organisms,

esp. green plants, to synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and

water)

6) The first ________ on Earth appeared only about 140 million years af-

ter trees first appeared about 230 million years ago. (an extinct reptile

of the Mesozoic era)

7) Technically __________ only occurs when land once covered with

trees is totally converted to other use and is not replanted. (a clearness

of forests or trees)

8) An average tree _________ ten pounds of pollutants from the air each

year, including four pounds of ozone and three pounds of particulates.

(to incorporate as part of itself or oneself, to take in)

V. Read the text below and find the best title for it.

Trees and plants have a great impact on our air quality. Trees act like fil-

ters. The leaves capture particulates like dust, soot, and pollen and remove them

from the air. They also remove and store carbon and reduce our need for energy.

Trees act like a carbon warehouse. In the process of photosynthesis, plants

remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. A healthy tree uses over

20 lbs. of carbon dioxide each year. The carbon is stored in the tree (wood is

about 45 percent carbon) and the oxygen is released back into the atmosphere.

Trees are outdoor air conditioners. They provide a natural way to shade

and cool your house in summer and can shield your home from the cold winds

of winter. A person can save energy by landscaping with trees. Deciduous trees

planted on the south, west, and east will protect your home from the direct rays

32

of the sun in summer. In winter, without their leaves, they allow most of the

sun’s energy to reach the house. Conifers to the north and west can block cold

winter winds. This reduces consumption of energy to heat your home.

A successful urban tree program can also impact whole communities. Cit-

ies are often 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than suburbs, partially due to the

heat island effect cause by concrete, steel, and asphalt. The planting and care of

trees can minimize this phenomenon and greatly reduce energy consumption.

Time to Talk

Using information from the texts get ready to talk about “The impor-

tance of trees”

Text 2

Question Time

Read the following data on the trees. What is the new information

that you have learnt?

Did You Know...?

Today, there are only three great forests left on Earth: the Amazon

Forest of Brazil, and the boreal forests in Russia and Canada.

Forests contain between 50-90% of terrestrial species. Tropical forests

alone are thought to contain between 10-50 million species - over 50%

of species on the planet.

Rainforests cover two percent of the Earth's surface and six percent of