Saving Europe’s Woodlands

Hidden in almost every European country there 1(be) ancient and untouched forests. These forests 2(be) often rich in wildlife and 3(be) home to many endangered species. One example 4(be) a small patch of Scottish forest which 5(contain) a variety of coniferous trees suitable for a wild range of birds and insects. Although many of the ancient peoples of Europe 6(worship) trees, there 7(be) little respect for them today. The World Wildlife Fund 8(decide) to draw attention to the importance of Europe’s ancient woodlands. They 9(ask) for the remaining forests to be protected by controlling the trade in wood. In addition, governments 10(ask) to regenerate forests where necessary, and manage them in a more nature-friendly way. At present almost a third of Western Europe 11(cover) by trees.

Unfortunately, many of these only 12(plant) recently. This means they can’t support such a wide variety of plant and animal life. If we 13(destroy) the ancient forests, we 14(cause) many species to become extinct. The decline of ancient forests 15(begin) thousands of years ago. Yet, with the growing awareness of the value of ancient woodlands, we 16(hope) those remaining 17(save). It 18(be/not) too late to do something for our ancient trees.

Conditionals. Subjunctive mood

1. Study the table:

Type	If-clause	Main clause	Example
Type 1 (real present)	If + any present tense	Future/Imperative/Modal verb + bare Infinitive	If you have taken a pet, you must look after it.
Type 2 (unreal present)	If + Past Simple or Past Continuous	Would/could/might + bare Infinitive	If I were you, I would cut down on sugar.
Type 3 (unreal past)	If + Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous	Would/could/might + have + Past Participle	If you hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have passed the exam.

2. Translate the following text, paying attention to the use of Conditionals.

When Charles Darwin published “On the origin of species” in 1859, the Bishop of Worcester’s wife was very much distressed. “Let us hope it is not true,” she said:”But if it is, let us pray that it does not become generally known!”

Supposing that we had been alive150 years ago, would we have been repelled by the suggestion that humans and apes may have had a common ancestor? And had our ancestors been born in modern times, would they have been similarly repelled by the thought of “designer” babies? I suspect that the answer to both questions would be in the affirmative!

I have tried to rationalize my own response to genetic engineering. I personally feel that if we were supposed to be perfect, we would have been designed that way. Surely experimenting with genes is an invasion of the human self. On the other hand, can we honestly say that the human self is to be found in our genes?

From the medical point of view, genetic engineering has opened up exiting possibilities for the treatment of genetically related disorders. However, the real problem with this new science is that it threatens to undermine our world: our moral and social codes.

Yet, if morality had originally been based on reason, our attitudes might have been justifiable. Unfortunately, morality has its origin in prejudice, ritual and habit, and, as a result, the possibilities afforded by scientific advance are increasingly constrained.