Questions:

1. What were the results of the first prehistoric agricultural revolution?

2. How did humans begin to change the earth’s face with the advances of the Industrial Revolution?

3. What causes an accelerating decline in the quality of the environment?

4. What has the increase of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere been due to?

5. What is the so-called “greenhouse effect”?

6. What are the theories concerning global warming?

7. What is acid deposition caused by, and what does it result in?

8. How dangerous is acid rain for the environment?

9. What detrimental effect is being had upon the global ozone layer? What is the ozone layer depletion?

10. What environmental side effects has extensive use of synthetic pesticides derived from chlorinated hydrocarbons had?

11. Speak on the problem of loss of wild lands.

12. Why is the world experiencing a steady decline in air and water quality and availability?

13. What are the environmental prospects for the future?

Fill in each gap with only one word.

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Gases pollute the atmosphere because they are produced 1)…. Quickly to be cleared away naturally 2) ….. rain, winds or plant life. These poisonous gases 3) ….. from several sources such as oil producers, industries which burn fuel and motor vehicles. When the gases are released, they have two harmful effects. 4) ….., some of the gases are caught by rain clouds and fall as acid rain, 5) ….. damages the environment. Secondly, increasing amounts of carbon dioxide forms a cover over the earth, keeping the heat of the sun close 6) ….. the earth’s surface just 7) ….. a greenhouse keeps heat in. The increase in carbon dioxide is 8) ….. worse by the cutting down 9) ….. forests. Trees use carbon dioxide, and the fewer trees 10) ….. are, the more of this gas remains 11) …..the air. The USA is now leading an international effort to limit deforestation. In 1996, Washington set soals for industry, and several international agreements 12) ….. already been effective in reducing the production 13) ….. harmful gases. Only international cooperation can 14) ….. this problem which, if 15) ….. controlled, may threaten all life on earth.

Fill in the gaps with words derived from the words in brackets.

There are many problems which 1) ….. (threat) our natural environment. Acid rain, 2) ….. (globe) warming and air and water 3) ….. (pollute) are among the most serious ones. There are several ways to help improve the situation. Firstly, we should encourage 4) ….. (recycle) because it is the 5) ….. (produce) of new materials which causes the most damage. We must learn to reuse things like plastic bags and glass jars. Secondly, driving an environmentally-friendly car is also 6) ….. (help). Furthermore, joining an 7) ….. (organize) which plants trees or cleans up beaches would be 8) ….. (prove) that you are really 9) ….. (concern) about the environment. Lastly, supporting groups such as Greenpeace, which try to prevent many 10) ….. (environment) disasters, would help to ensure that our planet will be clean and safe for future generations.

Read the following model about recycling and fill in the topic sentences given below.

1. Many people argue that the actual process of collecting and recycling materials is expensive and unnecessary.

2. To start with, it is very important for people to realize the damage that our rubbish is doing to the environment.

3. Another important reason is that many forests are being destroyed due to paper being wasted.

RECYCLING - HOW IMPORTANT IS IT REALLY?

Saving certain recyclable materials and taking them to recycling centres has become part of the daily routine in many homes. In my opinion, this should be encouraged for a number of reasons.

[ ] 1 ] Our towns, rivers and seas are becoming more and more polluted with household waste. This could easily be prevented if people took the time to sort, save and recycle their rubbish.

[ ] 2 ] Hundreds of thousands of trees are unnecessarily cut down to make paper products. Again, by recycling the paper that we would otherwise throw away we could reduce this wastage.

[ ] 3 ] They say that special machinery is required and that many people have to be employed to operate it, thus making recycling more expensive than simple waste disposal. They forget, however, that recycling both creates jobs and is beneficial to the environment.

All points considered, I strongly believe that people should be made aware of the benefits recycling can bring, and should be encouraged to participate in programmes that will help create a cleaner world for everyone in the future.