3. Victims of oil shortage.

The much-love American SUV (sports utility vehicle) is quickly losing its appeal. With petrol prices rising dramatically, more and more of these gas-guzzling four-wheelers are finding themselves out on the streets with a For Sale sign in their windows. But it seems that no one loves them anymore. (3) ____

4. On her Majesty’s service

Windsor Castle, the main residence of Elizabeth II, is to get a hydroelectric power system. (4) ____ The 1,000,000 pound project will provide the castle worth one third of its electrical needs, resulting in a reduction of approximately 600 tons in CO2 emissions every year. Engineers insist that the underwater turbines will have very little impact on the ecology and marine life of the river.

5. It’s an ill wind…

Plans to erect a wind farm on the picturesque Island of Skye off the west coast of Scotland have provoked thousands of complaints from local residents. But who exactly is complaining? It seems that all the letters sent to the local Member of Parliament have been written by the same sixteen people. (5) ___ They are all wealthy second homeowners who don’t want to see the value of their holiday property plummeting as the wind farm ‘destroys the local landscape’. Local farmers, on the other hand, welcome the farm as it will help subsidize their lifestyles on this remote, but beautiful island.

6. A shaving query

Can anyone help me out with a problem? (6) _____ One of the things I want to get rid of is my electric razor. But what is the best alternative? What is the most eco-friendly way of shaving? Any advice you could offer will be greatly appreciated.

• Discuss the ecological problems that are mentioned in the texts above. Give you opinion about the ecological situation in your country and your city.

• What ecological laws do you know?

• Do you think that some more new laws should be made concerning ecology in your country?

• How are people punished if they violate ecological laws?

11. Read the newspaper article and answer the question. What were the two groups of people protesting about?

Urban fox lovers arrested in town hall clash

Four animal rights protesters were arrested yesterday following a violent exchange on the steps of the town hall. Angry residents clashed with the protesters as they presented a petition to the mayor calling for urgent measures to be taken to reduce the number of foxes living in our town. They claim they are a pest and a health hazard, as well as being a potential danger to pets and children. The four protesters dressed in fox suits, attacked the residents, throwing rubbish at them. A fight broke out and one of the residents was taken to hospital with a broken nose. The four protesters were later released with no charges. ⁸²

12. A) Replace the phrases in italics with verb idioms from the box.

add up; butt in; clear up; draw the line; face; miss the point

1. Could I just explain one thing before we start?

2. But in any case, you misunderstand completely.

3. Let’s accept it, they are a serious nuisance.

4. I’m sorry, but I really must interrupt here..

5. John’s marvelous plan to kill all the foxes just doesn’t make sense.

6. We have to say stop somewhere, we can’t just allow their numbers to keep on growing.

2. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb idioms from exercise 1.

1. He lives I a real dream world, he needs to learn _____ facts.

2. She can be really annoying, she’s forever _____ to other people’s conversations.

3. His ideas on how to manage the problem just don’t ______.

4. She’s always playing practical jokes, but she doesn’t know where to _____ and she often ends up offending people.

5. He always seems to be listening to you, but it’s amazing how often he ______ of what you’re saying.

6. She always tries her best to ______ any misunderstandings.

2. Expressing opinions

1. Personally, this is what upsets me.

2. Frankly, this is absolutely ridiculous.

3. As far as I’m concerned there is no problem.

4. We are absolutely convinced that measures need to be taken to control all foxes.

5. But if you ask me, what we need to do now is to pass a law.

6. I really don’t think that everyone agrees with you.

7. I may be wrong, but not everyone actually wants foxes in their gardens.

8. To be honest, we think it’s about time we did something to control their numbers.

9. I don’t believe for a minute that foxes will attack children.