Text 2 A
Environment Protection Must Be Global
That the problem of pollution and ecology has become the most important one for mankind is evident to all. The more civilization is developing, the greater the ecological problems are becoming.Air and water pollution by industry is now reaching tremendous proportions. In our era it is changing from a national to an international problem, especially in territories where rivers cross several countries. The seas and oceans are also becoming seriously polluted. A similar situation is developing in the atmosphere. It is known that many cities throughout the world suffer from air pollution.
However, our scientific knowledge and technological advancement make it possible to eliminate it if people use good will and make considerable investments for that purpose. The development of natural resources on a global scale is already possible from a scientific and technical standpoint. Large-scale experimental work in this area is successfully being carried out.
At present scientists in industrially developed countries are working on the theory of interaction of all the atmospheric and oceanic global processes that determine the climate and weather of the world. Increasing growth of population, industrialization and the use of resources are slowly but surely changing the global climate and water balance. This can be described as a great experiment, one that may bring about changes in the environment more serious than ever before. The essential feature in the environment protection is that many problems can be solved only on the level of world community. Therefore, the planning of protection against pollution by human society as a whole is imperative today and in the near future. It is necessary to develop an international program to study data on land, forest, atmospheric and oceanic resources, both renewable and non-renewable. It is the joint efforts of many scientists and special public organizations that can deal with the problem and take necessary measures to protect the environment.
It is still a big job and much remains to be done. However, scientists are confident that planned actions of all countries can eliminate pollution and achieve successes in purifying air, water and soil and in safeguarding natural resources. At the same time one must realize that social and political circumstances may stand in the way of further assistance progress in this field.
Read and translate the text. Then listen to the text in American and British English.
In the future
Earth is getting warmer. The climate has become warmer and colder in the past, but scientists think that its now getting warmer faster than ever before and that it will stay warmer in the future.
Why is the climate changing? Earth gets heat from the sun. Some heat escapes, but some is trapped by a blanked of gasses like carbon dioxide. This keeps Earth warm enough for us to live here. Its called the greenhouse effect. The problem now is that our vehicles, factories, and power stations have made a lot of carbon dioxide. So were trapping too much heat, and Earth is getting too warm!
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Weather in the future: more heat means that there will be more rain, stronger winds, and storms in some places, and more droughts and famines in others. It all the means that the snow and ice on mountains and around the Poles will melt, so sea levels will rise. If all the glaciers in the world melt, sea levels rise more than 60 meters (65.6 yards), and places near the ocean will go underwater! Ocean ice also helps keep Earth cool. If it melts, Earth will get even warmer!
What can we do? Its probably too late to stop the climate changing, but we can help to slow it down. We must make less carbon dioxide to help to keep Earth cool. We can use our cars less we can walk or ride a bicycle. We can also plant more trees. Trees use carbon dioxide to make food, so if there are more trees, there will be less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Using energy from the weather: we need electricity, but we dont have to make it in power stations. Instead, we can make it from energy from the weather. Wind energy and solar energy are called green energy. Green energy makes less carbon dioxide.
To make electricity, we can use strong winds to turn windmills that power turbines. Lots of windmills together are called a wind farm. Wind farms are often on hills or out in the ocean because the winds are stronger there.
Solar panels can change light from the sun into electricity. This electricity can power small machines or heat homes. People use solar panels all around the world.
The sun can even power cars and boats! Solar powered vehicles can be expensive, but they dont make carbon dioxide. People keep finding new ways to use our amazing weather! In 1996, Kenichi Horie from Japan crossed the Pacific Ocean in this solar powered boat.
Vocabulary.
Heat - something that is hot; to make something hot ( ).
Vehicle - something for transporting goods or people ( ).
Trap - to keep something in a place where it can't escape.
Famine - when there isn't enough food for a long time ().
Melt - to make something so hot that it changes into a liquid ().
Sea - level how high the water is in the sea or ocean ().
Ocean - the salt water that covers most of Earth ().
Electricity - a type of energy ().
Solar - from the sun ().
Exercise 1. Circle the correct words.
1. Earths climate is getting warmer/colder.
2. Scientists think that its getting warmer slower/faster than before.
3. The sun heats Earth/the moon.
4. Factories make too much air/gas called carbon dioxide.
5. Carbon dioxide traps the heat/ light.
6. Its bad/good to trap some heat.
Exercise 2. Complete the following sentences using the words: walk, levels, go, heat, less, power stations, energy, storms, droughts, bicycle, famines, warm, trees.
1. Why is the climate changing?
Factories and__________make a lot of carbon dioxide. We are trapping too much_______and Earth is getting too_______.
2. What will happen in the future?
There will be more______. More places will have_______, and there could be______. If sea__________rise, some places could_______ underwater.
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3. What can we do?
We can make _______ carbon dioxide. We can plant more ______. We can _______ or ride a ______. We can use green______.
Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences.
1. The usual weather for a place is its climate.
2. Green energy makes less carbon dioxide.
3. Energy from the sun is called solar energy.
4. The season after winter and before summer is called spring.
5. When sun and rain happen at the same time you can get a rainbow.
6. Lots of windmills together are called wind farms.
7. A heavy snowstorm is called blizzard.
8. A thick, low cloud is called fog.
9. A lot of carbon dioxide is making Earth too warm.
10. Tornado is the fastest wind on Earth.
Exercise 4. Write about the weather where you live.
Read and translate the text. Then listen to the text in American and British English.
What is weather?
Wind, rain, cloud, and snow are all types of weather. Weather is different in different places around the world. In some places the weather is the same every day, and in other places it changes every hour. Weather can be calm or wild! Around Earth, there is a blanket of air called the atmosphere. Weather is the different conditions in the atmosphere. What types of weather do you like?
How does weather happen? Most of the weather on Earth happens because of two things - the sun, and air pressure. The sun heats some parts of Earth more than others, so air is warmer in some places and cooler in others. Areas of warm or cold air, called air masses, move around and bring different types of weather. When two masses meet, the weather changes.
You cant feel it, but the air is pushing down on you. This is called air pressure. Air pressure can change. Low air pressure brings rain and wind. High air pressure brings clear skies, which means hot, sunny days in summer, but cold days in winter.
What should we know about the weather? We need to know about the weather so that we can build the right type of homes, wear the right clothes, and travel at the right time. If people on ships and planes know about the weather, they can avoid bad storms. If farmers know about the weather, they can plant and cut down crops at the right time.
In 1992, weather forecasters warned people in the USA than Hurricane Andrew was coming. Sadly, 54 people died, but lots of people survived.
In the past, the Chippewa Indians in North America thought that the sun was in a bag all winter. They believed that every spring, a mouse bit a hole in the bag and the sun came out!
How can we predict the weather? A good way to predict the weather is to look at the types of cloud in the sky. Today, scientists use computers to predict the weather, but in the past, people watched nature. They watched what happened to plants, animals, the moon, or the stars. Many people still do this.
Some people think that cows or sheep can predict the weather. They think that if animals sit down, it will rain. People also believe that a red sky at night means good weather the next day, but a red sky in the morning means bad weather. Many years ago, scientists flew in hot-air balloons to measure the weather. Today, they collect information from weather stations, weather planes, weather balloons, and satellites, to understand what the weather will do. Millions of measurements are taken every day. The information helps scientists to predict the weather. There are about 10.000 weather stations around the world.
Vocabulary.
Weather forecaster- someone who tells us how the weather will be ().
Blanket- a piece of material that covers something (, ).
Condition- how something is (, , , ).
Farmer-a person who owns or manages a farm ().
Sheep (plural sheep) - an animal used for meat and wool (, ).
Predict-to say what will happen ().
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Satellite-a machine that goes into space ().
Measure-to find out how big or small something is ().
Heat-something that is hot; to make something hot (, , ).
Exercise 1. Translate the following words.
1. Sun
2. Sky
3. Moon
4. Cloud
5. Rain
6. Stars
Exercise 2. Circle the correct words.
1. Around Earth, there is a blanket of water/air called the atmosphere.
2. Weather is the different conditions in the atmosphere/ocean.
3. Most weather happens because of the moon/sun, and air pressure.
4. An area of warm or cold air is called an air mass/pressure.
5. The air is falling/pushing down on you.
6. High/Low air pressure brings rain and wind.
Exercise 3. Write complete sentences, using these words: plant, avoid, build, crops, homes, storms, drive.
1. We need to know about the weather, so that we can build the right type of homes.
2. Drivers need to know about the weather, __________.
3. Farmers need to know about the weather, __________.
4. Pilots need to know about the weather, __________.
Exercise 4. Correct the sentences.
1. A good way to predict the weather is to look at the stars.
2. Today, scientists use cows to predict the weather.
3. In the past, people watched food to predict the weather.
4. Some people think that if animals stand up, it will rain.
5. People say that a red sky in the morning means good weather the next day.
Read and translate the text.
Environmental engineer
Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the application of scientific and engineering principles for protection of human populations from the effects of adverse environmental factors; protection of environments, both local and global, from the potentially deleterious effects of natural and human activities; and improvement of environmental quality.
Environmental engineering can also be described as a branch of applied science and technology that addresses the issues of energy preservation, production asset and control of waste from human and animal activities. Furthermore, it is concerned with finding plausible solutions in the field of public health, such as waterborne diseases, implementing laws which promote adequate sanitation in urban, rural and recreational areas. It involves waste water management, air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, public health and environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers study the effect of technological advances on the environment. To do so, they conduct studies on hazardous-waste management to evaluate the significance of such hazards, they advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. Environmental engineers design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems. They address local and worldwide environmental issues such as the effects of acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution from automobile exhausts and industrial sources.
At many universities environmental engineering programs are offered at either the department of civil engineering or the department of chemical engineering at engineering faculties. Environmental "civil" engineers focus on hydrology, water resources management, bioremediation, and water treatment plant design. Environmental "chemical" engineers, on the other hand, focus on environmental chemistry, advanced air and water treatment technologies and separation processes.
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Vocabulary.
Environment the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives or operates ( ).
Adverse-having a negative or harmful effect on something ().
Asset - a useful or valuable quality, skill or person ().
Waste - unwanted matter or material of any type often that which is left after useful substances or parts have been removed (, , ).
Containment- when something or someone harmful is controlled and limited ().
Exercise 1. Answer the questions.
1. Could you explain the term environmental engineering?
2. What should environmental engineer do?
3. What do environmental engineers study?
4. How do they carry out their work?
5. What is the difference between environmental "civil" engineers and environmental "chemical" engineers?
Exercise 2. Translate the following sentences using the key vocabulary above.
1. People are becoming far more aware of environmental issues.
2. Chemicals are banned because of the damaging effect on the environment.
3. We must protect the environment from pollution.
4. The match has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
5. Britain produces 20 million tones of household waste each year.
6. He opposes any kind of nuclear waste being dumped at sea.
7. The Japanese recycle more than half of their waste paper.
The Present Tense
Present Simple and Present Continuous
Present simple
Form: I work, etc.
Do/Does + infinitive for questions, negatives and short answers
Use: A regular repeated activity.
We often use the present simple in this way with adverbs or adverbial phrases of frequency: sometimes, never, occasionally, every day, on Saturdays, once a week, etc: I catch the 8 oclock train every day. He attends the board meeting every Monday.
Something that is generally true; a statement of fact: Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade. Cats don't like water. Where do you work?
With stative verbs, that is, verbs that describe sentiments, thoughts and states rather than activities: Adrian needs your help. That coat belongs to me.
Instructions: (We can use the imperative or the present simple for instructions). You take the first turning on the left. You mix the soup with some cream at the end.
In clauses of time and condition, referring to the future. It is used after: when, if, unless, before, after, until, as soon as, whenever, etc: I'll give her the message when she comes back. Will you tell me if you see her?
Introducing a quotation: This book says that too much butter and milk is bad for you. The local newspaper says that the government should do more to create jobs in the area.
In newspaper headlines: Riots break out in city center. President receives huge welcome.
For dramatic narrative. It is most often used for dramatic narrative in sports commentating when radio and television commentators describe a short action that is completed as the commentator is speaking: And Eastwood passes the ball to Andrews. And Miller takes the lead in the first lap.
To give information about a future event: It is used in this way with information about timetables, official events and itineraries: The train leaves at 3.30 this afternoon. The Prime Minister starts his official visit to China tomorrow. You arrive at the hotel at about 6.00 and have your evening meal at 7.30.
Present continuous
Form:
Verb to be + present participle:
I am working, etc.
Use: Activity in progress at this moment: Where' s David? He s doing his homework.
An activity that is taking place in the present time period and will continue for a limited time. The activity may or may not be in progress at the moment of speaking.
The present continuous is often used in this way with these days, this week, today, this month, etc: 'And whats Linda doing these days? She 's doing a course in engineering' (Linda may not be studying engineering at this minute). The decorator 's painting the children's bedrooms this week so they' re sleeping in the living room (The decorators may not be painting at this moment and the children may not be sleeping).
A situation that is in the process of changing: Venice is failing into the sea.
The number of cars on the road is increasing rapidly each year.
A future intention with a verb of motion: We' re driving up to Scotland next week. He 's flying back on Saturday.
Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous.
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1. Debbie.. (work) as an administrator at the university. She(organize) all the timetables and teaching schedules. She (work) very long hours at the moment because its the start of the academic year but she(go) on a short holiday at the end of the month.
2. Simon and Sylvia (stay) in a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales this month. The cottage (belong) to a cousin of Sylvia's but the cousin is away: she (cycle) around Norfolk for a few weeks. Simon and Sylvia often (use) the cottage when Sylvia's cousin is away. They really (enjoy) being in the middle of the countryside.
3. The International School for Languages (do) very well at the moment. About two hundred students (take) evening classes this term. Many of them(need) to learn a new language to improve their job prospects but some of them(learn) a new language purely for pleasure. The European languages (be) very popular but Japanese and Russian (get) more popular too. The school (provide) good learning facilities and (organize) a range of study tours.
4. The world population (still increase) rapidly. Many people in the world (already starve) and many more (suffer) from malnutrition. The population... (grow) fastest in the poorest countries where people (need) to have children to look after them in their old age and where many of their children....(die) at a very young age.
Read and translate the text.
