| to make a prediction | a | environment | |
| unstable | b | shortage | |
| no longer in existence | c | to cure | |
| easily broken | d | prosperous | |
| a place where someone or something is usually found | e | to destroy | |
| to treat medically | f | to injure | |
| to ruin | g | a hedge | |
| that which surrounds | h | changeable | |
| to remain alive | i | a habitat | |
| a fence formed by bushes or small trees growing close together | j | to forecast | |
| characterized by good fortune; successful | k | fragile | |
| to do harm to | l | to survive | |
| any deficiency | m | extinct |
6. Speak about the problems: a) changes to the environment, b) the shortage of clean water, c) the greenhouse effect, filling the gaps with the right words from the box.
a)
| a) weather | c) exhaust | e) environmental | g) recycling | i) on |
| b) energy | d) resources | f) greenhouse | h) atmosphere | j) fuel |
In recent years, the number of ___ (1) problems has increased dangerously. One of the most serious problems is changes to the ___ (2), which has led to the ___ (3) effect: this is making most climates warmer. It is already affecting several areas of the world with unusual ___ (4) causing droughts or heavy storms. Cutting down on ___ (5) fumes from vehicles would help solve the problem. Natural ___ (6) such as oil and coal are not endless, so using other forms of ___ (7) such as wind, sun, water, and even sea waves would help preserve our planet. Very soon we will be able to drive cars in cities and towns that run ___ (8) electricity - a much cleaner ___ (9) than petrol. And we can also help to reserve finite resources by ___ (10) things made of glass, aluminum, plastic and paper.
b)
| a) scarce | d) poisonous | g) effluent | j) sake | m) species |
| b) respect | e) pollution | h) shortage | k) pour | n) supply |
| c) precious | f) destroyed | i) variety | l) access | o) urgent |
One of the most ___ (1) environmental problems in the world today is the ___ (2) of clean water. ___ (3) to clean drinking water is a basic human need. But industrial ___ (4) has made many sources of water undrinkable. Rivers, lakes and even seas have become ___ (5). Lake Baikal is one of the world's largest and most beautiful lakes. Russians call it the Holy Sea. It contains a rich ___ (6) of animals and plants, including 1,300 rare ___ (7) that do not exist anywhere else in the world. However, they are being ___ (8) by the massive industrial ___ (9), which some factories still ___ (10) into the lake every day. A few years ago, people thought that the ___ (11) of clean water was limitless. Now clean water is ___ (12), and we are beginning to ___ (13) this ___ (14) resource. We must protect the clean water that remains for the ___ (15) of our children and grandchildren.
c)
| a) average | c) lower | e) disastrous | g) melt | i) hurricanes |
| b) cause | d) rising | f) fall | h) caps | j) lead |
The greenhouse effect is very important; if it didn't occur at all the temperature of the planet would be 40 degrees ____ (1) and the oceans would freeze. But an increase in the greenhouse effect may ____ (2) to global warming with _____ (3) consequences.
The higher average temperatures produced by global warming could ____ (4) dramatic changes in theweather. Less rain might ____ (5) over large land masses. Central Africa, south Asia and some parts of the United States could risk severe drought and famine. More rain might ____ (6) in coastal areas and over the oceans; there might be more storms and ____ (7) in the Pacific. A rise in the earth's ____ (8) temperature of only one or two degrees would probably ____ (9) the polar ice caps and raise sea levels. Sea levels throughout the world are already ____ (10) by about two millimeters a year. If the polar ice ___ (11) melt, sea levels could rise by more than a meter over a few decades.
Decide which two of the statements below are wrong according to the text?
| a) | The greenhouse effect only leads to disastrous consequences, |
| b) | Without the greenhouse effect the climate on the Earth would be much colder. |
| c) | Because of global warming there could be a risk of drought and famine in parts of Africa and Asia. |
| d) | If there is a rise in temperature of one or two degrees, the sea level will rise by about two millimeters a year |
