Complete the passage with some of these words. Do not use any word or phrase more than once

environmental, ozone, developing countries, acid rain, chemicals, rainforests, planet, preventable, climate, conservation, resources, renewable, pollution

Many 1) ___ experts are pessimistic about the future of our 2) ___. They say that in the next few years harmful 3) ___ will further damage the 4) ___ layer, there will be more losses of irreplaceable tropical 5) ___, and serious air 6) ___ will cause the 7) ___ itself to change. They also warn us that Third World countries will continue to suffer 8) ___ disasters, while the rich countries consume the vast majorities of the world's 9) ___. Projects for 10) ___ and protection of the environment are, unfortunately, not yet achieving their aims.

In the same way as above, use these words to complete the passage.

research, bottle banks, dustbins, campaign, public transport, exhaust fumes, recycle, fuel, energy sources, greenhouse effect, wildlife, packaging

What can we do to help? Here are some suggestions.

Use less 1) ___ at home and at work.

Persuade governments to pay for 2) ___ into alternative 3) ___ like solar power.

4) ___ paper, glass, metal, plastic and batteries as much as possible.

Ask for 5) ___ for glass recycling at local supermarkets.

Walk, cycle or use 6) ___ if possible, to cut down on car 7) ___, which contributes to the 8) ___.

9) ___ for public transport systems to be improved.

Join one of the many conservation groups which work to protect 10) ___ and the countryside.

4. Give derivatives of: environ-, prevent, conserve, new, pollute, research, campaign, exhaust, recycle, protect.

Answer these questions as fully as you can, in conversation or in writing.

How would you start an environmental campaign in your area?

How can we reduce the level of chemicals we are exposed to in our daily life - in food, in water and in the air?

What alternative energy sources do you think should be more fully researched?

Can we as individuals do more to protect our environment?

What do you think is the single greatest danger to the environment?

Complete the passage with these words. There are two more than you need.

damage, obliterated, irrigation, developing, resources, drought, environmental, tribal, environmentalists, source, network, conservation, rugged, scale

Problems have arisen over the Indian government's giant dam project in the 1) ___ Narmada Valley, where many of Rudyard Kipling's stories are set. The Narmada River rises in the heart of central India and flows westwards to the Arabian Sea. According to officials, the planned 2) ___ of huge dams and 3) ___ canals will provide water for drinking and agriculture in the area worryingly prone to 4) ___. The Narmada dam will also offer a major 5) ___ of electricity to power-starved regions. As part of its commitment to 6) ___ countries, the World Bank originally gave India a $450 million loan for this vast project. However, critics say that the dam project represents 7) ___ and cultural destruction on a 8) ___ so massive that the benefits of the project will pale in comparison to the 9) ___ it will cause. They say that more than 200 000 people will be uprooted and rehoused, and ancient 10) ___ cultures will be 11) ___. The World Bank recently halted funding as a result of intense pressure from 12) ___, following an unfavourable independent review of the project.

 

Choose the correct word or phrase from the pair in brackets to complete each sentence.

1. There are very few unexplored areas left in the ___. (world/cosmos)

2. Barnaby spent all his life working on the ___, like his father and grandfather before him. (earth/land)

3. After a long day in the town, you really appreciate the fresh air of the ___. (nature/countryside)

4.Some market gardens find labour costs for casual workers so high that they allow the public to ___ the produce themselves. (pick/pick up)

5. The children watched open-mouthed as the meteor blazed across the evening ___. (heavens/sky)

6.From the helicopter the navigator could see the red cliffs of the Devon ___. (coast/shore)

7. It is hoped that recent advances in medical research will enable us to ___ many of the diseases which currently kill a large number of people in Third World countries. (devastate/eradicate)

8. The travellers gazed in awe at the ___, a beautiful stretch of clear, fresh water surrounded by snow-capped mountains. (lake/sea)

9. South Africa is a country of immense natural ___, which could eventually provide a comfortable standard of living for all its inhabitants. (sources/resources)

10. The air in the centre of town was thick with ___ from the hundreds of cars in the traffic jam. (smoke/fumes)

9. Find adjectives connected with these nouns and verbs, and check their meanings in a dictionary: tropics, globe, town, countryside, nature, scenery, mountain, coast, region, protect, congestion, conifer, pollute, climate, disaster, replace, disposal, biodegrade, solve, produce, problem, pole.

Answer these questions as fully as you can, in conversation or in writing.

What is your greatest environmental concern, and why?

What can the individual do to reduce pollution of the environment?

What should governments do to tackle pollution?

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of our planet? Explain why.

What sources of energy are most environmentally-friendly? Discuss their pros and cons.

Is there a need for a world population policy and, if so, what would you like to see included in it?