UNIT 1

Exercise 1. Read the words and check if you remember the meaning:

environment	окружающая среда
to be aware	знать, осознавать
surroundings	среда
to reduce	уменьшать
waste	отходы
substance	вещество
recyclable	поддающийся переработке
rubbish dump	мусорная свалка
can	жестяная банка
wrapper	обертка
to expire	истекать (о сроке)
track	путь
conscious	сознающий
preserving	сохранение
pollution	загрязнение
to pollute	загрязнять
to tell smb. off	отчитывать

Exercise 2. Test your awareness about ecology.

HOW ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE ARE YOU?

1. To reduce waste it is better to buy:

a) A product that costs little.

b) A product that lasts long.

c) A product that is very attractive.

2. Are there only natural substances in waste products?

a) Yes.

b) No, there are also synthetic substances.

c) No, there are only synthetic substances.

3. At the supermarket it is better to ask for:

a) A plastic bag.

b) A recyclable plastic bag.

c) A paper bag.

4. While you are brushing your teeth it is better to:

a) Turn off the tap.

b) Let the water flow.

c) Use cold water.

5. Where does the sorting of rubbish begin?

a) At the rubbish dump.

b) In the street.

c) At home.

6. What do we save by collecting paper?

a) Flowers.

b) Grass.

c) Trees.

7. Which of these things is made of aluminium?

a) Cans.

b) Bags.

c) Bottles.

8. What organic substances can you find in rubbish at home?

a) Glass.

b) Medicines.

c) Boxes and wrappers from groceries.

9. Do batteries contain toxic and dangerous elements?

a) Not at all.

b) No.

c) Yes.

10. When does a medicine expire?

a) When it does not have any more effect.

b) After two years.

c) After the date Written on the pack.

Mark one point for each correct answer and read your profile.

1 – b, 2 – b, 3 – b, 4 – a, 5 – c, 6 – c, 7 – a, 8 – c, 9 – c, 10 – c

From 0 to 4 points: You do not have a clear understanding of ecology yet. You should get more information on ecology in order to respect nature.

From 5 to 7 points: You are on the right track and are beginning to learn to respect nature. You are a little aware about ecology, but you need to keep on improving yourself everyday.

From 8 to 10 points: You are very conscious about preserving your surroundings. You try your best to keep down pollution. Try to teach your friends to respect nature and do not be afraid to tell them off when they pollute the environment.

Exercise 3. Read, translate and remember how to use the words:

Ecology, n – the term ecology was introduced into scientific language by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel. Ecology deals with the relationships of man and nature.

Ecological, adj. – ecological problems. All states ought to join efforts to save the Earth from the ecological catastrophe.

Environment, n – clean and healthy environment; the protection of the environment; to improve the environment. The protection of the environment is a task which requires great efforts by many public organizations.

to pollute, v – to pollute air (water, soil); polluted water; to be polluted with (garbage, fumes, soot, industrial waste). The stream was so polluted that the fish died.

Pollution, n – the danger of pollution; to overcome the problem of pollution. Pollution of air and water is one of the problems millions of people are concerned about today.

to pour, v – Water poured from the broken pipe. The rain is pouring down.

Pure, adj. – pure water; pure air

to damage, v – to damage nature by changing the ecological conditions. The storm did not damage many houses.

Damage, n – ecological damage. Rains sometimes cause great damage.

to release, v – to release dirt into the atmosphere. This plant released harmful substances into the air.

Substance, n – harmful substances; poisonous substances; chemical substances; to be polluted with toxic substances. Some factories release poisonous substances into the atmosphere.

Exercise 4. Describe your favourite place where you would like to have a rest. Why do you like it? What do you enjoy doing there? What are your feelings?

You may use the following words and word combinations:

Peaceful, inspired, full of energy, poetic, delighted, peace and quiet, enthusiastic, fresh air, wild flowers, to be filled with admiration, the rich green of the mountains, the bright blue of the sky, picturesque views, to be impressed by, beauty (charm) of the wonderful scenery,etc.

Exercise 5. Now imagine you are in a busy street of a big city. Say what ecological problems you meet there.

You may use the following words and word combinations:

Hard to breathe, smog over the city, smoke clods, unhealthy environment, noise and air pollution, frequent traffic jams, a great number of cars, to be covered with soot and dirt, polluted air, toxic gases, poisonous substances, etc.

Exercise 6. Here are some newspaper headlines. Say what problems the articles deal with. Guess the contents of each article.

a) “SEARCH FOR A WAY OUT OF THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS”

b) “CLEAN AIR FOR THE CITY”

c) “BAIKAL’S HEALTH”

d) “THE BALTIC, A SEA OF WASTE”

e) “ NATURAL PARKS PROTECTED BY THE STATE”

Exercise 7. Say how in your opinion everyone can show his(her) concern with the cleanliness and the beauty of the place in which he(she) lives.

You may use the following words and word combinations:

To plant trees, to protect plants in parks and streets, to take care of, to preserve a healthy and clean environment, not to pollute, to collect rubbish, to save energy, to keep clean, etc.

Exercise 8. Read these words and say in what way they are or are not true.

a) “The Nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.” Franklin D.Roosevelt

b) “Civilization is being poisoned by its own waste products” William Ralph Inge