Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases. Translate them into Russian/ Belarusian.

– rainforest;

– forest floor;

– ground water;

– recycler;

– agroforestry;

– erosion;

– deforestation;

– global warming.

 

 

Insert the right preposition or particle where necessary.

 

1. Many forests are cleared … cities and agricultural needs.

2. When forests are cut … the soil is subject .. erosion.

3. Agroforestry is vital … renewing the ecological balance on the planet.

4. Scientists are concerned with the rate … which the jungle is destroyed.

5. Trees remove carbon dioxide … the air and give … oxygen. 

 

Suggest synonyms of the italicised parts in the phrases below.

 

– an approximate balance;

– renewable forest resources;

– plentiful rainfall;

– a diverse ecosystem;

– a disastrous effect;

– an eroded desert.

 

 

Speech activities

 

1. Answer the following questions. To answer some of them read the supplementary texts "Cloud Forests Fading in the Mist, Their Treasures Little Known" and "Amazon Forest May Take Some Heat off Global Warming".

 

1. What does a forest ecosystem consist of?

2. What is the economic value of forests?

3. What is the environmental value of forests?

4. Why are forests considered to be places for recreation?

5. What are the causes of deforestation?

6. Why is it vital that forests, especially rainforests, should be saved?

7. What campaigns are to be launched to slow down forest destruction?

 

Express your attitude to the following.

 

1. Forests can be exploited at a high scale because they are a renewable natural resource.

2. The cutting down of forests at a controlled level doesn't have any impact on wildlife and people.

3. The renewal of oxygen supply won't depend on forests in the future.

Listening comprehension

 

Listen to the interview with David Attenborough, a BBC journalist, who has been travelling all over the world for several years and is very much concerned about the rate at which deforestation goes in different parts of the world.

 

 

1. Before listening study the meaning of the following words and phrases.

 

clog v	мешать, препятствовать, засорять (~ся)
deprive of sth v	лишать чего-л.
devastating adj	разрушительный, опустошительный
devastating statistic n	печальная статистика
estimate v	оценивать
gene n	ген
inflict upon sth v	наносить удар; причинять страдание
insulate v	изолировать (~ ся), образовывать остров
patch n	небольшой участок земли
starve v	голодать
vital adj	жизненно важный, насущный

 

1. Listen to the tape and explain the meaning of the following word combinations.

 

naked hills, get into a flap, be on the edge of prosperity.

 

1. Listen to the text again and answer the following questions.

 

1. What depressed David Attenborough in the voyage most of all?

2. Why are forests being cut down in the Himalayas?

3. Why does David Attenborough call trees “umbrellas”?

4. Why can deforestation cause floods?

5. What does David Attenborough call devastating statistic? Why?

6. How are the estimates about the future of certain forests made?

7. How much of the forest area is destroyed each year?

8. Why is it important for humanity to preserve wild plants growing beneath the trees in rain forests?

9. What countries suffer most from deforestation?

 

1. Sum up the reasons why cutting down rain forests can lead to disastrous results for the planet.

 

 

Writing

 

Write a report to be made at an international environment conference about the air (water, soil, etc.) pollution in your region (native place).

 

Write an article about the future of the Earth afflicted by acid rains.

 

Write a letter to a local newspaper demonstrating the benefits of setting aside a national park in the region.

 

Write a feature article about the necessity of launching a forest conservation campaign.

 

General discussion

 

Using the information from Unit 5 as well as your background knowledge role-play a conference in which ecologists, politicians and men of business take part.

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