Ecological problems

       Ecological problems

Since ancient times Nature has served Man, being the sourse of his life. For thousands of years people lived in harmony with the environment and it seemed to them that natural riches were unlimited.

But with the development of civilization man’s interference in nature began to increase.                                                                                                               

Among the most pressing problems are:

1) Global warning (глобальное потепление)

2) Greenhouse effect (парниковый эффект)

3) Littering, water and air pollution (industrial waste-промышленныеотходы)

4) Destruction of natural resources

5) Deforestation

·        Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises have appeared all over the world. Their activity pollutes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we grow grain and vegetables.

·        Every year world industry pollutes the atmosphere with millions of tons of dust.

·        Many cities suffer from smog.

·        Vast forests are cut down and burned in fire. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of rivers and lakes dry up.

In 1986 Belorussian people faced the most horrible man made ecological disaster. About 18 per cent of the territory of Belarus was contaminated (были загрязнены). Today we have a great increase in children cancer and leukemia.

Judging from the statistics:

In Africa and Asia about 80% of all energy comes from wood. The burning the fossil fuels and wood leads to the Greenhouse Effect.

Now, some interesting facts:

1. In central London 40.000 cars every hour use the roads, causing pollution.

2. Growing coffee causes deforestation.

3. Every year around 2 million sea birds die after eating plastic bottles.

4. It costs around $150 million to clean gum off the UK streets. Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore.

Taking everything into consideration, our future looks very sad.

It’s time we asked ourselves a question:

-         “What can I do to protect  nature”?

There are four solutions to the environmental problems: FOUR Rs: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, RESPECT

Everyone can do a little to protect the environment:

a) Plant a tree in your yard.

b) Conserve energy.

c) Switch off lights when you leave a room.

d) Take a shower instead of a bath.

e) Prefer to walk, ride the bike.

f) Collect and use rainwater.

g) We should remove factories from cities.

t) Reduce , recycle our wastes.

We should realize that we are all responsible (ответственные) for our planet and we must think about future of the world we live in.

9 КЛАСС, СЛОВА UNIT III

Unit III

1. addiction [ə'dɪkʃ(ə)n] - склонность, пагубная привычка
2. additive ['ædətɪv] - добавка
3. artificial [ˌɑːtɪ'fɪʃ(ə)l] - искусственный
4. brain [breɪn] - мозг
5. chemical ['kemɪk(ə)l] - химический продукт
6. contain [kən'teɪn] - содержать, вмещать
7. decrease [dɪ'kriːs] - уменьшение
8. disease [dɪ'ziːz]- болезнь
9. drug [drʌg] - медикамент
10. fast food [ˌfɑːst'fuːd] - фастфуд
11. fit [fɪt] - подходить по размеру
12. flavouring [fleɪv(ə)rɪŋ]- приправа; специя, ароматизатор
13. harmful ['hɑːmf(ə)l] - вредный, пагубный
14. health [helθ] - здоровье
15. healthy ['helθɪ] - здоровый
16. illness ['ɪlnəs] - болезнь, заболевание
17. increase ['ɪnkriːs] - увеличение
18. junk food ['dʒʌŋkfǔd] - низкокачественная пища (богатая калориями, но не имеющая питательной ценности), неполноценная пища
19. lack of - недостаток, отсутствие
20. obesity [ə(u)'biːsɪtɪ] - ожирение
21. overweight [ˌəuvə'weɪt] - избыточный вес, весящий больше нормы; тяжелее обычного
22. petrol ['petr(ə)l] - бензин
23. poison ['pɔɪz(ə)n] - яд, отрава
24. preservative [prɪ'zɜːvətɪv] - консервант
25. unhealthy [ʌn'helθɪ] - нездоровый
26. wool [wul]- шерсть
27. woolen  ['wulən] - шерстяной
28. wrap [ræp] - обертка, заворачивать

11 КЛАСС, ЗАДАНИЕ НА 23.11

Прочитайте текст и выполните задание в учебнике с. 78 упр. 2b

Lesson 5, Ex.2

A. It may be a global issue, but when scientists across the world are asked what the effects of climate change will look like, they quickly point to our country. Of all the wealthy countries, we’re probably in greatest danger.

Due to past carbon emissions the temperatures have risen, but what we do between now and 2050 is crucial for the climate change later this century and beyond. While government assessments predict over 250,000 homes may be at risk from rising sea levels, Greenpeace says climate change will affect us beyond our front doors. Despite knowing the problems faced by one of our best-loved tourist attractions, we’re still not doing enough to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Though chemicals are damaging the reef, climate change and global warming are the greatest dangers to it. A temperature rise between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius would result in 97% of the Great Barrier Reef being destroyed. Reducing greenhouse gases emissions must be of high priority, even if the full consequences of this are not yet understood.

We’re the biggest coal exporter in the world. We might like to think that our own global carbon emissions are small (2% of the global emissions), but they’re much, much greater than that due to our coal exports to the countries of our region like Japan, South Korea, China and even to the Netherlands. If we had developed alternative, renewable energy sources, we’d have fewer problems now. We should be replacing fossil fuels with renewable power. We can become world leaders in solar, wind, marine and geothermal energies.   

B. With so many land-based species endangered, ‘the extinction crisis’ is agreed upon as a serious environmental challenge. We have already seen a fairly disturbing loss of our biodiversity. A number of introduced species have been added to the country’s native flora and fauna. The biodiversity of this large Pacific archipelago is one of the most unusual on Earth. The arrival of humans has presented a challenge for the native species, causing extinction of several. Over 50% of the local bird species are extinct, along with a species of bat and several frogs and a freshwater fish. This place is second only to Hawaii in terms of proportions of species lost. The animals are also in danger because of deforestation and – as a result – destruction of animal habitats.   

C. In 2010 there was an oil spill which is considered the worst in the country’s history. It is estimated that over 205 million gallons (gallon = 3,79 l) of oil were released into the Gulf. If the spill had been stopped earlier, the damage wouldn’t have been so great. Many species could be lost as a result. The beaches of Florida were contaminated. The harmful chemicals caused health problems in people – especially those with heart and lung problems. The real impact on the seafood industry will have long-term consequences. BP (British Petroleum) has been suffering long-term damage as they have been known as the oil company with the most environmentally friendly image. D. It is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles only are thrown away every year in this country alone. The country consumes natural resources as a terrible rate and contributes unnecessarily to climate change. Each year the population generates approximately 280 million tonnes of waste, which causes environmental damage and costs businesses and consumers a lot of money. The government and the people are doing a lot to reduce the waste some of which is reused or recycled. According to RecycleNow, the country’s recycling policy saves more than 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year – equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road! If more waste was reduced, greenhouse emissions from landfills (places where rubbish is buried) could be reduced too. Moreover, landfills are a danger to local ground water supplies. Every time it rains, water drains through the rubbish, and picks up chemicals and hazardous materials. The water collects at the bottom of the landfill, often in large amounts and can become very toxic.

E. Polar bears may only be around for another 100 years because global warming is destroying their habitat. As the Earth gets hotter, sea ice melts, and this sea ice is a huge part of the polar bears' lives. They use it as a platform to stand on when they catch seals to eat, and also walk on sea ice to get to their homes - dens. Already some polar bears, in places like Hudson Bay, are beginning to struggle because of the effects of global warming.

The sea ice is melting at a speed of 9% a year, and when it's all gone the polar bears will have to find new ways of living before they become extinct. Other bears have learnt to change their habits, but polar bears need the fat from seals to get through the winter. Arctic animals like polar bears could be completely killed off because they are also eating poisonous chemicals made by humans. Scientists have found dangerous chemicals we make have reached the food chain of animals in the Arctic circle. Poisons from plastics and electrical goods can take years to break down and disappear. But they are carried along in water for hundreds of kilometres. Eventually they get into food and water eaten by smaller animals and fish. Inuit Eskimo communities are eating the food too, which could seriously damage them. Most countries have now banned the use of these chemicals in their plastics. But some - like Russia and the US - still use some dangerous chemicals.

F. On 26 April 1986 one of four reactors exploded after an experiment at the nuclear power plant northwest of the Ukrainian city of Chernobyl. As a result, a fire burnt for nine days and at least 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima was released into the air. 25 years later, we still don’t know the real effects of the disaster. From 2006 to 2009 a group of scientists from different countries counted and examined wildlife including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The scientists say radioactive contamination in the Chernobyl exclusion zone has a serious impact on biodiversity in Ukraine and the neighbouring Belarus. According to their research, the number of mammals has decreased. Scientists in Ukraine criticized these conclusions. They say that because of the low level of human influence the biodiversity has increased. Many scientists recommend that the governments should turn this place into a wildlife haven – a natural laboratory where they can study the long-term consequences of this kind of accident. One of the scientists said, ”If people were more careful in general, the accident would never have happened. Let’s try and be more careful at least now and not jump to conclusions.”    

Вопросы к теме National cuisine

№ 11

1. Now let's talk about Belarusian national cuisine. What can you tell me about eating habits in Belarus?
2. Do you like cooking? Why (not)?
3. What questions can you ask a Belarusian friend about our national cuisine?
4. Which national dishes can you recommend a tourist to taste in Belarus?
5. A lot of pupils refuse to have meal at school. What do you think about it?

№12

1. Now let's talk about national cuisine of an English-speaking country. What do people eat in Britain?
2. Do British people follow the rules of a healthy way of life? Why (not)?
3.  What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her national cuisine?
4. My friend wants to know more about national cuisines. Which national dishes would you recommend him to taste in Britain?
5. Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but teenagers can't stop eating it. What do you think about it?

Вопросы к теме Education

№5

1. Let's talk about education. What can you tell me about system of education in Belarus?

2. Do you agree that Belarusian secondary school provides a person with good knowledge? Why (not)?

3. Ask me what problems I had when I was a student.

4. What ideas from Belarusian school can you advise a teacher from Great Britain?

5. Today some young people think that having a good education is very important. Do you agree with them?

№6

1. Let's talk about studying at school. What can you tell me about your school?

2. Do you agree that our school gives a person a good start in life? Why (not)?

3. Ask me whether I liked school when I was a pupil.

4. You are talking to a British student. What will you advise him/her to do to prepare for an exam well?

5. Nowadays some young people complain that they have lots of problems at school. Do you agree with them?

№7

1. Let's talk about school traditions. What can you tell me about the place where you study?

2. Does your school have any traditions?

3. Ask me about my school life/

4. Which school club would you advise your classmate to join?

5. Today some young people think that having school traditions is not very important. Do you agree with them?

Education

To get knowledge people need education, they need to turn theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Nowadays we can get education at school, college and university. There are also many possibilities for self-education. 

In my view, the main principles of the educational system in Belarus are the priority human values, national culture, scientific basis and support of gifted children. Primary and secondary education is compulsory in our country. The main task of school is to develop a child's personality and talents. Pupils go to school at the age of 6 or 7. The school year lasts from the first of September to the end of May and is divided into 4 terms. The school uniform in our schools is required.

I study at school № 1 in Smorgon. The school building itself is a typical design with ... classrooms , administrative offices, the canteen, 2 gyms and the library.

Our teachers are highly educated people devoted to their work.

We have some school traditions. Every year different concerts, sport competitions, Olympiads are held in our school. We also have the pupils' administration. There are a lot of traditions in our school: subject weeks, "The Autumn Ball", "Maslenitsa".

I should mention my favourite subjects. They are English and History. I'm good at them. Sorry to say, I don't like Math. In conclusion, I must say I'm lucky to study in our school.

Food. National cuisine

Food plays an important role in our life because we can't live without food. Food gives usually necessary vitamins and elements; it reflects our eating habits and even national character. Besides, when you travel, you always try national cuisine to know what people eat, how they cook it and what it tastes like. People of every country have their own cuisine and eating habits.

Let's remember English cuisine. English breakfast is usually a quick meal, so the British eat cornflakes with milk and toast with tea or coffee.

1-2 o'clock is lunch time and the British go to a cafe to have different salads, fish, fruit and tea. People, who prefer to have meals at home, usually eat soup, chicken and vegetables.

Nowadays the British don't have 5 o'clock tea. But at 6 p. m. they have dinner. It is the last meal of the day for most English people. The most typical dinner consists of fish, meat, omelet ['ɔmlɪt], cheese, salads and tea. 

In Belarus people usually eat at home because they prefer home-made food. Home-made food is healthier, tastier and cheaper. 

For breakfast Belarusian people eat bread with butter and cheese, sometimes porridge and sausages.

For dinner we have soup, meat and our national dish - potatoes. Supper is usually eaten at home. It can be porridge, spaghetti, sausages and salad.

What concerns my family, my mum usually cooks for the whole [həul] family. We usually have soup, potatoes, sausages, meat, fish and cakes. I'd like to say that we like Belarusian cuisine and we usually eat nalistniky, porridge and draniki. 

Healthy way of life. Sport

Sport makes us strong, it teaches us to win and to lose. Sport helps us to have a healthy mind in a healthy body. For some people sport is a pleasure or hard work, even business, for others it's a lifestyle.

Many people do their morning exercises, jog in the morning, attend sport sections and clubs. Besides, physical training is a compulsory subject in our schools. We play basketball, football or table tennis. In winter we usually ski. 

I personally can't imagine my life without sport/ I jog in the morning and sometimes play sport games with my friends and go to the swimming pool. I also like to watch the Olympic games, especially figure skating competitions, on TV.

I understand that not only sport helps us to keep fit. Healthy lifestyle is necessary. There is a wise saying "You are what you eat" or " An apple a day keeps the doctor away"; which means that a balanced diet is the best way to get a healthy body. 

We should eat more fresh fruit and vegetables full of vitamins. We should limit the amount of fizzy drinks, alcohol and fast food. It leads to health problems. I personally try to eat only healthy food. I don't eat a lot of meat or fried food. I try to eat porridge, fish, soup, salads. 

In conclusion I'd like to say that today people realize how important it is to stay healthy if they want to be active and successful in life.

(Все материалы взяты из книги Your English Exam Support. Подготовка к экзамену по английскому языку. Сергиенко Н.А. Белый Ветер. 2016. C.36, 15, 16, 19)

6 КЛАСС, 8 КЛАСС

Уважаемые учащиеся! Всё это необходимо выучить:

Притяжательные местоимения

my - мой 

your - твой/ваш

his - его

her - её

its- его/её (неодушевлённые) 

our - наш

their - их

Вопросительные слова:

who?– кто?

what? — что? какой?

which? — который? какой?

when? – когда?

whose? – чей?

why? – почему? 

how long? – как долго?

where? –где, куда?

how many / how much? – сколько?

how? – как?