Reactions to the text

4. Discuss with a partner or in small groups:

a) Do you agree with the author's thesis? Why (not)?

b) What are some of the issues around the following:

• nuclear power

• mining for minerals

• mining for coal.

c) In your opinion, should nuclear power and mining be banned, allowed in certain circumstances only, or allowed freely? Give reasons for your answer.

Energy Crisis

Lead-in

1. One of the most serious environmental problems nowadays in shortage of energy. Use the scale (1-2 – not at all; 3-4 – fairly; 5 – very) and decide how far you think each energy source is chearp, clean, safe, and abundant.

2. Discuss the questions:

1) What sources of energy are used in your country?

2) Can you think about some ways of saving energy?

3) What other sources of energy do you know?

4) Are you for or against using nuclear energy? Why?

3. Listen to the radio programme and complete the chart

4. Listen again and answer the questions:

1) When are the world’s energy resources (gas, oil and coal) expected to run out?

2) What shouldn’t we use fossil fuels for producing electricity?

3) Are nuclear power stations dangerous according to Pr. Burnham? Why?

4) What are the main threats of using nuclear energy according to Jennifer Hughes?

5) How can we save energy according to Dr. Woodstock?

6) Does Charles Wicks agree that fossil fuels will soon run out? Why?

7) According to Charles Wicks, what source of energy should we depend on in the nearest future?

8) What are the two options what to spend money on and research according to Charles Wicks?

5. Which of the speakers do you agree with? Why?

Extension Activity

Discussion “Are you for or against nuclear energy?”

Student A – presenter, “speech of inspiration”. Present the topic of the discussion and describe it in general.

Team 1 “Supporters of the use of nuclear energy”. Speak about the advantages of using nuclear power.

Team 2 “Opponents”. Speak about the disadvantages of using nulear power.

For both teams: ask your opponents questions.

Student B – Expert 1. Evaluate the presentation of Team 1.

Student C – Expert 2. Evaluate the presentation of Team 2.

Points to be evaluated:

- the structure of the speech

- the emotional side and the quality of the presentation

- words and phrases used in the presentation

- grammar

- pronunciation

At the end of the discussion Presenter (Student A) sums up the main points.

Controlling Pollution

Lead-in

Do the quiz and test your ecological intelligence.

1. Which uses the most energy?

a) a fridge

b) a cooker or a store

c) a washing machine

2. What is the best way to make cars ecologically safer?

a) buying a car with a catalytic converter

b) using unleaded petrol

c) buying a more fuel-efficient car

3. Which of the following does not damage human health?

a) aspirin

b) roast beef

c) excessive intake of vitamin C

4. Which uses the most water in the home?

a) the toilet

b) the washing machine

c) the dishwasher

5. Which of these statements about ‘ozone friendly’ aerosol cans is true?

a) they contain no ozone-damaging propellants

b) they are biodegradable

c) they are recyclable

6. Which is the best way of improving the quality of drinking water?

a) collecting rainwater

b) lobbying for a dual water supply

c) boiling tap water

7. Which is the best way to dispose of waste?

a) burning it in incinerators that generate energy

b) recycling

c) composting

8. Which is the most environment-friendly form of energy?

a) nuclear power

b) coal

c) gas

Mark the points for each correct answer according to the table:

Add up the points and read your profile:

8-13 points – you do not have a clear understanding of ecology yet. You should get more information on ecology in order to respect nature.

14-19 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 every day.

20-24 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 their surroundings.

Vocabulary

1. How can we control or restrict pollution? What measures can be taken to present pollution of lakes, rivers, soils and air?

Make a list of such measures.

2. Read the sentences below and try to guess the meaning of the underlined words.

1) The soil has been too badly eroded…

2) The reprocessing of waste products for reuse is called recycling.

3) Old newspapers can be turned into pulp in the process of recycling.

4) There are special programmes that encourage households to sort their trash for recycling.

5) Devices have been developed to prevent particulates from leaving industrial smokestacks.

6) Filters trap particulates.

7) The use of biological control replaced pesticides.

8) Biological controls involve the use or various types of insects and bacteria to control pests.

Reading

1. Read the article on how to control pollution and find the measures, takes to control pollution.

Some lakes and rivers may already be so badly polluted that they may not be able to regain their health even if all pollution is stopped. Some soil has been too badly eroded to support crops any more. But in most areas, effective programs to prevent pollution could greatly improve environmental conditions.

Several different approaches can be used to control pollution. Waste products can be saved and used again. New technological developments can help prevent pollution from older ones. Restrictions can be placed on the use of materials that pollute. These approaches may result in less convenience and higher costs, however.

Recycling. The reprocessing of waste products for reuse is called recycling. Many kinds of wastes can be recycled. Some, including cans and newspapers, can be used over and over again for the same purposes. Cans can be melted down and used to make new cans. Old newspapers can be turned into pulp and then made into clean newsprint. Other materials,

such as glass bottles and automobile tires, can be reused for other purposes. Ground-up glass can serve as an ingredient in road-building materials. Old tires can be melted down in a special process in which they give off valuable chemicals, such as oil and gas. Many communities have introduced programs that encourage households to sort their trash for recycling. Recycling programs can reduce the amount of solid wastes that must be dumped or burned.

New technological developments do much to control pollution caused by older technology. For example, several types of devices have been developed to prevent particulates from leaving industrial smokestacks. These devices include filters that trap particulates that would otherwise be released into the air with waste gases. Other devices use static electricity to keep particulates from escaping into the air. StilI other devices wash out particulates with chemical sprays.

Various methods of reducing pollution from automobile engines have been developed. Examples include new additives to replace tetraethyl lead in gasoline, and devices to remove pollutants from exhaust and make combustion processes more complete.

An important development in agriculture is the use of biological controls instead of pesticides. Biological controls involve the use of various types. of insects and bacteria to control pests. Other new developments have Improved the effectiveness of water treatment facilities and provided new ways to dispose of solid wastes.

Restrictions on the use of materials that pollute can be extremely effective in controlling pollution. But the restrictions may also cause inconvenience and require changes in ways of life. The use of some harmful materials has been stopped or reduced without major problems resulting. For example, most industrial countries have banned the use of the dangerous pesticide DOT for all except essential purposes. Farmers have found other, less harmful pesticides to replace DDT. Oil companies now produce unleaded gasoline because

lead was found to be a major pollutant in automobile exhausts. Automobile manufacturers have modified engines so that the engines can run properly on unleaded gasoline.

2. Check which points you mentioned and which were new.

3. Answer the questions

1) Can environmental conditions be improved if all pollution is stopped?

2) What approaches can be used to control pollution?

3) What process is called ‘recycling’?

4) What kind of wastes can be recycled and how?

5) How can new technological developments help to control pollution?

6) What methods of reducing pollution from automobile engines have been developed?

7) What new development in agriculture have been the most effective?

8) What restrictions can be useful in controlling pollution?

4. Match the beginnings of the sentences from Column A with their endings in Column B.

5. Read the article again and find information about the following points:

§ different approaches that can be used t control pollution

§ the reprocessing of some waste products or reuse

§ new devices that prevent particulates from leaving industrial smokestacks

§ methods of reducing pollution from automobile engines

§ the use of biological controls instead of pesticides

§ the ways harmful materials are used

Extension Activity

1. Work in three teams.

You were given some proposals from your staff on how to control pollution and protect the environment. You can dismiss the proposal, implement it immediately or investigate the idea later:

- Take away all company cars; provide bicycles instead and bus and train tickets.

- Replace the company’s lorries with new models that are more economical on fuel.

- Encourage staff to work at home; videoconferences and teleworking can substitute for travel.

- Work 4 ten-hour days instead of 5 eight-hour days.

- Install solar cells in the roof to collect sunlight to heat the offices.

- Put less packaging on your products.

- Plant trees in the garden to substitute the soil, conserve water resources.

- Ban all office memos to save paper.

- Collect all waste paper from offices at the end of each day and send it for recycling.

- Only sell vegetarian food in the canteen.

- Make a contribution from the company’s profits to the Green Party.

- Install a large fan on the hillside outside the factory to blow away pollution.

2. The speaker from each group will suggest the programme of his/her group. Express your opinion, agree or disagree.

§ run small gadgets S § create electricity for whole cities ………… § power grain mills and sawmills ………… § heat water ………… § run homes and communities ………… § heat and cool factories ………… § power batteries ………… § pump water …………     We can use solar energy to run small gadgets.

Reading 1 a. Which of the words below can you see in the picture? fossil fuels generate power wind power wind farm nuclear power station alternative form of energy wind turbines slim towers rotor blades unoccupied sites monitor wind direction

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 938