Poisonous plants.

Poisonous plants when taken into the body of human beings or animals small or moderate amounts provoke a harmful reaction resulting in illness or death. Possibly as many as one of every 100 species of plants is poisonous, but not all have been recognized as such ones. Dangerous plants are widely distributed in woods and fields swamps and dry ranges, roadsides and parks, and may be wild or cultivated. Many ornamental plants, such as oleander, lily-of-the-valley, and mistletoe, are poisonous.

Botanists have to set rules to determine accurately whether any given plant is poisonous. Toxic species are scattered geographically in habitat and in botanical rela­tionship. They contain more than 20 kinds of poisonous principles¹, and mineral compounds such as nitrates accu­mulated from the soil. The poisonous compound may be distributed throughout all parts of the plant, or it may accumulate in one part more than in other, such as the root, berry, or foliage. A plant may vary in toxicity as it grows, generally becoming more toxic with maturity cer­tain plants, however, can be highly toxic when young and harmless later.

Some active principles cause skin irritation directly; others bring about an allergic reaction. Most poisons however must enter the body before they act, and in almost all cases this happens when they are eaten. Usually more than 60g of the poisonous part of the plant must be eaten by an aver­age before poisoning results (the amount in proportion less for children). Some plants however are toxic in small amounts; for instance, one or two castor beans, the seeds of the castor-oil plant, may kill a child. After ingestion the poison may act immediately on the digestive tract. Some plants affect the heart (oleander). Small amounts of the toxins in some of these plants may be used in medicine. Plants containing alkaloids often produce unpleasant or dangerous reactions in the nervous system. Examples are paralysis hallucinations or heart block. A few poisons act directly within the cells of the body. The best example is cyanide, which prevents cells of the body from using oxygen.

Poisonous plants are too numerous to eradicate, and many are highly prized as houseplants or garden ornamen­tals. If poisoning is suspected, a doctor should be con­sulted immediately.

Principle¹- первопричина

b) Choose the right option.

1. Which of the following is not true?

A If you try a bit of a poisonous plant, you may get ill or die.

B 100 species of poisonous plants may provoke an ill­ness or death.

C One can find poisonous plants in a wood.

D Poisonous plants may be grown in gardens.

2. Scientists cannot reveal a poisonous plant with high precision because _

A there is a great variety of poisonous plants

B there is a dozen poisonous principles

C poisonous plants may be ornamental

D poisonous plants are wild ones

3. The author mentions everything except that .

A poisonous plants may have toxic leaves

B botanists accurately gather poisonous plants

C young plants may be highly toxic

D mature plants may be less poisonous

4. Poisonous plant can affect everything except ______ .

A the nervous system

B the blood

C the heart

D the skin

Reading 5.

Complete the activity to establish your needs in English. Tick the answers you like. Add more information where appropriate. Compare your needs with a partner

1. My main reason for learning English is - for pleasure - for my present job - for the future	2. I use English to speak - to native speakers from - to non-native speakers from
3 I need/will need English to talk - to foreign colleagues - to customers - to visitors on the phone	4 I also need English to read - professional literature - newspapers/magazines
5 I need English to write - letters - memos/faxes/e-mail	6 I need English to participate - in discussions - meetings
7 I need English to give -talks - presentations	8 My aims for this course are - to speak more fluently - improve my writing - increase my vocabulary - speak more correctly - improve my reading - understand spoken English better - improve my telephone skills - communicate my ideas effectively

Reading 6

Read the text and make a review (обзор)

The Queen and Parliament

Every year the Queen opens Parliament. Millions of people watch her on TV. She leaves Buckingham Palace with a lot of soldiers on horses, and many of the important people in the country wait for her in the Houses of Parliament. In Parliament she talks, and all the important people listen to her. She wears a beautiful dress and has a crown on her head. She is the most famous woman in Britain, and she is Head of the Church of England. She is an important woman.

But - is she very important? She speaks to people in Parliament once a year, but she doesn't work there. So why is the Queen important? Why does she go to Parliament every year, and why is she the Head of the Church?

To answer these questions, we must begin a long time ago.

We must learn about some of the kings and queens before her.