Lesson 7

Grammar: Gerund § 8 Text: Livestock

I Read and translate the following words and word – combinations:

skin, leather, wool, drugs, equipment, ranches, yards, animal husbandry, domesticate, settle, tissue, by – products, goods, manufactures, feather, nutrients, ruminants, shelter, harm, stomach, shortages, consumption.

II. Match the words with their definitions below:

skin, leather, wool, drugs, ranches, animal husbandry, tissue, by – products, ruminants:

1. Substance used for medical purposes, either alone or in a mixture.

2. Substance obtained during the manufacture of some other substance.

3. Large farm, especially one with extensive lands for cattle, but also for fruit, chickens etc.

4. Material from animal skins, used for making shoes, bags, etc..

5. Farming.

6. ( Animal ) which chews the cud, e.g. cows, deer .

7. Animals skin with or without the hair or fur.

8. Mass of cells and cell products in an animal body.

9.Soft hair of sheep, goats and some other animals.

III . From the list below – pick up words which have the same meaning and which are the opposites:

1. Synonyms: goods, skin, fleece, ruminants, stomach, leather wares, wool, chewing

animals, abdomen .

2. Opposites: domesticate, harm, build, wild, destroy, kind, increase, valuable, decrease, invaluable .

IV . Read and translate the text a :

Livestock.

Livestock are domestic animals that are used to produce food and many other valuable products. The skins of some livestock provide such important materials as leather and wool. Various organs of livestock supply drugs used by countless people.

Farmers in developing nations use livestock to pull farm equipment. Some livestock in these countries also transport people and materials. Most livestock are raised on farms and ranches, but some people raise rabbits, chickens, or other small livestock in their yards.

The chief kinds of livestock raised throughout the world are cattle, hogs, poultry, sheep and horses. Other kinds of livestock include donkeys, goats, mules and rabbits. In some countries farmers raise such livestock as llamas, reindeer, water buffalo and yaks. The science of raising, breeding and caring for livestock is called animal husbandry.

At one time, people wandered from place to place hunting animals and gathering plants for food. Several thousand years ago, people began to domesticate and raise various kinds of livestock. The use of domesticated animals as a source of food and power made it possible for people to settle in one place. Then they were able to begin farming.

Uses of livestock

In most parts of the world, livestock provide such food products as meat, butter, cheese, eggs and milk. These foods contain large amounts of protein, which builds new tissue and maintains and repairs old tissue in the human body. Animal food products also supply minerals and vitamins that people need for good health. Livestock also provide such valuable by – products as fur, hair, leather and wool. These materials are used to produce blankets, brushes, clothing, shoes and other goods.

Manufacturers use the hoofs and horns of livestock to make such articles as buttons, combs, glue and knives. Other livestock by – products are used in the preparation of livestock feed.

Some of the glands and organs of certain livestock are used to make such drugs as epinephrine, insulin and pepsin.