3. 2. Translate the text Pollution using the dictionary

Pollution is contamination of the earth’s environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems. Although some environmental pollution is a result of natural causes like volcanic eruptions, most is caused by human activities.

Once contamination occurs, it is difficult to remove polluting materials from the environment. Pollution also has a dramatic effect on natural resources. Ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and rivers perform many important services for the earth’s environment. They enhance water and air quality, provide habitat for plants and animals, and provide food and medicines. Any or all these ecosystem functions may be impaired or destroyed by pollution. Moreover, because of the complex relationships among the many types of organisms and ecosystems, environmental contamination may have far-reaching consequences that are not immediately obvious or that are difficult to predict.

C. 3. Read the text ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION and then discuss it with your partner

Environmental pollution is a term that refers to all the ways by which people pollute their surroundings. People dirty the air with gases and smoke, poison the water with chemical and other substances, and damage the soil with too many fertilizers and pesticides. People also ruin natural beauty by scattering junk and litter on the land and in the water. They operate machines and motor vehicles that fill the air with disturbing noise. Nearly everyone causes pollution in some way.

Badly polluted air can cause illness, and even death. Polluted water kills fish and other marine life. Pollution of soil reduces the amount of land available for growing food.

Exhaust from automobiles causes a large percentage of air pollution. But the automobile provides transportation for millions of people. Factories discharge much of the material that pollutes air and water, but factories provide jobs for people. Too much fertilizer or pesticide can ruin soil, but fertilizers and pesticides are important aids to the growing of crops.

Thus, to end or greatly reduce pollution immediately, people would have to stop using many things that benefit them. Pollution can be gradually reduced in several ways. Scientists and engineers can work to find ways to lessen the amount of pollution that such things as automobiles and factories cause. Governments can pass laws that require businesses and individuals to stop, or cut down on certain polluting activities.

E. 1. Choose the proper variant

1. I (have, has) just finished my home-work. 2. My sister (have, has) had supper and (is, are) watching TV now. 3. I (have, has) translated two articles and (have, has) done 3 exercises. 4. My brother (have, has) done his home-work and (is, are) reading a book. 5. He (studied, has studied) this subject last year. 6. He (studied, has studied) this problem and can answer your questions. 7. They (were, have been) to Moscow many times. 8. She (was, has been) in Kiev two months ago. 9. He (saw, has seen) this film on Sunday. 10. (One student, All the students) has not finished the translation of the text. 11. (All the students, He) have done this exercise. 12. I have known him (for, since, yet, already) childhood.