Text 2 too many people
Many
experts on different subjects believe that there are already too many
people in the world. Unless there are big changes in the way people
think about the number of children they should have, the world's
population
will
double in 25 years. There will be more than 20 cities with
populations greater than 20 million people. At present there is only
one.
Some people – who do not understand what ‘overpopulation’ means – point to countries such as Australia and say, ‘But there is plenty of room there. The country is almost empty’. It is true that most of Australia is unpopulated, and much of it is very thinly populated, but there are reasons for this. Firstly, much of the land is desert and waterless, and secondly, even the land that is not desert is not suitable for anything, not even growing grass. Even with its present population of 17 million, Australia has serious water problems. Furthermore, if it has to feed more people, it will have less food to sell to other countries which, in turn, as their populations grow, will have to buy more food from outside.
Another major problem we shall have to face as the world's population grows, is a shortage of energy. We are using up coal and oil and when they have been used up, we shall have to find something to take their place. It is true that we can make electricity from the heat of the sun and moving water, but we do not yet have the technology to do this in a big way.
Perhaps, though, the biggest problem we shall have when the world's population doubles will be pollution. The earth and the air we breathe is already badly polluted. Twice the number of people will cause twice the amount of pollution.
The world's leaders have to solve many problems. Population control is the greatest. It is probably the one that many countries are doing the least about. Sadly, it is the poorer nations, especially in Africa, which have the greatest population growth, and their peoples will suffer even more than they are suffering now.
Words and expressions to the text
population – население
suitable – годный, подходящий, пригодный, применимый, соответствующий
furthermore – к тому же, кроме того, более того
shortage of energy – недостаток, дефицит энергии
pollution – загрязнение (окружающей среды)
Ex. 1. Find the words in the passage that are nearest in meaning to the following words and phrases:
a) number of people in a certain place
b) get two times bigger
с) land without water
d) lack of
Ex. 2. Complete these sentences using words from the box.
breathe plenty serious feed present suffering heat suitable
You need … of water in the desert.
I'm not looking for a new job at… .
I don't think Mr. Brown is… .
Are his wounds… ?
How are we going to … all these people?
The … from the fire is burning my skin.
…deeply and I'll listen to your heart.
Our dog is … from a bad back.
Ex. 3. Choose and write the correct word.
1. You will have to … the problem some day. face / open
2. A/An … on television said that bones from leader/expert
the first man have been found in Africa.
3. …has brought us the television, the computer Technology/Pollution
and the phone.
4. Too many people are … today. suitable/suffering
Ex. 4. Does each of these sentences say what each paragraph is about? Write T for True or F for False.
Paragraph 1 In the future there will be too many people on Earth.
Paragraph 2 Although Australia is a large country it could not look after a large population.
Paragraph 3 Fortunately, coal and oil will help us with our energy needs.
Paragraph 4 Our biggest problem will be pollution.
Paragraph 5 Africa is leading the way in showing the solution to over-population.
Ex. 5. Answer these questions about the passage.
Who believes that there are too many people in the world?
How long will it take for the population of the world to double?
What is the population of Australia?
How can we make electricity?
What will be our biggest problem?
Which area of the world will suffer the most?
What can be done about the problems of pollution?
Why is it difficult to get people to have fewer children?
Ex. 6. Complete the following sentences. Your answers must come from the passage.
There is only … city with more than 20 million people.
Australia is not a suitable place for more people to live because much of the land… .
As a result it has serious… .
We can make extra energy from… .
Of course, if there are too many people our air will be… .
Ex. 7. Make up rendering to the text using clichés (from Appendix 2).