VIII. Choose a definition to some terms (in the box) which are connected with ecological problems. Follow the model when formulating definitions.

Model: Sewage is (means) the waste material and water from people’s houses and from industrial enterprises carried away in large pipes under the ground.

*deforestation	*pollution	*ozone layer	*smog
*pesticide	*recycling	*rubbish dump	*garbage

a) the process of making the air, water, or soil dirty or dangerous by adding harmful substances;

b) cutting down and burning large areas of trees (forests) destroying wildlife habitats;

c) a chemical substance used to kill harmful animals and insects by spraying the crops;

d) a layer of ozone gas high above the Earth’s surface which protects the planet from harmful rays such as ultra-violet;

e) an unhealthy mixture of smoke and fog which is found in the air in some industrial cities;

f) a place for keeping waste material thrown away;

g) things that have been thrown away because they are no longer needed;

h) special treatment of something which has already been used so that it may be used again.

IX. Read two real stories below. Use the words printed in italics to complete them.

A: Chimneys, rivers, rain, smog, chemicals, mixture, power.

In December 1952, nearly four thousand people died in London. They died because they breathed a terrible … of smoke and fog which the Londoners called … . Scientists discovered that the largest part of the smoke was emitted by factories and … stations. The specialists advised to build tall … so the smoke would blow away. This decision helped to solve the problem in London but it caused more problems in some neighbour areas. The smoke went high up into the sky where the … in the smoke mixed with water to make acid … . The wind blew away this mixture of gases and water, and caused acid rains in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The acid rain destroyed buildings in those countries, polluted … and lakes.

B: Pesticides, to spray, mixture, chemicals, to stimulate.

The valley of the river Po in Northern Italy is an important agricultural area. The farmers in this region produce much very good food but they use a lot of chemicals … the growth. They … the fields with fertilizers to feed the crops and …. to protect from insects. Unfortunately, when it rains, a great part of these … are washed away from the soil into streams and finally into the river Po. This river carries the chemicals into the Adriatic sea. Thus, an algae was growing in the rich … of chemicals in the water. Fed by chemicals algae turned red and in 1989, some areas in Adriatic sea became as red as blood. Tourists were frightened about the colour of water and refused to swim in red sea.

X. Answer the following questions.

1. What were the first ecological changes in nature caused by?

2. What did ecological situation in the twentieth century depend on?

3. What factors influenced the modern ecology?

4. How are the acid rains formed?

5. How does the greenhouse effect occur?

6. What does the destruction of nature and natural balance lead to?

7. What are the possible ways of solving ecological problems?

XI. Make up a plan of the text in exercise IV. Speak on each point of your plan.

XII. Organize a group conference devoted to ecological problems. Find some additional information to discuss at the conference. Prepare short reports on particular topics. Make up dialogues or be ready for the discussion on the problems of environment and health.

XIII. Speak on the topic “Ecology”.