V. The excessive lack of rain may lead to__.
A flooding B intense humidity C droughts D wave actions to ships
VI. Radar helps scientists__ .
A define the movement of cyclones B take temperature
C measure air pressure D forecast humidity
VII. According to the text tropical regions may be characterized by all except__.
A monsoons B great typhoons
C distinct daily weather variations D huge flooding
VIII. Which of the following does not correspond to the text?
A Severe variability of weather was the sign of gods' anger in the ancient times.
B Weather variability can be predicted with the help of modern equipment.
C Seasonal variability of weather is characteristic for tropical regions.
D Longer-range forecasts in mid-latitudes are precise due to the high variability of weather.
Part 2 Global Warming
I. Study the vocabulary:
trap – удерживать
habitat – среда обитания, естественная среда
II. Read the text and say if it answers the given questions: “What is global warming?” and “What is global warming doing to the environment?”.
What is global warming? Global warming is when the earth heats up (the temperature rises). It happens when greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane) trap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which increases the temperature. This hurts many people, animals, and plants. Many cannot take the change, so they die.
What is global warming doing to the environment? Global warming is affecting many parts of the world. Global warming makes the sea rise, and when the sea rises, the water covers many low land islands. This is a big problem for many of the plants, animals, and people on islands. The water covers the plants and causes some of them to die. When they die, the animals lose a source of food, along with their habitat. Although animals have a better ability to adapt to what happens than plants do, they may die also. When the plants and animals die, people lose two sources of food, plant food and animal food. They may also lose their homes. As a result, they would also have to leave the area or die. This would be called a break in the food chain, or a chain reaction, one thing happening that leads to another and so on.
III. Study top ten effects of global warming and prepare for a discussion: Top 10 Worst Effects of Global Warming
By Maria Trimarchi
Global warming is the long-term, cumulative effect that greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane, have on Earth's temperature when they build up in the atmosphere and trap the sun's heat. It's also a hotly debated topic. Some wonder if it's really happening and, if it's real, is it the fault of human actions, natural causes or both?
When we talk about global warming, we're not talking about how this summer's temperatures were hotter than last year's. Instead, we're talking about climate change, changes that happen to our environment, atmosphere and weather over time. Think decades, not seasons. The term “global warming” itself is a bit deceptive because it implies we should expect things to get hotter -- not necessarily stormier, drier and even, in some instances, colder. Climate change impacts the hydrology and biology of the planet -- everything, including winds, rains and temperature, is linked. Scientists have observed that the Earth's climate has a long history of variability, from the cold climes of the Ice Age to temperatures as hot as an Easy-Bake oven. These changes are sometimes noted over a few decades and sometimes stretch over thousands of years. What can we expect from a planet undergoing climate changes?
Scientists studying our climate have been able to observe and measure changes happening around us. For example, mountain glaciers are smaller now than they were 150 years ago, and in the last 100 years, the average global temperature has increased by roughly 1.4 degrees F (0.8 degrees C). Computer modelling allows scientists to predict what could happen if the climate pattern continues on its current course, projecting, for instance, that temperatures could rise an average of 2 to 11.5 degrees F (1.1 to 6.4 degrees C) by the end of the 21st century [source: EPA].
Global warming isn't just about things getting hotter -- other changes can occur, including stormier, drier and even, in some instances, colder conditions.