Word Study

1. Give the Russian equivalents to the following words:

dramatic, individual, variation, climate, materials, result, temperature, atmosphere, to reflect, ocean, polar, to start, to mix, cycle, protection, ultraviolet, activities, to limit, technology, exploitation, uncultivated, erosion

2. Guess the meaning of the underlined words. Translate the sentences.

1) Extinction of wildlife might destroy the balance of ecosystem. 2) Maintaining constant temperature is highly important for the experiment. 3) According to some specialists the world’s fresh water resources may become exhausted. 4) Plants and animals are organic nature. 5) The cycle of nature links plants and animals. 6) Plants play a very important part in conservation and protection of soil and water. 7) Ozone plays a key role in the temperature structure of the Earth’s atmosphere. 8) The problem of acid rain has become a challenge to aquatic ecosystems. 9) Air pollution is the presence of any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the atmosphere.

3. Translate the following word combinations:

the rapid rise; the corresponding demand for resources; a dramatic impact; holes in the ozone layer; to affect the whole planet; habitat destruction; individual species; over millions of years; long-term variation in climate; harmful materials; to release into the environment; human activities; world temperatures; so called; the buildup of gases; water vapour in the atmosphere; to escape into the outer atmosphere; poisonous gases from power stations; moisture in the air; to reduce vehicle emissions; the Sun’s harmful rays; the growth of plants

4. Match the word from list A with its definition in list B.

A	B
1) rapid 2) impact 3) escape 4) moisture 5) reduce 6) emission 7) penetrate 8) adapt 9) damage 10) slow	moving with great speed condensed vapour on a surface make less make a way into go at a slower speed strong impression or effect get away sending out or giving off make suitable for a new use do harm or injury that causes loss of value

5. Place the appropriate word from the list in each of the blanks below:

poisonous gases, corresponding demand, harmful, global warming, currently, long-term, glaciers, released

1. The … for resources has had a dramatic impact on the natural world.

2. … affects the whole planet.

3. Over millions of years, many species have adapted to natural changes, such as … variation in climate.

4. It is difficult for living things to adapt to the harmful materials … into the environment.

5. World temperatures are … rising every year.

6. As the planet warms up, the water locked up in … will start to melt.

7. Acid rains fall when … from power stations mix with oxygen and moisture in the air.

8. A natural layer of ozone gas high in the atmosphere provides protection against the Sun’s … rays.

Reading for Speaking and Discussing

Read the text and say what environmental problems are mentioned in it.