4. Match a word from list a with its definition in list b.

A

B

plant release predator species die out seed cell environment precipitation moisture

an animal which preys upon others become extinct surroundings fall of rain, sleet, snow or hail microscopic unit of living matter enclosing a nucleus with self-producing genes condensed vapour on a surface living organism which is not an animal flowering plant’s unit of reproduction, from which another plant can grow allow to go; set free group having some common characteristics able to breed with each other but not with other groups

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

set apart, destruction, kingdoms, thrive, release, leaves, breathe, leads, photosynthesis, carbon dioxide

1. Plants are one of the major … of living things.

2. In big cities people have to … poisonous substances from vehicles.

3. Plants … oxygen into the air.

4. How can we help plants …?

5. The destruction of plants sometimes … to animals becoming endangered.

6. The panda is dying out because of the … and the dying of the bamboo forests.

7. Through …, plants take energy from the sun.

8. Plants take … from the air.

9. … are the main food-making part of most plants.

10. Certain characteristics of plants … them … from other living things.

Reading for Speaking and Discussing

Read the text and express its central idea.

Plants

The category of plants is one of the major kingdoms of living things. Plants are important to us as they provide us with food, clothing, shelter, medicines, even the air we breathe! They also enhance the environment with their beauty and help other living creatures.Thus it is very important how we are informed about plants and how we can help them thrive.

Plants are important to the balance of nature. For animals and people, plants provide food, shelter, useful tools, and products.

Plants are very useful to humans. We eat many different types of plants. Some products are made from plants such as shampoos, rubber, paper and camera film. In some countries, fermented sugar cane is used instead of gasoline.

Animals use plants in many different ways. They eat many fruits and other plants. Many animals use plants for shelter. Plants also provide animals with protection from predators. The destruction of different plants sometimes leads to animals becoming endangered.

The panda is an endangered species that is partly because of the shortage of food. The panda can eat up to 40 pounds of bamboo each day. The panda is dying out because of the destruction and the dying of the bamboo forests.

Plants play the most important part in the cycle of nature. Without plants, there could be no life on Earth. They are the primary producers that sustain all other life forms. This is so because plants are the only organisms that can make their own food. Animals, incapable of making their own food, depend directly or indirectly on plants for their supply of food. All animals and the foods they eat can be traced back to plants.

The oxygen we breathe comes from plants. Through photosynthesis, plants take energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, and water and minerals from the soil. They then give off water and oxygen. Animals and other non-producers take part in this cycle through respiration. Respiration is the process where oxygen is used by organisms to release energy from food, and carbon dioxide is given off. The cycles of photosynthesis and respiration help maintain the earth's natural balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water.

Leaves are the main food-making part of most plants. They capture energy from sunlight, and turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar and starch. This sugar and starch becomes the food that provides plants with energy to grow, to produce flowers and seeds, and carry on their other life processes.

Scientists believe there are over 260,000 species of plants. Some plants are so small they can barely be seen. Others are taller than people or animals. One of the largest living plants on the earth is the sequoia tree of California. Some stand over 290 feet (88 meters) high and measure over 30 feet (9 meters) wide.

Certain characteristics of plants set them apart from other living things. Both plants and animals are complex organisms that are made up of many types of cells, but plant cells have thick, rigid walls that consist of a material called cellulose. Animal cells do not have this material. The cellulose enables plants to stand upright without the aid of an internal or external skeleton.

A plant's environment is made up of many factors. One of the most important is the weather-sunlight, temperature, and precipitation (rain, melted snow, and other moisture). Soil and other plants and animals that live in the same area are also included in the environment of a plant. All these factors form what is called a natural community.