Useful transitional words & phrases

• to list points

to begin / start with, in the first place, firstly, first of all, secondly, finally, lastly ...

• to add more points to the topic also, apart from this, moreover, what is more, besides ...

• to introduce contrasting viewpoints on the other hand, however, nevertheless, while, although, as opposed to ...

• to introduce examples/reasons for example / instance, like, such as, because, since, therefore, for this reason, especially, therefore ...

• to conclude

to conclude, in conclusion, to sum up, finally, lastly, all in all, all things considered, taking everything into account...

• to give opinion In my opinion / view ...

My opinion is that...

It is my belief / opinion / view ...

It seems / appears to me ...

As far as I am concerned ...

The way I see it...

I (strongly /firmly) believe ...

I think /feel ...

1. am (not) convinced ...

1. agree / disagree that / with ...

1. am inclined to believe that...

1. couldn't agree / disagree more that / with

Vocabulary

1 A) Combine words from the box into pairs to make expressions.

endangered	species	natural	changes
ecological	climatic	politics	shrinking
forests	sustainable	bottle	bank
habitats	tropical	development	damage
irreparable	balance	energy	resources
green	tidal	projections	demographic

1. It’s your planet!

   7

2. 8

3. 9

4. 10

5. 11

6. 12

2. Use the appropriate expressions above to complete these sentences.

1. show that by 2050 the world's population will

be 3.5 billion.

2. Scientists define as the harmonious

coexistence between organisms and their environment.

3. Are caused by global warming and the

greenhouse effect.

4. Is a renewable energy source that converts

the energy of tides into electricity.

5. Taking two bottles to the for recycling saves

enough energy to boil water for five cups of tea.

6. Since people need more and more land for farming

are being cleared at an alarming rate.

GRAMMAR

2. Choose the correct form of the verb to complete each sentence.

1. He (gave / was given) a present to her.

2. She (gave / was given) this present for her wedding anniversary.

3. My bike (runs I is run) very fast.

4. He (knocked down I was knocked down) by a bike yesterday.

5. Her house (ruined I was ruined) in the fire.

6. I don't know anything about building. I (will have built my house I will have my house built).

7. Although she is a professional cook, she (has all her cakes made / makes all the cakes).

8. It’s your planet!

   She is a hair-dresser, so she (has had her new hair-style done I has done her new hair-style).

9. I didn't go to the post office. I (had all the letters sent by my secretary

1. had sent all the letters).

10. Our son (had had his bike repaired I had repaired his bike). We were so proud of him.

ISTENING

Listen to the interview and answer the questions below.

1. What organisation does Jane present?

2. What is the topic of the interview?

3. What is the amount of driving cars in East Los Angeles per day?

4. What three health problems that are caused by heavy traffic?

5. Is traffic in Los Angeles faster or slower than forty years ago?

READING

4. Read the article and match the headings (A-l) with the paragraphs (1-8). There is an extra heading that you do not need.

A A SICKER EARTH F THE WEATHER FORECAST

B IT'S NOT JUST US G WATER, WATER ALL AROUND

C NOT EVERYONE AGREES H WE NEED TO BUY TIME

DA NEW ICE AGE? I WHO IS TO BLAME?

E THE FOOD WE EAT

THE CHANGING WEATHER *

Climate change is one of the biggest problems facing the world today. But what is it exactly and what could the future hold for us?

• 1 The planet's climate has constantly

changed throughout history. Previously this was due to natural processes. However, many scientists believe the changes we have seen over the last century are mainly due to man's activities. The earth is kept warm by greenhouse gases. Without these the world would be extremely cold. The problem is that man's activities have produced extra greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide which have increased temperatures further.

• 2 Scientists fear that by the end of the century, temperatures will have

risen by 1.5 to 6 degrees. This means that there could be more rain in many parts of the world, a greater number of hot days and fewer cold ones. Other areas, however, will see less rainfall, it is also feared that the polar ice sheets could be greatly reduced.

I I 3 Further food for thought is that increases in temperature will cause the level of the seas to rise. This is because the sea absorbs atmospheric heat, making it expand and thus rise. In addition, glaciers and the polar ice sheets will melt. The next result could be a rise in sea levels of up to five metres. Such changes will inevitably lead to flooding, and the catastrophic floods that happen every hundred years might occur every decade.

• 4 Our health will also be affected, as scientists believe a warmer world will

be an unhealthier place. Warm winters will mean fewer deaths from extreme cold, but bacteria that normally die in such cold spells will thrive in the warmer weather and spread infections further.

1. I 5 Heat waves will cause more deaths from heart attacks, increases in skin cancer and more food poisoning. According to this view, it is only a matter of time before diseases from warmer zones spread to new areas.

] 6 Wildlife and plants will not remain unaffected. Less winter snow and hotter summers will have an enormous impact on life. Rising sea levels will reduce dry surface areas, leading to less food and shelter for other species. The most dramatic impact will be felt at the poles where many creatures depend on the ice to survive.

1. I 7 Farming practices could be altered. Scientists predict that changes in the weather will mean that we will be able to grow some crops further north. For instance, the UK could see vineyards and sweet corn. On the other hand, drier summers could destroy crops that need more water. Longer warm periods could also mean more pests that could damage agriculture even more than usual.

1. I 8 There are sceptics, however. Some scientists remain doubtful about the greenhouse effect. They say the climate has changed in the past and that it is too complex to make predictions about. They also say it is unlikely that such an intricate system could be affected by one part as small as greenhouse gases. Such opinions are in a minority, though.

Greenhouse gases can stay in the air for a century. If we cut emissions immediately, we probably will not be able to halt change in the short­term. However, we might slow down change, which would give the planet a chance to adapt, such as following species to alter

Bnigration and feeding patterns. It would also give

us a chance to do something about the problem.

CAN YOU ... IN ENGLISH? 0" - y_es, i can.

• read and understand about technological influence on the environment

1. listen and understand about harmful effects of human activities

Q talk about ecological problems

• discuss about the ways to improve the environment

Q understand and use different tense forms of the verb in the Passive Voice