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Text a. Ecological problems

Today I’d like to speak about the most evident and vital problem of our century. Long ago people lived in harmony with nature. So for thousands of years natural riches seemed to be unlimited. The poisoning of the world’s land, air, and water is the fastest-spreading disease of civilization nowadays. It seems to me that it is the greatest danger to human life on earth.

One of the most important pollution problems is air pollution. The by-products of smoky industrial enterprises pollute air, water and land. They also destroy the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. Many cities suffer from smog. Tons of poison are added to the atmosphere each day. In Cairo just breathing the air is very dangerous. It is equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. The same situation is in Mexico City and some cities of our country.

To my mind the second important problem is connected with water. The seas are in danger. They are filled with poison: industrial and nuclear waste, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Many birds and fish die because of the polluted water. Many fish are getting contaminated. Pond inhabitants are also suffering from human interference. Fertilizers bring to the growth of plankton and numerous remains of the died water lilies species. As a result of it the pond becomes stagnant and develops a characteristic evil smell.

Another problems are that forests and animals are under the threat. Our forests are dying from acid rains. This, in turn, affects the balance of nature. The regular winter protection of roads with salt results in sodium and potassium increase in the soil content. Due to such changes trees lose vitality, some may even die. Medicinal plants growing on roadsides are spoiled by wastes from road traffic. By the way numerous species of animals and plants can disappear.

An even greater environmental threat are nuclear power stations. We all know about the tragic consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.

As far as I know some progress has been already made to solve ecological problems. An international research centre has been set up on lake Baikal. The international organization Greenpeace is also doing much to protect the environment. All these steps are carried out to save life on the planet. They are not only for the sake of the present but also for the future generations. The earth is our home. What sort of home it is depends on how we treat it.

Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Exercises:

Ex.1. Complete the following sentences:

1. For thousands of years ... seemed to be unlimited because people lived in harmony with nature. 2. Man’s ... in nature began to increase. 3. ... is the fastest-spreading disease of civilization. 4. ... pollute air, water and land. 5. They also ... which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. 6. Seas are filled with ... . 7. Many birds and fish ... . 8. Pond inhabitants are also suffering from ... . 9. ... bring to the growth of plankton and ... . 10. Another problems are that forests and animals are ... . 11. The regular winter protection of roads with salt results in ... . 12. Medicinal plants growing on roadsides are spoiled by ... . 13. Some progress has been already made to ... . 14. All these steps are carried out to ... on the planet not only for the sake of the present but also for the future ... .

Ex.2. Express the following in English:

1. Казалось, что на протяжении тысячи лет природные богатства были безграничными, потому что люди жили в согласии (гармонии) с природой. 2. Мне бы хотелось затронуть сегодня наиболее очевидную и жизненно важную проблему. 3. Отравление земли, воздуха и воды - болезнь цивилизации, распространяющаяся с наибольшей скоростью. 4. Это самая большая опасность для жизни человека на земле. 5. Одна из самых важный проблем - это загрязнение воздуха. 6. Отходы промышленных предприятий загрязняют воздух, воду и землю. 7. Наряду с этим, они разрушают слой озона. Этот слой защищает землю от опасных лучей солнца. 8. Много рыбы отравляется из-за загрязнённой воды. 9. Леса и животные тоже под угрозой. Леса исчезают из-за кислотных дождей. 10. Обитатели прудов также страдают от вмешательства человека. В воде из-за большого количества планктона погибают некоторые виды водяных лилий. 11. К тому же многие виды животных и растений могут исчезнуть. 12. Некоторые деревья теряют жизненную силу, даже умирают от увеличения натрия и калия в составе почвы.13. Большую угрозу представляют собой ядерные электростанции. 14. Последствия Чернобыльской катастрофы ужасны. 15. Некоторый успех был достигнут в решении проблем защиты окружающей среды. 16. Международная организация Гринпис также способствует охране окружающей среды. 17. Земля - наш дом. Каким он будет зависит от нас.

Ex.3. Look through the text and state what it has to say on the following points:

  1. Man’s interference in nature as the fastest-spreading disease of civilization.

  2. Air pollution as one of the most important pollution problems.

  3. Ecological problems connected with water.

  4. The threat of animals and forests disappearance.

  5. Steps aimed at saving life on the planet not only for the sake of present but also for the future generations.

Ex.4. Answer the following questions:

1. Why did natural riches seem to be unlimited thousands years ago? 2. What is the fastest-spreading disease of civilization? 3. What are the main pollution problems? 4. Do the by-products of industrial enterprises or acid rains pollute air, water and land? 5. Is it dangerous to breath in Cairo? 6.What are seas filled with? 7.What is also under the threat? 9. Why are our forests dying? 10. What affects the balance of nature? 11. What’s going on in ponds? Why does it take place? What brings to a characteristic evil smell near the ponds? 12. Is the regular winter protection of roads with salt safe? What are the consequences? 13. Do you think that an even greater environmental threat are nuclear power stations? 14. What steps have been made in order to save life on the planet? 15. What are environmental protection agencies aimed at?

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