MASTERMIND ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL CLASS VIII (CAMBRIDGE) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PRACTICE WORKSHEET –08 (17.05.2020 – 21.05.2020) A. Comprehension Airway Renovation 1 When the world stays home, the planet benefits. There’s nothing good about the coronavirus, but with a ban on non-essential travel and some countries in lockdown, we’re able to witness what happens to the Earth when we’re largely absent for the first time. 2 During Italy’s quarantine, similar satellite data has shown a drop in nitrogen dioxide emissions in the country’s northern region; and waterways in Venice appear cleaner because of a drastic reduction in tourist boat traffic (though, much to the chagrin of animal lovers, the photos circulating of dolphins frolicking in the canals were actually taken nearly 800km away in Sardinia). 3 Recent data released by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and ESA (European Space Agency) indicates that pollution in some of the epicenters of COVID-19 such as Wuhan, Italy, Spain and USA etc. has reduced up to 30%. Likewise, there has been a 25 percent drop in energy use and emissions in China, the world’s biggest GHG’s (Greenhouse Gass) polluter, over two weeks of March, the climate website Carbon Brief shows. Another report by ESA (2020) shows that a highly reactive pollutant; Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions has reduced up to 20 to 30% from the 10th to the 25th of February in China. European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P satellite show that during late January and early February 2020, levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) over cities and industrial areas in Asia and Europe were lower than in the same period in 2019, by as much as 40%. Of course, a global health crisis is not the only answer to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the phenomenon should give us a cause to reflect on the impact human activity has on the planet – including how we travel. 4 Restrictions on non-essential travel means airlines are grounding planes, drastically slashing flights or suspending operations completely. A 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change showed that emissions from tourism add up to 8% of the global total, with flying making up the largest share of this. “By far, the biggest action we can take is to stop flying or to fly less,” said Kimberly Nicholas, a sustainability scientist at LUCSUS. 5 In light of these startling statistics – in conjunction with the visible signs of environmental relief we’ve seen as the world stays home to beat Covid-19 – the question needs to be posed: when we can travel again, should we? 6 Some airlines are making headway through research into innovations like biofuel and electric-powered aircraft. “There's still a lot of potential fuel economy that could be gained from redesigning aircraft to be more efficient,” said Colin Murphy, deputy director of The Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy at University of California, Davis. 7 Even if we succeed with these technological innovations, we still need to change our approach to travel as individuals. Just as the planet seems to be taking a breath right now, we’ve also been offered an opportunity for introspection. 8 We can alleviate some of the environmental stress of travel simply by keeping more of our adventures local. “This is actually the biggest impact we can have,” said Nicholas. “I used to be a frequent flyer, but I’ve found other ways to find that kind of novelty and adventure. Basically, slow travel and self-powered travel.” This might look like enjoying your local beach instead of one in Mexico and saving your carbon budget for a more impactful trip. 9 When we do fly, we can purchase carbon offsets. “Carbon offsets help and they absolutely move the needle,” said Murphy. They're not as good as actually reducing the emissions from travel so you're not completely undoing all the harm, but they help.” How we fly also matters. As enticing as the extra legroom in business class is, purchasing those seats also increases your carbon footprint because it means less passengers per plane. “The more densely packed you are, the lower your emissions are per passenger mile by quite a bit,” Murphy notes. “At a policy level, we need transparency about the true environmental impact of our choices, and we need prices to align with those impacts,” said Austin Brown, executive director of the Policy Institute at UC Davis. When Covid-19 is behind us, we need to once again look outside ourselves and take individual action for the good of the planet. Just as coronavirus has forced our lives to slow down, we should consider a slower, more thoughtful approach to travel. There’s an authentic connection that comes with a place when we take the time to understand its people, culture and natural beauty in a meaningful way. Reading for Ideas Read the passage Airway Renovation and answer the following questions: a. Notes Identify and write down the information in the passage which describes the positive effects of the quarantine upon the environment and steps to reduce environmental damage from air travel. Use material from Paragraph 2 to Paragraph 10. At this stage, you do not need to use your own words. Use note form. To help you get started, the first point in each section of notes is done for you. You may find it helpful to use bullet points when listing the content points. Content Points The positive effects of quarantine upon the environment During Italy’s quarantine, similar satellite data showed a drop in nitrogen dioxide emissions. Steps to reduce environmental damage from air travel. Some airlines are making innovations like biofuel and electric-powered aircraft b. Summary Now use your notes from section ‘A’ to write a summary of the positive effects of the quarantine upon the environment and steps to reduce environmental damage from air travel. Use your own words as far as possible. You should aim to produce a piece of writing which is relevant, well organized and easy to follow. Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). You are advised to write between 150 and 180 words, including the 10 words given below. The lockdown among certain countries has presented the planet with……………………………… ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... B. Language Carefully read and try to understand the text ‘Hunter and Hunted’ on pg. 128 of Oxford Secondary English Book 2 by John Seely. The text is about an encounter between a starving hawk and a clueless kitten. The text is written using exceedingly descriptive language. As you read through the text, try to identify how the writer has used figurative language (similes, metaphors, analogies, imageries, alliteration, personification, etc.). The first three paragraphs have been done for you below: C. Grammar Complete the exercises in Units 105 - 108 in Intermediate English Grammar by Raymond Murphy. The units deal with Adjectives and Adverbs. Be sure to read through the explanation and examples in each unit carefully before you begin. Once completed, make sure to match your answers which you will find at the end of the book. D. Composition / Creative Writing Write a story in which two people act like complete strangers. General Instructions: There should be an engaging opening. The details of the first paragraph should grab the readers’ attention and hook them into the story. Before you start writing, plan the five stages from exposition to Resolution as you were instructed in class. The conclusion should be convincing and leave the readers satisfied. Write approximately 400 words. BEST OF LUCK !
