UNIVERSITETET
I OSLO
Institutt f or litteratur, områdestudi er og europeiske språk
WRITTEN EXAMINATION
SPRING 2015
4 pages
ENG0111 – English for International Students
4 hours
June 4, 2015
You are allowed to use an English–English dictionary. All questions must be
answered in English. All answers must be written on copy-sheets. REMEMBER TO
DOUBLE-SPACE.
Answer sections 1-3. A PASS mark is required on each section.
Exercise 1: Visual Information (30% of mark)
Based on the information conveyed by the map below, write a small accompanying text, not
exceeding 75 words.
Paid Maternity Leave Around the Globe
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UNIVERSITETET
I OSLO
Institutt f or litteratur, områdestudi er og europeiske språk
Exercise 2: Summary (40 % of mark)
Read the text carefully. Look up all the words that you do not fully understand in a unilingual
dictionary. Write a summary of the text below, not exceeding 200 words.
Remember to DOUBLE SPACE!
US Agriculture and Global Warming
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Agriculture is an important sector of the U.S. economy. In addition to providing Americans with
much of their food, the crops, livestock, and seafood that are grown, raised, and caught in the
United States contribute at least $200 billion to the economy each year. Agriculture and fisheries
are highly dependent on specific climate conditions. Trying to understand the overall effect of a
warmer climate on our food supply can be difficult. Increases in temperature and carbon dioxide
(CO2) can be beneficial for some crops in some places. But in order to realize these benefits,
nutrient levels, soil moisture, water availability, and other conditions must also be optimal.
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Predicted changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods could pose severe
challenges for farmers and ranchers across the US. Warmer water temperatures are likely to
cause the habitat ranges of many fish and shellfish species to shift, which in turn could disrupt
entire ecosystems. Generally, climate change could make it much more difficult to grow specific
crops, raise animals, and catch fish in the same ways and same places as we have done in the
past.
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The effects of climate change need to be considered along with other evolving factors that affect
agricultural production, such as changes in farming practices and technology. Food crops from
the United States are critical not only for the national food supply but for food markets around
the world. U.S. exports count for more than 30% of all the wheat, corn, and rice on the world
market.
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Changes in temperatures, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released in the atmosphere, along
with the increased frequency and intensity of extreme and unseasonal weather patterns could
significantly impact crop yields. Warmer temperatures could make many crops grow more
quickly, but warmer temperatures could also reduce harvests considerably. Crops tend to grow
faster in warmer conditions. However, for some crops such as grains faster growth could reduce
the amount of time that seeds need to grow and mature. This can reduce yields, i.e., the amount
of crop produced from a given amount of land.
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UNIVERSITETET
I OSLO
Institutt f or litteratur, områdestudi er og europeiske språk
26
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Higher CO2 levels could significantly increase crop yields in some areas. The harvest for some
species, such as wheat and soybeans, could increase by 30% or more with a doubling of CO2
concentrations. However, some factors may counteract these potential increases. For example, if
temperatures exceed a crop’s optimal temperature level or if there is not sufficient water and
nutrients, yields may be drastically reduced. Yearly droughts and the loss of groundwater could
become a challenge in areas where summer temperatures are projected to increase and
precipitation is expected to decrease. As water supplies swindle, it may become extremely
difficult to meet water demands.
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Extreme and repeated floods and droughts may harm crops and reduce yields considerably. In
2008, for instance, the Mississippi River flooded just before the harvest period for many
produces, causing an estimated loss of $8 billion for farmers. Many weeds, pests and fungi thrive
in warmer and wetter climates and increased CO2 levels. Currently, farmers spend more than $11
billion per year to fight weeds in the United States. The ranges of insects, weeds and pests are
likely to expand northward. This would cause new problems for farmers whose crops have
previously been unexposed to these dangers. Moreover, the expected increase in the use of
pesticides and fungicides may have a negative effect on human health.
562 words
http://wcmsprd-dev-staging4.epa.gov/climatechange/images/impacts-adaptation/MarineSpeciesShifting-large.jpg
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UNIVERSITETET
I OSLO
Institutt f or litteratur, områdestudi er og europeiske språk
Exercise 3: Text Comprehension (30% of mark)
Read the previous text again and answer the questions below or mark whether the statements
are TRUE or FALSE. If FALSE, correct the statements.
1. Agriculture and fisheries contribute only marginally to the US economy.
2. Could you give some examples of extreme and unseasonal weather patterns?
3. How much money do American farmers spend on weed killers every year?
4. How much of all the wheat, corn, and rice on the world market has been produced in the
US?
5. The habitat ranges of many fish and shellfish species will shift because of warmer waters.
6. What are some of the challenges in areas where summer temperatures are predicted to
rise and rain falls are expected to decrease?
7. What could be some of the effects of climate change on agricultural production?
8. What does the term “crop yield” in line 23 mean?
9. What is a “nutrient” (lines 7 and 31)?
10. What is meant by the term “livestock” in line 2?
11. Which crops are expected to increase their yields if the temperature rises?
12. Why will there be more need for fungicides, pesticides, and weed killers?
The grades will be published in StudentWeb within 3 weeks. For an explanation of the mark obtained, please
contact the exam coordinator, Kristin Berstad (k.m.berstad@ilos.uio.no), no later than one week after the exam
results have been published in StudentWeb. Remember to supply your name and candidate number. The
examiner will decide whether to give you a written or oral explanation.
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