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Topic: Us and Animals (Our Pets)
Task 1. Read the text and list the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet.
Many types of animals have gradually become domesticated and have been taken into our homes as pets. Pets are enjoyed by
young and old alike, but are they really worth having or are there too many drawbacks?
To begin with , pets can be great companions for those who live alone, such as the elderly. What is more, having a dog
around the house can give you a greater sense of security. Moreover, young children usually love animals and giving them the
opportunity to look after a pet teaches them to care for living things and to be responsible.
On the other hand, bringing a pet into your home is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are some expenses involved as
animals need food, special cages, equipment and occasional veterinary treatment which can be costly. They also need care
and attention on a daily basis, which can be time-consuming. What is more, a pet ties you down to a certain extent. You cannot just get up and go away for the weekend or for a holiday without first taking your pet’s needs into consideration. This is
not always easy and can be expensive if you have to pay for professional care.
To sum up, buying a pet should be carefully planned decision. If you are fully aware of your pet’s needs and all the responsibilities involved in owning one, then having a pet can be a very rewarding experience.
Task 2. Read the article and put the verbs into the correct conditional form.
The Perfect Pet
We often hear people say that a dog is ‘man’s best friend’, which in my opinion is true. Many animals make good pets, but
my ideal pet is a dog.
To start with, dogs make perfect pets because they are good companions. A dog keeps you company and understands your
moods . For example, if you ……..(1- be) sad, a dog comforts you and ………….(2- cheer) you up. If you are happy, then a
dog ………(3- respond) with playfulness.
In addition, dogs make the most loyal pets because they feel great affection for their owners and like to please them. If you
train your dog, it …..(4- become) very obedient because it ……(5- learn) to behave in the way you want it to.
What is more, dogs can be very useful. For instance, they are often used to guard property, or to guide blind people. Even
dogs who are just pets have been known to alert people to danger or fetch help in an emergency. For this reason, a dog is a
valuable addition to the family.
If I ………..(6- have) a dog, I ………..(8- look after) it by feeding it the right food at the right time and making sure it
…………..(8-have) plenty of exercise. I …………(9- train) it to be obedient and take it to the vet for regular check-ups. Perhaps one of the most important things dogs need is affection, because, like humans, they need to feel loved.
All in all, the effort needed to take good care of a dog is repaid with companionship, loyalty and love. It is easy to see why so
many people agree that a dog really is the perfect pet.
Task 3.
Read the text and say why goldfish make ideal pets.
An Ideal Pet
To begin with, goldfish make ideal pets because they are easy to look after. For example, you only need to feed them a pinch
of food once a day. Also, they don’t make the house untidy, because , unlike dogs and cats, they don’t make a mess. In addition, goldfish are not expensive to look after, since their food costs very little and they do not have to be taken to the vet. Finally, goldfish make ideal pets because they can help you relax. For instance, research has shown that watching fish can actually reduce stress.
Task 4.
Read about people, expressing their preferences for dogs or cats. What do you think of it? Role-play the discursive talk with your partner .
a) Brenda:
I’m not sure why I prefer cats, except that we always had them in the family when I was a child- a house without would seem
so strange that I’d feel lost somehow. I’ve got five at the moment- that’s about as many as I can cope with. If I had any more,
I wouldn’t be able to give them individual attention and they do appreciate that , you know, whatever people say. I may be
wrong about this but I think women prefer cats while men like dogs more- that’s probably because they like to be loved and
obeyed, the men, that is. Dogs are so faithful that they’ll put up with any amount of unkindness. But if you treated a cat badly, she’d just look for a better home. That’s what I admire about cats- they’re independent and no one can push them around.
b) Denis:
I think childhood experiences influences you in the way you feel about dogs and cats. I mean, I was bitten badly by a German
shepherd dog when I was small, so that put me off dogs, big dogs, anyway, for life. So when I grew up I started keeping catsnow I’ve got three. But the funny thing is that I wouldn’t want to live with a person who was like a cat. They’re such clever
creatures that they know exactly how to make use of you and when to rub up against you as if they cared for you. But there’s
no real affection there. If you stopped providing them with a home and food, they’d soon be off somewhere else. Dogs, by
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comparison, are rather stupid, in my opinion; they depend so much on you that they can’t really live without you. All the
same, I think that bite from the Alsatian when I was a child has prejudiced me against them.
c) Lesley:
I adore dogs, whereas it’s just never entered my head to keep a cat. Cat people- you know, the sort that are fond of them- always strike me as cold and mysterious. You never know what they’re thinking. Just like cats, actually. Dogs respond to you,
they give you back the affection you give them, they’re real companions. And they’re wonderful for your health, too. They
keep you fit. I have two Labradors and they eat so much that they need a lot of exercise so I take them out into the fields for a
run every day, whatever the weather is like. I’ve got friends who say: ‘I don’t know how you have the energy to keep up with
those great brutes. I’d be so tired’. But what they don’t see is that it’s because I take the dogs out that I have the energy!
d) Maurice:
I quite like dogs but I lead such a busy life that I don’t think I could spare the time to look after one, so I have a cat. Cats are
much easier to keep because they don’t demand constant attention. If I had a dog, I’d be worried because I couldn’t get home
in time to take it out for a walk and I’d imagine it alone in the house all day and missing me. People talk about dogs being
such good companions, but it all depends what sort of companion you want, one that keeps you on the go all the time or one
that helps you to relax. I’ve heard that some doctors have started recommending that people who suffer from stress should
keep a cat. Just stroking them is so good for the nerves that you get rid of all your tension, whereas dogs are always jumping
about and getting excited and that makes you excited, too.
e) Tommy
Tommy: Daddy, don’t you think dogs are faithful and affectionate?
Dad:
Well, Tommy…….yes, they are. But , what’s all this about dogs?
Tommy: Well, my birthday is coming up and I’d like a dog as a present.
Dad:
Sorry Tommy, but it’s out of the question. Our flat is tiny and dogs need space.
Tommy: But, Daddy, if we had a dog we wouldn’t have to worry about burglars. Dogs are protective and scare
burglars off.
Dad:
You’re right, but dogs can also be very noisy and disturb the neighbours.
Tommy: Still, a dog is such good company. I would be able to play with it and grandma wouldn’t feel lonely in the
morning when we were all away.
Dad:
True, but dogs are expensive to keep. Dog food costs a lot of money, not to mention the visits to the vet.
Tommy: Oh, I hadn’t thought of that, but I promise I’ll take care of it.
Dad:
Mm… I don’t know, Tommy.
Tommy: Oh, Daddy! Look at the puppy in the shop window over there! Isn’t it sweet?
Dad:
Oh, alright Tommy. Let’s go and have a look at it.
Useful vocabulary:
 it needs lots of grooming and attention; it ‘talks’ to you the whole time; they need space; they are protective; they
are expensive to keep; it has excellent hunting skills;
 stroking cats can help to reduce your blood pressure, so they say!; it could suit an old, tolerant owner; they can’t
have…. because of their mother’s allergy;
 the bird can sing and this will cheer you up;
 incredibly intelligent, very lazy, noisy, aggressive, brave, faithful, affectionate, loyal and obedient, a good sensible
sort, well adjusted, sophisticated and decadent, the most vicious of dogs, fearless, rather dim but very amusing, a bit
smelly, often bark or foul pavements.
Topic: Us and Animals ( Animals in Danger)
Task 1. Read the text and fill in the correct word derived from the words in bold. Speak about the ways rhinos are being
protected?
One of the world’s endangered species, the rhinoceros, is still being hunted for its horn. The World Wildlife Federation supports …….(1-organise) which try to stop the …….(2-hunt) by providing vehicles and …….(3-equip) for several national
parks in Africa. Protected areas have a high fence around them, so rhinos can roam in ……....(4-safe). The WWF also helps
in the …………(5-transport) of rhinos from ………..(6-danger) areas into the protected ones.
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It is very important to lessen the demand for rhino horns. Raising ………(7-aware) of the problem is one way to help the situation. Rhino ………(8-conserve) is one of the WWF’s main tasks. …………….(9-hope) the WWF will be able to put a stop
to the ……….(10-acceptable) act of rhino hunting.
Task 2. Read the text and use the word in brackets to form a word that fits in the space.
The extinction of many species of birds has……….(1-doubt) been hastened by modern man; since 1600 it has been estimated
that ……….(2-approximate) 100 bird species have become ……….(3-extinction) all over the world. In North America, the
first species ………..(4-know) to be annihilated was the great auk ( гагарка бескрылая), a …………(5-flight) bird that
served as an easy source of food and bait for Atlantic fisherman through the ……….(6-begin) of the nineteenth century.
………….(7-short) after the great auk’s extinction, two other American species, the Carolina parakeet and the passenger pigeon in ………..(8-captive) both died in September 1914. In ………..(9-add) to these extinct species, several others, such as
the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the California condor, are today recognized as …………(10-danger) ; steps are being
taken to prevent their extinction.
Task 3. Read the text and choose the correct word. Then listen to the tape and check your answer. (Enterprise-4 p.106,
Unit 9)
Only 600 mountain gorillas remain in the wild. People view gorillas as fierce, …………..(1- vicious/savage) animals. However, if you look into a gorilla’s ……….(2-face/eyes), you see gentleness and …………….(3-intelligence/ strength). Gorillas
spend their lives peacefully in forests eating thistles and bamboo …………..(4-shoots/ leaves). Yet, gorillas have suffered
greatly. In the first part of this century, more than ….. (5- 50/15) gorillas were killed in Virunga. In 1925, Belgium established Africa’s first national ……….(6- zoo/ park). When civil war broke out, hunters were free to …………..(7- hunt/trap)
the gorillas. The animals’ heads and hands were sold to ………….(8- tourists/explorers) as souvenirs. Fortunately, a wildlife
conservation ……………(9- society/ association) in New York began “gorilla tourism”. As a result, tourists paid a lot of
money to see the mountain gorillas and Rwanda became a model of conservation. People and gorillas need each other. The
Rwandas need the money and gorillas desperately need …………….(10- protection/food).
Task 4. Listen to the tape and say why these animals are in danger. (Enterprise-3 p.76 , Unit 17 )
Sea Turtle
Harp Seal
Emperor Penguin
Hunting (food)
Destruction of habitat
Sea pollution
Increased fishing
Hunting (skin)
Task 5. Listen to the tape and describe animals in the zoo, using the plan : (Enterprise-3 p.77 Unit 17)
 where it lives
 food
 how it has become endangered
 what has been done to protect it
Task 6. Speak about the ways to protect these species ( make a two-minute talk). Don’t forget to say why these animals
are in danger and what we can do to protect them.
Pandas are in danger because they are losing their natural habitat ( its habitat is being destroyed) and the variety of bamboo is
decreasing. They are also threatened by poachers in the wild ( they are hunted for their fur) and are difficult to breed in captivity. (protect - increase areas of natural habitat; it has become illegal to kill them and special wildlife parks have been set
up).
Tigers are in danger because hunters kill them in order to sell their valuable skins. Tigers are also hunted for the supposed
medicinal or aphrodisiac properties of some of their body parts. ( protect-harsh punishments for traders/ hunters; reduce demand for skins)
Turtles are in danger because the beaches where they lay their eggs have in recent years, become popular with tourists and
bathers who damage the eggs when they walk on the soft sand. In many parts of the world turtles have become an endangered
species because their eggs are considered to be a delicacy. (protect-keep people off the beaches where eggs are laid)
Elephants are in danger because hunters kill them for their tusks which are made of ivory, a very valuable material which is
used to make piano keys, ornaments and jewellery. Elephants are also endangered by loss of habitat and the African elephant
is officially classified as an endangered species. ( protect- harsh punishments for traders/hunters; reduce demand for ivory)
Fish are in danger because fishermen are overfishing the world’s oceans. As a result many more fish are caught including
young fish which haven’t had the chance to breed. There is also evidence that many dolphins have died as a result of getting
caught up in tuna nets. Furthermore, some seas and lakes have become as polluted in recent years that the fish populations
there have either been seriously reduced or have completely disappeared. ( protect- fishermen should not catch so much fish)
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Task 7. Read the text. According to the article, what are the main ways national parks protect endangered species? What
is the writer’s opinion about the disadvantages of national parks?
Should we create more national parks to save endangered species?
Don’t you find it worrying that more and more species of animals are in real danger of becoming extinct? I personally believe
that we must save these animals, and that the best way to do this is for governments to create more national parks.
To begin with, national parks protect the animals’ natural habitat. If this habitat is destroyed – for example, when farmers
clear jungle areas for new fields, or trees are cut down by logging companies- many animals are unable to survive , and more
species are threatened with extinction.
In addition, national parks protect animals from the danger of being hunted. A major reason why many species are endangered is that the animals are killed by hunters- for their skins, horns and so on, or even simply for sport.
On the other hand, some people oppose the creation of national parks because they consider it wrong to interfere with nature.
They claim that wild animals are happier living in their natural habitat, despite the dangers they face. They also point out that
a few species are more likely to breed in the wild than in captivity.
All in all, though, these drawbacks are far less important than the benefits of national parks. These parks allow animals to live
in safety in their natural environment by protecting them from their greatest enemy- humans.
Task 8. Read the text and speak about the reasons for extinction; why wildlife on the planet is in danger.
Animals in Danger
Perhaps the most famous rare animal is panda. Twenty years ago it was nearly extinct. Now, its numbers are growing again. It
even became a symbol for wildlife conservation. But many other species have been less lucky than the panda.
By the year 2030, 25% of all animals, birds, fish and insects may be extinct. Why is this happening? Well, there are 3 main
reasons. The first is pollution. Millions of animals die every year because man has polluted their natural home or ‘habitat’. A
habitat contains everything a living thing needs: food, water, shelter, space, light.
Pollution and destruction change the balance of nature. Each species in a habitat- wood, jungle, marsh or forest- needs and
helps the rest. If one animal, bird or insect disappears, all the rest suffer, too, because some plants and animals provide food
for other animals. Forests help to regulate water supplies. We all need the help of all living things to maintain chemical balance of the atmosphere.
After pollution or destruction, habitats take many years (sometimes hundreds or even thousands) to grow again. This is what’s
happening in the rainforests of South America, Africa and Asia. These are some of the world’s oldest habitats. Or they
were. But the problem doesn’t stop there.
The second reason is the environment itself. It is becoming smaller. Every year man cuts down more trees, builds more roads
and uses more land for farming. This leaves fewer jungles, fields and forests for wildlife. In fact scientists believe that thirty
British animals, fish, birds may become extinct by the beginning of the 21 st century.
Today, many more species are in danger not only because man destroys and pollutes their habitat, but because man hunts
them. Man has always been a hunter, He still is. But many modern hunters don’t just kill for food- they kill for profit. That is
why so many rare and protected animals are still dying. Hunters like these are called poachers. In 1981 there were 15,000
black rhinos in Africa. Today, because of illegal hunting, that number is 4,500.
There is only one way to save wild animals and wild habitat- conservation. If it doesn’t happen, many wild animals will soon
have just one habitat-the Zoo.
Animals in Danger
Perhaps the most famous rare animal is panda. Twenty years ago it was nearly extinct. Now, its numbers are growing again. It
even became a symbol for wildlife conservation. But many other species have been less lucky than the panda.
By the year 2030, 25% of all animals, birds, fish and insects may be extinct. Why is this happening? Well, there are 3 main
reasons. The first is pollution. Millions of animals die every year because man has polluted their natural home or ‘habitat’. A
habitat contains everything a living thing needs: food, water, shelter, space, light.
Pollution and destruction change the balance of nature. Each species in a habitat- wood, jungle, marsh or forest- needs and
helps the rest. If one animal, bird or insect disappears, all the rest suffer, too, because some plants and animals provide food
for other animals. Forests help to regulate water supplies. We all need the help of all living things to maintain chemical balance of the atmosphere.
After pollution or destruction, habitats take many years (sometimes hundreds or even thousands) to grow again. This is what’s
happening in the rainforests of South America, Africa and Asia. These are some of the world’s oldest habitats. Or they
were. But the problem doesn’t stop there.
The second reason is the environment itself. It is becoming smaller. Every year man cuts down more trees, builds more roads
and uses more land for farming. This leaves fewer jungles, fields and forests for wildlife. In fact scientists believe that thirty
British animals, fish, birds may become extinct by the beginning of the 21 st century.
Today, many more species are in danger not only because man destroys and pollutes their habitat, but because man hunts
them. Man has always been a hunter, He still is. But many modern hunters don’t just kill for food- they kill for profit. That is
5
why so many rare and protected animals are still dying. Hunters like these are called poachers. In 1981 there were 15,000
black rhinos in Africa. Today, because of illegal hunting, that number is 4,500.
There is only one way to save wild animals and wild habitat- conservation. If it doesn’t happen, many wild animals will soon
have just one habitat-the Zoo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Animals in Danger
Perhaps the most famous rare animal is panda. Twenty years ago it was nearly extinct. Now, its numbers are growing again. It
even became a symbol for wildlife conservation. But many other species have been less lucky than the panda.
By the year 2030, 25% of all animals, birds, fish and insects may be extinct. Why is this happening? Well, there are 3 main
reasons. The first is pollution. Millions of animals die every year because man has polluted their natural home or ‘habitat’. A
habitat contains everything a living thing needs: food, water, shelter, space, light.
Pollution and destruction change the balance of nature. Each species in a habitat- wood, jungle, marsh or forest- needs and
helps the rest. If one animal, bird or insect disappears, all the rest suffer, too, because some plants and animals provide food
for other animals. Forests help to regulate water supplies. We all need the help of all living things to maintain chemical balance of the atmosphere.
After pollution or destruction, habitats take many years (sometimes hundreds or even thousands) to grow again. This is what’s
happening in the rainforests of South America, Africa and Asia. These are some of the world’s oldest habitats. Or they
were. But the problem doesn’t stop there.
The second reason is the environment itself. It is becoming smaller. Every year man cuts down more trees, builds more roads
and uses more land for farming. This leaves fewer jungles, fields and forests for wildlife. In fact scientists believe that thirty
British animals, fish, birds may become extinct by the beginning of the 21st century.
Today, many more species are in danger not only because man destroys and pollutes their habitat, but because man hunts
them. Man has always been a hunter, He still is. But many modern hunters don’t just kill for food- they kill for profit. That is
why so many rare and protected animals are still dying. Hunters like these are called poachers. In 1981 there were 15,000
black rhinos in Africa. Today, because of illegal hunting, that number is 4,500.
There is only one way to save wild animals and wild habitat- conservation. If it doesn’t happen, many wild animals will soon
have just one habitat-the Zoo.
6
Открытый урок в 11 классе 25 февраля 2005 года
Тема: “Us and Animals”
Тип урока: Урок закрепления знаний, формирования умений и навыков.
Главная дидактическая цель: Закрепить знания по теме , совершенствуя разговорные навыки;
формировать умения вести дискуссии и диспуты ( в парах и в группах)
Цели урока:
 практиковать учащихся в развитии коммуникативных умений ( вести беседу \ дискуссию по заданной ситуации и
в аудировании - обучающая цель
 формировать ответственное и гуманное отношение к природе, к проблемам окружающей среды и к животным –
воспитывающая цель
 развивать умения начать, поддержать, развить и закончить дискуссию; развивать способность к обобщению,
анализу, логичности; развивать умения выражать своё отношение к обсуждаемому вопросу, выяснить и
обсудить мнение и отношение собеседника к обсуждаемому вопросу- развивающая цель
Организация:
 индивидуальная работа ( высказывание собственного мнения по проблеме)
 парная ( разные типы диалогов)
 групповая (работа в 2х рабочих группах)
Приготовления:
 картинки и мини-плакаты по теме; схемы на доске
 видео-сюжет “The London Zoo”
 аудиозапись- радио-интервью с экологом по проблемам окружающей среды
 таблица к заданию «аудирование» ( выдаётся каждому студенту)
 Role-play cards ( для парной работы – выдаётся парам)
 Debate-cards ( для парной работы- выдаётся парам)
Таблица к заданию «аудирование» ( выдаётся каждому студенту)
Listen to a radio interview with an ecologist and say which solutions are mentioned.
Problems
Solutions
Destruction of habitat
 give financial support to poorer countries
 plant more trees
 protect jungles and forests
Pollution
 use bicycles instead of cars
 encourage industries to use cleaner methods of production
 educate the public about the importance of recycling
Illegal hunting
 create more protected national parks
 introduce harsher punishments for illegal hunters
 raise public awareness about endangered species
Карта для Role-Play ( для парной работы – выдаётся парам)
One student is a member of the Animal Protection Committee Mr/ Mrs…………….. He/she is giving an interview to a reporter from a popular magazine Us and Animals. The reporter is interested in some information about:
 animals used for scientific research
 animals killed for their fur or skin
 animals killed for food
Remember to: * be polite and active * ask all the questions * find out as much information as possible * finish the
conversation properly
Карта для Debate on a simulated situation ( для парной работы)
You and your friend have a task to write an essay “Animals in Danger”. You are given 3 options for discussion:
 habitat destruction
 pollution
 killing animals
Discuss all these options and choose one you both consider to be the most important.
Remember to: * Ask for your partner’s point of view * Give reasons for your choice * Be active and polite * Take turns
* Come to an agreement
7
Схемы на доске:
Animal Intelligence
Us and Animals
Our Pets
Habitat Destruction
Animals’ Rights
Animals in Danger
Animals in Danger
Pollution
Killing Animals
Методическое содержание урока
Этап
урока
1.
Начало
урока
2.
Центральн
ая
часть
урока
3.
Заключите
льная
часть
урока
Задания,
стимулирующие
деятельность ученика
Учебный материал
Время
Примечание
Warm-up
discussion
(Речевая
зарядка )
 Compare and contrast humans and
animals
 Opinion talk about animal intelligence
Тема: Animal Intelligence
5 мин
Высказывание
личного
мнения по заданию
I. Discursive Talk
Which make better pets- dogs or cats?
Тема : Our Pets
3 мин
II. Opinion Talk/ Discussion Talk
based on video
 Video “The London Zoo”
 Animals in the Zoo are well fed and
taken care of, so they are happier
than in the wild. (opinion talk or discussion talk)
Тема: Animals’ Rights
Просмотр
видеосюжета
10 мин
Работа в 2х рабочих
группахвысказывание
«за» и «против»
Высказывание
индивидуально или в
парах
III. Listening and Speaking. Role Play
 Listening to a radio interview with
an ecologist from a group Save Animals
 Role play
Tема : Animals
Danger
Аудирование
интервью
in
10 мин
IV. Debate on a simulated situation
Тема :
Danger
in
Homework
Animals
После
прослушивания
аудиозаписи, работа с
таблицей
Ролевая игра
Write an essay “ It is
extremely important to
save animals from extinction” to the newspaper St Petersburg
Times
10 мин
Дебаты
по
модулированной ситуации
2 мин
Подведение итогов урока
8
Role-Play
One student is a member of the Animal Protection Committee Mr/ Mrs……………..
He/she is giving an interview to a reporter from a popular magazine Us and Animals. The reporter is interested in
some information about:
 animals used for scientific research
 animals killed for their fur or skin
 animals killed for food
Remember to:
 be polite and active
 ask all the questions
 find out as much information as possible
 finish the conversation properly
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Role-Play
One student is a member of the Animal Protection Committee Mr/ Mrs……………..
He/she is giving an interview to a reporter from a popular magazine Us and Animals. The reporter is interested in
some information about:
 animals used for scientific research
 animals killed for their fur or skin
 animals killed for food
Remember to:
 be polite and active
 ask all the questions
 find out as much information as possible
 finish the conversation properly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Role-Play
One student is a member of the Animal Protection Committee Mr/ Mrs……………..
He/she is giving an interview to a reporter from a popular magazine Us and Animals. The reporter is interested in
some information about:
 animals used for scientific research
 animals killed for their fur or skin
 animals killed for food
Remember to:
 be polite and active
 ask all the questions
 find out as much information as possible
 finish the conversation properly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Role-Play
One student is a member of the Animal Protection Committee Mr/ Mrs……………..
He/she is giving an interview to a reporter from a popular magazine Us and Animals. The reporter is interested in
some information about:
 animals used for scientific research
 animals killed for their fur or skin
 animals killed for food
Remember to:
 be polite and active
 ask all the questions
 find out as much information as possible
 finish the conversation properly
Debate on a simulated situation
9
You and your friend have a task to write an essay “Animals in Danger”. You are given 3 options for discussion:
 habitat destruction
 pollution
 killing animals
Discuss all these options and choose one you both consider to be the most important.
Remember to:
 Ask for your partner’s point of view

Give reasons for your choice

Be active and polite

Take turns

Come to an agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Debate on a simulated situation
You and your friend have a task to write an essay “Animals in Danger”. You are given 3 options for discussion:
 habitat destruction
 pollution
 killing animals
Discuss all these options and choose one you both consider to be the most important.
Remember to:
 Ask for your partner’s point of view

Give reasons for your choice

Be active and polite

Take turns

Come to an agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Debate on a simulated situation
You and your friend have a task to write an essay “Animals in Danger”. You are given 3 options for discussion:
 habitat destruction
 pollution
 killing animals
Discuss all these options and choose one you both consider to be the most important.
Remember to:
 Ask for your partner’s point of view

Give reasons for your choice

Be active and polite

Take turns

Come to an agreement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Debate on a simulated situation
You and your friend have a task to write an essay “Animals in Danger”. You are given 3 options for discussion:
 habitat destruction
 pollution
 killing animals
Discuss all these options and choose one you both consider to be the most important.
Remember to:
 Ask for your partner’s point of view

Give reasons for your choice

Be active and polite

Take turns

Come to an agreement
10
Listen to a radio interview with an ecologist and say which solutions are mentioned.
Problems
Destruction of habitat
Pollution
Illegal hunting









Solutions
give financial support to poorer countries
plant more trees
protect jungles and forests
use bicycles instead of cars
encourage industries to use cleaner methods of production
educate the public about the importance of recycling
create more protected national parks
introduce harsher punishments for illegal hunters
raise public awareness about endangered species
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Listen to a radio interview with an ecologist and say which solutions are mentioned.
Problems
Destruction of habitat
Pollution
Illegal hunting









Solutions
give financial support to poorer countries
plant more trees
protect jungles and forests
use bicycles instead of cars
encourage industries to use cleaner methods of production
educate the public about the importance of recycling
create more protected national parks
introduce harsher punishments for illegal hunters
raise public awareness about endangered species
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Listen to a radio interview with an ecologist and say which solutions are mentioned.
Problems
Destruction of habitat
Pollution
Illegal hunting
Tapescripts









Solutions
give financial support to poorer countries
plant more trees
protect jungles and forests
use bicycles instead of cars
encourage industries to use cleaner methods of production
educate the public about the importance of recycling
create more protected national parks
introduce harsher punishments for illegal hunters
raise public awareness about endangered species
11
Task 3. Listen to the tape and say why these animals are in danger. (Enterprise-3 p.76, Unit 17)
subject: Animals in Danger
Presenter: Good evening, listeners. On this week’s edition of “The Animal Kingdom” , Ms Ellen Gordon, a conservationist,
will tell us about endangered animals. Welcome, Ms Gordon.
Ms Gordon: Thank you- well I’d like to talk about the animals that I have studied recently. For example the sea turtle is in
great danger because hunters are killing it for food. Its numbers are also decreasing due to the destruction of its habitat. A
particular type of seal like the harp seal , is also endangered due to the fact that hunters are killing it for its skin. In the Antarctic, the Emperor Penguin is being threatened due to increased fishing and pollution of the sea.
Presenter: Can you tell us what is being done to protect these animals?
Ms Gordon: Yes, well… Efforts to ban the killing of the sea turtle have been made. And many countries are now banning the
hunting of seals. In the Antarctic, there are programmes that make sure that the waters are not being polluted. But there’s
still a lot that needs to be done.
Presenter: Well, I’m afraid we’re out of time. Thank you for joining us today Ms Gordon.
Ms Gordon: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure.
Task 4. Listen to the tape and describe animals in the zoo, using the plan : (Enterprise-3 p.77 Unit 17)
subject: Animals in Danger
Zookeeper: Now, boys and girls. The first animal on our tour today is the Giant Panda. Most Pandas live in Southwestern
China (but we’re lucky to have two in our zoo)
Boy A : What do pandas eat?
Zookeeper: Well, Pandas like to eat flowers and grass, but their favourite meal is bamboo.
Girl A: Are pandas endangered species?
Zookeeper: Yes, unfortunately, they are. The destruction of their habitat and the fact that the variety of bamboo is decreasing, have caused these animals to become endangered . Also, they are hunted by man for their fur.
Girl B: Is anything being done to save them?
Zookeeper: Yes, laws have been passed that make it illegal to kill them. And special wild life parks have been set up to protect them.
Boy B: Oh, look at that huge elephant!
Zookeeper: Ah, yes! The wonderful elephant. These large animals live in Central Africa. They eat grass, but they also eat
twigs and some fruit.
Girl A: Are they hunted by man?
Zookeeper: Sadly, yes. For their tusks which are made of ivory.
Boy C: What’s being done to protect them?
Zookeeper: Well, the hunting and trading of ivory has been banned.
Girl C: What’s that over there?
Zookeeper: That’s a Black Rhinocerous.
Boy D: Where do they live?
Zookeeper: They live in Africa.
Girl D: Do they eat meat?
Zookeeper: No. They only eat grass and plants.
Boy D: Are they endangered too?
Zookeeper: Yes. They are hunted for their horns, but efforts have been made to protect them.
Girl D: Like what?
Zookeeper: Well, the areas where rhinos live are guarded by armed men and the selling of rhino horns has been banned all
over the world.
Task 8. Listen to a radio interview with an ecologist and tick ( ) the solutions mentioned. Then discuss the solutions adding any ideas of your own. Use a language of discussion.(Enterprise-4 p.109, Unit9) subject: Animals in Danger
Interviewer: Welcome to another edition of The Sunday Papers. On today’s programme, we’ll be speaking with Mr Alistair
Gunn, an animal protection activist from a group called Save the Animals. Welcome, Alistair.
Alistair: Thank you, Leslie.
Interviewer : Alistair, what is Save the Animals’ current project?
Alistair: Well, our main goal is to educate the public about the dangers that many species are facing, and to protect these
animals where possible. One of the main problems we’re concerned about now is habitat destruction. The human population
is growing, and is crowding animals out of their natural homes.
Interviewer: What can be done about that?
12
Alistair: Firstly, financial support for poorer countries is important. People in poor countries are destroying jungles and forests because they need farmland to feed their families. Therefore, jungles and forests need to be protected so that animals can
continue to live in their natural habitat.
Interviewer: Will that stop the threat to animals?
Alistair: No, it’s only one part of the solution. Pollution is another problem. We’re trying to identify those industries which
are doing the most damage, and encourage them to use cleaner methods of production. Also, we’re trying to educate the public about the importance of recycling , since recycling helps save trees and other natural resources. Everyone should do their
part to save animal habitats.
Interviewer: Is there anything else your group is working on?
Alistair: Yes. Illegal hunting must be stopped, too. This can be accomplished only if governments introduce harsher punishments for illegal hunters. We’re also trying to raise public awareness about endangered species and encourage people to stop
buying products which are made from these animals.
Interviewer: Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have today. Thank you for telling us about the work of Save the Animals,
Alistair, and I wish you every success.
Alistair: Thank you, Leslie.
Task 3. Listen to the two people discussing animals in zoos and animals in the wild and decide whether the statements are
true(T) or False (F). Compare and contrast animals in zoos and animals in the wild. Use the language of discussion.
(Enterprise-4 p.110 Unit 9) Subject: Animals’ Rights
Jenny: Sam, I’m really not enjoying this. Can we go home now?
Sam: Come on Jenny, zoos aren’t so bad . In fact, in a lot of ways it’s better for animals to live here than in the wild.
Jenny: Oh yeah? Like what?
Sam: Well, for one thing, they’ve got plenty of food and water. You never hear of animals dying of starvation in zoos.
Jenny: Yes, but they’re not free here, are they? Animals should allowed to go where they want, when they want.
Sam: OK. What about medical care? They’ve got specially trained vets here to take care of the animals.
Jenny: Yes, but that means that they just live longer, it doesn’t mean they’re happy. If I were an animal, I’d rather live a short
happy live in the wild than a long, sad one trapped in one of these nasty cages.
Sam: I don’t know, I’d say they have fewer worries here. I mean, at least they’re protected from hunters and other dangerous
animals.
Jenny: But they’re not in their natural habitat , are they? Take lions for example. They’re supposed to live in wide open
spaces , not concrete prisons. Zoos are so unnatural!
Sam: True. But what about endangered species? A lot of animals would have become extinct by now without zoos to protect
them!
Jenny: Oh, I suppose so. But just look at that mountain gorilla. He looks so lonely! I’m sure he’d never be lonely in the wild.
Now , please can we go home, Sam?
Sam: OK, you’ve made your point.
Topic: Us and Animals (Animals’ Rights)
Task 1. Read the text about using animals for scientific research and express your own opinion on this subject.
Difficult Problems
Many people are against cruelty to animals in sport such as bullfighting and fox-hunting. Some people think that it is also
cruel to use animals for scientific research. I don’t think so. My mum works in a medical laboratory. They create new medicines and then test them on animals. Mum says it’s necessary. Some animal research leads directly to the development of important new medicines that save hundreds of lives. To kill animals for sport or to sacrifice them for life-saving research in
medicine is not the same thing.
Task 2. Read the text and use the word in brackets to form a word that fits in the space.
The use of animals for………(1- science) purposes is a difficult ………(2-ethics) issue. Many people owe their lives to
modern drugs or ……….(3-surgery) techniques that were first ……….(4-test) on animals. Some of these ………….(5develop) would not have been possible without animal experiments. People who campaign for animal rights are usually young
and …………(6-health) and have not yet needed the benefits of ……….(7-medicine) progress. Perhaps it is ethically
………..(8-accept) to sacrifice animals for the sake of medical research, as long as the animals do not suffer . But that
………….(9-theory) standpoint raises two difficult questions: the first is what ………..(10-count) as medical research and the
second, what counts as ………..(11-suffer)?
Task 3. Read the text and express your point of view.
Should animals be used to test new products?
Scientists perform tests on animals every day. Some people think the tests are cruel and painful.
13
Have you ever wondered how a company knows that its shampoo won’t burn your eyes? Or that its soap won’t give you a
rash? Companies test their products before they sell them. And a lot of these products are tested on animals first. Shampoo
isn’t the only thing tested on animals. Many medicines are also tested on animals. Each year, American researches use more
than 20 million mice, monkeys, rabbits and other animals in scientific tests. These tests help make sure that products are
safe. They also help researchers find cures for diseases. But many animals suffer or die during the tests. Animal-rights advocates say this is wrong. One group, called PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), says that animals have feelings- just like people. They get hungry and thirsty. They feel fear and pain. PETA thinks that all testing on animals should
stop. Others feel that it’s the only way to fight disease and make safe products.
Should animals be used to test new products? Is vivisection (experiments on live animals) justified?
YES






NO
Scientists believe that for advances in medicine we
should carry out experiments on animals. Without
them there would be no progress.
Experiments are also necessary because we can’t
observe human beings in scientific conditions.
Three illnesses, diphtheria , smallpox and TB (tuberculosis) , used to kill people. Nowadays, if
someone is bitten by a dog with rabies they survive
because there is an antidote.
And without animal testing, we wouldn’t have vaccines. We need animal testing to find vaccines and
to let scientists try out new medical techniques, such
as heart transplants. Yes, it does hurt some animals,
but it saves thousands of human lives.
It is important to test drugs on animals to check for
possible side effect on humans.
Animals are used to test things like shampoo.
Shampoo is put into the eyes of animals to see if it
causes any irritation.




Animals experiments should be stopped because they
are cruel and inhumane.
Animals have feelings, just like humans. It’s wrong
when they die to test our products- especially those
that have no real medical purpose.
Some scientists believe that it is very difficult to predict what the effect of a drug will be on human beings
from tests done on animals. Understanding the nervous system is possible by observation. Diseases were
declining because of better hygiene, not animal experiments.
Animals are used to test things like shampoo. Shampoo is put into the eyes of animals to see if it causes
any irritation. Some animals go blind or even die from
these tests. Dogs are made to smoke cigarettes and
mice have shampoo and cosmetics squirted in their
eyes to see what will happen. Dogs don’t smoke and
rats and mice don’t wash their hair. Very often these
animals have suffered so much they have to be put
down.
Task 4. Read the text and express your opinion on this problem.
Meat: to eat or not to eat?
After Mad Cow Disease, who has not been tempted to stop eating meat? However, there is no easy answer to the question.
Some people say meat is bad for us; others claim meat is essential for our health. So where does the truth lie?
There are many good things we can say about meat and the first and, in my opinion, the most important is that it tastes fantastic. I like meat and we eat it a lot in my house. My favourite kind of meat is the meat from pigs. I love pork with potatoes and
lots of sauce. For me, the answer to this question is a big yes! I believe that it is a shame for animals but the truth is we are
hunters. Man is a hunter ( and nowadays the women are as well) and for this reason I again say yes, I will always eat meat. In
the case of children, doctors agree that they need a balanced diet to help them grow. Meat provides a range of proteins and
vitamins that are essential for a healthy body.
It is bad that the animals must suffer for this and, of course, this is the problem with meat (as I have said before), but what can
we do? They also say that meat makes some cows and some people mad but this is a thing that is happening only in England
and, anyway, the problem is being fixed by the scientists, or it soon will be.
14
To be or not to be a veggie




FOR
Leonardo da Vinci was a veggie, Leo Tolstoy was a
veggie, Albert Einstein was a veggie, Paul
McCartney is a veggie….
Some people still believe that you can’t live without meat. But modern scientific research shows that
all the nutrients we need for a healthy life can be
found in plants.
The thought of eating a dead animals actually
makes me sick. If you went to the slaughterhouse to
see how animals are killed, you won’t eat meat.
Killing animals is a crime. Why is killing an animal
different from killing a human? Animals don’t wish
to be killed and would like to enjoy life to the full,
just as any human would.
AGAINST
Vegetarianism is silly. You can’t live for
ever on cucumbers and apples, can you?
People should eat both meat and plants.
This is how it has always been, and will be
in the future for all living things.
Organic food is full of pesticides. What’s
the use of becoming a veggie?
Our grandparents and great grandparents
and great great grandparents ate meat and
were happy. So why should I become a
veggie?
In some places, it’s very difficult to get
enough to eat. People have to eat what they
can get.
You never see a tiger or a lion feeling sorry
for its victim, do you?





Task 5. Listen to the two people discussing animals in zoos and animals in the wild and decide whether the statements are
true(T) or False (F). Compare and contrast animals in zoos and animals in the wild. Use the language of discussion.
(Enterprise-4 p.110 Unit 9)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Animals don’t have food in zoos.
Animals are free in zoos.
Animals get medical care in zoos.
Animals live very happy lives in zoos.
Animals are protected from hunters in zoos.
Animals are in their natural habitat in zoos.
Animals are not protected from extinction in zoos.
Animals are lonely in zoos.
Task 6. Fill in the gaps with the correct linking words from the box:
On the other hand;
to sum up;
however;
therefore;
moreover;
first of all;
what is more
Should animals be kept in zoos?
The question of whether it is right to keep animals in captivity is one that has been under discussion for some time now. After
all, what right do we have to decide if an animal should be free or not?
There are several points in favour of keeping animals in zoos. …………(1) , it gives people the chance to see and learn about
animals which they would probably otherwise never see. …………(2) many species are saved from becoming extinct by being kept in zoos, where they are encouraged to breed.
……….(3) , animals in zoos are forced to live in a completely unnatural environment and are often not given the amount of
living space that they need. ………….(4), living in captivity makes animals dependent on humans and means that they cannot
be released back into the wild, as they would not be able to survive.
…………..(5) it is obvious that keeping animals in zoos can deprive them of the right to live in their natural environment. It
is, …………(6), sometimes the only way to prevent more species from becoming extinct. …………….(7), we should try to
ensure that animals are only kept in captivity when necessary.
Task 7.
Read the text and say if it’s wrong to keep animals in zoos.
15
Many of us have enjoyed a visit to the zoo and regard it as a fun day out. Seeing real tigers and elephants, especially if it is for
the first time, can be an interesting , even thrilling experience. Yet how many people stop and wonder whether the pleasure
the animals give to us means that the animals themselves are suffering unnecessarily?
It seems to me that no zoo has enough money to provide even basic habitats or environments for all the species they keep.
Most animals are put in a totally artificial environment, isolated from everything they’d encounter in their natural habitat. As I
see it, this isolation can amount to cruelty. In some zoos you see cages with no trees or foliage. Cruelty doesn’t just mean
starving or physical abuse- it can be much less obvious than that.
The big cats lie about in a zoo because there is nothing else for them to do. Their food is provided for them. Animals like
polar bears and chimpanzees may become very frustrated in a zoo. They are highly intelligent , curious animals and need a
challenging environment. Tigers are solitary animals which like space and privacy but if you go to a zoo you’ll often see them
caged together in packs.
Another claim often made is that, if we didn’t have animals in zoos, we wouldn’t see them at all. But most of us have television and go to the cinema so we know what wild life looks like. If an animal is suffering by being kept in captivity, isn’t it
kinder to see it on a film?
I appreciate that it would be unrealistic to be against captivity of some kind, if that’s the only way we can save some animals.
But I’m convinced that there are better ways of protecting endangered species than putting them in zoos. In my view, the
focus should be on conserving animals in the wild.
Task 8. Read a model answer to the question “What can government do to help the environment nowadays?” Give your
own answer to this question.
The state of the environment today is connected with humankind’s efforts to make their lives more comfortable and more
satisfying. Technological, social and economic changes (sometimes called “progress”) can have a devastating effect on the
environment. That’s why governments should pass laws to change policies on agriculture, energy, transportation and trade.
Unfortunately, I believe they fail to do this in many ways.
Firstly, although it is often said that each town should feed its population from the surrounding countryside and should rely as
much as possible on local industry, a lot of trucks carry food from one end of the country to another. A high proportion of all
traffic pollution today is caused by these long-haul trucks.
Trees and flowers in public parks make a town more pleasant and also help to counteract the greenhouse effect. Local authorities should carefully plan their towns and find the right balance between industrial and residential areas, building new roads
but preserving surrounding countryside. They should utilize the science of town planning.
Finally, they should encourage alternative forms of public transportation. They should build extensive networks of bicycle
paths, which make cycling a safe and enjoyable form of transportation.
In conclusion, I think that government and local authorities should invest in new technologies and industries that won’t badly
damage the environment.
Rainforests.
Before 1900, rainforests covered 14% of the world’s surface. Today they cover 7% . The reason of this is simple. They have
been cut down to providea) a land b) paper c) wood d) medicines e) minerals f) fuel
But it’s not only trees which are disappearing. Every rainforest also contains millions of animals, insects and flowers. These
are destroyed, too. If man continues to cut down rainforests, more than one million species of plants and animals will become
extinct by the year 2030.
The Green Solution.
Governments in rainforest countries need to plan and work together. They should also protect certain areas and plant new
forests.
Wildlife.
Animals are a part of the environment, too. Millions of them are killed or treated cruelly by man every year. There are five
main groups:
a) animals used for scientific research (rabbits) b) animals killed for sports (foxes) c) animals
killed for their fur or skin (crocodiles) d) animals in danger because their environments are in danger (gorillas) e) animals
kept in cruel conditions on farms (some kinds of chicken and cow)
The Green Solution.
16
Groups like ‘Greenpeace’ have already helped to stop whale hunting. Now, they want to stop fur-hunting, too. Like many
other organisations, they believe in ‘animal rights’ Their solution to all problems of wildlife cruelty is simple. Animals
shouldn’t suffer. The cruelty must stop.
Energy.
At the moment, 94% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels. There’s enough coal for the next 300 years, but only
enough gas and oil for the next 50. What happens then? Well, one answer is nuclear energy. But after the Chernobyl disaster
in 1986, many people think nuclear power is not safe.
The Green Solution
There are four green solutions. They all use natural energy already in the environment.
a) Wind energy b) Solar energy ( from the sun) c)Wave energy (from the sea) d) Geothermal energy (from ‘hot rocks’ under the Earth)
Acid Rains.
One of Europe and North America’s most serious pollution problems is acid rain. What happens is this. First factories send
gases and chemicals into the air. There they mix and are carried for hundreds of miles by the wind. Finally, they fall back to
earth when it rains. This ‘acid rain’ kills fish and trees. It slowly destroys buildings ,too.
The Green Solution.
Industrial countries should control their levels of pollution. This is already happening in some parts of Europe. There, several
countries (‘The 30% Club’) have cut their acid rain pollution by 30 %
The Greatest Threats to the World’s Environment
1. The extinction of plant and animal life.
Pollution ( air, water, land, industrial)
Reasons
Killing Animals ( hunting, poaching, for food, for sport, for research, for profit)
Deforestation
protecting animals in danger by law; opening more national parks, planting more
Solution
new forests;
more money for conservation ; cutting pollution
2. Pollution.
cars, buses , trucks...(exhaust fumes)
smoke and fumes from factories
Air Pollution
Solution
Water Pollution
Solution
Land Pollution
to remove the harmful industrial enterprises over the city limits;
all of them
should be fitted with traps and dust-collectors; to expand the green zone;
to build the dam with purification system; pollution control
systems
must be introduced; freight traffic is banned in the historical centre of the city
human activities ( dirty rivers and canals; radioactive waste, chemical discharge
and the dumping of dangerous toxins and raw sewage);
environment disasters (oil);
acid rains
international and national laws of the coastal states; to control the purity of
water ( check points, purification units); to preserve sea life ; to organise
rational
fishing;
to prevent oil pollution
garbage and trash thrown by people; using pesticides and fertilisers; nuclear waste
17
Solution
throw away less rubbish ; turn rubbish into energy; controls on use of pesticides
and fertilisers; use recycling; to provide more bottle-tanks /can-banks
3. Global Warming
Greenhouse Effect
Causes: deforestation; using aerosols, freezers with CFC coolants; burning
fossil fuels
Results: rising temperatures; melting ice-caps in the polar regions;
droughts in hot countries; floods (sea levels rise)
Solution: cutting down fewer trees; building sea defences; planting more
trees; using alternative sources of energy
4. World Population Growth
The world population grows and soon it could be too big for the earth to support.
5. Energy Problems
1) 94% from fossil fuels 2) solar power 3) wave power 4) wind power 5) geo-thermal power
6) nuclear power
6. Holes in the Ozone Layer
Ozone layer is a layer in the earth’s atmosphere in which ozone is formed, preventing harmful
radiation from the sun reaching the earth. The release of CFCs and some other chemicals into
the atmosphere is considered the cause of the thinning of the ozone layer.
Role-Play Card 2 (for a journalist)
You are a reporter from a newspaper. You are present at the press-conference with a famous scientist, a member of the Environment Protection Committee Mr/Mrs Smith.
Your task is to learn as much as possible about the problem of pollution. Ask about:
 kinds of pollution
 causes of pollution
 results of pollution
 who suffers because of it
 possible solution
Remember to:
 be polite and active;
 ask all the questions;
 find out as much information as possible;
 finish the conversation properly.
At the end of the press-conference one of the reporters will have to sum up the information they have found out.
Role-Play Card 2 (for a journalist)
You are a reporter from a newspaper. You are present at the press-conference with a famous scientist, a member of the Environment Protection Committee Mr/Mrs Smith.
Your task is to learn as much as possible about the problem of pollution. Ask about:
 kinds of pollution
 causes of pollution
 results of pollution
 who suffers because of it
 possible solution
Remember to:
 be polite and active;
 ask all the questions;
 find out as much information as possible;
 finish the conversation properly.
At the end of the press-conference one of the reporters will have to sum up the information they have found out.
18
Role-Play Card 2 (for a journalist)
You are a reporter from a newspaper. You are present at the press-conference with a famous scientist, a member of the Environment Protection Committee Mr/Mrs Smith.
Your task is to learn as much as possible about the problem of pollution. Ask about:
 kinds of pollution
 causes of pollution
 results of pollution
 who suffers because of it
 possible solution
Remember to:
 be polite and active;
 ask all the questions;
 find out as much information as possible;
 finish the conversation properly.
At the end of the press-conference one of the reporters will have to sum up the information they have found out.
Student Card 1 ( 4 minutes)
Imagine that your friend and you have a task to write a report about the most serious ecological problem of the Earth.
You are given a choice of 4 problems:
 destruction of rainforests;
 dangers connected with energy;
 acid rains;
 harm caused to the wildlife.
You think the following problems most serious:
Rainforests.
Before 1900, rainforests covered 14% of the world’s surface. Today they cover 7% . The reason of this is simple. They have
been cut down to providea) a land b) paper c) wood d) medicines e) minerals f) fuel
But it’s not only trees which are disappearing. Every rainforest also contains millions of animals, insects and flowers. These
are destroyed, too. If man continues to cut down rainforests, more than one million species of plants and animals will become
extinct by the year 2030.
The Green Solution.
Governments in rainforest countries need to plan and work together. They should also protect certain areas and plant new
forests.
Wildlife.
Animals are a part of the environment, too. Millions of them are killed or treated cruelly by man every year. There are five
main groups:
a) animals used for scientific research (rabbits) b) animals killed for sports (foxes) c) animals
killed for their fur or skin (crocodiles) d) animals in danger because their environments are in danger (gorillas) e) animals
kept in cruel conditions on farms (some kinds of chicken and cow)
The Green Solution.
Groups like ‘Greenpeace’ have already helped to stop whale hunting. Now, they want to stop fur-hunting, too. Like many
other organisations, they believe in ‘animal rights’ Their solution to all problems of wildlife cruelty is simple. Animals
shouldn’t suffer. The cruelty must stop.
Discuss all 4 problems with your classmate and choose one for your report. Give reasons for your choice. Use expressions of
giving opinions from exercise 2 p.96 (Students’ Book).
Remember to:
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ask for your partner’s point of view;
give reasons for your choice;
be active in the conversation;
agree/ disagree with your partner;
take turns
come to an agreement
Student Card 2 ( 4 minutes)
Imagine that your friend and you have a task to write a report about the most serious ecological problem of the Earth.
You are given a choice of 4 problems:
 destruction of rainforests;
 dangers connected with energy;
 acid rains;
 harm caused to the wildlife.
You think the following problems most serious:
Energy.
At the moment, 94% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels. There’s enough coal for the next 300 years, but only
enough gas and oil for the next 50. What happens then? Well, one answer is nuclear energy. But after the Chernobyl disaster
in 1986, many people think nuclear power is not safe.
The Green Solution
There are four green solutions. They all use natural energy already in the environment.
a) Wind energy b) Solar energy ( from the sun) c)Wave energy (from the sea) d) Geothermal energy (from ‘hot rocks’ under the Earth)
Acid Rains.
One of Europe and North America’s most serious pollution problems is acid rain. What happens is this. First factories send
gases and chemicals into the air. There they mix and are carried for hundreds of miles by the wind. Finally, they fall back to
earth when it rains. This ‘acid rain’ kills fish and trees. It slowly destroys buildings ,too.
The Green Solution.
Industrial countries should control their levels of pollution. This is already happening in some parts of Europe. There, several
countries (‘The 30% Club’) have cut their acid rain pollution by 30 %.
Discuss all 4 problems with your classmate and choose one for your report. Give reasons for your choice. Use expressions of
giving opinions from exercise 2 p.96 (Students’ Book).
Remember to:
 ask for your partner’s point of view;
 give reasons for your choice;
 be active in the conversation;
 agree/ disagree with your partner;
 take turns
 come to an agreement
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