Read the dialogues and role-play them.

Frank: We had an ecology conference yesterday. We discussed different environmental problems.

Chris: No wonder. They are the most important problems these days.

Frank: I think many people understand that they should protect the environment.

Chris: Do they really understand that? I’m not quite sure, because factories dump waste into rivers; air pollution is getting worse too.

Frank: That’s true. And yet more and more people fight against nuclear tests, nuclear weapons and other things.

Chris: But will they win? And when will they win these battles?

Frank: Don’t lose hope. Let’s hope for the best.

 

Tom: Don’t you just love it here? Forest as far as you can see, fresh air, silence…

Matt: Yes, it’s great. I’m getting hungry, though, so let’s take a snakc break.

Tom: All right – but not for long. We’ve still got plenty to see!

Matt: OK.

Tom: What are you doing?

Matt: Throwing my rubbish away. What’s wrong with that?

Tom: Pick up your rubbish! We were just admiring nature, and you decide to drop litter in the forest!

Matt: Sorry – I didn’t think of that. Anyway it’s not like threre is a rubbish bin here!

Tom: That’s no excuse. You’re polluting the forest! Animals live here. People camp here. They deserve a clean environment.

Matt: Well, I suppose you’re right. I’ll pick it up.

Tom: That’s more like it!

Reporter: How do you think what does the greatest harm to nature?

Student 1: I think industry does the greatest harm to nature. They’ve created a lot of machines and cars that poison the air.

Student 2: In my opinion it’s nuclear power. There is a threat of nuclear war, or nuclear stations may explode anywhere.

Student 3: And I think it’s throwing waste into oceans, seas and rivers. Clean water is the most important and life necessary thing on the Earth.

Student 4: I’m sure it’s extinction of rare animals and plants. All this ruins the balance of nature.

Reporter: What should be done to protect nature?

Student 1: A lot depends on us. People should take measures (соблюдать меру) in exploring nature.

Student 2: Those who do harm to nature must be punished.

Student 3: We should do something but not just speak about it. How can we have comfortable life with cars, planes, electricity without destroying?

Student 4: Let’s stop talking about the black side of things. Look, the weather is wonderful and it’s a good day for a picnic in the forest.

 

Make up a project work “Environmental Protection in Belarus” using the questions as a plan.

 

1. What are the main priorities of the state policy of the Republic of Belarus?

2. What are the basic ecological problems of the Republic of Belarus?

3. Who carries out state control in the field of environmental protection?

4. Who carries out radiological control?

5. Is the Republic of Belarus a member of any organizations?

 

Read the text and say if the sentences are true or false. Then explain the words in bold.

 

1. Pesticides are chemicals.

2. Pesticides harm crops.

3. Pesticides protect wildlife.

4. Pesticides are dangerous.

 

Pesticides

 

A ‘pest’ is a living thing that harms crop growth, carries diseases or cause damage. Some methods of pest control are natural, but other methods use chemicals called pesticides. Fly spray, rat poison and similar things you may use in everyday life are all pesticides.

Farmers use pesticides to protect crops from insects, diseases and weeds while they are growing. They also prevent rats and mice, flies and other insects from contaminating foods when they are stored.

Pesticides help us control ants and cockroaches in our homes and destroy mites and ticks. Pesticides in wood and wool make our furniture and clothes last longer.

Pesticides can be useful, but they can also harm people, wildlife and the environment. This is why there are strict controls over their sale and use. Many people object to their use because pesticides can contaminate our drinking water and cause health problems.

Some of the mostly used pesticides are toxic to animals and humans and large amounts make us ill. They can give us headaches and stomach ache, damage our skin, hair, nails and lead to weight loss. Experts believe that some of them can even cause cancer.

 

Answer the questions.

1. What are pesticides?

2. Why do we need pesticides?

3. Why are people concerned about the use of pesticides?

 

 

Fill in the gaps with the numbers below.

 

37 500 400 31,000

 

Did you know?

1) … tones of pesticides are sprayed on UK land each year. 2) … pesticides have been banned in the UK. Europe has stopped using 3) … different pesticides in the last 10 years. 6 pesticides are approved for use in organic farming, but non-organic farmers can use about 4) …