Методичка по английскому языку

On a world-wide scale forests help to slow down the effects of global warming by using up the gas known as carbon dioxide and giving out the oxygen we need to breathe. The world's largest rainforests (in Brazil, Africa and South East Asia) supply about 80 percent of the oxygen for the world's fresh air.

Rainforests also give us thousands of valuable wild plants. One square kilometre of rainforests sometimes contains 250 different types of plants, including 125 different trees. These plants and trees are valuable because scientists use them to make a lot of medicines.

Unfortunately, every year an area of rainforest as big as England and Wales disappears. Large companies cut down the trees for valuable hardwood and for wood for making paper. There are also forest fires. This breaks the ecological balance and deprives lots of animals of places to live. Every day about 50 kinds of rainforest plants and animals become extinct. Whole systems of plant and animal life are disappearing forever.

If nothing is done about it, soon there will be very few trees and animals on Earth. Environmental protection is more than just picking up litter. We must take into consideration all factors that people's survival depends upon.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. Why do people like trees? 2. Why are trees one of the most valuable parts of the environment? 3. How can trees and wild plants help to cure people? 4. What is happening to rainforests now? 5. Are trees in cities in safety now? Why? 6. How does the disappearance of forests influence animals and birds? 7. What can people do to protect plant and animal life?

 

 

Text 5. How to Help Our Planet

Vocabulary

environmental — экологический

issue — проблема, вопрос

to survive — выживать

charity — благотворительная организация

aware — знающий

fortunately — к счастью

environment — окружающая среда

protection — защита

to require — требовать

government — правительство

to take measures — принимать меры

to improve — улучшать

goal — цель

to strengthen — укреплять

to combine — сочетать

effort — усилие

huge — огромный

support — поддержка

trust — общество

threat — угроза

destruction — разрушение

to drop litter — бросать мусор

litter bin — корзина для мусора

to dump — выбрасывать

rubbish — мусор

to recycle — перерабатывать

pavement — тротуар

stuff — вещество

ozone layer — озоновый слой

to take care of — заботиться о

endangered species — вымирающие виды

attitude — отношение

 

Today environmental issues are much spoken about on TV, radio and in newspapers. If people want to survive, they must do their best to solve these problems. Fortunately, it's not too late to save our planet. We understand that our environment is not just our home town but the whole Earth. The protection of the environment requires the cooperation of all nations. Governments should take measures that will help improve the environment.

There are a lot of environmental groups and international organizations whose main goal is to strengthen cooperation among environmentalists from different countries. The most famous of them is "Greenpeace", which combines the people's efforts for peace with the huge movement for nature conservation. "The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the name of another international organization that appeared in 1961. It has created or given support to National Parks in five continents. You may also join "Friends of the Earth Trust", which is an educational charity set up to help people of all ages become aware of the threats to our environment.

However, there are a lot of simple things we should all do to stop the destruction of the environment. First of all, we must keep our cities and towns clean. That means, we mustn't drop litter in public places. If we see litter on the ground, we must put it into a litter bin. Besides, we shouldn't dump our rubbish without thinking which things, such as bottles and paper, can be recycled. And of course, we mustn't draw or paint on pavements, walls or trees.  

We must stop using aerosol sprays because the stuff they contain destroys the ozone layer. We should take care of birds and animals. We can help to plant trees and create parks for endangered species. We can clean rivers and canals and create footpaths. But first of all we must change people's attitude towards the environment.

If we take action now, there might be some hope for the future. If we do nothing, we are heading for disaster!

 

Answer the following questions:

1. How can people protect our planet? 2. How can we save nature resources? 3. Should we reject the technological progress? 4. How can we safeguard the world's wildlife? 5. What is the aim of ecological Organizations? 6. What ecological organizations do you know? 7. Do you have environmental programmes in your city? 8. What can you personally do to keep the world healthy? 

 

 

 

Text 6. Problems of a Modern City and a Country

Vocabulary

disadvantage — неудобство

air-and-noise pollution — загрязнение воздуха и шум

harmful substances — вредные вещества

crime — преступление

robbery— грабеж

Sexual offences — сексуальные преступления ,

thefts — воровство

smuggling — контрабанда

housing shortage — нехватка жилья

shared apartments—коммунальные квартиры

extra expences — дополнительные расходы

modern conveniences — современные удобства

running water— водопровод

central heating — центральное отопление

telephone services — телефонные услуги

 

There are so many big cities and small villages in our country. It goes without saying that the life in the city and country is absolutely different. Any big city has its own problems as well as the village.

To my mind the first disadvantage or a problem is enormous air-and-noise pollution in the city. Every year world industry pollutes the atmosphere with million tons of dust and other harmful substances. People suffer from smog, it's difficult to breathe. And of course, it's very noisy outside because of a heavy traffic. Another thing is crime. The crime rate speeds up. And we can hear every day about murders, robbery, sexual offences, thefts, smuggling, etc.

I think that the housing shortage is also a big problem of many families. Cities are overcrowded. About ten million people live in shared apartments. It is known that many of the unmarried adults live in a hostel or rent a room from a private owner. Most young people don't want to live together with their parents after they get married, but half of them have to do this.

Also life is much more stressful in a big city than that in the country, for example many people are scared to loose their jobs. The cost of living is very high. A citizen pays much more extra expenses for public transport, snacks, entertainment, etc.

The village has its own, problems. The everyday life is not easy, for example living conditions of the people. Many of the houses don't have modern con veniences such as running water, central heating, telephone services, etc.  

You can feel terribly isolated in the village as the roads are very bad and it's difficult to get from there to the nearest district centre or a town, especially in autumn and spring. Usually there is only one shop in the country and you can't buy everything you need.; Another problem is that it's difficult to get good education in the country and enter the university after that. There are no museums, art galleries, theatres, gyms there. The style of life in the country is also dif- ferent from that in the city, as everybody knows you and expects you to live and behave in a certain way.

But the air is so fresh and clear, the nature is so beautiful, the life is quite and a friendly smile is a common thing in the village. I think this place is for those people who are looking for a peace and a lovely natural environment. In spite a lot of problems I prefer to live in a big city, which can offer me fun, pleasure, comfort and excitement.

 

 

DIALOGUES

1.

— What do you think is the most important environmental issue nowadays?

— Well, in my opinion the most serious ecological problem today is the shortage of clean water.

— Why? Don't we have enough water on our planet?

— My answer is "yes" and "no". On the one hand, there is a lot of water on our planet. It is in oceans, seas, rivers and lakes.

But on the other hand, very little water on Earth is good for drinking.

— Really? Why?

— Because rivers and lakes are polluted by factories and farms.

— Is there any solution to this problem?

— Of course, there is, but it requires cooperation of all people.

— So, what exactly can we do to improve the quality of water?

— First of all, we can ban pouring industrial waste into rivers and lakes. Besides, we can install different purifying systems.

— I am with you there. Fresh water is very important for human beings. But we shouldn't forget about the ocean.

— 1 completely agree with you. Because the ocean gives us food, energy and minerals.

— You arc right, but today the ocean also needs help because ships dump toxic waste, tankers leak and spill oil and boaters throw trash overboard.

— The situation may sound hopeless, but I'm sure we can do something about it.

— Yes, of course. For example, we can protect birds and marine life.

— But how can we do it?

— First, we mustn't throw plastic bags or bottles in or near the water, because sea birds, turtles, whales and other sea animals often mistake plastic things for food and die. Besides, we can take part in beach clean-up projects.

— I can't but agree with you. And I want to add that people should understand that their activities can affect oceans and seas.

— Exactly! People should understand that all water usually flows into seas and oceans, so what they do inland can affect marine life.

— I agree with you, but first of all we must learn more about the state of the ocean and what can be done to improve it.

— You are absolutely right!

 

2.

— Many people think that life was better in the past. The air was cleaner, the water was purer and life was safer.

— No wonder, because there are a lot of environmental problems nowadays. You only have to listen to TV news to realize that they are not solved.

— You arc quite right! However, problems such as the hole in the ozone layer and acid rain often seem unimportant to us. It's difficult to get upset about tropical forests on the other side of the planet.

— 1 can't agree with you. Of course, we can't see ozone holes, but the dangerous rays of the sun get through the atmosphere, causing skin cancer and other diseases. More and more often people are told not to be in direct sunlight.

— To tell the truth, air pollution seems to be much more serious problem. We pollute the air we breathe. Everyone can see smoke coming out of tall factory chimneys. Everyone can smell the gas from the back of a bus. In big cities the concentration of harmful substances in the air is rather high. This can also have disastrous consequences for our health.

— I am of the same opinion. Water pollution is another serious problem. Thousands of fish die every year because factories pour a lot of waste into rivers. If people drink polluted water, they may die too.

— What is more, the seas are also in danger. When I went with my parents to the seaside last summer, I was surprised that the water was not blue but brown with rubbish floating in it.

— But the most urgent environmental problem is nuclear pollution. I am against the use of nuclear energy. The waste products can last hundreds of years.

— And who is to blame for all these environmental problems?

— The answer is simple: all of us. The technological progress of the 20th century resulted in widespread mechanization, atomic powers stations, new roads and highways. But it cannot be denied that the price for rapid industrial development is very high.

— Should we reject the progress then?

— Never! But we must take control of the progress to give it a humanistic direction. We must take into consideration all the factors that people's survival depends upon. The solution of the environmental problems requires the cooperation of all nations.

— Are you a Greenpeace supporter?

— Yes, I am. It's a noble aim to keep the planet and cities clean. We want everybody to do his or her best in caring for all human beings and living creatures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT 8. PROBLEMS OF YOUTH

 

Text 1. Teens' Problems

Vocabulary

to be as thick as thieves — быть закадычными друзьями

to quarrel — ссориться

to be at a loss — быть в растерянности

to be at odds — иметь разногласия

to support — поддерживать

issue — вопрос, проблема

generation gap — разрыв между поколениями, проблема отцов  и детей

 to trust — доверять

to be under pressure — быть в критической ситуации

to tease — дразнить

drug addict — наркоман

to bully — задирать, грубо обращаться, дразнить

to be all fingers and thumbs — быть неловким

accident-prone — невезучий

to be on a short fuse — быть вспыльчивым

unemployment rate — уровень  безработицы

to keep up-to-date with — идти в ногу с

to dress up — наряжаться

to cope with — справляться с

to deny — отрицать

 

It's hard not to agree that teenagers nowadays have a lot of problems. One of the real problems is having no close friend. Several days ago I had my best friend, but now I don't. My friend was much more to me than just a person who I communicated with. We were as thick as thieves. We helped each other to survive and got along well. But some days ago we quarrelled, and now I'm at a loss what to do. Fortune turned its back on mc and I feel very disappointed.

I can't say that my parents don't understand me, they try to support me, but I think only time can heal me. Some young people are just sure that their parents don't want to understand them. It's a very serious problem. I'm sure that this point of view is absolutely wrong. Psychologists believe parents — child conflicts cannot be avoided in a society that is undergoing rapid change. In our society youngsters are at odds with their parents on a wide range of issues, from how late they can stay up to who they should marry. It's called a generation gap. But I think our parents are people who we can trust. In most cases teens don't understand their parents and become very nervous. When it happens, it's time to say "stop". And try to find in your parents more positive than negative traits. Our parents should understand one thing that today's children will become tomorrow's civilization. So they should obtain a child's understanding, they should find a teen's problem and help solve it.

The other very important problem is our school life. Teens are often under pressure in many ways at school — they are supposed to be "macho" — good at school subjects, able to stand up for themselves without crying. If they can't, they are "wimps" and often children will tease and bully them, especially at school. But all children are different — they have different needs and talents, likes and dislikes. Teens are not just "machos" and "wimps", they are rebels and conformists, extroverts and introverts. Our teachers and our parents should assure us that all these types are good, and it will reduce a lot of our problems.

There are so called "problem teenagers", who take drugs. A large number of teens use them very often. They are drug addicts. I don't have such friends and I think that there should be special programmes to solve this problem.

One more problem is connected with biorhythms. Not all people know what it is, and they begin to laugh at you and can offend you, when sometimes you are all fingers and thumbs, when you are accident-prone or when your temper seems to be on a short fuse. It is because we all have an internal "body clock", which regulates the rise and the fall of our body energies, and it's called biorhythms. So our teachers, parents and classmates should understand it and shouldn't pay attention to it because it's the law of our life and nature.

My other serious problem is to enter a good university and find a good job afterwards. Unemployment rates are extremely high — even qualified people with great knowledge can't find something good, but in spite of that I hope for the best.

I always want to impress people. But the first impression we make almost fully depends on what we wear and how we wear. Manners and speech are noticed next and character only later. Many teens have the same taste. They like to keep up-to-date with the changes in our society. They like to wear clothes which look good on and which you feel comfortable in. Being in fashion makes you feel good, in tune with the world you live in. But when you are at school, it is important to wear the right clothes, even formal ones and not to dress up. I understand it, but some of my classmates don't. They like to shock their teachers and parents and provoke them, and that's why they have some problems at school. So you should have some "clothes sense" to know and feel the types of things that are your style in formal situations (when you are at school) and at the parties.

As for me, I try to cope with all my problems alone or with the help of my parents. My parents are real friends and they understand me and try to help me or give a piece of advice.

So if someone denies all of the problems teenagers have, it's not right. Teens have a lot of problems. But the first thing we have to think about is the future we're building for ourselves and our children. The better we are now, the better our place will be when we grow up.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. Do your parents understand you? Why do you think so? 2. What problems do you have with your parents? 3. What problems do you have at school? 4. What problems do teens have at school? 5. Is it fair to say that your parents don't understand anything? Why? 6. What do you know about a generation gap? 7. Do all parents help their children? Why? 8. In what way do teenagers try to impress people? 9. What problems do you have with your friends? 10. How do you cope with your problems?

 

 

Text 2. Generation Gap

Vocabulary

lifestyle — стиль жизни

piercing — пирсинг

tattoo — татуировка

relationship — отношение

to express — выражать

advice — совет

right track — истинный, правильный путь

view — взгляд

childhood — детство

to regard — рассматривать

to tend — иметь тенденцию

to prevent — предотвращать

wise — мудрый

false — ложный, фальшивый

wisdom — мудрость

useless illusion — бесполезная иллюзия

to disappear — исчезать

preferred form — предпочтительная форма

to fail — терпеть неудачу

to blame — обвинять

adult — взрослый

to socialize with — общаться с

dumpy — унылый

to settle — разрешать, урегулировать

peacefully — мирно

with loving саге — с любовью

to do one's best — делать все возможное

to cope with — справляться с

 

Sometimes our parents don't understand us. They don't understand some problems and things which are very important in teens' life; for example, the lifestyles of young people, piercing, tattoos, drugs, sex, relationship with friends and teachers. So sometimes teens can't tell them about their private life. Some parents don't want to understand modern views, ideals and system of values.

Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with the present, and regard old times as better, always talking about "the good old days". The young people, on the other hand, tend to think their times as the best. Teens look at the world with fresh eyes. Everything is new, interesting to them. Sometimes they cannot solve their everyday problems. But they want to cope with them by themselves. So adults shouldn't prevent them from making their own mistakes.

People are said to become wiser with age. Sometimes it is true and sometimes it is not. I think that you can meet a wise man among the old as often as among the young. It is false that when old age wisdom has come, useless illusions have disappeared. Sometimes when we talk to adults, a monologue is a preferred form of expressing your ideas in such talks. That's why some teens don't like to talk to adults.

I think that it's in people's nature to give advice. It seems to people that giving advice they can help somebody or put somebody on the right track. But if a person takes their advice and fails, he can blame an adult all of his life.

Our parents have their own ideas and views that their children don't share and understand. They think that their children won't find their place in life. They often say that now teens are very difficult to socialize with and dumpy. But children should settle all problems peacefully because they are their parents. They brought them up with loving care. And if children come to their parents for advice and help, they will do their best and help children to cope with problems and difficulties.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. What is a generation gap? 2. Why do teens tend to think their times as the best? 3. Do you share this opinion? Why? 4. Do you always follow your parents' advice? Why? 5. Do you agree that people become wiser with age? Why? 6. Do you agree that it's in people's nature to give advice? Why? 7. Is it necessary for children to share their parents' ideas? Why? 8. Is it necessary for children to understand their parents' ideas? Why? 9. What about you? 10. Do your parents do their best and help you to cope with problems and difficulties?