The prblems of ecology
учебно-методический материал (9 класс)

Problems of ecology  

The world is full of problems. But one problem is more serious than all the others - the problem of ecology. We have to stop destroying our planet.

Perhaps we can start by looking at the natural world. In many parts of the world, animals and plants are in danger. We are losing between 50,000 and 100,000 species every year. Many scientists think that this is the fastest rate of extinction in the history of the world. And it's not just animals and plants. The world's forests are disappearing at a rate of about 17 million hectares a year. That's the same as 25 football pitches every minute. And the oceans are in danger too. Every day, 80,000 tonnes of oil go into the sea. That's like one Exxon Valdez accident every week.

But why should we care? Well, there are many reasons. One reason is that we need the natural world. It gives us food, water and medicine. It also gives us pleasure. People love to see wild animals and beautiful landscapes. Another reason is that the destruction of the natural world is often a sign of other problems. For example, people who cut down trees often do it because they're poor. And if we don't look after the natural world, we will suffer. If we destroy the forests, we will lose a lot of the world's oxygen. And if we continue to put so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the Earth will become hotter and hotter.

Of course, the problems of ecology are very big. But we can all do something. We can recycle paper and glass and we can use public transport. And we can tell other people what's happening. After all, this is our planet.

Open questions:

1. What is the problem that the author considers to be the most serious?

2. How many species are estimated to be lost every year, and why do scientists consider this alarming?

3. What is happening to the world's forests at a rapid rate, and how does it compare to the size of football pitches?

4. What is the danger facing the oceans on a daily basis, and what comparison does the author make to illustrate its magnitude?

5. Why should we care about the destruction of the natural world? Provide two reasons.

6. What can happen if we destroy the forests, and what impact does excessive carbon dioxide have on the Earth?

7. What actions can individuals take to contribute to solving the problem of ecology according to the author?

8. Why is it important to inform other people about what is happening to the natural world?

ABCD questions:

1. What is the main problem discussed in the text?

A. The destruction of the natural world

B. The problem of poverty

C. The extinction of species

D. The pollution of the oceans

2. According to the text, how many species are lost every year?

A. Between 50,000 and 100,000

B. More than 100,000

C. Less than 50,000

D. Exactly 50,000

3. What is happening to the world's forests?

A. They are disappearing at a rapid rate

B. They are growing at a rapid rate

C. They are being protected

D. They are not mentioned in the text

4. How much oil goes into the sea every day?

A. 80,000 tonnes

B. 17 million hectares

C. 25 football pitches

D. One Exxon Valdez accident

5. Why should we care about the destruction of the natural world?

A. It provides us with food, water, and medicine

B. It gives us pleasure

C. It is a sign of other problems

D. All of the above

6. What will happen if we destroy the forests?

A. We will lose a lot of the world's oxygen

B. The Earth will become hotter and hotter

C. We will suffer

D. All of the above

7. What can individuals do to help with the problem of ecology?

A. Recycle paper and glass

B. Use public transport

C. Spread awareness to others

D. All of the above

True/False statements:

1. The problem of ecology is the most serious problem in the world.

2. Animals and plants are not in danger in many parts of the world.

3. The rate of extinction is the slowest in the history of the world.

4. The world's forests are disappearing at a rate of about 17 million hectares a year.

5. 80,000 tonnes of oil go into the sea every day.

6. The destruction of the natural world has no impact on humans.

7. People who cut down trees are often wealthy.

8. If we destroy the forests, we will lose a lot of the world's oxygen.

9. Recycling paper and glass is not a way to help the environment.

10. We cannot do anything to help the environment.

Correct answers.   Open questions:

1. The problem that the author considers to be the most serious is the problem of ecology.

2. Between 50,000 and 100,000 species are estimated to be lost every year, which is considered the fastest rate of extinction in history.

3. The world's forests are disappearing at a rate of about 17 million hectares a year, equivalent to 25 football pitches every minute.

4. Every day, 80,000 tonnes of oil go into the sea, similar to one Exxon Valdez accident every week.

5. We should care about the destruction of the natural world because it provides us with food, water, medicine, and pleasure. Additionally, the destruction of the natural world often indicates other problems.

6. If we destroy the forests, we will lose a significant amount of the world's oxygen. Excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to an increase in global temperatures.

7. Individuals can recycle paper and glass, use public transport, and inform others about the situation.

8. It is important to inform other people about what is happening to the natural world because it is our planet and collective action is necessary.

Correct answers.   ABCD questions:

1. A 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. D 6. D 7. D

Correct answers.   True/False statements:

1. True

2. False (Animals and plants are in danger in many parts of the world.)

3. False (It is the fastest rate of extinction in the history of the world.)

4. True

5. True

6. False (The destruction of the natural world has many impacts on humans.)

7. False (People who cut down trees often do it because they're poor.)

8. True

9. False (Recycling paper and glass is a way to help the environment.)

10. False (We can all do something to help the environment.)

Lead-in activities:

1. Give your students a few minutes to think about and write down three things they do in their daily lives that have a negative impact on the environment. Afterward, ask them to share their answers with a partner and discuss possible alternatives or changes they could make to reduce their ecological footprint. Encourage them to use English in their discussions and to explain their ideas.

2. Divide the students into small groups and give each group a different environmental problem mentioned in the text (e.g., extinction of species, deforestation, oil pollution). Instruct the groups to brainstorm possible solutions to their assigned problem. After a few minutes, have each group present their ideas to the class, using English to explain their solutions and the reasons behind them.

3. Ask your students to imagine they are environmental activists. Instruct them to write a short speech, in English, advocating for the protection of the natural world and explaining why it is important. Give them a few minutes to prepare their speeches, and then ask for volunteers to share their speeches with the class. Encourage the students to use persuasive language and to express their ideas clearly and convincingly.

Problems of ecology (for speaking activity)

1. Do you think it's important to protect the environment? Why or why not?

2. What are some common environmental problems in your country?

3. Have you ever participated in any activities to help the environment? If so, what did you do?

4. How do you feel when you see people littering in public places?

5. Are there any endangered animals in your country? Which ones?

6. What can individuals do to reduce their carbon footprint and help the environment?

7. Have you heard of climate change? What do you know about it?

8. Do you recycle at home? If yes, what items do you usually recycle?

9. How does pollution affect our health and the environment?

10. Can you think of any creative ways to raise awareness about environmental issues in your community?