Why your $8 shirt is a huge problem

To give you some ideas for your essay, you could watch this video about having too many clothes and the damage they cause to the environment.

Tower sucks in smog and turns it into fine jewelry

The Dutch city of Rotterdam has opened the world’s first smog-free tower. Co-designed by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde, the seven-metre high tower sucks in dirty air like a giant vacuum cleaner. Ion technology then filters it, before returning bubbles of smog-free air through the tower’s vents. It is able to clean 30,000 cubic metres of air an hour.

            But the well-designed air purifier doesn’t just clean up smog, it can also be used to make fine jewellery. The fine carbon particles that the tower collects can be condensed to create tiny “gem stones” that can be embedded in jewellery pieces like rings and cufflinks. Each of the tiny stones is the equivalent of 1,000 cubic meters of air.

            But it’s not Rotterdam where the need for air filters is greatest. According to the World Air Quality Index, most of western Europe enjoys clean air, with exceptions including London, where air quality is classified as moderate. It’s a different story in the booming cities of the developing world and the Bric countries. Air quality is much poorer in China and Malaysia, for example, where most cities feature air was deemed as unhealthy for sensitive groups.

            The tower’s creators recognise this and, after its run in Rotterdam, the tower moves to Beijing, a city suffering from very poor air quality. Earlier this month, Chinese authorities shut hundreds of factories in Beijing and banned half of the country’s 5m cars from the roads in preparation for a gigantic military parade. In the days leading up to the parade, the air quality improved, resulting in pristine blue skies for the parade, only to return to smog when the ban was lifted.

            Bob Ursem, a nanoparticles expert at the Delft University of Technology claims that in outdoor tests, the filter has cleaned the air by 60%, measured by the share of nanoparticles removed, and in indoor environments the reduction is even more significant.

            In the tower’s case, the filters would be costly too. While neither Roosegaarde nor Ursem would disclose the cost of the tower, the filters they have developed range in price from €1,600 to more than €118,000; but as Rotterdam’s mayor says, “the smog-free tower contributes to a debate that shouldn’t be confined to politics.”

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. The problems caused by pollution will increase in the future.

b. Rotterdam is a very polluted city.

c. Not everybody is affected by polluted air in Chinese cities.

d. Rotterdam's mayor think the problem of pollution is the responsibility of politicians.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How does the tower work?

b. What happened in Beijin earlier this month?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. to consider (par.3)                            b. clean (par.4)                         c. prohibition (par.4)

d. percentage (par.5)                            e. to reveal (par.6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. It is said that more than three million people die prematurely due to air pollution each year.

            More than...

b.  The tower moves to Beijing, a city suffering from very poor air quality.

            If Beijing did not...

c. “The smog-free tower contributes to a debate that shouldn’t be confined to politics.”, tha mayor said

            The mayor said that...

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

Should people take better care of the environment?


Would you like to check the World Air Quality Index?  Follow this link:
http://waqi.info/

World's biggest marine park created in Australia

Australia has created the biggest marine park in the world to protect its oceans. It will cover around one million square miles and means no overfishing and drilling for oil can take place there.


The ocean around Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef which is the world's largest coral reef system, covering a massive 1,600 miles. Endangered marine animals like green turtles, blue whales and whale sharks all live in these waters.

Some areas of the ocean around the country are already protected but the government to protect more because of worries that it was becoming polluted and the coral reef was being damaged.

Not everyone is happy about it though, fishing groups say it will damage their industry and lots of people will lose their jobs.

Match the words below to their definitions

coral / endagered / industry / marine / polluted / reef

1. relating to the sea
2. hard rocky material produced by a type of very small sea animal
3. line of rocks or sand near the surface of the sea
4. describes types of animal or plants that may become extinct soon
5. when the water, air or soil contains dangerous substances
6. an activity (such as fishing) that people and companies engage in to make money
True or false?

1. Blue whales live near the Great Barrier Reef.
2. Everyone thinks the park is a good idea.
3. This is the first marine park in Australia.
4. The fishing industry depends on the Great Barrier Reef.
5. The Great Barrier Reef is not polluted.
6. Overfishing can damage the ocean.
7. Oil companies can drill in the park.
8. Whale sharks are endangered.

What's the missing word?

1. Some areas of the ocean around the country are already________________.
2. The ocean around Australia is_______________to the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Green_______________, blue whales and whale sharks all live in the waters.
4. The coral reef was being_____________.







KEY

marine relating to the sea
coral hard rocky material produced by a type of very small sea animal
reef line of rocks or sand near the surface of the sea
endangered describes types of animal or plants that may become extinct soon
polluted when the water, air or soil contains dangerous substances
industry an activity (such as fishing) that people and companies engage in to make money

True or false?
1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. True

What's the missing word?
1. protected
2. home
3. turtles
4. damaged

More wild fires raging across UK

Firefighters across the UK are tackling MORE big countryside fires brought on by the hot weather.

Blazes are burning in Berkshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Highlands of Scotland and County Down, Tyrone and Armagh in Northern Ireland.

It's been the hottest April on record and there's only been half the normal amount of rain so it's easy for fires to start and spread.

Prime Minister David Cameron has praised the work of the firefighters.

Police are warning they will arrest anyone suspected of deliberately starting a fire after some teenagers were seen starting fresh fires at Swinley Forest near Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Experts in Northern Ireland say that many of the fires have been started on purpose.

There are about 60 firefighters at a massive moor fire near Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire and in North Yorkshire a fire is threatening an industrial estate on the outskirts of Thirsk.

Nine crews are at a fire near Belmont, near Bolton in Lancashire, and two engines are at another moor fire near Ormskirk. A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We are hoping it rains, as the land is so dry."

A large area of heather and gorse was on fire on the Balmoral Estate, the Royal Family's home in Scotland.

Fires in the wild can be caused by sunlight shining through bottles or glass and causing a spark or by cigarettes that aren't put out properly.

Match the words below to their definitions

blaze / estate / gorse / moor / on purpose / outskirts / suspected / threatening

large and intense fire
when it is thought something is true or probable
intentionally or deliberately
likely to cause harm or damage
group of houses or factories built in a planned way
areas at the edge of a town or city
open area of hills covered with rough grass
type of bush with thorns and small yellow flowers

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. The wild fires are limited to England.
2. No buildings are at risk from the fires.
3. Balmoral Estate in located in Lancashire.
4. The fires near Crowthorne may have been started by teenagers.
5. This April has been the hottest since people started keeping records.
6. A moor fire is burning near Thirsk.
7. Wildfires can be started by sunlight shining on grass.
8. The police have already arrested people for starting the fires.

What is the missing word?

1. There are about 60 firefighters at a______________moor fire near Mytholmroyd.
2. Some______________were seen starting fresh fires.
3. A large area of_______________and gorse was on fire.
4. David Cameron has________________the work of the firefighters.



KEY
Vocabulary

blaze large and intense fire
suspected when it is thought something is true or probable
on purpose intentionally or deliberately
threatening likely to cause harm or damage
estate group of houses or factories built in a planned way
outskirts areas at the edge of a town or city
moor open area of hills covered with rough grass
gorse type of bush with thorns and small yellow flowers

TRUE or FALSE?

1. False
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. False

What is the missing word?

1. massive
2. teenagers
3. heather
4. praised

Trashy fashion

Trashy fashion
Ms. Judd spends her days in a studio making clothing from plastic bags, electrical wire and old cassette tapes. Now, environmental activists plan to showcase her work in Washington.
The star piece of her collection is a man's coat made from Mr. Obama's campaign fliers which took her 200 hours to make. She has already made three items from Obama’s campaign: A sun dress stitched from plastic signs; a suit from strips of posters; and the man's coat, made from door hangers. The outfits have their limitations. An evening gown sparkling with 12,000 bits of glass; a fitted jacket cut from the vinyl top of a convertible car. "You can't sit down in any of them," says Ms. Judd.
Ms. Judd, who used to work for the Santa Fe trash department, began to wonder whether she could spark interest in solid waste by making garbage glamorous. Two years ago, Ms. Judd decided to try to turn her hobby into a full-time job. She doesn't sell her work; she markets it as an educational tool. She wants to use her clothes to illustrate talks and to raise awareness through art exhibits. The concept intrigued Pittsburgh International Airport, who organized a show. Ms. Judd also spoke to several youth groups there. "The children were amazed to see that something so beautiful could be created out of something we would normally throw away," says Pat Bluett, assistant executive director of a Boys and Girls Club. “The club's recycling volume has since doubled,” she says.
The educational theme also appealed to Jenna Mack, co-producer of Saturday's Green Inaugural Ball. The all-organic, $500-a-ticket event is expected to draw 1,000 environmentalists. Models will show off Ms. Judd's fashions on platforms in the lobby. "Maybe the mental image of that dress made from glass might make people think twice before they throw out a bottle next time," Ms. Mack says.

Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Ms Judd has made several pieces of clothing using materials from Obama’s campaign.
b) Judd’s clothes are comfortable and practical.
c) Ms Judd has been making clothes as a hobby for the past two years.
d) All tickets for Saturday’s ball cost five hundred dollars.

Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What does Ms Judd do with the clothes she makes?
b) What does Ms Mack hope will happen when people see the dress made from glass?

Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) long, thin pieces (paragraph 2)
b) increase (paragraph 3)
c) attract (paragraph 4)
Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) The man’s coat took Ms Judd 200 hours to make.
Ms Judd spent …
b) Pittsburgh International Airport showed interest in the idea and organized an exhibition.
Interest …….. and an exhibition ……….
c) Ms Judd said “I wondered whether I could spark interest in recycling and tried to make garbage glamorous.”
Ms Judd said she…….

Question 5 (5 points)
Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:
People nowadays are recycling more than before. Do you agree?

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The environment

Would you rather switch off lights or take fewer foreign holidays?

Few people are willing to give up air travel in order to reduce carbon emissions, according to a new study, even though they are concerned enough about climate change to cut energy use in their homes.
The Loughborough University study asked 500 people whether they would be willing not to fly in the next 12 months in order to cut emissions. Just 26 per cent of people were willing to forego air travel. In comparison 88 per cent of people were willing to cut the amount of energy they use in the home. For example by switching off lights and wearing a jumper rather than putting on the central heating.
Dr Tim Ryley said: "It is cost and not environmental consequences that deter people from flying more often." "Obviously households are on a tight budget at the moment because of the recession but they will not give up air travel easily," he said.
The research found fares will have to go up by £50 or more in order to persuade people to fly less. Air passenger duty, the government’s tax on air fares, is changing later this year, with the duty on short-haul flights rising from £10 to £12 in 2010. The increase in long-haul trips will be higher, with duty on economy class flights of more than 6,000 miles – such as London to Sydney – jumping from £55 to £85.
Air travel is making an increasing contribution to greenhouse gases in Britain. While total greenhouse gas emissions from the EU fell by three per cent between 1990 and 2002, emissions from international aviation increased by nearly 70 per cent. The Government's adviser on climate change has warned that if growth in flights was left unchecked emissions from global aviation could account for 15 to 20 per cent of all CO2 produced in 2050.

Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Loughborough university interviewed 500 people over a period of 12 months.
b) Most people said they would try to fly less and reduce their energy consumption at
home.
c) Families have less money to spend at the moment.
d) In 40 years, air travel could cause as much as one fifth of carbon dioxide pollution.
Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What action are people taking at home to save energy?
b) How much more will air passengers travelling from the UK to Australia have to pay?
Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) do without something (paragraph 2)
b) the people who live together (paragraph 3)
c) not limited or controlled (paragraph 5)
Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Dr.Ryley said “"Obviously households are on a tight budget at the moment because of the recession but they will not give up air travel easily,"
Dr. Ryley said that……………………………..
b) The research found fares will have to go up by £50 or more in order to persuade people to fly less.
The research claims that if the government wants ………………………………..
c) The increase in tax on long-haul trips will be higher than the rise on short distance flights.
The rise in tax on short distance flights will…………………………………………………………….
Question 5 (5 points)
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
“Everyone can help to save our planet”. Do you agree?
Self-Access Group CEP Santander

The whale in the Amazon

A whale, which is said to weigh about 12 tons and is 5 and a half metres long, has been seen more than 1600 km from the Atlantic Ocean, deep inside the Amazon rain forest.
The whale ran aground on a sandbar deep inside the Amazon earlier this week but after being freed with the help of vets and biologists it disappeared shortly afterwards. Helicopters and boats were involved in a search of the area but nothing was found.
Local people had been splashing water on the whale's back and fin while it was exposed to the hot Amazon sun.
Reports of a mysterious animal in the area had been causing alarm among locals near to the Tapajos river, a tributary of the Amazon. Experts say the animal could have been in the area for a couple of months.
A biologist said it was thought the animal became separated from its group and swam upstream, until it ran aground near Santarem in Para state. While it is not unprecedented, it is unusual for whales to venture so far into fresh water.
The whale is not the only animal to get lost in Brazil this week, however. It is the second time that a lost animal has been seen in an unexpected location.
On Thursday, a young reptile - which was 1.5m long - turned up at a popular beach in Rio de Janeiro and had to be rescued by firemen.
They had been searching for the alligator for some time and had closed Barra beach, but despite this, some swimmers insisted on entering the water. The caiman, or yellow stomach alligator as it is known in Brazil, was taken to a local zoo for treatment for a broken leg.
This endangered species is normally found in freshwater swamps and marshes, and the fire service in Rio said it was the first time they had rescued one from the sea.

BBC News -17/11/ 07

Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) Residents in the area kept the whale hydrated.
b) Whales had never appeared in fresh water before.
c) The alligator was injured when it was found.
d) The yellow stomach alligator is in danger of extinction.

Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) How did the whale get to the Tapajos river?
b) What did the authorities do to protect the local people from the alligator?

Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) par.2 soon
b) par.5 up the river
c) par.7 To appear

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) It was thought the animal became separated from its group and swam upstream.
The animal…………………………………………………………….
b) The fire service in Rio said it was the first time they had rescued one from the sea.
The fire service in Rio said, “It………………………………………………………..
c) Despite the closure of Barra Beach, some swimmers insisted on entering the water.
Although………………………………………………………………………

Question 5 Write a short essay (120 to 150 words) on the following topic:

Why are so many animals in danger?

Self-Access Group. CEP Santander