Nature: flora and fauna. Ecological problems. Environmental protection. Climate, weather. Natural disasters

Choose the correct option. If we cut down these trees, we will destroy the natural ________ of the birds and animals that live in them.

Choose the correct option. We should try to reduce our water __________ .

Choose the correct option. What is the future of genetically ______ food? Will we accept or reject it?

Choose the correct option. The wildlife park was created to protect ________ species.

Choose the correct option. One of the biggest nature problems today is that _____ species are endangered.

Choose the correct option. Many scientists ______ human activities for climate change and global warming.

Choose the correct option. Martina watches ____ nature programs. No wonder she is an environmental activist.

Choose the correct option. Littering ______ our planet polluted.

Match the headings to the texts. There is one extra heading. 1. Activities for all tastes 2. Geographical features 3. Unstable and still growing 4. In order to protect 5. On the Red List 6. Scientific input 7. The people of the islands 8. Unique wildlife A. The Galapagos Islands are situated to the north-west of South America, six thousand kilometers from the continent. The islands occupy the territory of about forty five thousand square kilometers. They consist of thirteen main islands and a great number of smaller ones. The largest island is Isabela. The Galapagos Islands belong to Ecuador. B. The relief of the islands is constantly changing because of volcanic activity. In geological terms, the territory is quite ‘young’. Fields of lava still create rocks and form new islands. That is why the Galapagos Islands are called ‘a place born of fire’ and the region is still developing. Probably soon it will look different on the maps. C. The Galapagos Islands are one of the few places in the world without a native population. The first documented trip by humans to the Galapagos Islands was in the 16th century. Another theory says that representatives of ancient Indian cultures had also made journeys there long before. For centuries, the land remained attractive for pirates. People only settled there on a permanent basis, as official residents, in the 19th century. D. Due to its rich wildlife, the Galapagos Islands have always been attractive for visitors. Among them was the famous British scientist, Charles Darwin. He formulated his Theory of Evolution after his observations of Galapagos’ flora and fauna. Those observations helped him to explain the origin of species in other parts of the world and describe their evolution. In his memory, the Darwin Research Station was opened in the Galapagos in the 1950s. E. The Galapagos are rich in exotic fauna. Most species of birds, the sea lion, the sea iguana and gigantic tortoises, that live over a hundred years, are not found anywhere else in the world but there. The Galapagos tortoise can weigh up to 250 kg and tourists come to the islands specially to see them. No wonder that the tortoise became the symbol of the islands. And the name of Galapagos comes from the Spanish word ‘tortoise’. F. Tourism in the Galapagos is a fast developing industry. The number of people who come here for diving, animal watching, and exploring lava tunnels is growing each year. It is obvious that uncontrolled human activity could spoil the unique natural features. Because of this risk, the islands were declared a national park and the flow of tourists is limited. G. The Galapagos Islands offer a kind of vacation and entertainment everyone would find unforgettable. While parents can enjoy the boat rides and beaches, children would be absolutely happy to see the blue-footed birds and amazing tortoises or to find out about pirates and hidden treasure. Hotels and sports facilities are of a high quality, though they are rather expensive.

Read and mark the statements as True, False or Not stated. The koala is a small bear-like animal that looks like a soft toy. The animal is cute and non-aggressive, but it’s difficult to see a koala in the Zoo and no one ever keeps them as pets. Why is it so? The main reason why people shouldn’t try to take koalas out from their natural home is their diet. It’s a strict diet of eucalyptus leaves as koalas practically never eat anything else. In Australia there are over 600 types of eucalyptus, but koalas eat only 40–50 varieties with only about 10 being preferred. And even if you find the koala’s most favourite tree and plant it in your backyard, you won’t be able to supply your koala-pet with food anyway. The thing is that koalas eat only fresh young leaves, and the tree has few of them. So, to keep a koala happy and healthy, you would have to plant about 100 eucalyptus trees! It’s difficult to explain why koalas love eucalyptus leaves so much. The leaves are tough and feel like rubber. They have very few calories and they are poisonous to most animals. Koalas, however, cope with such a diet easily. Nature has equipped them with specialised adaptations. Each koala eats approximately 200 to 500 grams of leaves per day. They are very slow eaters and they manage to get the maximum amount of energy from such a small amount of food. They also sleep for up to 18 hours per day in order to conserve energy. Koalas spend all their lives on eucalyptus trees and they don’t have any need to leave them. Normally the animals don’t drink water as they receive it from the leaves. For this reason the koala got its name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning “no drink”. Koalas live in societies, just like humans, so they need to be able to come into contact with other koalas. They live in suitable eucalyptus forests which are large enough to support a healthy koala population and to allow for expansion by maturing young koalas. In spite of their peaceful and sleepy look, koalas are highly territorial animals and don’t allow strangers to approach their “home trees” and “food trees”. A female koala gives birth to only one baby in one or two years. It's hairless, blind and very little – about 2 cms long! It gets into the mother's pouch – a special pocket of skin on the stomach – and stays there for six or seven months. Then it gets out of the pouch but stays with the mother until it's about one year old. Koalas are slow-breeding animals and their population can't grow fast. The animals were in danger of extinction at the beginning of the 20th century when the koala was hunted for its fur. Fortunately, the population has been restored and today the Australian government doesn't consider the koala as endangered.