Unit 4

Earth and Environment

Part I Warming UpPart I Warming Up Training focus: Select information: “What,

who, how” in news items. News Item 1 Pre-listening questions: The Mount Everest: A mountain of the cent

ral Himalaya Mountains on the border of Xizang (Tibet) and Nepal. The highest elevation in the world.

Does any one know how high the Mount Everest is?

8844 meters high.

The National Geographic Society was founded in the USA on 1888, by 33 men interested in "organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge."

Its purpose is to advance the general knowledge of geography and the world among the general public. To this end, it sponsors exploration, and publishes a monthly magazine, National Geographic.

What is the precise height of Mount Everest according to National Geographic Society’s latest measuring?

29, 035 feet, seven feet taller 29, 035 feet, seven feet taller than was thought when it was than was thought when it was last measured in the 1950.last measured in the 1950.

Item 2Item 2 climatologist: a scientist who deals wit

h climate and their phenomena气候学家气候学家 tropicaltropical 热带的热带的 ;;位于热带的位于热带的 subtropicalsubtropical::亚热带的亚热带的 temperate:temperate: 温带的温带的 crop yieldcrop yield: : 农作物产量农作物产量

What is the likely impact of climate change according to the new research?

Damage to crops in low-lying Damage to crops in low-lying coastal regions could be worse coastal regions could be worse than previously thought.than previously thought.

Item 3Item 3. desertification: the process of becomithe process of becomi

ng desert (as from land mismanageng desert (as from land mismanagement or climate change) ment or climate change)

沙漠化 What is the title of the conference in nor

thern Brazil? The 3The 3rdrd United Nations conference o United Nations conference o

n Desertificationn Desertification

Item 4.Item 4. deformity: when a part of the body hawhen a part of the body ha

s not developed in the normal way os not developed in the normal way or with the normal shaper with the normal shape

畸形 (或残缺 )的部分 [C] a deformity of the hand 手的畸形

salamander: 蝾螈

•alligator: •( 产于美国及中国的 )短吻鳄

amphibian: an animal, such as a frog, an animal, such as a frog, which lives both on land and in watwhich lives both on land and in water but must lay its eggs in waterer but must lay its eggs in water两栖动物

reptile species:an animal that crawls an animal that crawls or moves on its belly (as a snake) or or moves on its belly (as a snake) or on small short legs (as a lizard)on small short legs (as a lizard)

爬行动物爬行动物 ;; 爬虫类爬虫类

World Conservation Union:World Conservation Union: international organization international organization

founded in 1948 to encourage founded in 1948 to encourage the preservation of wildlife, the preservation of wildlife, natural environments, and natural environments, and living resources.living resources.

WhatWhat does a new study say about reptiles?

Reptile species are in greater Reptile species are in greater trouble than amphibian trouble than amphibian species.species.

eradicate:eradicate: to get rid of completely or to get rid of completely or destroy something bad:destroy something bad:

herbicideherbicide: a chemical which is used ta chemical which is used to destroy plants, especially weedso destroy plants, especially weeds

除草剂除草剂 cokecoke: (slang) cocaine cocaine poppypoppy: 罂粟罂粟 ;; 罂粟科植物罂粟科植物

WhatWhat did the governors from Columbia call for?

A new approach in the fight A new approach in the fight against the illegal drugs trade.against the illegal drugs trade.

Item 6 oil spilloil spill:: 油轮漏油油轮漏油 Oil spill is an environmental disaster whi

ch kills fish and birds as well as pollutes the sea.

油轮漏油污染海水油轮漏油污染海水 ,, 杀死鱼、鸟杀死鱼、鸟 ,, 是环境是环境的大灾害的大灾害。

WhatWhat are crews doing off the coast of Mexico, about 50 miles south of San Diego?

They are working to clean up a huge They are working to clean up a huge oil spill.oil spill.

Item 7 extinctionextinction: the process of becoming extinct the process of becoming extinct extinction of a species What What is the serious threat for plants? 1 in every 8 species of plant is

threatened with extinction.

Item 8 The Florida Everglades is a subtropical marshland located in the southern portion of the U.S

state of Florida.

An Anhinga An Anhinga perched on the perched on the

boardwalk railingboardwalk railing

blazeblaze: 火焰 ; 火灾 ; 熊熊燃烧 Several houses had been burnt to thSeveral houses had been burnt to th

e ground when the blaze was put oue ground when the blaze was put out.t.

大火扑灭时大火扑灭时 ,, 好几间房子已全部烧毁。好几间房子已全部烧毁。 sawgrass: sawgrass: SedgeSedge 莎草莎草

How How serious were the wildfires in Florida?

They lasted for nearly a week They lasted for nearly a week and 65,000 hectares in the and 65,000 hectares in the southern part of the state southern part of the state were consumed.were consumed.

Item 9.Item 9. xeriscapingxeriscaping:: a word coined by combining a word coined by combining

xerosxeros (Greek for "dry") with (Greek for "dry") with landscapinglandscaping, , is is a water-conservative approach to landsa water-conservative approach to landscaping. caping.

Plants whose cultural requirements are Plants whose cultural requirements are aappropriateppropriate to the local climate are empha to the local climate are emphasized, sized,

and care is taken to avoid wasting water tand care is taken to avoid wasting water to evaporation and run-off. Xeriscape is a to evaporation and run-off. Xeriscape is a trademark created by the Denver Water Borademark created by the Denver Water Boardard

Boulder County is a county located in the is a county located in the U.S. of ColoradoU.S. of Colorado

WhatWhat is now available? A new local directory for the A new local directory for the

environmentally-aware, called environmentally-aware, called the “Boulder County Green the “Boulder County Green Pages”Pages”

Item 10.Item 10. Greenland:Greenland: An island of Denmark in the northern An island of Denmark in the northern

Atlantic Ocean off northeast Canada. Atlantic Ocean off northeast Canada. It is the largest island in the world and It is the largest island in the world and

lies mostly within the Arctic Circle. lies mostly within the Arctic Circle. Inhabited by Inuit peoples as early as Inhabited by Inuit peoples as early as

3000 B.C., it was discovered by the 3000 B.C., it was discovered by the Norwegian navigator Eric the Red in Norwegian navigator Eric the Red in the tenth century A.D., became a the tenth century A.D., became a Danish colony in 1815, and was Danish colony in 1815, and was granted home rule in 1979. granted home rule in 1979.

WhatWhat does a U.S Space Agency study recently find?

Greenland is melting around the edges, more than 50 cubic kilometers per per.

El Nino: A warming of the ocean surface off the western coast of South America that occurs every 4 to 12 years when upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water does not occur. It causes die-offs of plankton and fish and affects Pacific jet stream winds, altering storm tracks and creating unusual weather patterns in various parts of the world.

Part II News ReportPart II News Report Training focus:Training focus: News summary Report A. catastrophe: a sudden event that caua sudden event that cau

ses very great trouble or destructionses very great trouble or destruction catastrophiccatastrophic: : 灾难的灾难的 ;; 激变的激变的

Geneva:Geneva: 日内瓦日内瓦 World Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological Organization specialized agency of the United Nations; esspecialized agency of the United Nations; es

tablished in 1951 with headquarters at Genetablished in 1951 with headquarters at Geneva. va.

WMO aims at promoting international coopWMO aims at promoting international cooperation between the world's meteorological eration between the world's meteorological stations, stations,

standardizing meteorological observations, standardizing meteorological observations, encouraging research and training, encouraging research and training, and extending the use of meteorological finand extending the use of meteorological fin

dings to different fields. dings to different fields.

WMO operates through the World MWMO operates through the World Meteorological Congress (which meeteteorological Congress (which meets at least every four years) with deles at least every four years) with delegates from its entire membership, agates from its entire membership, an executive committee, a technical n executive committee, a technical commission, a secretariat, and six rcommission, a secretariat, and six regional meteorological associations egional meteorological associations in Africa, Asia, South America, Nortin Africa, Asia, South America, North and Central America, SW Pacific, ah and Central America, SW Pacific, and Europe. It has 185 members.nd Europe. It has 185 members.

scarcityscarcity: when something is not easy to find o: when something is not easy to find or obtain: lackr obtain: lack

the scarcity of water: water shortagethe scarcity of water: water shortage commoditycommodity: : a substance or product that can a substance or product that can

be traded, bought or sold:be traded, bought or sold: the international commodities marketthe international commodities market obligationobligation: a condition or influence that make: a condition or influence that make

s it necessary for someone to do something; s it necessary for someone to do something; ddutyuty

sanitary:sanitary: clean and not dangerous for the heal clean and not dangerous for the healthth

portable:portable: light and small enough to be easily clight and small enough to be easily carried or moved:arried or moved:a portable radio/telephone/computera portable radio/telephone/computer

Listen to the report and Listen to the report and complete the news summary.complete the news summary.

This news report is about This news report is about ______________________________________________________________________. It will lead to catastrophic . It will lead to catastrophic consequences unless consequences unless ________________________________.________________________________.

The severe shortage of water in some developing nationsThe severe shortage of water in some developing nations

global solutions are found soonglobal solutions are found soon

Listen again and answer the Listen again and answer the questions:questions:

1. How many experts will attend 1. How many experts will attend the conference in Geneva?the conference in Geneva?

150.150. 2. When will the conference begin?2. When will the conference begin? Monday.Monday. 3. What would the situation be like 3. What would the situation be like

in the year 2025 according to in the year 2025 according to Arthur Askew?Arthur Askew?

1 billion people could suffer from a 1 billion people could suffer from a scarcity of water.scarcity of water.

4. In which areas could water shortag4. In which areas could water shortage problems most probably develop?e problems most probably develop?

Middle East, parts of Africa, western AMiddle East, parts of Africa, western Asia, northeastern China, western and ssia, northeastern China, western and southern India, large parts or Pakistan outhern India, large parts or Pakistan and Mexico, parts of the Pacific coast oand Mexico, parts of the Pacific coast of the Unite States and South America.f the Unite States and South America.

5. What is the moral obligation put for5. What is the moral obligation put forward by Arthur Askew?ward by Arthur Askew?

To treat water as a precious resourceTo treat water as a precious resource..

6. How much water does a person n6. How much water does a person need a day to survive?eed a day to survive?

5 liters.5 liters. 7. How much water does a person n7. How much water does a person n

eed a day to live comfortably?eed a day to live comfortably? 50 liters50 liters.. 8. How much water are people in m8. How much water are people in m

any countries now using each day?any countries now using each day? 500 liters500 liters..

Report BReport B vibrancyvibrancy:: 活跃活跃 ,, 活力活力 I like the vibrancy of her character.I like the vibrancy of her character. 我喜欢她的活泼性格。我喜欢她的活泼性格。coral reefcoral reef: : 珊瑚礁珊瑚礁

•glacierglacier:: 冰河冰河

Daimler-ChryslerDaimler-Chrysler: : is a prominent automis a prominent automobile and truck manufacturer, formed obile and truck manufacturer, formed in 1998 by the buyout of the Chrysler in 1998 by the buyout of the Chrysler Corporation (USA) by Daimler Benz (GeCorporation (USA) by Daimler Benz (Germany).rmany).

Shell OilShell Oil: : Shell Oil Company is one of AmShell Oil Company is one of America's leading oil and natural gas proderica's leading oil and natural gas producers, natural gas marketers, gasoline ucers, natural gas marketers, gasoline marketers and petrochemical manufacmarketers and petrochemical manufacturers, and the leading oil and gas proturers, and the leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexicoducer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico..

Listen to the second news report. SupListen to the second news report. Supply the missing words while listeninply the missing words while listening.g.

WashingtonWashingtonthe information economythe information economydeteriorating health of the planetdeteriorating health of the planetinformation economyinformation economyeducation and entertainmenteducation and entertainmentphysical examphysical examvital signsvital signs

speciesspeciesclimateclimatetemperaturestemperatureswater tableswater tablesglaciersglaciersforestsforestsfisheriesfisheriesto stabilize both climate and world poto stabilize both climate and world po

pulation growthpulation growth

Report C Report C The Impact of Golf The Impact of Golf

Course on the Course on the EnvironmentEnvironment

be at odds: be at odds: to disagree:to disagree:They'They're at oddsre at odds over the funding of the over the funding of the

project.project.Her version of events was at odds with tHer version of events was at odds with t

he police report.he police report.(= very different from)(= very different from) reconcile:reconcile:to find a way in which two situations or to find a way in which two situations or

beliefs that are opposed to each other beliefs that are opposed to each other can agree and exist together:can agree and exist together:

It is sometimes difficult to reconcile sciIt is sometimes difficult to reconcile science and religion.ence and religion.

groominggrooming:: 修饰修饰fairwaysfairways: : 航路航路 ; (; ( 高尔夫球场上的高尔夫球场上的 )) 平坦平坦球道球道

habitathabitat: (: ( 动物的动物的 )) 栖息地栖息地 ;(;( 植物的植物的 )) 产地产地I prefer to see animals in their natural hI prefer to see animals in their natural h

abitat, rather than in zoos.abitat, rather than in zoos.我喜欢看生活在自然栖息地的动物而非动物我喜欢看生活在自然栖息地的动物而非动物园内的动物。园内的动物。

killdeer: killdeer: 双胸斑沙鸟双胸斑沙鸟 (( 北美所产滨鸟北美所产滨鸟 ))redtail hawks: redtail hawks: 红尾鵟红尾鵟

great horned owlgreat horned owl: : a large North American owl a large North American owl

blue heronblue heron: : Any of several vAny of several varieties of heroarieties of heron with blue or bln with blue or blue-gray plumague-gray plumagee 羽毛羽毛

Bear Creek Lake: Bear Creek Lake: Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams

built to protect the Denver region frobuilt to protect the Denver region from floodsm floods

This project is known for its diverse birThis project is known for its diverse bird and waterfowl population and its std and waterfowl population and its striking scenic views. riking scenic views.

Wildlife is abundant and because Bear Wildlife is abundant and because Bear Creek is located at the base of the RoCreek is located at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, the scenery is cky Mountain foothills, the scenery is striking.striking.

Listen to the news report and compleListen to the news report and complete the news summaryte the news summary

This news report is about __________This news report is about ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __

A A golf course named Fox golf course named Fox Hollow, which has won an Hollow, which has won an award for its relatively low award for its relatively low impact on environment and impact on environment and sustained wildlifesustained wildlife.

Part III City Recycling

Training focus: landfill: a place where rubbish is burieda place where rubbish is buried 垃圾填埋 ; 垃圾填埋地 recyclable: able to be recycled eligible: having the necessary qualities or fuhaving the necessary qualities or fu

lfilling the necessary conditions:lfilling the necessary conditions: 法律上合格法律上合格的的

You might be eligible for a grantYou might be eligible for a grant.. curbside: the area near where a road and thcurbside: the area near where a road and th

e raised path next to it joine raised path next to it join

bustle:bustle: to do things in a hurried and busy way:to do things in a hurried and busy way:

忙乱忙乱 ;; 奔忙奔忙 I sat watching housewives bustle in and oI sat watching housewives bustle in and o

ut of the supermarket.ut of the supermarket. 我坐着观看家庭主妇们匆匆地进出超级市场。我坐着观看家庭主妇们匆匆地进出超级市场。 mound:mound: a large pile of something: a large pile of something: a mound of potatoes/papersa mound of potatoes/papers comminglecommingle: mix : mix assortassort: classify: classify 把把 ...... 分类分类 ;; 把把 ...... 分级分级

forklike: forklike: 像叉一样的像叉一样的 garbage: rubbishgarbage: rubbish spiral: spiral: 螺旋形的东西螺旋形的东西 convey belt: convey belt: 传送带传送带 sorter:sorter: 分类机分类机 bale: bale: 大包大包 ,, 大捆大捆 beverage: drinkbeverage: drink fuzz: fuzz: 细毛细毛 ;; 绒毛绒毛

North Caroline:North Caroline: 美国北卡罗来纳州美国北卡罗来纳州 A state of the southeast United StatA state of the southeast United Stat

es bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. es bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. a center of tobacco growing and proa center of tobacco growing and pro

cessing. cessing. Raleigh is the capital and Raleigh is the capital and Charlotte Charlotte

the largest city.the largest city. Population: 8,540,000.Population: 8,540,000.

北卡罗来纳州北卡罗来纳州

Listen to the report and number thListen to the report and number the following major points according e following major points according to the order you hear them.to the order you hear them.

(( ))a. The work at the FCR processa. The work at the FCR processing centering center

( )( )b. The success of Charlotte’s b. The success of Charlotte’s recycling program.recycling program.

( )( )c. What happens to the recyclac. What happens to the recyclables from FCRbles from FCR

( )( )d. Catherine Smith’s recyclabd. Catherine Smith’s recyclable garbagele garbage

1

2

3

4

Listen again and pay special attention to the process of tListen again and pay special attention to the process of the sorting of the recyclable material.he sorting of the recyclable material.

Put the listed steps in correct order Put the listed steps in correct order ( ) a. People sort through the garbage( ) a. People sort through the garbage ( ) b. The garbage is piled in a mound of assorted trash.( ) b. The garbage is piled in a mound of assorted trash. ( ) c. Bottles and cans come to the sorting station.( ) c. Bottles and cans come to the sorting station. ( ) d. Bottles and cans are put on the conveyor belt.( ) d. Bottles and cans are put on the conveyor belt. ( ) e. Twelve workers hand-sort the bottles and cans.( ) e. Twelve workers hand-sort the bottles and cans. ( ) f. Forklifts move the garbage.( ) f. Forklifts move the garbage. ( ) g. Bottles and cans are dropped down a chute into a ( ) g. Bottles and cans are dropped down a chute into a

container.container.

1

22

33

44

55

66

77

Answer the questions:Answer the questions: 1. How many households are 1. How many households are

eligible to participate in the eligible to participate in the recycling program?recycling program?

2. What are some of the items 2. What are some of the items that Catherine Smith put into her that Catherine Smith put into her red recycling bin?red recycling bin?

3. What happens after Catherine 3. What happens after Catherine puts out her bin?puts out her bin?

130,000130,000 80%80%

Plastic glass tin cans newspapersPlastic glass tin cans newspapers

Recycle truck picks it up.Recycle truck picks it up.

4. Where does the recyclable material 4. Where does the recyclable material go after it is picked up?go after it is picked up?

5. How often is the used material drop5. How often is the used material dropped off at the center operated by FCR?ped off at the center operated by FCR?

6. What does Paula Hoffman do at the 6. What does Paula Hoffman do at the recycling center?recycling center?

7. How much material is received each 7. How much material is received each day and put into the commingle area?day and put into the commingle area?

•One of community’s recycling centers.One of community’s recycling centers.

Each weekday.Each weekday.

•Conducts tours of the plantConducts tours of the plant..

•100 tons 200,000 pounds100 tons 200,000 pounds

8. Of all the material brought to 8. Of all the material brought to the center, how much is newsprthe center, how much is newsprint?int?

9. What happens to the sorted a9. What happens to the sorted and processed recyclables at FCR?nd processed recyclables at FCR?

¾ compacted into bales¾ compacted into bales•11 to 12 hundred pounds each11 to 12 hundred pounds each..

Sold to other companies Sold to other companies that make them into that make them into different products.different products.

10. What always happens to the used food and 10. What always happens to the used food and beverage containers?beverage containers?

11. How successful is Charlotte’s recycling 11. How successful is Charlotte’s recycling program?program?•Made into new containers.Made into new containers.

One of the top five in the U.S.A.One of the top five in the U.S.A.