DISAPPEARING ACTS

At the moment, the world is losing one species of wildlife almost every day. The two
main causes of this decline are the destruction of their habitat and over-population by human
beings.

Every minute of the day, 20 hectares of tropical rainforest are cut down or burned.
Hundreds of wild species insects and plants are lost as a result. If it goes on, rainforests
could disappear in 50yearstime. They are vital in keeping the Earths climate and
environment stable. If they are destroyed, mankind will suffer as well as wildlife.

As cities grow and industry develops around them, pollution becomes another problem
for wildlife. Friends of Earth believe that two-thirds of the worlds population will be living in
urban areas by the year 2025.

Something must be done!

In theory, most countries agree that there should be no trade in endangered species.
Ninety-five countries have signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild life and Fauna and Flora. The Conventions aims to forbid trade in
endangered species and to limit trade in any species whose population is declining fast.

However, in reality trade in endangered species is still big business. People can buy
fur coats made from the fur of jaguars, snow leopards and other cats facing extinction.
http://www.wildlifeactiongroup.org/?gclid=CN6Hmeeq47ICFSTKtAodnGQAWQ

http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html

A . ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? CORRECT THE FALSE ONES.

1. Many animal species are disappearing fast. ____________

2. The destruction of their habits is one of the reasons of their destruction. ___________

3. Rainforests will disappear in 50 years. ___________

4. The development of cities may protect wildlife. _______________

5. Endangered species shouldnt be traded. _____________

B ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE TEXT:

1. How many countries have signed the Convention?

2. What are the objectives of this Convention?

C WHAT/ WHO DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS REFER TO?

1. Their _______________

2. They _______________

3. Them ______________

4. Whose _____________

D FIND THE OPPOSITES OF THE FOLLOWING WORDS:

1. Decline ___________________

2. Stable ____________________

Key:

A.

1. true

2. true

3. true

4.false. As cities grow and industry develops, wild life be endanger.

5. True

B.

1. Nighty five countries signed the convention.

2. The convention is trying to protect endangered species of wild life and Fauna.

C.

1.species 2. Rainforests 3. Wildlife

D.

1. raise

2. unstable