Professional Documents
Culture Documents
7 One world
• Inversion • The environment • Expressing doubt
• Reporting questions, • Holidays • Waste / rubbish
intentions & advice • Rhetorical expressions • Letter to the editor
c d
Reading
a b
1 Work in pairs. Read the following opinions and
Vocabulary & Speaking discuss whether or not you agree with them.
1 Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the
1 Work in pairs. Look at the photos and link them to the atmosphere do not cause climate change.
expressions in the box. Then answer the questions. 2 Reducing carbon emissions may have a
the greenhouse effect carbon emissions negative effect on developing countries.
climate change global warming 3 Global warming is not caused by the
water shortages loss of biodiversity greenhouse effect.
4 Nature is responsible for a lot more carbon
1 What environmental problem does each picture emissions than human activity.
represent? 5 High levels of industrial activity do not cause
2 To what extent is your country affected by each atmospheric temperatures to rise.
problem?
3 Which of these problems are you most 2 Read an article from a scientific website. Which of
concerned about? Why? the opinions above are mentioned?
http://www.globaldebate.com
No one disagrees that the Earth’s climate is changing, and always has been, The sceptics argue further that carbon dioxide is produced
nor that it is getting warmer at the moment. But while some believe that naturally – in quantities which are far higher than those resulting
human activity is responsible for global warming, others take the view that it from human activity – via volcanic eruptions, decaying vegetation
is a natural phenomenon. and bacteria. Some even go so far as to accuse humanity of
arrogance in believing itself to be more destructively powerful than
The main claim of environmental sceptics is that carbon dioxide released as a
nature. They point out that climate data shows that in the last
result of human activity is not responsible for global warming, and that higher
10,000 years, the warmest periods occurred long before humans
levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not the cause of climate change.
began to produce carbon dioxide on an industrial scale. And when
Others worry that focusing on the need to reduce carbon emissions may
industrial carbon dioxide emissions increased sharply in the post-
prevent development in ‘Third World’ countries, which in turn will hinder efforts
war industrial boom, atmospheric temperatures actually fell.
to overcome poverty and disease. One Kenyan development expert says, ‘I don’t
see how a solar panel is going to power a steel industry or a railway network. Global warming clearly requires some kind of explanation, though,
We are being told “don’t touch your oil, don’t touch your coal”. That is suicide’. and if human activity is not held responsible then one possibility is
that it is the result of solar activity. At different points in the Earth’s
The generally accepted model of the greenhouse effect suggests that the
history, solar activity has led to reductions in cloud formation.
sun’s rays generate heat, which is trapped by ‘greenhouse gases’ in the
Since clouds protect the Earth from the sun’s rays, the result has
atmosphere making the Earth warm enough for life to flourish. According to
been higher atmospheric temperatures. Whether this in itself fully
this theory, if human activity leads to higher concentrations of greenhouse
explains global warming is debateable, but it does suggest that
gases, then the atmosphere will heat up more quickly than the planet’s
humanity’s guilt has yet to be proved beyond all reasonable doubt.
surface, causing global warming. However, scientific data collected from
satellites does not support this theory.
One world 7
3 Read the text again and answer the questions. 3 Are these statements true (T) or false (F) according
1 In what way has global warming divided opinion? to the reviewer? If false, explain why.
2 How could pressure to reduce carbon emissions 1 The film is a little hysterical at times.
affect developing countries? 2 The information in the film is very convincing.
3 Why is the greenhouse effect essential for life 3 Al Gore is a scientific expert on climate change.
on Earth? 4 The film spends too long talking about Gore’s
4 What evidence is there against the theory that involvement in the project.
an increase in greenhouse gases is causing 5 The message of the film is not entirely pessimistic.
global warming? 6 It is not clear if the film will have a long-term
5 What does climate data for the last 10,000 years effect on environmental policies.
suggest about global warming?
6 What do some scientists believe is the 4 Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions.
explanation for global warming? 1 What criticism do you think the film has
received from Gore’s ‘political enemies’?
4 Work in pairs. Which of the words in the box would 2 In what way do you think ‘state-of-the-art
you use to describe the following. Give reasons for graphics’ help Gore to present his argument?
your answers. 3 What aspects of climate change do the
disbelieving angry despairing astonished photographs and animations in the film show?
suspicious sceptical neutral open-minded 4 What aspects of the film might make it more
successful than similar ones on the same subject?
1 the author’s attitude to environmental sceptics
2 the attitude of the Kenyan development expert
3 your own reaction to the text
2 7.2 Listen to four conversations in which people express doubt. What is the topic of each conversation?
. a business deal the weather an accident a relationship
3 Listen again. Which phrase from part 1 is used in each conversation? What doubts do the people express?
4 Write four sentences expressing your doubts about the following topics.
1 life on other planets
2 world peace
3 the existence of the Loch Ness Monster
4 the weather next weekend
5 Work in pairs. Read your sentences to each other. Do you share the same doubts?
Ways to save the Earth: Try the interactive activity for this topic on your CD-ROM Unit 7: One world 63
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a b
Majorca
Voluntourism from
Reading
1 Work in pairs. You are going to read some advice for 2 Read the webpage and check your answers.
people considering a type of holiday called
‘voluntourism’. Before reading, discuss these questions. 3 Without looking back at the text, write down...
1 What sort of places do people go to on a 1 three things to do before choosing a
voluntourism holiday? voluntourism holiday.
2 What kinds of activities does voluntourism involve? 2 three questions to ask once you’ve chosen a project.
3 What preparation would you need to do before
4 Work in pairs. Compare your lists. Then read the text
going on this type of holiday?
again and check.
www.volunteerholidays.com
Forget package tours or luxury cruises. No more sightseeing 4 When you’ve identified some interesting projects, it is
trips to the local castle or hours spent wandering round advisable to find out exactly what your volunteering
souvenir shops. These are holidays of the past. Or at least duties might involve in each case. You may not be suited
they might be, if the latest trend to hit the travel industry to construction work, for example, or you may lack the
takes off. Combining a holiday abroad with volunteering on confidence to teach a class of schoolchildren. Make sure
local projects is one way for travellers and holiday-makers you take your skills and physical fitness into account.
alike to immerse themselves in local cultures and really make
5 Contact the organiser of the trip you choose and ask
a difference. Many returning travellers say it’s a life-changing
for more information about the region and the project. It
experience. But is volunteer travel – or voluntourism – for
may be in a large city with modern comforts available,
you? Here are our tips to help you decide.
or it may be in an isolated village with no plumbing
1 Look for something you feel passionate about. There are facilities.
numerous ways to help the environment, from helping to
6 It is strongly recommended that you check what the cost
protect endangered animals to providing much-needed
of the trip covers. It may just pay for you to participate in
assistance to victims of natural disasters.
the project, but not for your accommodation or food.
2 Be honest with yourself about the kind of person you are. You may also have to pay extra for the assistance of
Living and working in unfamiliar cultures, with people whose local staff in the country you are going to.
views may differ greatly from yours, can be alienating and
7 The company should provide you with information
stressful, even for the most open-minded of people.
about what vaccinations you need, but if not, make
3 Remember that this is your holiday and there will be times sure you ask directly. The best companies will also
when you want to be a tourist, not a volunteer. It’s a good provide an information pack about the project and the
idea to choose a company which includes both country you are going to. Find out what guidance is
volunteering and sightseeing. available during and after the trip, too.
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c d One world 7
3 Work in pairs.
Student A: Turn to page 119.
Student B: Turn to page 125.
You
Your partner
“
Country: The Real Thing: Rhetorical expressions
Type of project: community work 1 Listen to these sentences from Transcript 7.4
7.5
”
issues? Why? / Why not?
Benefits to the volunteer: helping to conserve… 2 What kinds of people would be most suited
to a voluntourism holiday?
3 Would you like to go on a holiday like this?
2 Listen again and complete the corresponding Why? / Why not?
information card.
Waste not, want not 3 Listen again. Are these statements true (T) or false
(F)? Correct the false sentences.
1 Owen now separates his rubbish into four
different categories. T
Speaking & Listening 2 He thinks recycling should be easier for him
1 Work in pairs. Discuss these questions and tick () than for the family next door.
the answers that apply to you. Compare with your 3 Leonard is dubious about the council’s motives
partner. for raising environmental issues.
4 He believes that the council’s campaign will be
a long-term one.
C i t y C o u n c i l S u r vey
5 Maggie does not mind walking for ten minutes
to the recycling containers.
K Their conscience.
3 Junk can also be used to modify nouns: you can say
junk food and junk mail. Can you think of any more?
66 How ecological are you?: Try the interactive activity for this topic on your CD-ROM
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One world 7
Language focus
Inversion
because of the threat they pose to public health, and, Find two more examples of these phrases in the
while incineration seems attractive, there are political article. Which auxiliary verb is used to make the
and financial problems with this option. Indeed, only inversion in each case?
if countries actually reduce the amount of waste they
generate in the first place will the problem of waste See Reference Guide, p.14.
disposal become manageable. Many are in fact already See Workbook, p. 45, exs.1–2.
turning to a system called ‘zero waste’, which it is
hoped will bring about the end of landfills and
dramatically reduce the need for incinerators.
Practice
The idea is that everything should be made from
materials that can be repaired, reused or recycled, 1 Complete these sentences with no sooner (than), not
with governments, councils and industry working only (but also), never or not even.
together to find ways either to turn waste into a No sooner do you arrive
1 you find
profitable resource or to design it out of the system
yourself in a world of peace and relaxation.
completely. Many cities around the world have
introduced a three-level waste collection system, 2 with a significant pay rise will our
separating organic waste, dry recyclables such as workers consider returning to work. The
bottles and plastics, and dangerous materials such as company must improve our working conditions.
batteries. No sooner do they introduce these systems 3 in my life have I experienced such
than they suddenly find that they are recycling more rudeness and appalling service in a restaurant.
than 50 per cent of their waste. 4 has inflation increased under the
present government, unemployment
Not only does zero waste help the environment, but
is rising.
it can also make money. Small businesses that recycle
waste can create jobs in areas of high unemployment. 2 Where might you find each of the sentences in
Twenty per cent of waste is difficult or expensive to
Exercise 1? Match them to the situations.
recycle, but zero waste proposes a system that simply
removes such materials from the system. a) a letter of complaint c) a holiday brochure
b) a political speech d) a union strike
3 Read the article again and make a list of the 3 Work in pairs. Choose one of the situations in
advantages or disadvantages of these ways Exercise 2. Write three more sentences to go with
of dealing with waste. the situation.
No sooner had we sat down than the waiter moved us
4 Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. to a different table.
1 What do you think is the best way to deal with Not only did the waiter put his thumb in my soup, but
waste? he also…
2 Do you think a policy of zero waste would be
successful in your country? Why? / Why not?
Inversion after ‘not only’: Try the interactive activity for this topic on your CD-ROM Unit 7: One world 67
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a b
c
The best alternatives
d
Listening
1 7.8 Listen to experts talking about four of the alternative energy sources above. Complete the first column of the table.
Considerable impact on… Large turbines are ugly and spoil the natural
2
Can be… beauty of the countryside…
Important for…
3
Great benefits for…
3 Listen one more time and make notes in the third column.
4 Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. Give reasons for your answers.
1 Which speaker do you think sounds least positive about his / her form of energy?
2 Which of these forms of energy do you think will be used most in the future?
68 Being green: Try the interactive activity for this topic on your CD-ROM
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One world 7