A life and death issue

What is global warning? What are greenhouse gas emission? Do you worry about climate
change?
1 READNG
A. In groups, discuss these sentences. Do you think they are true or faIse?
1. An international agreement exists to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
2. The global production of greenhouse gases is decreasing.
3. A 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is sufficient to stop global warming.
4. Carbon dioxide and methane are two greenhouse gases.
5. One consequence of global warming is a decrease in sea levels.
6. The changes that come from global warming will increase hunger in the world.
B. Now read the articIe to check your answers. Which sentence in Exercise 1A is
impossibIe to verify in the articIe?
C. Look at these words from the articIe. CircIe the option that is true for you.
The Kyoto ProtocoI (1997) is an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Greenhouse gases are considered to be
responsible for global warming, a phenomenon that may have catastrophic
;

consequences for life on Earth. But according to a UN report, emissions have actually
5 increased by 10% since 1990, and according to many scientists, we need to cut
emissions by 60%, not 5%, to stop temperatures from rising.
Are we rushing towards disaster? The 2009 UN Conference on Climate Change failed to
reach mandatory agreements on how to tackle the problem. Scientists paint a frightening
picture of what will happen unless we do something now. f global temperatures continue

10 to increase, the polar ice caps will melt, and sea levels will rise dramatically. Unless we
\ r take serious action, island nations and low-lying areas will disappear, including many
of the world's great cities such as New York and London. Millions will become refugees if
this happens. Unless governments can come to an agreement, changes in weather
patterns will cause massive disruption, famine, and epidemics.

15 Many climate change activists are working to press governments to do what is
necessary, and to make the general public aware of the dangers we face. But with so
many other problems confronting the world, many people are just not listening.
1= know this word because it is the same or similar in my language
2= Have seen the word before
3= can guess what it means because of its context
catastroph
ic
(line 3) 1 2 3
rising (line 6) 1 2 3
melt (line 10)
-
1 2 3
low-lying (line 11)
'
1 2 3
weather (line 13)
-
1 2 3
epidemics (line 14)
"
1 2 3
famine (line 14)
"
1 2 3
aware (line 16)
"
1 2 3

D. Find other words in the articIe that you understand for the above reasons. How
did they affect your understanding of the articIe?

E. In pairs, discuss what your country is doing to reduce this probIem. What more
shouId your country do? What, if anything, are you doing? CouId you do more?




2,.GRAMMAR ''FRSTCONDTONAL WTH UNNLESS
A.
Look at these sentences. Then answer the questions.

Scientists paint a frightening picture of what will happen unless we do something now.
Unless we take serious action, island nations and low-lying areas will disappear

1. The verb in the unless clause is in the
2, The verb in the main clause is in the .
3. The unless clause
4. Depending on which clause comes first, the punctuator

a) simple present b) will future
a) simple present b)will future
a) comes first b) comes second
c) can come in the first or second position
a) different b) the same



B. Hew do you express unless in your Ianguage?

C. CompIete these sentences with the verbs in parentheses in the correct form.

1 .We ________________ (not solve) the problems unless we (invest) in new technology,
2, Unless we _-____- (stop) using fossil fuels, global warming __; (continue).
3, t____ (be) too late unless governments __ (act) immediately;
4, Unless scientists _______ (develop) new sources of energy, the problem _.___ (not
disappear).
3. LSTENNG
A.
Listen to this excerpt from a radio
show
and circIe T (True) or F (FaIse).
1. Jonathan Price teaches at a
college.
T F
2. He believes in global
warming.
T F
3. He thinks temperature
fluctuations

are a natural"phenomenon. T F
4. He doesn't think man is
influencing

the world's climate. T F
5. He doesn't believe the
scientific

evidence is convincing. T F
6. He believes the economic
consequences of cutting
emissions

will be terrible. T F
What do you think of Price's point of view? Do you agree or disagree? Give your
reasons.
4. SPEAKNG

A. Divide into six or eight groups (depending on the size of the cIass) and number
the groups. AII the odd numbers prepare arguments in favor of the motion. AII the
even numbers prepare arguments against the motion.
The motion: GIobaI warming is happening because of human activity and we have
to act now to stop it.
B.
When you have prepared your arguments, divide again into two Iarge groups (aII the
odd numbers and aII the even numbers). Within your group, discuss the points
decided on in Exercise 4A and try to reduce the Iist to the best six or seven points.
Choose someone to present the points in the debate.
C. the speaker for the motion presents his/her arguments to the cIass. The speaker
against the motion presents his/her arguments. Everyone in the cIass takes notes.
Then anyone can stand up and give their point of view.
D. FinaIIy take a cIass vote. Count the votes and see whether the cIass is for or
against the motion.


UNEDUCATED GUESSES
How do you feel about tests? Are you well-prepared and calm when you have tests or do
you get tense and worried? Do you ever find it difficult to sleep when you have a test the
next day?

LSTENNG

A. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions.
1. What is happening next week?
2. How does Mandy feel about tests?
3. What is she thinking of doing before the test?
4. Does Doug feel nervous about the test?
B. Listen to the conversation again. CircIe the correct options.
1. Mandy is usually good/ bad at tests.
2. Judging from the conversation, Mandy's panic attacks are physical/ psychological.
3. Mandy is / is not a good student.
4. She suffers from headaches / insomnia before tests.
5. She thinks tests are / are not a good way of assessing ability.
6. Doug thinks Mandy needs / doesn't need medication.

SATs are the coIIege admission tests aII American students have to take if they
want to go to coIIege. What happens in your country? Is there a simiIar system? Do
you think officiaI tests are the best way to assess abiIity? Which do you think
shouId be more important - cIass work or test resuIts? Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of both systems.

2. Grammar first conditionaI with modaIs
A. Look at these sentences from the Iistening and answer the questions.

can't think if 'm nervous.
f still feel this bad on the weekend, may go buy some tranquilizers. t could be
dangerous if you take them without a doctor's prescription. You might not wake up in time
if you take two or three! f you want to relax, you should take a really hot bath. f 'm
relaxed, can think.

1. What tense are the verbs in the if clauses?
2. Circle the modal verbs in the main clauses.
3. n which sentences is the speaker talking about possible consequences?
4. Which sentence expresses advice?
5. Which sentence expresses ability, and which expresses inability?

B. CompIete these sentences with an appropriate modaI verb.
1. f you take those pills, you __ feel dizzy, (possibility)
2. You find it difficult to wake up if you take too many, (possibility)
3. f she needs to, she study all night, (ability)
4. f you want to feel good tomorrow, you __ go to bed early, (advice)

3. READNG
A. Read the first two columns of the article and answer the questions.
1. What is meant by over-the-counter medication?
2. How do most people find out about this type of medicine?
3. What does Deep-Sleep do?
4. Which part of the advertisement will most people read?
5. Could be this potentially dangerous? Why?

Over the counter?

Medical studies suggest that every year more and more students are suffering From
nerves and insomnia at test time. As a result lots of students are buying over-the-counter
medication (medication that doesn't require a prescription from a doctor), which they see
advertised on tv. But if you buy over-the-counter medication, you may endanger your
health. Our perceptions and beliefs that these medications are "safe" are all too often
based on aggressive advertising techniques, rather more than on established scientific
fact.

eep-sleep is a case in point. t is a well-known sedative and sleeping aid, sold over the
counter in most pharmacies. This is how deep-sleep is advertised.

f you find it difficult to sleep through the night's sleep every time. Just take one pill right's
sleep every time. Just take one pill right before you go to bed.


Deep-Sleep sounds good. For most people it provides instant relief from insomnia But
many people just read the Large large print, and ignore the small print at the bottom of the
page

Only take deep-sleep when you will be able to sleep for 7 to 8 hours deep sleep can
cause daytime drowsiness.

You should consult your doctor before taking deep sleep if you are taking any other
medication deep sleep may react badly with some medicine and cause dizziness

Deep- sleep can give some people headaches you should consult your doctor if you have
high blood pressure.

Never take a sleeping aid with alcohol it may make you feel confused or dizzy and can
cause a dangerous reaction

Of you buy medication over the counter, you should always read the small print. Very
carefully. Your life may depend on it

now read the rest of the articIe,, fin pairs, discuss these questions.

1. Why is it dangerous to take Deep-Sleep to ensure a good afternoon nap?
2. Why are beer and Deep-Sleep not compatible?
3. Under which circumstances do the manufacturers suggest you should consult your
doctor?
4. Why do you think Deep-Sleep is popular?

C. Do you think there are sufficient restrictions to over-the-counter medication in
your country? WouId you obtain medicine in this way? Why / Why not?

4. WRTNG

A. Work in pairs. Read about these medications. Choose one and write a
conversation for the foIIowing situation:
Student A wants to buy some of the over-the-counter medication. Student B thinks
this is not a good idea because of the side-effects.

Comfy-trip combats motion sickness. A pill before you start your trip can stop the misery.
ay cause dry mouth or impaired vision. Contains antihistamines and can cause
drowsiness.

Tummytrim

The appetite suppressant that really does work really does work. Drop 5 kilos in 3 days

n are cases may cause sudden mood changes and depression consult you doctor


Hi-itch
The new hydrocortisone cream that calms itchy skin immediately,
on't use for more than 2 weeks. f used in excess, can thin the skin and lead to bruising.