U1_R-E

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• Passage A
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1. Why should we treat the earth we live on as
our Mother Earth?
Reference
We are nurtured by the healthy condition of
Mother Earth. In humans, if the mother is ailing,
the child suffers. We are the cause of the ailing
planet and we are the victims.
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2. What is the root of the environmental
problems?
Reference
It is us human beings. We are sometimes ignorant
of the disastrous consequences we are causing and
driven by the greedy needs for more conveniences.
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3. What should we do to take care of our Mother
Earth?
Reference
We should have a correct attitude towards
environment. Besides, we should develop
strategies and act immediately to protect our
Mother Earth.
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Care for Our Mother Earth (Dr. McKinley of
Awareness Magazine interviews a group of experts
on environmental issues.) Dr. McKinley What do
you think is the biggest threat to the
environment today? Aman Motwane The biggest
threat to our environment today is the way we, as
human beings, see our environment. How we see our
environment shapes our whole world. Most of us
see everything as independent from one another.
But the reality is that everything is part of one
interconnected, interrelated whole. For example,
a tree may appear isolated, but in fact it
affects and is affected by everything in its
environment sunshine, rain, wind, birds,
minerals, other plants and trees, you, me. The
tree shapes the wind that blows around it it is
also shaped by that wind. Look at the
relationship between the tree and its environment
and you will see the future of the tree.
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Most of us are blind to this interconnectedness
of everything. This is why we dont see the
consequences of our actions. It is time for each
of us to open our eyes and see the world as it
really is one complete whole where every cause
has an effect. Dr. McKinley Hello Dr. Semkiw. In
your research, what environmental issues do you
find most pressing? Walter Semkiw Two
environmental issues that we find most pressing
are deforesting and global warming. Mankind has
now cut down half of the trees that existed 10
000 years ago. The loss of trees upsets the
ecosystem as trees are necessary to build
topsoil, maintain rainfall in dry climates,
purify underground water and to convert carbon
dioxide to oxygen. Trees bring water up from the
ground, allowing water to evaporate into the
atmosphere. The evaporated water then returns as
rain, which is vital to areas that are naturally
dry. Areas downwind of deforested lands lose this
source of rainfall and are transformed into
deserts.
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Global warming results from the burning of
fossil fuels, such as petroleum products,
resulting in the release of greenhouse gasses
into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gasses then trap heat, resulting in
warming of our atmosphere. Dr. McKinley Mr.
Nacson, thanks for participating all the way from
Australia! What do you suggest the readers of
Awareness Magazine can do to help the
environmental problem? Leon Nacson The simplest
way to help the environment is not to impact on
it. Tread as lightly as you can, take as little
as possible, and put back as much as you can. Dr.
McKinley What is your specific area of concern
regarding the current and future state of the
environment? Leon Nacson Air and water
pollution are our Number One priorities. It is
hard to understand that we are polluting the air
we breathe and the water we drink. These are two
elements that are not inexhaustible, and we must
realize that once we reach the point of no
return, there will be nothing left for future
generations.
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Dr. McKinley Mr. Desai, what an honor it is to
have this opportunity to interview you. Can you
please share your wisdom with our readers and
tell us where you see the environmental crisis
heading? Amrit Desai We are not separate from
the problem. We are the problem. We live divided
lives. On one hand, we ask industries to support
our greed for more and more conveniences, comfort
and possessions. We have become addicted
consumers, which causes industrial waste. At the
same time, we ignore the connection between our
demands and the exploitation of Mother Earth.
When we are greedy for more than what we need for
our well-being, we always abuse the resources of
our body and the earth. We are nurtured by the
healthy condition of Mother Earth. In humans, if
the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We are
the cause of the ailing planet and we are the
victims.
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(No Transcript)
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Awareness Magazine
Awareness Magazine is a bimonthly magazine,
which came into being in 1993, and claims to
devote itself to making our planet a better place
to live in. For more information, please check
http//www.awarenessmag.com/index.html
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... see everything as independent from one another
Paraphrase ?
Key ... regard everything as a single and
isolated being
dependent on needing the support of sth. or sb.
in order to continue existing or operating

• Example
• She has become dependent on sleeping pills.

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isolate v. to set apart or cut off from
others

• Examples
• Presleys early success isolated him from his
  friends.
• This policy could isolate the country from other
  members of the United Nations.

Translate ????????????????
Key The flood has isolated the village from
outside for two weeks.
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(be) blind to to completely fail to notice or
realize something

• Examples
• They seemed to be blind to the consequences of
  their decision.
• Davids good looks and impeccable manners had
  always made Rebecca blind to his faults.

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consequence n. something that happens as a
result of a particular action or set of
conditions

• Examples
• The safety procedures had been ignored, with
  potentially tragic consequences.
• Acceptance of what has happened is the first step
  to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.
  

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deforest v. to cut down or destroy trees

• Examples
• The 400,000 square kilometers of the Amazon basin
  have already been deforested.
• The decision to deforest the area for an airport
  is strongly opposed by the local residents.

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global adj. affecting or including the whole
world

• Examples
• AIDS is a global problem which requires global
  efforts.
• The representatives from some developing
  countries claim that global economy does not give
  them a fair chance.

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purify v. to remove the dirty or unwanted
parts from something

• Examples
• Purify the water before drinking it.
• It is said that purified water has removed
  minerals useful to our health.

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evaporate v. to (make) change into vapor

• Examples
• The water is evaporated by the sun.
• The police failed to find any witness it seemed
  that they all evaporated.

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result from to happen or exist as a result of
something

• Examples
• Those problems resulted from the poor management.
  
• Many hair problems result from what one eats.

result in to make something happen cause

• Examples
• Fifty percent of road accidents result in head
  injuries.
• Regular trips back to her motherland have
  resulted in her first book, Tiger Balm.

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atmosphere n. the mixture of gases that
surrounds the earth

• Examples
• The space shuttle will re-enter the Earths
  atmosphere tomorrow morning.
• The Partial Test-Ban Treaty bans nuclear testing
  in the atmosphere.

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all the way to emphasize how long a distance is

• Examples
• Football fans came all the way from every corner
  of the world.
• Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all
  the way to the bone!

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impact on to have an important or noticeable
effect on someone or something

• Examples
• How will this program impact on the local
  community?
• Falling export rates have impacted on the
  countrys economy quite considerably.

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specific adj. special, distinctive, or unique

• Examples
• Massage may help to increase blood flow to
  specific areas of the body.
• This book gives specific instructions on how to
  make polish leather.

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priority n. something that must be dealt with
as soon as possible and before other less
important things

• Examples
• Agriculture is still a high priority in most
  developing countries.
• Banks normally give priority to large businesses
  when deciding on loans.

prior adj. preceding in time, order,
importance, or value

• Example
• She couldnt go to the party because of a prior
  engagement.

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inexhaustible adj. existing in such large
amounts that it can never be finished or used up

• Examples
• The terrorists seem to have an inexhaustible
  supply of ammunition.
• His energy was unbounded and his patience
  inexhaustible.

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the point of no return the point in a course of
action beyond which reversal is not possible

• Examples
• Something must be done before the situation
  reached the point of no return.
• If he doesnt have his heart operation very soon
  hes in danger of reaching a point of no return.

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convenience n. the quality of being suitable
for a particular purpose, especially because it
is easy to use or saves you energy

• Examples
• Many women prefer the convenience of working at
  home while their children are small.
• I decided to buy the house for the convenience of
  living near to my parents.

convenient adj. suited or favorable to
ones comfort, purpose, or needs

• Example
• I find my bike a very convenient way of getting
  around.

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addicted adj. liking to do or have something
so much you do not want to stop

• Examples
• Some students are so addicted to computer games
  that they neglect their studies.
• The girl is addicted to chocolate.

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nurture v. to feed or take care of a child or
a plant while it is growing

• Examples
• Parents want to know the best way to nurture and
  raise their children.
• Nurture your mind with great thoughts. (Benjamin
  Disrael)

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take action to follow the process of doing in
order to deal with a problem or difficult
situation

• Examples
• The police took firm action to deal with the
  riots.
• The government is taking emergency action to deal
  with the power shortage.

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sit back to relax and make no effort to get
involved in something

• Examples
• Can we just sit back and do nothing when there
  are so many homeless people on the streets.
• Dont just sit back and wait for new business to
  come to you.