Amphibian Decline Serves As Global Warning
Nearly one in three species of frogs and toads in the world is under threat of extinction, according to the most comprehensive study of amphibians ever conducted. The report shows that 122 amphibian species have disappeared since 1980. The discovery, reported in the journal Science, is seen by researchers as an early warning of imminent environmental disaster.
Amphibians act like "natural barometers" since their highly permeable skin makes them very sensitive to the effects of climate change and pollution. Any drastic change in the natural world is likely to affect them first. Over the past three years, scientists analysed the distribution and conservation status of all 5,743 known amphibian species. Of these, 1,856 -32 per cent- were threatened with extinction. In comparison, only 12 per cent of bird species and 23 per cent of all mammal species are considered to be endangered. The president of Conservation International, who co-led the research, said: "Amphibians are one of nature's best indicators of overall environmental health. Their catastrophic decline serves as a warning that we are in a period of significant environmental degradation."
Amphibians were the first terrestrial vertebrates to colonise the land successfully about 350 million years ago. They have developed a remarkable diversity by adapting to many different aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Amphibians are present today in every continent except Antarctica, and can be found in almost all habitat types from dry, inhospitable deserts to lush tropical rainforests and temperate climates such as Britain's.
1.Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.
a)Researchers consider that the disappearance of amphibians is a sign of ecological catastrophe in the near future
b)The number of endangered birds is greater than amphibians
2.In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions.
a)Why does any climate change affect amphibians before birds or mammals?
b)Where do amphibians live and why do they live there?
3.Find the words in the text that mean:
a)complete (paragraph 1)
b)because (paragraph 2)
c)extreme (paragraph 2)
d)exceptional (paragraph 3)
4.Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the words in brackets when given.
a)Greenpeace was created __________ fight environmental disaster. This organization is especially interested in __________ (protect) our environment.
b)________ many people know the legend of Count Dracula, few __________(read) the novel.
c)Richard __________ (not /brush) his teeth three times a day.
d)Two years ago, they _________ (leave) for Italy.
e)Normally she __________ (finish) work at 5:00, but this week she __________ (work) until late.
5.Write about 100 to 150 words in the following topic: What could we do to reduce pollution in large cities?
lunes, 21 de diciembre de 2009
EXAMEN INGLÉS CICLOS FORMATIVOS GRADO SUPERIOR
READ THE TEXT AND DO THE TASKS BELOW
Serguei Povaguin: Russian design in Barcelona.
This Young designer was born in Russia but has lived in Spain for more than a decade now. In this short time, his work has been seen on several Barcelona catwalks, as well as at one or two international shows in Berlin and in collections in Mexico. His first award, a FAD prize for the best Spring-Summer collection 2002, was given to him during his second year of studies at the ESDI school in Sabadell. And the last and final edition of the Gaudí event showed his work in the section dedicated to young designers. A first presentation, if not to society, at least to the media and specialised press that attended.
Movement and particularly dance are the background to his latest works. These are the themes that inspire his collections and bring them to life. His most elaborate works, including his latest Spring-Summer proposals for 2006, have used flamenco and other dances that brought people together in large salons during the 1930s as their source of inspiration. Both of these have been resolved with its characteristic essential style, eliminating excess, and his fascination for the body and its curved shapes.
This imagery comes from his memories and the reference of his country of origin: “I think it comes from having grown up surrounded by snow, as the snow wraps everything in white, creating strong contrasts with the things that don’t get covered”.
(Adapted from the translated article “Serguei Povaguin” by Charo Mora, B-Guided, Spain Winter 2006)
1. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1.1. What was Serguei doing when he got his first award? Paragraph1
1.1…………………………………………………………………………………………
1.2. Where has his work been seen up to now? Paragraph 1
1.2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
1.3. In what section of the Gaudí event was his work shown? Paragraph 1
1.3……………………………………………………………………………………………
1.4. What are the main themes in his collections? Paragraph 2
1.4. …………………………………………………………………………………………
1.5. What does he remember from Russia the most? Paragraph 3
1.5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. FIND SYNONYMS IN THE TEXT FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
2.1. Introduction.
2.2. Subjects.
2.3. Basic.
2.4. Rounded.
2.5 Birth
3. TURN INTO NEGATIVE
3.1. His work has been seen in Barcelona.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3.2. People danced in large salons in the 1930s.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3.3. His imagery comes from his memories.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.4. People like his work.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.5. In the future he will have other sources of inspiration.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. WRITE QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE UNDERLINED WORDS
4.1. The young designer was born in Russia
–..........................................................................
4.2. He has lived in Spain for a decade.
- …………………………………………………………
4.3. He showed his collections in Mexico.
- …………………………………………………………
4.4. The snow covers everything in winter.
- ……………………………………………………………
4.5. He travels to Russia every year
-…………………………………………………………
5. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES USING THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS
5.1. Yesterday I ………………. (meet) my friend Mark.
5.2. I ………………(study) English for ten years, since 1999.
5.3 Last week I (lose) .............my passport.
5.4 He always (buy)............. the newspaper in the same place.
5.5. Where is the money? We ………………. (buy) some milk.
6. PERSONAL QUESTIONS.
7. 1. What kind of films do you like?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7.2. What do you usually do in your free time?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7.3. How often do you buy the newspaper?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7.4. Have you ever been to the Opera?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7.5. How many books did you read last year?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Serguei Povaguin: Russian design in Barcelona.
This Young designer was born in Russia but has lived in Spain for more than a decade now. In this short time, his work has been seen on several Barcelona catwalks, as well as at one or two international shows in Berlin and in collections in Mexico. His first award, a FAD prize for the best Spring-Summer collection 2002, was given to him during his second year of studies at the ESDI school in Sabadell. And the last and final edition of the Gaudí event showed his work in the section dedicated to young designers. A first presentation, if not to society, at least to the media and specialised press that attended.
Movement and particularly dance are the background to his latest works. These are the themes that inspire his collections and bring them to life. His most elaborate works, including his latest Spring-Summer proposals for 2006, have used flamenco and other dances that brought people together in large salons during the 1930s as their source of inspiration. Both of these have been resolved with its characteristic essential style, eliminating excess, and his fascination for the body and its curved shapes.
This imagery comes from his memories and the reference of his country of origin: “I think it comes from having grown up surrounded by snow, as the snow wraps everything in white, creating strong contrasts with the things that don’t get covered”.
(Adapted from the translated article “Serguei Povaguin” by Charo Mora, B-Guided, Spain Winter 2006)
1. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1.1. What was Serguei doing when he got his first award? Paragraph1
1.1…………………………………………………………………………………………
1.2. Where has his work been seen up to now? Paragraph 1
1.2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
1.3. In what section of the Gaudí event was his work shown? Paragraph 1
1.3……………………………………………………………………………………………
1.4. What are the main themes in his collections? Paragraph 2
1.4. …………………………………………………………………………………………
1.5. What does he remember from Russia the most? Paragraph 3
1.5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. FIND SYNONYMS IN THE TEXT FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
2.1. Introduction.
2.2. Subjects.
2.3. Basic.
2.4. Rounded.
2.5 Birth
3. TURN INTO NEGATIVE
3.1. His work has been seen in Barcelona.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3.2. People danced in large salons in the 1930s.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3.3. His imagery comes from his memories.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.4. People like his work.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.5. In the future he will have other sources of inspiration.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. WRITE QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE UNDERLINED WORDS
4.1. The young designer was born in Russia
–..........................................................................
4.2. He has lived in Spain for a decade.
- …………………………………………………………
4.3. He showed his collections in Mexico.
- …………………………………………………………
4.4. The snow covers everything in winter.
- ……………………………………………………………
4.5. He travels to Russia every year
-…………………………………………………………
5. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES USING THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS
5.1. Yesterday I ………………. (meet) my friend Mark.
5.2. I ………………(study) English for ten years, since 1999.
5.3 Last week I (lose) .............my passport.
5.4 He always (buy)............. the newspaper in the same place.
5.5. Where is the money? We ………………. (buy) some milk.
6. PERSONAL QUESTIONS.
7. 1. What kind of films do you like?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7.2. What do you usually do in your free time?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7.3. How often do you buy the newspaper?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7.4. Have you ever been to the Opera?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7.5. How many books did you read last year?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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