Ecological Problems in Our Cities

Modern cities have a lot of environmental problems. The most important of them are litter, air and water pollution.

Litter is garbage – like food, paper and cans – on the ground or in the street. Where many people live to­gether, litter is a problem. People don't always put their garbage in the garbage can. It's easier to drop a paper than to find a garbage can for it. But litter is ugly. It makes the city look dirty, and it spoils the view.

Litter is a health problem, too. Food and garbage bring animals, which sometimes carry disease.

Some people want to control litter. They never throw litter themselves, and sometimes they work together in groups to clean up the city. In most places litter is against the law. The law punishes people who throw garbage on the streets. They usually pay а fine, and sometimes they go to jail.

Two famous sayings in the United States are: "Don't be a litter-bug!" and "Every litter bit hurts!"

Another big problem is water pollution. Do you like swimming in the sea or drinking a cool glass of water on a hot day? These simple things may soon become a thing of the past. Factories are polluting our rivers and lakes with dangerous chemicals. They can penetrate into drinking water and harm our health too.

Air pollution is another important problem. The cars and factories in and around our cities are giving off dangerous fumes. In the past few years more and more people than before have developed allergies and breathing problems. If we don’t do something now, our cities will become impossible to live in.

Fortunately, it is not too late to solve these problems. We have the time, the money and even the technology to prepare the way for a better, cleaner and safer life in cities. We can plant trees and create parks. Scientists and engineers should work hard to find ways to decrease the amount of pollution, caused by cars and factories. We can put pressure on those in power to take action. Together we can do a lot. All we need to do is open our eyes and act immediately.

Слова к тексту:

allergies (n) – аллергия, повышенная чувствительность

penetrate (v) – проникать

2.16. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты:

a) легче выбросить бумагу, чем найти урну для неё;

b) пища и отбросы привлекают животных;

с) они никогда не бросают мусор сами;

d) мусор является нарушением закона;

e) они могут проникнуть в питьевую воду;

f) в городах и вокруг них выделяются опасные газы;

g) в наших городах невозможно будет жить;

h) сажать деревья и создавать парки;

i) чтобы найти пути для уменьшения объема загрязнения;

j) оказывать давление на тех, кто у власти.

2.17. Найдите в тексте антонимы следующим словам:

to improve

to do good

beautiful

safety

cleanliness

health

to award

freedom

grant

fresh air

2.18. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту:

A. 1. Do you always throw garbage in the garbage can?

2. Do you usually help to clean up the litter?

3. Does litter always spoil the view?

4. Do litter bugs usually go to jail?

5. Do your friends throw litter on the ground?

B. 1. Do you like to swim in clean water of a lake or river?

2. Do you like to drink a cool glass of water on a hot day?

3. Why is water becoming polluted?

4. What should we do to stop or decrease polluting our rivers and lakes? C. 1. Do people suffer from polluted air?

2. What are the sources of air pollution?

3. Can polluted air cause any diseases?

4. What should be done to lessen air pollution?

D. 1. What should engineers and scientists do to decrease the amount

of pollution?

2. Can we put pressure on our government to take action?

3. What should we do immediately?

2.19. Расскажите об экологических проблемах вашего города (села). Что делается (или не делается) для улучшения ситуации? Что вы можете сделать сами?