Agriculture in foreign countries

BRITISH AGRICULTURE

Task 1 Study the words before reading the text

efficient – эффективный; умелый, подготовленный, квалифицированный

efficiency – продуктивность, производительность

efficiency of labour – производительность труда

acreage – площадь земли в акрах

acre – акр (= 0,4 га); acres – земли, владения

total agricultural acreage – общая площадь с/х угодий

average – средняя величина on the (an) average – в среднем

below the average; above the average; an average sized farm

primarily – сначала, первоначально, главным образом

syn. at fi rst, at the beginning; mainly

technology – технология

technology of farm crop production; technologist, food technologist

suffi cient – достаточный

to be self-suffi cient in – обеспечивать себя

cereals– хлебные злаки, зерновые syn. grain crops; Wheat, barley, oats are cereals.

horticulture– садоводство, огородничество syn. gardening horticultural – садовый

horticultural crops – садовые культуры

horticulturist– садовод

source – источник a source of energy; reliable source of information; major source

to import (into) – импортировать, ввозить

import– импорт, ввоз imports – ввозимые товары

gooseberry – крыжовник

strawberry – клубника, земляника plantations of strawberry

raspberry – малина raspberry cane(s) – кусты малины

to rear– выращивать

moorland ]– местность, поросшая вереском

Task 2 Read the text and find the sentences containing the main idea(s) of it.

Agriculture, one of Britain’s most important industries, supplies nearly two-thirds of the country’s food. British agriculture is effi cient, for it is based on modern technology and research.

Nearly 80 % of the land is used for agriculture. The total agricultural acreage of Great Britain is about 45,000,000 acres. Soils vary from the poor ones of highland Britain to the rich fertile soils in the eastern and south-eastern parts of England.

Britain is self-suffi cient in milk, eggs, to a very great extent in meat, potatoes, wheat. However, it needs to import butter, cheese, sugar and some other agricultural products.

There are about 55,000 farms in Britain. They are not large. An average sized farm is about 30-40 acres. There are tree main types of farming in Great Britain: pastoral, arable, mixed. 60% of farms are devoted mainly to dairy or beef cattle and sheep. Sheep and cattle are reared in the hilly and moorland areas of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and south-western

England. Milk production is of the fi rst importance in the structure of British agriculture.

Pig breeding is carried on in most areas but is particularly important in southern England, north-eastern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Arable farms are mainly in the eastern part of the country. The main cereal crops in Great Britain are wheat, barley and oats. Rye is grown in small quantities for use as cattle fodder.

Great Britain produces different kinds of fruit: apples, pears, cherries, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries and others. Potatoes are grown for sale, for fodder and for seed.

Modern machines: tractors, combines and other equipment are used on British farms. But today the main tendency in British agriculture is that small traditional farms are gradually disappearing because they cannot compete with big industrial farms.

Private woods make up 56 % of the total forest area in Great Britain. Woodlands cover an estimated 2.2 million hectares. Britain’s second major source of food is the surrounding seas. The fi shing industry provides about 70 % of British fi sh supplies.

Task 3. Insert prepositions.

1. British agriculture supplies 2/3 … the country’s food.

2. It is based … modern technology.

3. Soils vary … the poor ones … the rich and fertile soils.

4. Britain is self-suffi cient … meat, potatoes, wheat.

5. The main cereal crops … Britain are wheat, barley and oats.

6. Potatoes are grown … sale, … fodder, … seed.

7. Modern machines are used … British farms.

8. Private woods make … 56 % of the total forest area.

Task 4. Fill in the blanks with the suitable words from the list.

horticulture, agriculture, horticultural, average, farming,

self-sufficient, supply, sheep, produced, profi table

1. Britain today is … in milk, eggs, potatoes, barley, oats.

2. Great Britain is a country with a highly developed industry and...

3. There are three main types of … in Great Britain.

4. An … sized farm is about 30-40 acres.

5. British farmers … milk and milk products, meat, wool and eggs for the population.

6. Before the Second World War Britain … one-third of its total food requirements.

7. … crops are fruit, vegetables and fl owers.

8. … farming is concentrated in the hilly and moorland areas of highland Britain.

9. It is more … to import cheaper products from overseas, mainly from

Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

10. The land utilized for … is about 251,000 hectares.

Task 5. Agree or disagree. Use one of the following expressions:

– You are right. That’s true. It’s really so.

– You are not right. That’s not true. You are mistaken.

1. Wheat, barley, oats are vegetables.

2. British agriculture is based on modern technology and research.

3. Great Britain doesn’t import agricultural products.

4. British farms are large.

5. Meat production is more profi table than milk production.

6. Arable farms are mainly in the northern part of the country.

7. Rye is grown for use as cattle fodder.

8. Britain’s second source of food is the seas.

Task 6. Answer the questions.

1. What is the total agricultural acreage of Great Britain?

2. How do soils vary?

3. What does Britain need to import?

4. How many farms are there in Britain today?

5. What kind of farms are they?

6. What kind of animals are reared in Britain?

7. What is of the fi rst importance in the structure of British agriculture?

8. Where are arable farms situated?

9. What crops are mainly grown on these farms?

10. What kinds of fruit does Great Britain produce?

11. What is the main tendency in the agricultural development of the country today?

12. What is Britain’s second major source of food?

Task 7. Find in the list below the words corresponding to the defi nitions.

arable farms, horticulture, crop, soil, fodder, to import,

pastoral farming,cereal, mixed farming

1) farms used (or suitable) for growing crops;

2) farming which involves keeping sheep, cattle, etc;

3) the method of farming in which crops are grown and animals are kept on the same farm;

4) a type of grass which is cultivated to produce grain, or food made from grain which is eaten;

5) the study or activity of cultivating gardens;

6) to buy or bring in products from another country;

7) the material on the surface of the ground in which plants grow;

8) food that is given to cows, horses or other farm animals;

9) a plant such as a grain, fruit or vegetable grown in large amounts by farmers;

Task 8. Read the text. Say what information is new for you.

The visitor who travels from Dover to London in spring will pass through blossoming orchards of apple, pear and cherry tress, for it is not for nothing that Kent is called the “Garden of England”. Hard fruits (apples and pears) grow well in many other parts of Britain also. In the West farmers grow cider apples. Soft fruits (such as plums) are grown in many counties; the area around Perth, in Scotland, is the chief centre for raspberries.

Wheat growing is confi ned mainly to England. Barley and oats are grown in the same areas together with sugar beet. More than half of the crop is harvested mechanically. Potatoes are grown mainly in the East of England and in Lancashire, while Scotland supplies seed potatoes. Dairy farming is distributed all over the country but is characteristic of the West of England.

Britain is an exporter of pedigree cattle, sheep, pigs and horses. Sheep are found in hilly countries particularly. Britain has been famous for it for centuries. There is hardly a place in the country which hasn’t got some connection with the wool trade. Many surnames show a family’s past connection with the wool trade. Shepherd and Weaver are the best examples.

Market gardening centres are usually situated near the big towns. Glasshouses

are mainly in southern England.

___________________________

Kent – графство на юго-востоке Англии; cider [΄saIdə] – сидр (на-

питок из яблок); pedigree cattle [΄pedIgri:] – племенной (породистый)

скот; shepherd [΄Sepəd] – пастух; weaver [΄wi:və] – ткач.

9. Answer the questions.

1. What part of Great Britain is called the “Garden of England”?

2. What are many of the apples grown in the West of England used

for?

3. What farm animals does Britain export?

4. What do the surnames of Shepherd and Weaver show?

Task 10. Read the text. Write out agricultural activities mentioned in the text.

e.g. to harvest crops, to dig potatoes

On an English Farm in October

October is a busy month for any farmer. The two most important jobs are to fi nish the harvesting of last year’s crops and to begin preparations for next year’s harvest. All the grain is now in the stacks or ricks and thatched safe from the rain. The potatoes were dug in September and are now stored in pits, and the apples have been sold, stored or made into cider. But there are two crops still to harvest – mangolds and sugar-beets.

The mangolds have been grown for cow feeding, so that the cows may have some moist fresh food when winter brings the good grass in the pastures to an end. They are huge yellow roots with dark green leaves, and they must be pulled up and stored before the winter frosts can spoil them. Sugar-beets are of the same plant family as mangolds, but are much more difficult to harvest.

In addition to ploughing, sowing and root-harvesting, the routine work with the farm’s livestock has been going on. The cows have been milked and fed twice daily, on weekdays and Sundays. October is a fairly easy month for the dairyman. His cows obtain most of their food from the pastures.

What else is there to do in October on a farm? Very many things. For one, the poultry must be looked after. Now on most farms they are kept in houses without fl oors, which are moved on to fresh ground each day. On a day when it’s too wet to sow, or even to pull roots, the men can do a little hedge-trimming.

Task 11. Speak on the main aspects of British agriculture.

Task 12. English people say:

1. Soil is the best provider.

2. Make hay while the sun shines.

3. Everything is good in its season.

4. Don’t count chickens until eggs are hatched.

5. A snow year, a rich year.

What do Russian people say?

 

 

UNIT 18

AGRICULTURE IN THE USA

Task 1. Read the following disjunctive questions paying attention to the intonation.

1. It is one of the largest farms in the region, isn’t it?

2. Many crops are grown on the farm, aren’t they?

3. They cannot have high yields without application of fertilizers, can they?

4. The farm has large areas under grain crops, hasn’t it?

5. They train agronomists, veterinarians, stockbreeders and other specialists,

don’t they?

Task 2. Change the statements into disjunctive questions. Mind your intonation.

1. Students must fi ll in their diaries during their practice on the experimental farm.

2. Next year scientists will meet at the conference to discuss different problems of agriculture.

3. There were different kinds of agricultural machinery at the exhibition.

4. The canal irrigated many thousands of hectares of land.

5. We haven’t solved the problem of environmental pollution yet.

Task 3. Изучите материал по словообразованию и выполните упражнения:

Многие слова являются составными, т.е. образуются путем соединения двух и более слов, которые могут относиться к разным частям речи. Некоторые из них пишутся слитно, другие через дефис.

news + paper – newspaper (газета)

first + class – fi rst-class (первоклассный)

mother + in + law – mother-in-law (теща)

white + to wash – to whitewash (белить)

- Translate the following compound words into Russian.

Notebook, landowner, dark-blue, shoemaker, teacup, tea-rose, hardworking, sunfl ower, tooth-paste, forget-me-not, grasshopper, worldwide, restroom, sugarcane, pineapple.

- Match the two columns to make compound words.

tea

suit

work

ear

bare

rain

key

soy

farm

land

force

fall

board

beans

case

time

ring

foot

 

Task 4. Прочитайте и переведите словосчетания и предложения:

to clear – расчищать, очищать, убирать to clear the streets of snow

to settle – поселять(ся), размещать(ся), обосноваться, устраивать(ся)

to settle in Canada; The nurse settled her patients for the night.

settler – поселенец white settlers in Kenya

to adopt – перенимать to adopt new technologies

to graze – пасти(сь) The village cattle grazed around a central fi eld.

to comprize – охватывать, включать, содержать

The island of Great Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales.

to improve – улучшать(ся), совершенствовать(ся)

Your English has really improved since you arrived.

to cut (cut, cut) – резать, снижать, уменьшать to cut bread, to cut export

consumer – потребитель consumer goods

to own – владеть to own lands

owner – владелец owners of large farms

to hire – нанимать, давать напрокат

to work for hire – работать по найму; to hire seasonal workers

Owners of large farms hire seasonal workers.

to invest – вкладывать, помещать деньги to invest $30,000 in a business

to rent – сдавать, брать (в аренду), снять We don’t own our house, we rent it from Mr. Grey.

tenant – арендатор Housing tenants buy the houses they rent.

to pick – собирать, снимать (плоды); picking – сбор

If only I had a chance to start my life anew, I’d travel longer, I’d play games, I’d pick more daisies.

migrant – кочующий Seasonal workers are also called migrant workers.

to contribute – способствовать, содействовать Drink contributed to his ruin.

to receive – получать If you receive an invitation to dinner, it is a good idea to ask how you should dress.

to require – нуждаться, требовать(ся) We require extra help.

cash – деньги, наличные деньги It is sold for cash only.

to feed (fed, fed) – кормить(ся), пасти(сь) Have the pigs been fed yet?

 

Task 5.Read the text and write down the names of the crops grown in the USA and the names of the states growing these crops.

USA Agriculture

Nearly 400 years ago European colonists came to America. The colonists began to settle. They cleared the land and transformed forests into croplands and pastures. The settlers lived in a group of houses around a central fi eld. Here grazed the village cattle In 1862 the government gave land away free. A settler had to clear it, build a house and live there for at least fi ve years. There appeared family farms. Over time, farming methods and farming areas increased. Today the average farm in the USA comprises 187 ha (462 acres). American farms became more effi cient. Many farms adopted new technologies. Computers helped them improve productivity and cut costs. By the mid-1970s a single farmer could grow enough food to feed himself, 45 other Americans and 8 foreigners. In the 1990s American farmers invested more than $ 400 billion in land, livestock, buildings and equipment. American consumers pay less for their food than the people of many other industrial countries.

Most of the farms in the USA are family farms. Only 3 percent of them are led by corporations that are owned by families. People who have small pieces of land cannot invest in modern equipment. Often they sell their land to other farmers. There are tenant farmers who rent this land for cash or give the owner a part of the crops they grow. Owners of large farms hire seasonal workers. Many of these seasonal workers travel from farm to farm. They stay only for the period of picking crops. They are known as migrant workers.

The Northeast region does not have large areas of good land. But you can fi nd dairy and poultry farms in several areas. Maine is famous for potatoes.

The Great Lakes region is also an important area for farming. Corn, wheat and dairy products are the most important agricultural items. Farmers often rotate soybeans – that is, planting corn in a fi eld one year and soybeans the next. The region has enough rainfall, which is very important for hay, grown to feed dairy cattle. Wisconsin is the most important dairy state in the region.

The South is famous for tobacco. The moist, warm climate contributes to the extensive growth of tobacco in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Cotton is another important crop for southern farmers, especially in Arkansas and Mississippi. Peanuts are grown in Georgia and citrus fruits, vegetables in Florida. Soybeans are an important crop in Arkansas.

The Great Plains region is considered the “American breadbasket”. It yields great quantities of crops, especially wheat. Wheat is important in Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. Iowa receives more rainfall than the states in the west, so corn is grown instead of wheat. It is the leading state in the USA in corn production. Texas leads the country in the number of cattle and sheep. Here vegetables and citrus fruit, wheat and cotton are grown too.

The Rocky Mountains region lacks water. So many farmers raise livestock. The cattle and sheep require a lot of land to graze. Many of the ranches are very large. Their sizes can be over 900 hectares.

California leads the Pacifi c region in farming. It is the leading grower of fruits and vegetables. The farms produce cattle, dairy products, cotton, grapes, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. In Washington cherries and apples are major fruits. Farms in Hawaii grow sugarcane and pineapples.

Now USA agriculture is big business and is a part of the country’s economy.

Agribusiness includes farmer cooperatives, rural banks, shippers of farm products, fi rms that manufacture farm equipment, food-processing industries and many other businesses. American agriculture exports its crops to Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America. The United States produces half of the world’s soybeans and corn for grain, and from 10 to 25 percent of the world’s cotton, wheat, tobacco and vegetable oils.

6.Use these letters to write the names of the crops grown in the USA.

• sapelp

• otcocba

• csehierr

• sperga

• rcaangeus

• tncoot

• ssonyabe

• spielnepap

Task 6 Find in the text synonyms to the underlined words.

To decrease costs, a part of land, the main states, to produce great quantities of crops, to get much rainfall, the leading producer of fruits, to make productivity higher, to consist of many businesses.

Task 8. Use the synonyms from the previous exercise to fi ll in the blanks.

1. New technologies will help us … costs.

2. The fi rst American settlers cleared … of land and lived in a group of houses.

3. The leading … of tobacco is the South region.

4. … productivity of farm animals the owner of the farm … new technologies.

5. The Great Plains region … many crops such as wheat, corn, cotton and many others.

6. Iowa is known … more rainfall than the states in the west.

Task 9. Fill in the necessary prepositions.

1. Farmers had to live on a piece of land … fi ve years.

2. This farm is led … a family corporation.

3. If you cannot invest … modern technology sell your business.

4. The USA is famous … its multinational population.

5. The region leads the country … production of fertilizers.

6. The moist warm climate contributes … the growth of rice in Japan.

Task 10. What states lead the country in growing crops using one of the models.

Models a) What is the leading state in growing wheat in the USA?

The leading state in growing wheat in the USA is Kansas.

b) What state leads the country in growing wheat?

Kansas leads the country in growing wheat.

Task 11. Fill in the names of the regions, using the text. Translate into Russian.

1. … is famous for soybeans and tobacco.

2. Wheat is the most important crop in ….

3. Cotton is another important crop in ….

4. Wisconsin is the main dairy state in ….

5. Iowa is the leading state in … in corn production.

6. Many farmers in … raise livestock.

7. California leads … in farming.

8. In several areas of … you can fi nd dairy and poultry farms.

Task 12. Correct the following statements.

1. In the 13th century European colonists who came to America lived in a group of houses.

2. In the second half of the 19th century settlers paid large sums of money to buy a piece of land.

3. Tenant farmers are known to be called migrant workers.

4. Florida is considered to be the American breadbasket.

5. State farms are the most widely spread in the USA.

6. The Rocky Mountains region receives enough rainfall to grow tobacco.

7. Kansas is the leading grower of tobacco in the South region.

Task 13. Make up questions to which the following answers may be given.

1. ……….?

Migrant workers are people who work on different farms only for the period of picking crops.

2. ………?

The Great Plains region is the “American breadbasket” because it is the leading grower of wheat in the USA.

3. ……..?

Crop growing depends on climate.

4. ……..?

Yes, most of the farms in the USA are family farms.

5. ……..?

Tenant farmers rent a piece of land and give the owner a part of the crops they grow.

6. ……..?

The USA exports its crops to Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America.

Task 14. Use the words to make sentences.

1. Farm, what, average, is, a, the, of, size?

2. The, growing, region, crops, does, lands, not, good, have, for.

3. Tenant, crops, farmers, picking, of, hire, period, seasonal, the, for, workers.

4. Region, dairy, Mountains, farms, Rocky, are, the, situated, in.

5. The, cotton, and, South, is, tobacco, for, famous.

Task 15. Answer the questions.

1. When did European colonists come to America?

2. Did the settlers live in a group of houses?

3. When and how did family farms appear?

4. How do American farmers improve productivity?

5. What kind of farms is the most typical in the USA?

6. The USA is divided into six main regions, isn’t it? Name them.

7. What crops are grown in the South?

8. Do all states in the USA grow the same crops? What does it depend on?

9. Where are dairy farms situated?

10. Is agriculture a part of the US economy?

Task 16. Be ready to speak on one of the topics.

a) A short history of American agriculture.

b) Agriculture is one of the biggest and most productive enterprises in the USA.

c) The six agricultural regions.

Task 17. Match the proverbs and sayings.

1. If ifs and ans were pots and pans.

2. If it were not for hope, the heart would break.

3. If there were no clouds, we should not enjoy the sun.

4. If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.

5. Barking dogs don’t bite.

a) Задним умом всяк крепок.

b) Чем ночь темнее, тем ярче звезды.

c) Если бы, да кабы.

d) Сердце надеждой живет.

e) Кто много грозит, тот мало вредит

Task 18. Read the story and fi ll in the gap with the suitable proverb from exercise 5.

One day a Frenchman went to visit his American friend. When he came up to his house, a big dog ran out and began to bark at him.

The Frenchman was frightened and stopped. At that moment the American came out and saw his friend.

«Don’t be afraid!» he said. «Don’t you know the proverb ‘……………………...’?»

«Oh, yes,» was the quick answer. «I know the proverb, and you know the proverb, but the dog – does the dog know the proverb?»

 

UNIT 19

PLANT PRODUCTS

 

Task 1 Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 What are your favorite fruits and vegetables?

2 What non-food products come from plants?

Task 2 Read the advertisement. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct items.

1 Available fruits: ___________________________

2 Available vegetables: ___________________________

3 Cereal products: ___________________________

4 Industrial crop products:

___________________________

 

Task 3 Match the words (1-6) with the definitions (A-F).

1 _ harvest

2 _ legume

3 _ melon

4 _ tuber

5 _ cereal

6 _ farmer's market

A a crop that grows underground

B a crop that produces grain

C a crop that has pods

D crops that have been gathered

E a of large sweet fruit

F a group of farmers selling crops

Task 4 Check (+) the sentence that uses the underlined part correctly.

1_ A. Legumes are a very popular fruit.

_ B. Kevin likes to wear hemp clothing.

2 _A. Many people prefer cereals because they have no seeds.

_B. Vegetables are used in many meals.

3 _A Most harvests grow completely underground.

_B Fruit is popular because it is sweet.

4 _ A. Industrial crops are not eaten.

_ B Some t ubers are used to make clothes.

Task 5 Listen and read the advert again. What can someone find at the market?

Task 6 Listen to a conversation between a customer and farmer at a farmer's market.

Place a check (+) next to items the customer buys.

1 potatoes

2 granola

3 strawberries

4 apples

5 cereal crops

Task 7 Listen again and complete the conversation.

Farmer: Welcome to the farmer's market. Can I ……… …………. with something?

Customer: Yes, please. I want some fresh fruit.

Farmer: These 2 …………. are perfect. We picked them yesterday.

Customer: Oh, good. And I'd like some …………, too. 4 …………. …………. are they?

Farmer: A three pound bag costs one dollar.

Customer: I'll take a bag, thanks.

Farmer: Okay. Anything else today?

Customer: Yeah. I saw your ad for …………….. Do you have that?

Farmer: Yes, we do. …......... ………………. are grown on a nearby farm.

Task 8 Make dialogues

Student A: You are at a farmer's market. Talk to Student B about:

• three products • prices

Student B: You are a farmer at a farmer's market. Answer Student A's questions.

Task 9 Use the conversation from Task 8 to fill out the customer's receipt.

Date of sale ____________

Items Purshased_______________ Price__________________

Total Amount Due ____________________

 

 

UNIT 20

ANIMAL PRODUCTS

Task 1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 What types of meat come from animals?

2 What other products come from animals?

More than a meal

We rely on animals for a number of products. Some are more

obvious than others. Animals' milk and meat provide us with

protein. We make clothing and furniture with wool and leather.

In addition, there is a long list of animal by-products.

We use them every day. But we don't always know it.

We render fat or tallow, into tires, soaps, and candles.

Msrshmallows, buttons and tape include bones and hoovs.

Wool is often used in carpet. Even baseballs use animal products.

Animal by-products are found in unexpected places. Thanks to

rendering very little goes to waste. Meat is just one of many

products that we take from animals.

Task 2. Read the magazine article. Then, choose the correct answers.

What is the article mainly about?

A Animals that only produce meat

B The most popular types of meat

C Products made from animals

D Waste products of rendering

2 Which of the following is NOT a by-product?

A fat C hooves

B bone D protein

3 What is true of rendering?

A It limits waste.

B It is a by-product.

C It provides protein.

D It is in marshmallow

Task 3. Read the sentence pair. Choose where the words best fit the blanks.

1 wool/milk

A __________ is an important food source.

B Many clothes are made of ____ _

2 protein / leather

A _________is often used to cover furniture.

B Plant products and meat contain ___________

3 meat / by-products

A Humans have always used animals for_________

B _ ____ are used in many common products.

Task 4. Write a word that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

1. Too much oily substance from plants and animals is unhealthy.__ __ ___

2 Hard materials that give a body structure are a by-product. _o _ _ s

3 The hard feet of animals are used to make tape. h _ _ v _ _

4 Soap is made by melting animal fat. r _ _ _ _ _ ing

5 Fat that is used to make candles is also used in soap. _a _ _ ow

 

Task 5.Listen and read the magazine article again. What happens to animal fat before it is used to produce soaps?

Manager: 1_______ _______ We have a new product to sell. Viss Smith will tell us about it.

Developer: Okey. Customers awbt natural products, right? So we made an all-natural soap.

Manager: Wahy 2________ _________ _________ by “all-natural”?

Developer: There are no extra 3 _________. It’s just the basic ingredirnts.

Manager: Sounds interesting. Will it be 4 ____?

Developer: No. After all, the main ingredient is tallow.

Manager: 5 __________ ________. What's tallow?

Dev eloper: Oh, tallow is basically animal fat. It's used in 6 ____ ___ _

Manager: And it's cheap?

Developer: Very. It's a by-product that few people use.

 

Task 6. With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 5. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

We have a new product.

What do you mean by...

The main ingredient is...

Student A: You are a salesman. Ask Student B about:

• a new product

• ingredients

• price

Student 8: You created a new product that uses animal by-products. Answer Student A' questions.

 

Task 7. Use the conversation from Task 5 and the magazine article to fill out the product description.

NEW PRODUCT NOTES

Product: _ _______ _

Description/Special Qualities: __

Main Ingredient: _ _ ___ _

Expected Costs: _ ____ _

 

 

UNIT 21

SOIL

Task 1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 What kind of soil is there in your country?

2 Why is good soil important?

Dear Green Thumb:

My tomatoes are dying. They get plenty of sunand water. What am I doing wrong? - Tom G.

Dear Tom:

Check the soil. Tomato roots need the right amount of water and air. They don't do well in sand or clay. Both have the wrong soil structure. Sand particles are too loose to hold enough water. Dense clay prevents aeration. You need a soil texture in between those extremes. Loam with high silt is usually good. The other issue is nutrients. A soil's parent material determines what nutrients are in it.

You can improve the nutrients by adding humus.

Task 2. Read the newspaper advice column. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ Tomatoes grow well in clay.

2 _ Aeration does not occur in clay.

3 _ Humus adds nutrients to soil.

 

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words and phrases from the word bank.

aeration clay loam humus soil structures

1 Some _____ hold more water than others.

2 Crops don't grow well in pure _____ soil.

3 Use ___________’. to add nutrients to soil.

4_ ____ provides roots with air.

5____ is a mix of three soil types.

Task 4. Match the words (1-6) with the definitions (A-F).

1 _ soil A a mate rial made of small pieces of rock and mineral

2 _ sand B a material that is deposited by ater

3 _ silt C ock and minerals that eventually form soil

4 _ soil texture D a layer of material that plants grow in

5 _ parent material E the size of particles in a soil

6 _ dense F having a lot of material in a small space

Task 5. Read the newspaper advice column again. What do you need to take into consideration when planting tomatoes?

Task 6. Listen to a conversation between a customer and clerk in a plant supply store. Choose the correct answers.

1. What is the customer buying at the store?

A soil C houseplants

B pots D vegetables

2 Why does the clerk recommend Wonder Grow?

A It contains no clay. B It has dense soil structure.

C It supports vegetable growth. D It has good aeration and holds water.

Task 7. Listen again and complete the conversation.

Clerk: Hi. Can I help you with anything?

Customer: Yes. I need some 1 ___ _

Clerk: Is this for indoor or outdoor plants?

Customer: It's for indoor plants.

Clerk: What kinds of plants is it for? Houseplants? flowering plants? vegetables?

Customer: I have some spider plants. They need to be put in 2 _______ _

Clerk: 3 ___________ _ you should use Wonder Grow. It has 4_________ and 5 ____________well, too.

Customer: Okay, 6 ___ _ ___ _____. Thanks for your help.

Task 8. With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

I need some...

What kind of plants is it for?

You should use...

Student A: You work in a plant supply store. Talk to Student B about:

• type of plants

• soil types

• soil description

Student B: You need soil for your plants. Answer Student A's questions.

Task 9. Use the conversation from Task 8 and the newspaper advice column to fill out the product description.

Product name: ___ _. _____ can be used for ____ _ or ____ _

It supports ______ and _____ _growth.

Best of all, it has _____ and ___ _better than any product.

 

 

UNIT 22

WATER

Task 1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 Where do farmers get water?

2 How do water shortages hurt farmers?

 

Task 2. Read the article from the San Fernando Sun newspaper. Then, choose the correct answers.

1 What is the article mostly about?

A a crop shortage

B a lack of rainfall

C new irrigation methods

D new types of crops

Task 3 According to the article, what will cause a water shortage in the future?

A raising rain-fed crops

B using extra groundwater

C farming in arid locations

o planting crops in the mountains

3 What is true of the peaches and nectarines?

A They will not be damaged by the drought.

B They will be more expensive this year.

C They will need more water than most fruits.

D They will be grown by out of town farmers.

 

Task 4.Read the sentence pair. Choose where the words best fit the blanks.

1 ditch I groundwater

A Irrigate the crops by digging a _______

B Areas with a lot of _____ are ideal for farming.

2 shortage I rainfall

A With so much _____, Dawn didn't have to water her plants.

B Many crops died due to the water _________

3 rain-fed I drought-resistant

A Linda prefers __________ crops since she lives in an arid region.

B Andrew doesn't irrigate; his crops are _________

 

Task 5. Match the words (1-4) with the definitions (A-D).

1 _ water cycle A to guide water to plants

2 _ drought B the pattern of water moving and changing form

3 _ arid C receiving little rainfall

4 _ irrigate D a period of unusual dryness

 

Task 6. Read the article from the San Fernando Sun newspaper again. Why has the fact that there has been less rainfall in the mountains affected the region?

Listen to a conversation between two farmers. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ The man's vegetable crop died.

2 _ The woman might expand her irrigation system.

3 _ The woman does not have drought –resistant crops

Task 7. Listen again and complete the conversation.

Farmer 1: I'm worried. My vegetables won't 1 ____________ if this drought continues.

Farmer 2: I feel the same way. My lettuce and cucumbers aren't doing well.

Farmer 1: What are you going to 2 ___ ____ it?

Farmer 2: I might 3________ my irrigation system.

Farmer 1: That 4 __________very expensive.

Farmer 2: I agree. But I don't know what else to do.

Farmer 1: You could always plant 5 ___ _____ vegetables next year.

Farmer 2: That's a good idea. It will cost less. But it 6 ________ this year.

 

Task 8. With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

My... aren't doing well.

You could always...

That's a good idea.

Student A: You are a farmer during a drought. Talk to Student B about:

• your crops

• irrigation

• other solutions

Student B: You are a farmer during a drought. Discuss solutions with Student A.

Task 9. Use the conversation from Task 8 to fill out the farm report.

FARM REPORT

Date: ___ _

Crops Planted: __________ _

Crop Condition: _________ _

Water Problems: _________ _

Possible Solutions: _________ _

 

 

UNIT 23

SEEDS

 

Task 1.Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 How do farmers plant seeds?

2. What do seeds need to grow?

Task 2.Read the page from The New Gardener's Seed catalog. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ The seedlings can survive below 37° F.

2 _ The broccoli seeds have hard coats.

3 _ The seeds will sprout within two weeks.

Task 3 Match the words (1-6) with the definitions (A-F).

1 _ hard coat

2 _ germinate

3 _seedling

4 _ seed vigor

5 _ hybrid

6 _sow

 

A the firm outer layer of a seed

B to sprout from a seed

C to plant seeds

D made by parents of different breeds

E a young plant

F the strength and survivability of a seed

Task 4.Write a word that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

1 Farmers plant small objects from which plants grow in the spring. s __ d_

2 Each plant has a different number of days until it can be harvested. d ___ t_ ma _____ y

3 Some plants require special ways in which seeds are planted. _o w _ __ e ____ _

4 To plant a arge crop, you need a large quantity order of seeds. B__k

5 Some plants produce seeds that pass the winter in an active state. _ o r_____y

 

Task 5. Listen and read the page from The New Gardener's Seed catalog again. How many weeks will it take for the broccoli to be edible?

Task 6 Listen to a conversation between a customer and a farmer. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ The customer wants watermelon seeds.

2 _ The farmer does not have the seed varieties that the customer wants.

3 _ The customer will receive 10% off.

 

Task 7 Listen again and complete the conversation.

Farmer: Hi there. Welcome to Braxton

Farms. How can I help you?

Customer: Hi, I'd like to buy some seeds.

Farmer: Great. What varieties are you interested in?

Customer: I want some 1 ________, the Super King. And some cantaloupe, the Royal Gold.

Farmer: I'm sorry. I 2 _ _ _ _ ____ that.

Customer: Super King watermelon and Royal Gold cantaloupe.

Farmer: 3 _________. Also, we have a special today on 4 _ _ _ _orders. You get 10% off.

Customer: 5___________. I only need two packets of each.

Farmer: Well, they 6 _ _ _ _ ___ _ packs of 3 for $3.78.

 

Task 8 With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

I'd like to buy some seeds.

What varieties are you interested in?

I only need...

Student A: You are a farmer selling seeds. Talk to Student B about:

• seed varieties

• discounts

• total price

Student B: You are buying seeds. Answer Student A's questions.

 

Task 9.Use the conversation from Task 8 to fill out the receipt.

Braxton Farms

Sales Reccipt

Seed Variety: ___________ _

Number of packets: ________ _

Seed Variety: ___________ _

Number of packets: ________ _

Discount? Y I N

Total Price: ___________ _

 

UNIT 24

PLANT GROWTH

Task 1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1. How do plants change as they grow?

2.What function does each part of a plant serve?

 

Task 2. Read the magazine article. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ No plant has more protein than quinoa.

2 _ Quinoa sprouts quickly and then slows.

3 _ Farmers who grow quinoa harvest its seeds.

Task 3 Match the words (1-4) with the definitions(A-D).

1 _ photosynthesis A a narrow part that supports leaves

2 _ branch B a chemical process that produces energy

3 _ stalk C a limb of a plant

4 _ quinoa D a strong plant that is grown for its seeds

Task 4. Fill in the blanks with the correct words and phrases from the word bank.

Roots growth chart leaves buds flowering seedheard

A Those _____ will grow into flowers.

B Plants absorb nutrients from the soil with their ________

C Photosynthesis occurs in the _____ of a plan.

D Tom keeps a detailed _____ of his crops tes how effective his fertilizers are.

E ________ plants usually produce colorful blooms in spring.

F The ______ of a quinoa plant contains the protein-rich harvest.

Task 5. Read the magazine article again. Why do gardeners like quinoa?

Task 6 Listen to a conversation between two farmers discussing plant growth. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ The man planted quinoa for the first time.

2_ The woman's crops did not grow.

3 _ The woman planted quinoa on thousands of acres.

Task 7 Listen again and complete theconversation.

Farm er 1: Susan, you planted quinoa for the first time this year, 1 ___ _____?

Farmer 2: I did. I was worried 2 ___ _____. But it seems okay now.

Farmer 1: Worried? Why?

Farmer 2: It was growing so slowly. But it just 3 _____ ______ ______ for the buds to flower.

Farmer 1: Oh, so they're 4 ________ ___________?

Farmer 2: Yeah, they are. We expect to harvest them next week.

Farmer 1: That's great. How much do you expect to harvest?

Farmer 2: Well, we only planted a 5 ___ _ ___ _. So probably two thousand

pounds 6 _ ______ _______

Task 8 With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

You planted quinoa?

Worried? Why?

How much do you expect to harvest?

Student A: You are a farmer. Ask Student B about planting quinoa for the first time. Talk about:

• growth rate

• concerns

• expected harvest

Student B: You are a farmer. Answer Student A's questions.

Task 9 Use the conversation from Task 8 to fil out the farmers' notes on the first quinoa

harvest.

Quinoa Harvest Summary

Acres Planted: ___________ _

Summary of Crop Growth: _______ _

Expected Harvest: _________ _

Actual Harvest: -----------

 

UNIT 25

HARVEST

Task 1 Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 When do farmers harvest crops in your country?

2 How do farmers gather crops during harvest?

Task 2 Read the harvest summary report. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ The crops all have the same package type.

2 _ None of the crops were rained on.

3 _ Field #2 produced the smallest amount of wheat.

 

Task 3 Read the sentence pair. Choose where the wordsbest fit the blanks.

1 reap / mature

A the crops in six months.

B Some plants take longer to ___ _

2 chaff / harvest

A The annual ____ is next month.

B This machine removes the unusable ___ _

3 tons / bales

A There were many more of hay this year.

B How many of wheat were harvested?

 

Task 4 Write a word that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

1 This year's quantity of crops produced was twice last year's. y _ __ d

2. Removing unusable parts from wheat makes it edible. _ h _ _ s __ n_

3.Instead of gathering the crops in bales, we left them in organized piles.

_ t a _ _ _

4 When you go to the market, get 2 units of measurement equal to 9.3 Gallons of grain. b _ s _ __ _

5.When you place an order, tell them what form of packaging to use.

p _ _ _ _ _ _ t __ _

Task 5 Listen and read the harvest summary eport again. What problems did farmers experience with this year's harvest?

Task 6 Listen to a conversation between two farmers discussing a harvest. Choose the correct answers.

1. How does the man feel about the harvest?

A worried

B pleased

C confused

D disappointed

2 What can you infer about the farmers' planting method?

A It was unsuccessful.

B It created a smaller harvest.

C It had not been used before.

D It involved several types of crops.

Task 7 Listen again and complete the conversation.

Farmer 1: Cathy, what's the 1 ____ on the latest corn harvest?

Farmer 2: Well, we have fifteen tons for immediate sale.

Farmer 1: Fifteen tons? 2 _______ _ tons did we sell from the last field?

Farmer 2: Um, let's see. We sold eleven tons from the last field.

Farmer 1: That's 3 ____! Your new 4 ________ is working nicely.

Farmer 2: Yes, it is. We also expect to approve another five tons by Friday.

Farmer 1: 5 ______ _________Cathy. This is our 6 ____ harvest ever.

Task 8 With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

We have... for sale.

We will approve... by...

This is our... harvest

Student A: You are a farmer. Talk to Student B about:

• a crop report

• tons sold

• your opinion of harvest

Student B: You are a farmer. Answer Student A's questions.

Task 9 Use the conversation from Task 8 to fill out the crop report.

 

 

UNIT 26

STORAGE

 

Task 1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 How do farmers store crops in your country?

2 How can stored crops be damaged?

Task 2. Read the email. Then, complete the summary of the email.

Workers discovered mold in 1 _______ _ 13. There were two causes: improper 2 ___ _ and too much 3 ________ Most of the silage was destroyed. The rest is in 4 ________bags. These workers might store silage in the 5 _________ silos

 

Task 3 Read the sentence pair. Choose where the words best fit the blanks.

1 cooll/dry

A _____ the grain or the heat will ruir it.

B After the harvest, _____ the wet crops.

2 storage / mold

A Nancy is worried about getting _____ in her silo.

B Jim sold some of the grain and put the rest in _ ___ _

3 silage bag / ventilation

A There”s a problem with the silo; use a _______

B Don’t storage facilities have excellent ________

Task 4 Match the words (1-4) with the definitions (A-D).

1_Ieveling

2 _ moisture

3 _ tower silo

4 _ bunker silo

A flattening the top of a pile B a long trench used to store grain

C wetness D a tall storage facility

Task 5. Listen and read the email again. Why is Carla Thompson contacting Mr. Garcia?

Task 6. Listen to a conversation between a farm owner and a storage manager. Mark

the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ A machine improperly leveled the grain.

2 _ The new assistant will receive more training.

3 _ Workers will use silage bags until the ventilation works.

Task 7 Listen again and complete the conversation.

Maneger: Mr.Garcia did you get my email about the bunker silo?

Owner: I did. How bad is it?

Manager: It's pretty bad. There's mold 1 _______ _ ________

Owner:How did this happen?

Manager: It was our 2 ___ _____. He wasn't trained on 3 ___ _

Owner: Well, 4 ___ _ ___ he gets trained.

Manager: Of course. We're also checking the 5 ___ _ system. There's too much air moving in there.

Owner: Use the 6 _____ _____ until you fix it. And keep me updated.

Task 8.Speak with a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

How bad is it?

How did this happen?

Use the... until...

Student A: You are a farm owner. Talk to Student B about:

• mold in a silo

• causes

• storage

Student B: You are a storage manager. Answer Student A's questions.

Task 9 Use the conversation from Task 8 and the email to fill out the storage manager's

message to farm workers.

 

UNIT 27

FEED AND NUTRIENTS

 

Task 1.Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1. What types of food do farm animals eat?

2 How does feed affect animals' growth?

Task 2. Read the job posting. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ Hillford Farms has fifteen varieties of chicken.

2 _ The Hillford Farms daily ration includes fats.

2 _ Applicants need a degree in poultry management.

 

Task 3 Match the words (1-5) with the definitions (A-E).

1 _ nutrient

2 _ feed

3 _ poultry

4 _ animal nutritionist

5 _ vitamin

 

A an organic substance found in food that is essential for good health

B food given to animals

C a person who makes healthy food for animals

D any organic or inorganic substance that provides nourishment

E domesticated birds such as chickens and turkeys

 

Task 4.Write a word that is similar in meaning to the underl ined part.

1 Henry increased the daily amount of food r ___ _ n

2 Inorganic substances like potassium are essential for good health. _ i _ _ r a __

3 Besides sleep and shelter, the process of nourishing an organism is the most important thing that every organism needs. _u_r_t___

4. Animals need a sufficient amount of substances used to make energy in their diet. ca___ __ ___ te_

 

Task 5 Read the job posting again. What will be the main duties of the animal nutritionist?

Task 6 Listen to a conversation between an iterviewer and a job applicant. Choose the correct answers.

1 What does the applicant make at AGM Industries?

A low-fat chicken feed B high-protein pig feed

C low-carbohydrate pig feed D high-carbohydrate chicken fee

2 What requirement does the applicant meet?

A He has one year of experience. B He has worked with chickens.

C He has created special feeds. D He has worked for Hillford Farms.

Task 7 Listen again and complete the conversation.

Interviewer: Good morning. Mr. Jordan, I'm Terry Riley.

Job applicant: 1 ____ _____ _______you, Miss Riley.

Interviewer: Nice to meet you too. Please, 2_____ ____ ____ and we'll get started.

Job appl icant: Thank you. Did you get my resume?

Int erviewer: Yes, I did. It looks very good. 3 ____ ____ ____ your work at AGM

Industries.

Job applicant: Well, I work at their 4 _____ ____ I create special formulas for high-protein feed.

Interviewer: Interesting. Now, applicants must have experience with 5 _______. Have you ever worked with 6 _____?

Job applicant: Yes, in my previous job. It was at Reynolds Farms.

Task 8 With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.

USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

Nice to meet you.

Tell me about...

Have you ever worked with...

Student A: You are interviewing a job applicant. Talk to Student B about:

• resume

• current job

• experience

Student B: You are interviewing for a job. Answer Student A's questions.

 

Task 9 Use the conversation from Task 8 and the job posting to fill out the applicant's

resume.

 

 

UNIT 28

HOUSING ANIMALS

 

Task 1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1 How are animals housed in your country?

2 How do workers maintain animal housing structures?

 

Task 2 Read the page from a farming blog. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 _ The author raises poultry.

2 _ Housing affects animals' productivity.

3 _ Slotted floors prevent heat stress.

 

Task 3 Read the sentence pair. Choose where the words best fit the blanks.

1 coop / cold stress

A The chickens live in a separate________

B Install a heater to prevent ____ _

2 heat stress / pen

A During the summer, _ ____ is a problem.

B Pigs do best if they are kept in their own

3 slotted floor / waste management

A __