Man and his physical environment

1. The Earth is known to be several billion years old. Throughout this span of time the environment has been constantly changing - sometimes very slow, but at other times quite rapidly. It proves that the environment is a dynamic system that must be understood and accommodated to adapt man's activities to a constantly changing situation than to an unchanging or static system. On the other hand, the very fact of constant change opens many avenues for modification and accommodation that would not be available in a forever constant and unchanging system.

2. Although it is important that we have in mind the long term facts concerning Earth history, modern man has become such an affective agent of physical and chemical change that he has been able to produce major modifications. These are made by man with the intention of producing improvements and advantages for people. Problems results from the fact that by-products and side-effects do occur, that are neither desirable nor pleasing, and at some times and places may be hazardous or even calamitous.

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3. The ways, in which man treats his physical surroundings, produces and uses the available nonliving resources, and plans for his future needs are, of course, social determinations. When we consider the role of earth science in solving problems, we see that the earth sciences can and should develop answers to all of the questions we have asked. There are some contributions of the earth scientists to environmental problem solving in five general categories.

4. The first of those is the most efficient adjustment of man's use of the earth's surface to all of the physical features and characteristics at and below the surface. Second is determination of the factors that influence the safety and permanence of disposal of waste materials and trash of all kinds - both in the rocks near the surface and at great depth in mines and wells. Third is providing information for the planning and development of safe, adequate, and continuing water supplies in locations' that will serve as populated areas. Fourth is the identification of rock and mineral resources to provide for future availability of needed raw materials or of appropriate substitute materials. And, fifth is the recognition of man as a major geologic agent by monitoring the changes he has caused in his environment and by providing remedies where these changes are, or many become, harmful.

Определите, является ли утверждение

Oil spills is one of the environmental threats nowadays.

а) истинным  b) ложным с) в тексте нет информации

28. The environment has always been changing rapidly.

а) ложным    b) в тексте нет информации с) истинным

29. In future man won't need raw materials as there will be substitute ones.

а) истинным  b) в тексте нет информации     с) ложным

30. Scientists determine the factors that influence the safe of trash of all
kinds.

а) ложным    b) в тексте нет информации с) истинным

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г

31. Укажите, какой части текста (1-4) соответствует следующая
информация:

The role of earth science in solving environmental problems.

a) 3           b) 1               c) 4     d) 2

32. The reason for man to produce modifications of nature.

a) 4           b) 2              c) 3     d) 1

33. Ответьте на вопрос.

What causes environmental problems the mankind faces?

a) Scientists not making contributions to environmental problem
solving.

b) Side-effects occurring during different industrial processes.

c) The age of the Earth.

d) Planning and development of water supplies in most populated areas.

34. Определите основную идею текста.

a) Safety of waste materials is the major problem nowadays.

b) We need continuing water supplies.

c) Man and environment are interconnected and are in constant change.

d) Earth scientists research the problem of space exploration.

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27. Прочитайте текст и выполните задания.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

1. The natural environment, commonly referred to simply as the
environment, is a term that comprises all living and non-living things that
occur naturally on Earth or some part of it. This term includes a few key
components:

- complete landscape units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention, including all plants, animals, rocks, etc. and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries;

- universal natural resources and phenomena that lack clear-cut boundaries, such as air, water and climate4

- natural features which occur within areas heavily influenced by man (such as wild birds in urban gardens).

 

2. "Natural environment" that underlies environmentalism is a broad political, social and philosophical movement that advocates various actions and policies in the interest of protecting what nature remains in the natural environment, or restoring or expanding the role of nature in this environment.

3. Goals commonly expressed by environmentalists include reduction and clean up of man-made pollution, with future goals of zero pollution; reducing societal consumption of non-renewable fuels; development of alternative, green, low-carbon or renewable energy sources; conservation and sustainable use of scarce resources; protection of unique ecosystems; preservation and expansion of threatened or endangered species or ecosystems from extinction; and, most generally, the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems upon which all human and other life on earth depends.

4. More recently, there has been a strong concern about climate change such as global warming caused by anthropogenic releases of greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide and their interactions with humans and the natural environment. Efforts here have focused on the mitigation of greenhouse gases that are causing climatic changes (e.g. through the Kyoto Protocol), and on developing adaptative strategies to assist species, ecosystems, humans, regions and nations in adjusting to the effects of global warming.

From Wikipeclia

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Определите, является ли утверждение:

Wild birds in urban gardens are natural environment.

а) истинным    b) в тексте нет информации   с) ложным

28. "Natural environment" has nothing to do with politics.

а) истинным    b) в тексте нет информации   с) ложным

29. The Kyoto Protocol concerns the problems of climate changes.

а) истинным    b) в тексте нет информации   с) ложным

30. Environmentalism supports the struggle of peoples against the spread of
globalization to their way of life.

а) истинным    b) в тексте нет информации   с) ложным

31. Укажите, какой части текста (1-4) соответствует следующая
информация:

Climate changes are considered to be due to massive exhaust of C0₂.

a) 3              b) 4              c) 2              d) 1

32. Environmentalism has diverse aims.

a) 1                b) 3               c) 4               d) 2

Ответьте на вопрос.

Why is it necessary to protect ecosystems?

a) Because they are affected by greenhouse gases.

b) Because all life on the earth depends on them.

c) Because they are unique.

d) Because they provide renewable energy sources.