Read the text attentively. Try to understand all details. Use a dictionary if necessary.

IS MAN A PEST?

The question whether pesticides are more dangerous to pests or non-pests has not been fully resolved yet. One of the difficulties lies in finding a solution to the problem of a satisfactory definition of a pest. Is man a pest, or non-pest, for example? One thing is certain – all pesticides are dangerous to all life.

The problem assumes new proportions when the fact is noted that certain pesticides have become global contaminants. They have been found to be present in a wide range of organisms throughout the world, including the oceans and the polar regions. The spread of contamination in Europe is rather typical. Pesticides are used in every European country and are manufactured in many of them, notably in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, and Britain; in addition large quantities are imported from the United States.

Pesticides, usually in the form of concentrations, are moved extensively from one country to another in the normal course of international trade. The movement of pesticides in bulk from one place to another obviously entails some risk since accidents are bound to occur, and as a result pesticides are sometimes spilled on the land or into rivers or the sea. They may also be discharged accidentally into rivers from factories making or using them. Insecticides applied as sprays are widely dispersed in the atmosphere and carried from country to country by winds. Finally, living organisms can themselves cause the dispersal of pesticides from one nation to another.

Ecologists claim that contamination is bound to have consequences adverse to life on our planet. It may soon become possible to judge whether and to what extent they are right.

2. Find the meanings of the following words in the dictionary and try to remember them:

To resolve, to assume, contaminant, notably, to entail, to manufacture, to occur, to spill, to discharge, to disperse, consequence, adverse, judge.

3. Words and expressions for the text comprehension:

pest – troublesome or destructive thing, animal, etc.; garden pests (e.g. insects, mice, snails); pesticide –substance used to destroy pests; spray – 1. liquid sent through the air in tiny drops (by wind or through an apparatus); 2. kinds of liquid preparations (e.g. perfume, disinfectant, or insecticide) to be applied in the form of a spray; 3. aerosol device for dispersion of liquids; bulk – quantity, volume especially when large; in bulk – large amount.

4. Answer the questions:

1. Has the problem of pesticides as contaminants been solved or is it still being discussed?

2. Where are certain pesticides found?

3. Why has the problem assumed new proportions these days?

4. How do pesticides spread around?

5. What are the possible consequences of contamination?

6. Are ecologists right claiming that contamination is bound to be fatal for life on our planet?

Text

5. Translate the following text without using a dictionary:

WHY DO WE SPRAY OUR FARMLAND?

As the world population grows, there is an increasing need to grow better yields of crops and other farm produce in order to feed everyone. For many years scientists have worked to produce better fertilizers and to manufacture chemicals that will control pests. Many farmers have used organic fertilizers to improve the quality of the soil. In some parts of the world, particularly in some of the poorer countries, food production has needed to be greatly increased.

In India, for example, during 1970s and 1980s yields of crops increased. Fewer crops were damaged by pests and diseases because of the increased use of pesticides. One of the main problems of fertilizers and pesticides is that they are overused. This has the effect of spoiling other parts of our environment. For example, water contaminated with pesticides may seep into the soil and run into the local stream or river. After very heavy rainfall, the polluted water may run over the surface of the fields into the stream. The water in the stream and in the pores of the rock underground may then become contaminated. This could kill wildlife in the soil and in the streams.

6. Answer the following questions:

1. Why is there a need to improve the yields of crops?

2. How has the use of pesticides helped to improve yields?

3. Does spraying our farmland cause problems?

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30