GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Some of the gases in the Earths atmosphere act like the glass in a
greenhouse. These gases let heat from the Sun reach the ground and then trap
it there to help keep the surface of the Earth warm. However, by burning fuels
and forests, we are putting larger amounts of these greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere and trapping too much heat. This greenhouse effect is causing
global warming and, unless action is taken, it may cause irreparable damage.
More than 105,000 sq km of forests are being destroyed every year. This
is an area larger than Ireland and Wales together.
Greenhouse gases.
Our atmosphere is a mixture of gases. Carbon dioxide is the main
greenhouse gas. Animals (like ourselves) give out carbon dioxide when they
breathe, while plants absorb carbon dioxide. Our modern lifestyle is upsetting
this natural balance. When we burn fuels in vehicles and power stations, the
exhaust gases put huge amounts of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
When forests are burnt or cleared for development, more carbon dioxide is
released and the Earth is left with fewer plants to absorb the gas.
There are several other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Methane is
released by animal waste, swamps, paddy-fields, and oil and gas rigs. Nitrous
oxide comes from car exhausts and from chemical fertilizers used to increase
crop production. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been used in refrigerators,
and foam packaging. Amounts of CFCs in the atmosphere are small, but these
gases are 10,000 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.
They also damage the layer of ozone gas in the atmosphere which protects us
from the Suns dangerous ultraviolet radiation.
Burning fuels like petrol, oil, coal, and natural gas puts about 6 billion
tones of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.
Dealing with the problem.
Scientists believe that the only way to slow the greenhouse effect is for
us to produce less of the gases which cause it. We need to reduce our use of
fossil fuels like petrol, oil, natural gas and coal. One way of doing this is to
develop heating systems and engines which burn fuel efficiently. Another way
is to build houses and offices which waste less heat, and engines which burn
fuel efficiently. Another way is to build houses and offices which waste less
heat, and transport systems which need fewer vehicles. We should use sources
of power that do not burns fuel and release carbon dioxide. Governments are
trying to stop the use of CFCs by the end of the century.

1.- Decide whether the following statements are TRUE (T) or FALSE
(F).
1. If we use more our cars, were helping to reduce the emission of Carbon
Dioxide. ____________
2.
Carbon
Dioxide
is
the
__________________________________________

main

3.
Governments
dont
care
_____________________________________________

if

greenhouse
we

use

4.
Animals
give
out
________________________________________________________
5.
CFCs
are
used
in
everyday
____________________________________

life

and

gas.
CFCs.
Methane.

packing

industry.

refers

to

2.- Circle the right option.

1. WARM in line (02) probably means
A.) Frio

B.) Clido

2. MIXTURE in line (09) probably means

A.) Mezcla

B.) Mezclar

3. UPSETTING in line (11) probably means

A.) Volcando

B.) Afectando

4. THE LAYER OF ZONE GAS in line (19) probably means

A.) El laser de gas ozono.

B.) La capa de gas ozono

5.- SOURCES in line (29) probably means

A.) Fuentes

B.) Surcos

3.- Write the correct answer.

1.IT
in
line
(05)
___________________________________________________________

2.
THEY
in
line
(10)
_________________________________________________________
3.
THESE
GASES
in
line
__________________________________________________

(18)

refers
refers

to
to

4.
IT
in
line
(26)
____________________________________________________________

refers

to

5.
THIS
in
line
(27)
__________________________________________________________

refers

to

4.- Answer the following questions in Spanish.

1. What is the function of the gases in the atmosphere?
________________________________________________________________________________
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2. The 4 greenhouse gases are:
________________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________________
3. What do we need to do to slow the greenhouse effect?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4. What are CFCs?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the consequence of burning forests?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5.- Write an 80 word summary of the text in Spanish.

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