Unit 7 – Notes (Passage 1 – Humans and Nature) 3 lessons

The first topic introduced in ‘Humans and Nature’ and this is written in the
form of impact assessment (environmental impact assessment) – how humans
have changed or impacted on nature – more specifically animals. more
specifically still species.

It gives some very real examples how human activity over time has put certain
species at risk. (Sumatran Rhino – Tibetan Antelope)

Paragraph 1 – 4 -the author sets the scene painting a picture of the rhino, how
awesome it is (personal interest), its history and survival strengths (ability to
survive over millennium)

Paragraph 5 – factual (information about the current state of the rhino) world
population of the species

Paragraph 6 – Personalisation of the animal (irony)

The dying of a distant relative which you didn’t know that well – (to develop
the feeling of insensitivity in the reading)

Paragraph 7 – the writer takes the role of the antagonist (adversary) to

mankind who let these things happen to the rhino -spokesperson and
antagonist – ‘class group recitation’

Paragraph 8 – how the systematic destruction of the Sumatran Rhino has come
about – what is man’s role in the plight of the rhino? ‘class group - recitation’
Deforestation for the main part and then finally (poaching) in the later –
emphatic structure (for emphasis)– driving demand -
Q. Why does the rhino horn in such great demand?
(see presentation – why does the rhino horn cost $300,000?)
Paragraph 9 – gives another example - Tibetan Antelope and the role of
market forces – consumer demand

Paragraph 10 – using this as an exemplary statement – leading example of how

humans work with nature (at the worst of times) – purely for consumerism –
pure consumption – obliteration/ annihilation

Paragraph – 11 -the theme from the previous paragraph follows over as a

conclusion – obliteration of a species / once the killing stops humans will
realise what they have wasted (paradise found is paradise lost) – paradox

Paragraph -12
Stark realisation – rude awakening – humans are responsible for these things –
An epiphany (moment of self-realisation)

Paragraph 13 – An appeal to the reader

Resources Passage 1
1) Video - 10 Rare Endangered Species Soon To Be Extinct – (can be used as
an introduction – highlights the Sumatran Rhino) prior to para 1 – 4
2) Video- The Sumatran Rhino _ Wild Animals - Planet Doc Full
Documentaries – para 1 – 4 (to set the scene for the Sumatran Rhino)
3) Video - BrainPOP UK - Natural Selection – (can be used to inform
students about Darwin and the concept of Natural Selection) para 7
4) Presentation - Why Does a Rhino Horn Cost $300,000 – para 8
5) Video - Talking About Endangered Animals – can be used as a review for
some of the vocabulary
6) Text – Vocabulary sheet (for passage 1)
7) Video – (indigenous versus evasive) The battle to save the red squirrel
Unit 7 – Notes (Passage 2 – How ignoring climate change could sink the US
economy)