UNIT 10.

The ecosystem

10B. Vocabulary
• Words and phrases related to ecosystems
I. Complete the sentences with the words given.
ecosystem species organisms climate change non-living
conservation tropical forest mammals flora and fauna biodiversity
1. It is important to encourage environmental ____________________ and awareness.
2. The motivation for the control policy is to reduce the negative impacts of ___________________.
3. Plants obviously do not have minds; nor do ____________________ things like tables and rocks.
4. Humans, dogs, elephants, and dolphins are all ____________________, but birds, fish, and
crocodiles are not.
5. Pollution can have disastrous effects on the delicately balanced ____________________.
6. Many plant and animal ____________________ are found only in the rainforests.
7. Tourism is damaging the ____________________ of the island.
8. The country can undertake conservation measures to build up or maintain its
____________________.
9. There are many examples of resource decline and low production, particularly in the humid
____________________.
10. All living ____________________ have to adapt to changes in environmental conditions.

II. Complete the sentences with the adjectives given.

rich raw tiny tropical non-living
colourful native natural essential national
1. Bone is actually made up of living tissue and __________________ matter.
2. If we continue to deplete the earth’s __________________ resources, we will cause serious
damage to the environment.
3. The problem needs to be addressed both at a(n) __________________ and international level.
4. The cost of our __________________ materials has risen significantly.
5. The country has vast oil reserves and __________________ deposits of other minerals.
6. In cool climates you have to grow __________________ plants under glass.
7. Government support will be __________________ if the project is to succeed.
8. Henderson Island in the Pacific has more than 55 species of ________________ flowering plants.
9. During surgery, doctors sometimes use a laser beam to vaporize _______________ blood vessels.
10. The garden was full of __________________ and fascinating flowers.

• Vocabulary for Reading

III. Complete the sentences with the words given.
wildlife national park mangroves waterway scenery
biodiversity wetlands conservation habitat floating water season
1. With so many areas of woodland being cut down, a lot of wildlife is losing its natural
__________________.
2. __________________ is a plan for avoiding the unnecessary use of natural materials such as
wood, water, or fuel.
3. The __________________ are home to a large variety of wildlife.
4. The __________________ also brings fish and shrimp to this land.
5. Many habitats such as __________________ and wetlands are disappearing fast.
6. The use of pesticides is killing off birds, fish and __________________.
7. __________________ transport plays a key role in the Mekong River Delta.
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 8. They stopped at the top of the hill to admire the __________________.
9. In the past, several natural streams and rivers flowed from west to east; now, these streams and
rivers have been replaced by a system of canals flowing through the __________________.
10. Scientists and local authorities have campaigned to preserve __________________ values of
Tram Chim National Park.

• Prepositions
IV. Complete each sentence with the correct preposition.
1. Ecosystems _______ a lot of biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than
those with fewer species.
2. The horse is not native _______ America - it was introduced by the Spanish.
3. The region is rich _______ mineral and coal deposits.
4. Water is essential _______ living things.
5. That rainforest has been home _______ many endangered species.
6. When the biodiversity of an ecosystem is interrupted or destroyed, the economic impact _______
the local community could be enormous.
7. Scientists have studied only a small percentage of rainforest species _______ their search _______
cures.
8. The house is surrounded _______ trees, so it’s not overlooked at all.
9. Rhinos, tigers, elephants, lions are _______ the list of endangered species.
10. The man was described _______ tall and dark, and aged about 20.

10C. Grammar
• Compound nouns
I. Match each noun 1-10 with a noun a-j to make compound nouns. (Four of them are written as
one word.)
1. basket __________ a. teacher
2. swimming __________ b. work
3. week __________ c. tennis
4. home __________ d. pool
5. sweat __________ e. shirt
6. shopping __________ f. end
7. head __________ g. game
8. pop __________ h. ball
9. computer __________ i. centre
10. table __________ j. music

II. Complete the sentences with the compound nouns from Exercise I.
1. I never listen to ____________________ on the radio.
2. ‘Is Tom watching TV?’ - ‘No, he’s playing a ____________________ in his bedroom.’
3. There’s a really good _______________ in the town centre. You can buy almost everything there.
4. ‘Where did you learn to swim?’ - ‘I had lessons at the ____________________.’
5. Is the ____________________ of your school a man or a woman?
6. ‘What are you doing at the ____________________?’ - ‘I’m going to stay with my cousin.’
7. If you’re hot, take off your ____________________.
8. Our teacher gave us a lot of ____________________ last night. It took me three hours to finish it.
9. I played ____________________ with my sister this morning. She won 21-18.
10. I think the Chicago Bulls is the best ____________________ team in the USA.

III. Complete the sentences with the words below.

lounge security check-in guard
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 control class crew pass
1. At the airport, they provide that number along with photo identification to receive a boarding
____________________.
2. That airliner offers a telephone ____________________ facility for first and economy passengers
with hand baggage.
3. The man was stopped at the door by a security ____________________.
4. The cabin ______________ on an aircraft are the people whose job is to look after the passengers.
5. She had never flown first ____________________ before because she couldn’t afford them.
6. The mayor also started a ____________________ camera programme so the police can monitor
the most heavily trafficked areas of the city.
7. Moments before boarding, I caught a glance of a TV set in the departure ____________________.
8. There were long queues of passengers because only two passport ____________________ booths
were open.

IV. Match the words in A to the words in B to make compound nouns. Then complete the
sentences.
A air cotton export factory price
B companies conditioning fields tag workers

1. This shirt hasn’t got a ____________________. I don’t know how much it is.
2. In the past, slaves worked in the ____________________ of the USA.
3. If you set the ____________________ at 24°C instead of 18°C, you’ll cause less harm to the
environment.
4. ____________________ often do quite repetitive jobs.
5. ____________________ have to spend a lot of money on transport.

V. Match 1-10 with a-j to make compound nouns.

1. solar __________ A. species
2. GM (genetically modified) __________ B. rain
3. carbon __________ C. effect
4. global __________ D. layer
5. endangered __________ E. disposal
6. greenhouse __________ F. emissions
7. acid __________ G. forest
8. waste __________ H. foods
9. ozone __________ I. power
10. rain __________ J. warming

VI. Complete the sentences with compound nouns from Exercise V.

1. Many forests have been damaged by __________________.
2. The __________________ is causing the earth’s atmosphere to heat up.
3. __________________ will cause the icebergs to melt.
4. The Amazon __________________ is in the Amazon Basin of South America.
5. The __________________ helps to protect the earth from harmful radiation from the sun.
6. Coal-burning power stations are a source of __________________.
7. Some __________________ can only be seen in zoos.
8. __________________ is a renewable source of energy.

VII. Complete the sentences with the compound nouns below.

football pitch flood lights mountain range tower block
tennis courts swimming pool safety net seashore
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 1. A __________________ is a tall building containing apartments or offices.
2. Many tennis players prefer __________________ with a grass surface.
3. The game will be played under __________________.
4. The two teams, will play a big match at the world-famous Wembley __________________.
5. She takes her inspiration from shells and stones she finds on the __________________.
6. A __________________ is the one that is put below people performing at a great height to catch
them if they fall.
7. The outdoor __________________ is open during the summer months.
8. They tried to climb up the great __________________ of the Alps.

VIII. Complete the compound nouns in the sentences with the nouns below. There are two nouns
that you do not need.
mainland camp dance goers lover
festival headline line shuttle
1. We stayed at a great little _______________________ -site near our house.
2. Stevie Wonder was the _______________________ act at the Glastonbury Festival in 2010.
3. The roads leading to the festival were jammed with festival _______________________.
4. The _______________________-up at the Rock Werchter festival this year was amazing.
5. We caught a _______________________ bus from the station to the festival.
6. We’re going to take our holiday on _______________________ Europe this year.
7. You don’t have to be a music _______________________ to enjoy a music festival. There are a
lot of other things to see and do.

10D. Reading
I. Read the following passage, and decide the statements are true (T) or false (F).
Once there were lots of pandas in the mountain of Western China. Today they are becoming
extinct. The reason is that they cannot find enough food. Pandas eat bamboo leaves. They do not like
another food. The bamboo grows very slowly. It can take 10 years for a bamboo cane to grow from a seed
to a big plant. Some types of bamboo have seeds every 60 years. Pandas must wait many years for their
food to grow. While the bamboo is growing, pandas do not have enough leaves to eat.
Farmers are using more and more of the land on the mountain side to grow food for man. The
farmers cut down the bamboo. Bamboo leaves become less plentiful. Pandas cannot find enough food to
eat. They starve and die.
China and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are trying to save the panda. In 1979 they began to set up
special parks where pandas live. One such park is the Wolong Reserve in Sichuan. The Wolong Reserve
has the highest number of pandas in the world. Scientists come here to study the panda’s eating and
mating habits. By learning more about the panda’s habits, scientists can save it from extinction.
1. There are many pandas in China nowadays. ______
2. Some kinds of bamboo grow quickly. ______
3. The favourite food for pandas is the bamboo leaves. ______
4. The Wolong Reserve is the World Wildlife Fund Organization. ______
5. Setting panda reserves in the mountains of China is a good way to save pandas. ______

II. Read the passage, and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D for each question.
Conservation is the sensible use and protection of natural resources including plants, animals,
mineral deposits, soils, clean water, clean air, and fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas to
ensure an adequate supply for future generations.
Natural resources are grouped into two categories, renewable and nonrenewable. A renewable
resource is one that may be replaced over time by natural processes, such as fish populations or natural
vegetation, or is inexhaustible, such as solar energy. The goal of renewable resource conservation is to
ensure that such resources are not consumed faster than they are replaced.
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 Nonrenewable resources are those in limited supply that cannot be replaced or can be replaced
only over extremely long periods of time. Nonrenewable resources include fossil fuels and mineral
deposits, such as iron ore and gold ore. Conservation activities for nonrenewable resources focus on
maintaining an adequate supply of these resources well into the future.
1. What is the purpose of conservation mentioned in the passage?
A. To make use of natural resources
B. To ensure an adequate supply of natural resources for future generations
C. To replace renewable resource
D. To maintain an adequate supply of water for future
2. The word ‘inexhaustible’ in paragraph 2 is similar in meaning to _______.
A. unlimited B. bottomless C. boundless D. never-ending
3. Natural vegetation is an example of _______.
A. nonrenewable resources
B. the resource to feed fish populations
C. the resource that may be replaced by natural processes
D. inexhaustible resources
4. Conservationists work to ensure that _______.
A. fish are consumed faster than fossil fuels
B. people consume resources more economically
C. nonrenewable resources are consumed faster
D. renewable resources are replaced
5. Gold ore is mentioned as _______.
A. a kind of mineral B. a renewable resource
C. an example of fossil fuels D. an adequate supply for future

III. Read the passage carefully, and then choose the correct answer.
Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. Located in northwestern Wyoming and
extending into Montana and Idaho, the park is known for its spectacular geysers, hot springs, canyons,
and fossil forests. Yellowstone was the world’s first national park.
Yellowstone National Park encompasses a large area of unspoiled wilderness that is almost
entirely forested. The most common tree is the lodgepole pine, but other varieties of pine, as well as
spruce, fir, and juniper are also found in Yellowstone.
The park is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the United States. Among the more than 300
animal species found here are grizzly bears, elk, deer, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and lynx.
During summer, thousands of wapiti or American elk graze in the park. More than 1,300 bison, which
almost became extinct in the park, roam the eastern sections. Wolves, once thought to be a menace, were
reintroduced to the park in 1995 after being hunted and trapped to the brink of extinction early in the 20 th
century. Nearly 300 species of birds, including bald eagles, osprey, white pelicans, California gulls, and
Canada geese, either live in or visit the park. The rare trumpeter swan also frequents the area and is
protected within the park.
1. Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Yellowstone was established in 1872.
B. Yellowstone was the world’s first national park.
C. Yellowstone is located totally in northwestern Wyoming.
D. Yellowstone is famous for its spectacular geysers, hot springs, canyons, and fossil forests.
2. What do wapiti do during summer?
A. They roam in the park. B. They visit the park.
C. They graze in the park. D. They frequent the park.
3. Which kind of animal almost became extinct early in the 20th century?
A. bison B. bald eagles C. trumpeter swan D. wolves
4. What is the purpose of the passage?
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 A. To discuss the dangers the flora of the park has to face
B. To discuss the dangers the fauna of the park has to face
C. To show the bad condition of the park
D. To give information about the park
5. What is the word ‘encompasses’ in paragraph 2 closest in meaning to?
A. surrounds B. includes C. has D. contains

IV. Choose the item among A, B, C or D that best answers the question about the passage.
California has 8 national parks and 20 national forests, more than any other state. Yosemite
National Park is one of the most visited parks. It is famous for its waterfalls and granite cliffs. Many rock
climbers go to Yosemite to climb a rock wall named El Capitan. Point Reyes National Seashore is on a
peninsula north of San Francisco. It is a good place to see harbour seals, sea lions, and many kinds of
birds. Disneyland in Anaheim is another California tourist attraction. This large amusement park was
created by cartoonist Walt Disney. It features a fairyland castle, a haunted mansion, a jungle safari, and
many other attractions and rides.
San Diego has a world-famous zoo. As you wander through its Rain Forest Aviary, brightly
coloured tropical birds fly by. You will think you are on safari in its outdoor Wild Animal Park, north of
San Diego. Sea World in San Diego is a great place to watch whales and dolphins perform. California’s
sunny climate, long coastline, and natural beauty have made it the most popular tourist state in the United
States.
1. Yosemite National Park _________.
A. is famous for its kinds of birds
B. is one of the 20 national parks in California
C. interests rock climbers with its El Capitan, a rock wall
D. is created by a cartoonist
2. San Francisco _________.
A. is famous for its Point Reyes National Seashore
B. has its special waterfalls and granite cliffs
C. has more wildlife than anywhere else in California
D. attracts lots of young children
3. Anaheim attracts many tourists with its _________.
A. El Capitan B. Wild Animal Park C. Sea World D. Disneyland
4. San Diego is worth visiting if you are _________.
A. a newly-married couple B. an animal lover
C. an enthusiastic rock climber D. a movie fan
5. Which of the following statements is true about California?
A. It has the most national parks and forests of the US states.
B. Its Disneyland with the fairyland castle is the most famous national park.
C. It attracts lots of tourists with its modem life.
D. It is a peninsula north of the United States of America.

V. Choose the item among A, B, C or D that best answers the question about the passage.
During the 19th century, it was common to hear people in Europe and America say that the
resources of the sea are unlimited. For example, a noted biologist writing in the mid-19th century
commented that none of the great sea fisheries is to be exhausted. Today though, there is evidence that the
resources of the sea are as seriously endangered as those of the land and the air, and that the endangered
species include Herring and Carp as well as the African Elephant, Indian Tiger, and the American Eagle.
Furthermore, the threats to fish are more alarming in some ways than the threats to animals and
birds.
This is because fishes are a much needed food resources and people throughout the world depend
on fish as an important part of their dish, and the decline in the fish supply could have extensive effects
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on hunger and population. Fishermen in the North Atlantic alone annually harvest 20 billion pounds of
fish to satisfy food demands, but it is important to recognize that these practices cannot continue without
depleting fish storage within the next few years. Sea resources are rapidly declining in many parts of
world, and the problem cannot be ignored. We can predict that food supplies in the sea cannot last
forever.
1. According to the author what was the attitude in the 19th century toward resources of the sea?
A. declined B. depleted C. limited D. unlimited
2. What is the range of the decline in fish supply?
A. Europe and Asia B. the whole world C. America D. Asia and America
3. What purpose does the author mention the endangered species for?
A. environment protection B. the protection of African Elephant
C. the protection of Indian Tigers D. none of the above
4. What does the author believe about sea resources?
A. Sea resources can last forever. B. None of the great sea fisheries is to be exhausted.
C. Fish supply has no effects on people. D. Sea resources are important to people.
5. Which of the following titles best describes the purpose of the lecture?
A. Unlimited Sea Resources B. Threats to Animals and Birds
C. Sea Resources on the Decline D. Protection of Fish
VI. Read the following passage, and then choose the best answer.
The warming of the Pacific Ocean creates weather patterns that affect the world. When the waters
warm, the amount of rainfall in Indonesia and the surrounding regions decreases. Australia could even
experience a drought. On the other hand, Chile, which borders the Pacific Ocean, is preparing for severe
rainstorms. In Pakistan and northwestern India, the weather pattern makes the monsoon season weaker
and makes the area much drier.
This phenomenon is called El Nino and is used by weather forecasters to make long range weather
predictions. Forecasters know that El Nino will bring unusually heavy rains to southwestern part of the
United States and make the central part of the country drier.
El Nino itself used to be predictable. It would occur every two or seven years. But now, the
weather pattern is becoming more constant. Scientists are unsure of the reason of this change.
1. What would characterize the effects of El Ninol?
A. They’re widespread. B. They’re beginning.
C. They’re short-lived. D. They’re decreasing.
2. What phenomenon defines El Ninol?
A. the rainstorms in Australia B. the drought in Chile
C. the warming of the Pacific Ocean D. the dryness of southwestern US
3. Which region will be abnormally wet?
A. Pakistan B. Australia C. Central US D. Southwestern US
4. The word ‘predictable’ in paragraph 3 means _______.
A. that can be known in advance B. that can be serious
C. rare D. special
5. Which is not an effect of El Ninol?
A. droughts B. heavy rainfalls C. weak monsoons D. global warming

10E. Speaking
• Everyday English
I. Choose the correct response. Then practise the short exchanges in pairs.
1. A: Try to protect the ecosystem to maintain B: a/ Sure. It’s very important.
biodiversity. b/ Of course. It’s unlimited.
2. A: Ecosystems only include living things. B: a/ No, they also have non-living things.
b/ Right, they’re living organisms.
3. A: We should leave natural resources to future B: a/ It depends on each nation.
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generations.
4. A: Some people do illegal hunting in U Minh
Thuong National Park.
5. A: Is it OK if we allow mass tourism in national
parks?
6. A: Some tourists throw plastic bags into the sea.
7. A: The ecosystem is at risk due to human
activities.
8. A: More elephants work in circuses.
9. A: Are those birds native to Viet Nam?
10. A: We’re using up fossil fuels.
b/ We must do it right now.
B: a/ It has rich biodiversity.
b/ They’ll get severe punishment.
B: a/ Yes, and we educate people about
biodiversity.
b/ I think we should choose ecotourism.
B: a/ Never mind. The sea can cope with it.
b/ Oh, no. It’s harmful to marine life.
B: a/ People should be more eco-friendly.
b/ Are you aware of the danger?
B: a/ Entertainment is important to us.
b/ It’s not a good deed to do so.
B: a/’No, they only migrate here.
b/ No, it’s their habitat here.
B: a/ OK. They include petrol, coal, and so on.
b/ Yes, we should use more alternative energy.

• Expressing likes and dislikes

III. Choose the correct answers.
1. “How would you like your tea?” - “_______”
A. With milk, please. B. Thank you very much.
C. Yes, please. Thanks. D. It’s fantastic.
2. “Do you like rock music?” - “_______”
A. It’s not quite well. B. I’m very interested in them.
C. I do love it so much. D. That’s understandable.
3. “I love strawberries. How about you? Do you like them?” - “_______”
A. I’m pretty fine, thanks. B. No, I can’t stand them.
C. No, they always stand there. D. No, I’m standing here.
4. Nick: “I enjoyed myself so much at your birthday party.” - Patrice: “_______”
A. Oh, that’s kind of you. B. Oh, I’m glad to hear that.
C. Congratulations! D. It’s my pleasure.
5. Mary: “Why do you like red colour?” - Tom: “_______”
A. You make me feel more confident. B. It’s the colour of love and passion.
C. You didn’t do anything for me. D. It’s a good idea, thank you.
6. Mother: “Watching television is a waste of time, Tom.” - Tom: “Mum, _______”
A. I enjoy watching cartoons B. I don’t think so, either
C. I love your new hairstyle D. I have no taste for news
7. Kim: “We should use visual aids to make our presentation more effective.” - Daisy: “_______”
A. There’s no doubt about it. B. I think we need to practise more.
C. Don’t mention it. D. Have you ever done it before?
8. “Did you enjoy the movie yesterday?” - “_______”
A. Certainly, I’d be glad to. B. Yes, it is warmer than today.
C. Not really. I couldn’t follow the story. D. No, I dislike moving.