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III. READING
1. Work in pairs. Look at the pictures and answer the following question.
What environmental problems do you see in the pictures?
2. Read the text and choose the best title for it.
a. Environmental problems: What are they?
b. Environmental protection. How importantisit
c. Environmental solutions: How practical are they?
The environment we live in is facing many serious problems. We need to be aware of these problems so that we can find ways to protect nature.
A. Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere. It is one of the biggest issues facing humans today. It can have serious consequences such as rising sea levels, Polar ice melting and extreme weather events like floods or heatwaves.
B. Another environmental problem is the cutting and clearing of natural forests. The loss of forests can have a negative impact on the environment. It can damage the natural habitats of many animals and put wildlife in danger. It can also destroy the natural soil and lead to climate change.
C. Air pollution is also a serious problem. It is mainly caused by waste gases that come out of vehicles, machines or factories. When these harmful gases combine with the water in the air, they come down as rain or snow, which can damage all forms of life. In addition, this problem leads to global warming and climate change. It is also a major cause of respiratory diseases or even lung cancer.
D. Around the world, the number of endangered animals is rising. Many of them disappear because of pollution and climate change. In addition, humans illegally hunt and kill animals, and catch too many fish at once. This is upsetting the natural balance of ecosystems, which can be harmful to all living and non-living things.
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3. Read the text again and decide which paragraph contains the following information.
| Information | Paragraph |
| 1. an example of harmfulsubstances in the air and water | |
| 2. one of the reasons for destroying wildlife habitats | |
| 3. an increase in the level of the world's oceans | |
| 4. an effect of illegal hunting on the ecosystem |
4. Complete the sentences with the information from the text. Use no more than TWO words for each answer.
1. Global warming can cause extreme _____ such as floods or heatwaves.
2. The natural _____ of many animals can be destroyed in the process of cutting down forests.
3. One of the main causes of air pollution is _____ produced by machines and factories.
4. When many animals disappear, this damages the natural balance of _____.
5. Work in groups. Discuss the question.
Which of the problems mentioned in the text do you think is the most serious in Viet Nam?
