Broaden Your Horizons!A Disappearing World

Features• Vocabulary: the environment• Watching and reading: a video, extracts about

the endangered rainforest of the Congo Basin• Speaking: roleplay , discussion• Assignment: • practice an exam-type task(a talk about

volunteer activities)

Start Thinking!

“The only thing we have to fear on this planet is man”. Carl Jung Paraphrase the quotation. Do you agree?

A Disappearing World Before you watch1.What do you think this video is about? 2. Which parts of the world have areas of rainforest?

Ecological Problems

Before watchingTask 1.Words to know

Match each word with its correct definition1.expedition 2. the equator3.conservation 4.wildlife 5.rapids 6.challenge 7. landscapes

a. animals ,plants that live in natural conditions

b. an imaginary line around the centre of the Earth

c. a difficult task that tests smb’s skills or will

d. the features of a land area

e. the protection of plants, animals or natural areas

f. a journey organized for a special purpose

g. a part of a river where the water moves quickly

over rocks

WatchA Disappearing World

Task2. Watch the video and choose the best option.1. What is the main purpose of the expedition?A. to study and record what the group seeB. to walk along way through the rainforestC. to meet people in the forestD. to disappear from the earth

2.Dr Michael Fay thinks the Congo Basin is unimportant.E. true F. falseG. not stated

3.The Congo Basin has _______ of the wild plants found in Africa.A. allB. one thirdC. almost halfD.none

A Disappearing World

4.What will Dr Fay document during the expedition?A. peopleB. wildlifeC. vilagesD.megatransects

5.What does the team use to cross the rapids?A. stepping stonesB. guide ropesC. experienceD. all of the above

A Disappearing World

6.Crossing the Kongou Chutes is a ___task.A. slowB. quickC. safeD.simple

After you watch

Task 3. Complete the extracts with the words from the glossary.

Task 4.SpeakingRoleplay an interview with the expedition member.

After you watchSpeaking

St.A: You are a writer for National Geographic.You are going to interview a member of Michael Fay’s team. Use the ideas below to prepare questions.

St. B: You have just completed the Congo Basin“Megatransect”

(The Big Crossing) with Dr Fay.Use the ideas below to prepare what you are going to say to the interviewer.

• aim of the expedition• how you travelled• what you saw• the most difficult parts• the best parts• dangerous experience

Green Wisdom

“ We are the environment.” Charles Panati (US physicist)

Think! Discuss the saying. ( What does the quote mean?)

Speaking

Task5.Discuss the questions.1.Are you optimistic or pessimistic about whether we will be able to preserve wild places on our planet?2.Why do you think international organisations such as WWF, Greenpeace, WCS are necessary?3.Would you like to participate in the environmental projects? Why/Why not?

Home assignment

Use a site: www.greenpeace.org/russia/en/campaigns/volunteersPrepare a talk about the subject(1.5-2 min.)

Speaking

Remember to say:-what kind of people volunteers are;

-what the main areas of volunteer activities are;

-If you would like to become a permanent member of St. Petersburg’s group ,why/why not;

-If so, which area of volunteer activities you can participate in, why.

Thank you for your time.

Be industrious and remember: “Begun well, half done.”