Man and the Biosphere

Interrelations between man and the biosphere are of a fairly complex nature. Man, like any other living organism, depends for his life on what the biosphere provides: water, oxygen, food and shelter. On the other hand, the biosphere is strongly effected by all sorts of human activity.

Technology powerfully amplifies the effects of human beings on the biosphere. Prehistoric man withdrew from the atmosphere only oxygen he required for respiration; technological man consumes a far greater amount of oxygen to support fires, power plants and chemical processes. The carbon dioxide produced by technological processes has measurably altered the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. Apart from the amplification of such natural processes in the biosphere, technology has introduced into the biosphere substances wholly new to it; man-made radio-isotopes and a wide variety of synthetic materials such as plastics, insecticides, herbicides and numerous industrial materials. These, too, alter the biosphere.

The problem has already been discussed at a large number of conferences, some of them sponsored by the UN. However, relatively little has so far been done to check environmental pollution.

XI. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What does man depend on?

2. What is the difference between prehistoric man and technological one in consuming the oxygen?

3. What alters the atmosphere?

XII. Верны ли следующие утверждения?

1. Interrelations between man and the biosphere are simple.

2. The biosphere is strongly effected by all sorts of human activity.

3. A lot has been done to check environmental pollution.

Вариант 3

I. Переведите предложения на русский язык:

1. Well, you don't have to buy a present. I'm sure he doesn't expect it.

2. Jane would like to work in an office, but unfortunately she can't type.

3. Paula couldn't find her key yesterday.

4. I just want a general idea of the story so I needn't read all the book.

5. How many times did you have to pass your driving test?

II. Вставьте подходящий модальный глагол: can't, must, could или oughtn't.

1. You___wear a helmet when you rode a motorbike.

2. I think people___ keep pets if they don't have time to care for them properly.

3. She___ run very fast now but when she was at school she___ run faster than anyone else.

III. Переведите предложения на русский язык:

1. A good teacher must have a good, strong, pleasing voice.

2. The boy was attentively listening to a speaking man.

3. Though astonished by her interest in that matter I went on my story.

IV. Определите причастия настоящего и прошедшего времени (Participle I, Participle II) в предложении.

1. The students discussed all the news published on the first page of the paper.

2. The news transmitted by the radio took us aback.

3. Tom saw something moving in the water.

V. Переведите предложения на русский язык:

1. Would you mind closing the door?

2. Paula has given up smoking.

3. I don't fancy going out this evening.

VI. Определите, каким членом предложения является герундий:

1. I enjoy listening to music.

2. It is no use talking to her.

3. The girls couldn't help laughing at Judy's ignorance.

VII. Переведите предложения на русский язык:

1. Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to lend him some money.

2. I promised not to be late.

3. Would you like to go now?

VIII. Определите, каким членом предложения является инфинитив:

1. She is always forgetting to give me my letters.

2. Every half an hour I stop my work to smoke a cigarette.

3. He went on to explain the college regulation.

IX. Поставьте глагол в правильную форму - герундий или инфинитив.

1. I'm in a difficult position. What do you advise me doing / to do?

2. The letter was personal and she didn't let me reading / to read / read it.

3. We were kept at the police station for two hours and then we were allowed going / to go.

X. Прочитайте текст и выполните задание после него.