Comprehension - Intermediate [ 16 ]

[ 16 ]Comprehension 

[  16  ] Intermediate 

Read the following , then answer the questions below :

                  Many problems are global and can no longer be solved by individual nations . The environment is global – the oceans , the atmosphere and many forms of life are all connected . Thus , the solutions require global thinking .

                 The problem of ocean pollution is a good example . All the oceans of the world are connected . Pollution does not stay where it begins . It spreads out from every river and every harbor and affects bodies of water everywhere .

                For centuries people have used the oceans as a dumping place . Many cities take tons of garbage out to sea and dump it there . The quality of garbage that ends up in the water is incredible . Five million plastic containers are thrown into the world’s oceans every day ! Aside from plastics , many other dangerous substances are dumped in oceans . These include human waste and chemicals used in agriculture . Also every year , oil tankers accidentally spill millions of gallons of oil into the sea .

               Some people believe that the oceans are so large that chemicals and waste will disappear . However , many things such as chemicals and plastics stay in the water and create problems . They eventually float to shore and are eaten by tiny sea creatures . Then the larger animals that eat the tiny creatures are poisoned and die . Harbors and coasts around the world have become unsafe for humans or animals . The world’s fish populations are rapidly shrinking .

               Another global pollution problem is the destruction of ozone layers in the atmosphere by the use of chlorofluorocarbons [ CFCs] . The ozone layer helps protect the earth from the sun’s rays . Without it most forms of life on earth including humans probably would not be able to live . So the world needs global thinking which means working together for solutions .

A-] Answer the following questions :

1-] What is meant by global thinking ?

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2-] Why is global thinking necessary ?

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3-] Mention the cause of the destruction of the ozone layer .

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4-] In what way is garbage a threat ?

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B-] Choose the correct answer :

1-] According to this passage , many environmental problems .

A-] are caused by global thinking . B-] are caused by old ways of thinking .

C-] are caused by the US and Japan . D-] can not be solved by local laws .

2-] The solution to ocean pollution requires global thinking because

A-] no one cares about the ocean . B-] the oceans are so large . C-] all the world’s oceans are connected . D-] more oil is needed in the developing countries .

3-] The passage is about

A-] air pollution . B-] old ways of thinking . C-] global thinking . D-] local laws to solve problems .