Friday, 14 February 2014
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
UNIT 7: STORMY WEATHER
GLOBAL WARMING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs&feature=related
This is the transcript for the Global Warming 101 video. Listen and complete the blanks.
For 205 million years the Earth’s climate has fluctuated cycling from ice ages to warmer periods. But in the last century the planet’s temperature has risen unusually fast- about __________ degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists believe it’s human activity that’s driving the temperatures up; a process known as GLOBAL WARMING.
Ever since the industrial revolution began, factories, power plants, and eventually cars, have burned fossil fuels such as oil and coal releasing a huge amount of carbon dioxide and other gases into the _______________.
These greenhouse gases trap the heat near the earth through a naturally occurring process called `_______________________´.
The greenhouse effect begins with the sun and the energy it radiates to the Earth.
The Earth and the atmosphere absorb some of this energy, while the rest _________________ back into space.
Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere trap some of this energy and reflect it back, warming the earth.
Scientists now believe that the greenhouse effect is being intensified by the extra greenhouse gases that humans have released.
Evidence for global warming includes a recent string of very _______________.
Scientists report that 1998 was the warmest year in measured history, with 2005 coming in second.
Meanwhile, readings taken from ice cores show that the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane have hit their highest levels in the past 420.000 years.
Arctic sea ice is also shrinking. According to NASA studies, the extent of Arctic sea ice has declined about 10% in the _____________________.
As long as industrialized nations consume energy and developing countries increase their fossil fuel consumption, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise.
Researchers predict that temperatures will increase about 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by ___________________.
What is less certain is what _______________________ mean for the planet.
Some climate models predict subtle changes. Others forecast rising sea levels which could flood coastal areas around the world.
Weather patterns could change, making hurricanes more frequent.
_________________________ could become more common in warm areas and species unable to adapt to the changing conditions would face extinction.
Although much remains to be learned about global warming many organizations advocate cutting greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impact of global warming.
Consumers can help. By saving energy around the house, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and driving fewer miles in the car each week. These simple changes may help keep the Earth cooler in the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs&feature=related
This is the transcript for the Global Warming 101 video. Listen and complete the blanks.
For 205 million years the Earth’s climate has fluctuated cycling from ice ages to warmer periods. But in the last century the planet’s temperature has risen unusually fast- about __________ degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists believe it’s human activity that’s driving the temperatures up; a process known as GLOBAL WARMING.
Ever since the industrial revolution began, factories, power plants, and eventually cars, have burned fossil fuels such as oil and coal releasing a huge amount of carbon dioxide and other gases into the _______________.
These greenhouse gases trap the heat near the earth through a naturally occurring process called `_______________________´.
The greenhouse effect begins with the sun and the energy it radiates to the Earth.
The Earth and the atmosphere absorb some of this energy, while the rest _________________ back into space.
Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere trap some of this energy and reflect it back, warming the earth.
Scientists now believe that the greenhouse effect is being intensified by the extra greenhouse gases that humans have released.
Evidence for global warming includes a recent string of very _______________.
Scientists report that 1998 was the warmest year in measured history, with 2005 coming in second.
Meanwhile, readings taken from ice cores show that the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane have hit their highest levels in the past 420.000 years.
Arctic sea ice is also shrinking. According to NASA studies, the extent of Arctic sea ice has declined about 10% in the _____________________.
As long as industrialized nations consume energy and developing countries increase their fossil fuel consumption, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise.
Researchers predict that temperatures will increase about 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by ___________________.
What is less certain is what _______________________ mean for the planet.
Some climate models predict subtle changes. Others forecast rising sea levels which could flood coastal areas around the world.
Weather patterns could change, making hurricanes more frequent.
_________________________ could become more common in warm areas and species unable to adapt to the changing conditions would face extinction.
Although much remains to be learned about global warming many organizations advocate cutting greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impact of global warming.
Consumers can help. By saving energy around the house, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and driving fewer miles in the car each week. These simple changes may help keep the Earth cooler in the future.
Monday, 10 February 2014
UNIT 6: UNUSUAL ACCOMMODATION
ANSWER KEY
1
Under the sea
The first underwater hotel to be built
in Dubai at a depth of 10 metres.
2
Swedish mine suite
This lies at 155 metres underground, with showers, toilets etc above ground. The hotel is described as
damp, dark and chilly.
3
Treetop hotel
Located just outside Barcelona, it doesn't have electricity or running water, although
these are available at the nearby Vileta.
4
Ice hotel
This offers temperatures of -5to -8 degrees. Guests sleep on ice,
in a sleeping bag with reindeer skins underneath.
5
Belgian B&B
Offers ten different rooms, each
related to a fairy tale. The hotel
is described as quaint and weirdly
extravagant
6
Coastal hotel
This is an ex sea fortress, with 8
suites and pool and sauna on the roof. Guests are advised to be careful, since
the place is said to be haunted!
7
Karostas Cietums
Located in Latvia , this is an old military
prison, where guests will be treated like prisoners, sleeping in a prison bunk. Before using the hotel, guests
sign a contract agreeing to
treatment as detainees. The ultimate
masochistic experience!
8
Sleepboxes
These represent cheap and basic accommodation, and are already
available in several places, including Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. The boxes have no windows,
so guests may feel a touch calustrophobic.
But you don't have to stay overnight, as you can also rent the place for just a
few hours.
9
City Lodge
Located in the city of Berlin, it's the hotel equivalent of a
theme park, although not for the
faint-hearted. I mean, how would you like to sleep in a Nosferatus coffin?!!
10
Back to Nature hotel
Here you can sleep with the sound of a waterfall above your room. Restaurant
and golf track available at a height of 40
feet. The only real cost is getting to the hotel, as it lies in the middle
of a nature reserve in Chile.
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
UNIT 7: THE WEATHER
Check how much weather vocabulary you know or you remember by clicking on the image.
If you dare, you can try the difficult dictation exercises and get more practice.
If you dare, you can try the difficult dictation exercises and get more practice.
Monday, 3 February 2014
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