Reading comprehension Exercise English III

BIOFUELS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Leading investors have joined the growing chorus of concern about governments and
companies rushing into producing biofuels as a solution for global warming, saying that many
involved in the sector could be jeopardising future profits if they do not consider the long-term
impact of what they are doing carefully.

It is essential to build sustainability criteria into the supply chain of any green fuel project in
order to ensure that there is no adverse effect on the surrounding environment and social
structures. The report produced by the investors expresses concern that many companies may
not be fully aware of the potential pitfalls in the biofuel sector.

Production of corn and soya beans has increased dramatically in the last years as an eco-
friendly alternative to fossil fuels but environmental and human rights campaigners are
worried that this will lead to destruction of rain forests. Food prices could also go up as there
is increased competition for crops as both foodstuffs and sources of fuel. Last week, the UN
warned that biofuels could have dangerous side effects and said that steps need to be taken
to make sure that land converted to grow biofuels does not damage the environment or cause
civil unrest. There is already great concern about palm oil, which is used in many foods in
addition to being an important biofuel, as rain forests are being cleared in some countries and
people driven from their homes to create palm oil plantations.

An analyst and author of the investors' report says that biofuels are not a cure for climate
change but they can play their part as long as governments and companies manage the social
and environmental impacts thoroughly. There should also be greater measure taken to
increase efficiency and to reduce demand.
Reading comprehension Exercise English III

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
1. In the following chart write 5 Words You know (palabras que usted conoce), 5 words
Cognates (palabras que son parecidas al español) and 5 words to look up in the
dictionary (palabras que debe buscar en el Diccionario)
Words to look up in the
No. Words I know Cognates
dictionary
0. Example: many Impact - impacto Corn: maíz
1. have solution Foodstuffs: productos
2. Go up essential Biopuels: alimenticios
Last week production Governments: bio
3.
combustibles
4. people potential Thoroughly: gobiernos
Last years alternative Jeopardizing: poner en
5.
peligro

2. What is the general idea of the text? In your OWN WORDS and in one sentence, write
the general idea of the text.

Top investors are concerned that governments and companies are rushing to produce biofuels
jeopardizing future profits and not thinking about potential risks in the biofuels sector.

3. Mention in your OWN WORDS, two or three secondary ideas about the text:
a. incorporate sustainability criteria of any green fuel project to identify that there are no adverse
effects on the environment and the surrounding social structures.
b. Food prices may also rise as there is increased competition for crops such as food and fuel sources.
c. The ONU warned that biofuels could have dangerous side effects and said steps must be taken to
ensure that land converted to growing biofuels does not harm the environment.

4. Is the following statement True or False? Support your answer:

“Environmentalists believe that increased production of corn and soya will lead to the destruction
of rain forests”.
True
The use of land and the low price of agricultural land have contributed to making Brazil an
agrarian superpower, the world's largest exporter of soy, beef and chicken and a major
producer of pork and corn.
This exchange has meant a slowdown in the destruction of the famous tropical forest in Brazil
after reaching its worst levels, but has put at risk another vital ecological zone: a vast tropical
savanna that is home to 5 percent of the planet's species.
Reading comprehension Exercise English III
South America's largest savanna is a vital reservoir for carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that
comes from fossil fuels and deforestation and whose increasing emissions are heating the
global atmosphere.
5. Personal answer: What do you do for taking care of the environment? Write 50 words at
least.
In my home to take care of the environment we do the following:

 we bury the trash

 I use products that can be reused
 turn off the lights
 carry our own market bags
 take advantage of natural light