Pollution Threatens the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the modern world and
Indias greatest landmark, is in danger of being damaged by air and
water pollution. Agra, where the Taj Mahal stands, has been polluted
heavily by industries and traffic over the past decades. Illegal factories
are springing up around the Taj Mahal and uncontrolled construction
around the monument seems to be endless. Ground water levels are
sinking because the population around Agra, a city of four million
people, is growing and needs more and more water. The wooden
foundations of the monument may collapse because they are becoming
too dry.
At the end of the last century the government realized the growing
problem and started a program to save the monuments shiny white
marble faade because it was turning yellow. Over $150 million were
spent on restoration but it did not help much. Corrosion has continued
and acid rain has also caused a change in the color of the faade. Some
years ago restoration experts started
putting mudpacks around the faade
to bring back the buildings shiny
white color.
The government and city
authorities have taken measures
to protect Indias greatest sight.
Pollution stations around Agra
monitor air quality around the
clock. Car traffic has been
banned within two kilometers
of the monument. Electric and
battery driven cars and buses
then take tourists to the site. A
natural gas pipeline is also in discussion.
Factories and industries around Agra should be persuaded to
change to cleaner forms of energy.
Each year about 3 million tourists come to the Taj Mahal. A Mogul
emperor built the building in the 17th century. It took over 20,000
workers over 17 years to finish it.

NAME: ___________________________

DATE: _______________________

After reading the article Pollution Threatens the Taj Mahal, answer the questions
below using full sentences.
1. The Taj Mahal is in danger of being damaged. What are two main causes of this?
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2. How has population growth had an adverse impact on the Taj Mahal?
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3. What made the government realize that the Taj Mahal needed saving?
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4. What caused the Taj Mahals surface to turn yellow?
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5. List two measures taken by the government to protect the Taj Mahal.
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b. ____________________________________________________________________________________
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6. In one paragraph write what you thought about this article.
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NAME: _________________________________

DATE: _______________________

Step 1: Find the definition of the following words.

Step 2: Use each word in a sentence.
(1) Landmark: _______________________________________________________________________________
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(1) Damaged: ________________________________________________________________________________
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(1) Heavily: __________________________________________________________________________________
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(1) Realized: _________________________________________________________________________________
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(2) ____________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Authorities: ______________________________________________________________________________
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(2) ____________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Protect: ___________________________________________________________________________________
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(2) ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at the picture above. Write a descriptive caption for this image that is one
paragraph in length. Your caption must include:
5 adjectives
3 adverbs
5 pronouns
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Reflect on the article you read earlier today and the class discussions we have had.
1. Pretend you are an environmentalist. You have been selected to present a case
for the Taj Mahals preservation at a community meeting. You must convince
your audience that saving the Taj Mahal is the right thing to do. Write your
speech (one paragraph long) below.
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2. Now pretend you are a protester at this meeting. What would you say? Write
your argument (one paragraph long) below.
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