Choose the best answer.

Intensive pesticide and fertilizer sprays used in agriculture have resulted in the serious____of water, soil and land.

Choose the best answer.

________ is a term that refers to the existence of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment.

Answer the questions and choose the best answer:

Bad weather

Lisa

I live in the north of Finland. We’re used to snow there, but one year we had a very bad snowstorm. When we woke up one morning the snow was nearly as high as the house. It covered our car and our garden, and we couldn’t open our front door. We didn’t have any electricity, and it was dark and cold. Luckily, we were prepared, and we had a radio with batteries, a torch and warm clothes. For me it was like an adventure, but my mum and dad were very worried.

Hannah

My family and I often go sailing, but last summer we had a bad experience. The day began well. It was a hot and sunny so we decided to take the boat out. An hour later the weather changed very suddenly. The wind became stronger, clouds covered the sun, it started to rain and the sea became very rough. I thought we were going to die. Luckily, after a few hours the storm passed, but it was the scariest day of my life.

Paula

My village is near the sea, and a few winters ago something very strange happened. The wind became very strong and big waves started crashing over the harbour edge onto the road. Overnight, the temperature dropped so low that the seawater turned into ice. The next day the sea looked like a giant ice rink. There was also ice on the roads and the cars. Luckily nobody was hurt, but it was the strangest weather I’ve ever experienced.

Who says that something very unusual happened?

Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

1. Packing school lunches is a daily task for many parents, but it also has a significant impact on the environment. The typical lunchbox often contains plastic wrap, disposable juice boxes, snack bags, and individually wrapped items. These materials are detrimental to the environment, as they take hundreds of years to break down. Much of this waste ends up in landfills or, worse, in oceans, where it poses a serious threat to wildlife. With so many children bringing lunch to school every day, the waste from plastic and packaging adds up quickly.

2. [I] Food waste is another major issue linked to school lunches. [II] Often, parents over-pack lunchboxes in an effort to ensure their children have enough food. [III] However, this leads to uneaten food being discarded, contributing to food waste and unnecessary packaging waste. Discarded food in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, further damaging the environment. [IV]

3. To tackle these problems, there are simple changes that can help reduce both food and packaging waste. Using reusable containers instead of single-use plastics eliminates the need for plastic wrap. Another important step is involving children in meal planning and packing. By teaching them about portion sizes and helping them choose foods they enjoy and are likely to eat, parents can reduce the amount of uneaten food that gets thrown away. Choosing fresh, unprocessed foods, which usually require less packaging, is another way to make lunchboxes more eco-friendly.

4. Ultimately, small changes in how we pack school lunches can make a big difference in reducing waste and protecting the environment. By being more conscious of our choices, we can help ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

Where in paragraph 2 does the following sentence best fit?

Studies show that millions of sandwiches, pieces of fruit, and packaged food items are thrown away each year by students.

Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

1. Ecotourism has become a popular way to explore the natural world, with activities ranging from safaris to whale watching. It promises a sustainable way to appreciate wildlife while contributing to conservation. However, questions remain: does ecotourism truly benefit endangered species, or could it be causing harm?

2. A recent study published in PLOS ONE looked at the impact of ecotourism on various species. On the positive side, species such as the great green macaw in Costa Rica, African penguins, and golden lion tamarins in Brazil have benefited from ecotourism. Tourism funds have helped protect their habitats and support local conservation efforts. The study suggests that when managed well, ecotourism can lead to substantial conservation benefits, including habitat restoration and anti-poaching activities.

3. However, the impact of ecotourism varies by species and region. For instance, while some species thrive under ecotourism's influence, others do not. Orangutans in Sumatra, for example, continue to suffer from the effects of logging despite small-scale ecotourism efforts. Similarly, in New Zealand, ecotourism is exacerbating the problems faced by sea lions, as increased human presence disrupts their natural behavior.

4. The research highlights the complexity of ecotourism's effects. In some cases, ecotourism can greatly reduce the risk of extinction by providing money for conservation and protecting important habitats. However, without careful management, tourism can be harmful, especially when combined with other threats like poaching and habitat loss. To understand whether ecotourism will help or harm a species, local conditions and species-specific factors must be taken into account.

In which paragraph does the writer mention a concern regarding the impact of ecotourism?

Choose the best answer.

Burning garbage _____ dangerous gases to the environment, and this may lead to global warming.

Choose the best one (A, B, C or D) to complete the sentence or replace the underlined word.

"I see the clouds here." => She told me that she_________the clouds there.

Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

1. Packing school lunches is a daily task for many parents, but it also has a significant impact on the environment. The typical lunchbox often contains plastic wrap, disposable juice boxes, snack bags, and individually wrapped items. These materials are detrimental to the environment, as they take hundreds of years to break down. Much of this waste ends up in landfills or, worse, in oceans, where it poses a serious threat to wildlife. With so many children bringing lunch to school every day, the waste from plastic and packaging adds up quickly.

2. [I] Food waste is another major issue linked to school lunches. [II] Often, parents over-pack lunchboxes in an effort to ensure their children have enough food. [III] However, this leads to uneaten food being discarded, contributing to food waste and unnecessary packaging waste. Discarded food in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, further damaging the environment. [IV]

3. To tackle these problems, there are simple changes that can help reduce both food and packaging waste. Using reusable containers instead of single-use plastics eliminates the need for plastic wrap. Another important step is involving children in meal planning and packing. By teaching them about portion sizes and helping them choose foods they enjoy and are likely to eat, parents can reduce the amount of uneaten food that gets thrown away. Choosing fresh, unprocessed foods, which usually require less packaging, is another way to make lunchboxes more eco-friendly.

4. Ultimately, small changes in how we pack school lunches can make a big difference in reducing waste and protecting the environment. By being more conscious of our choices, we can help ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

The word detrimental in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by __________.

Choose the answer to fill in the blank in each of the following questions. 

The machine was tested to ensure it was __________ for different weather conditions.

Choose the best answer.

Greenpeace is an international group that protests against anything which is a ____ to the environment.

Answer the questions and choose the best answer:

Bad weather

Lisa

I live in the north of Finland. We’re used to snow there, but one year we had a very bad snowstorm. When we woke up one morning the snow was nearly as high as the house. It covered our car and our garden, and we couldn’t open our front door. We didn’t have any electricity, and it was dark and cold. Luckily, we were prepared, and we had a radio with batteries, a torch and warm clothes. For me it was like an adventure, but my mum and dad were very worried.

Hannah

My family and I often go sailing, but last summer we had a bad experience. The day began well. It was a hot and sunny so we decided to take the boat out. An hour later the weather changed very suddenly. The wind became stronger, clouds covered the sun, it started to rain and the sea became very rough. I thought we were going to die. Luckily, after a few hours the storm passed, but it was the scariest day of my life.

Paula

My village is near the sea, and a few winters ago something very strange happened. The wind became very strong and big waves started crashing over the harbour edge onto the road. Overnight, the temperature dropped so low that the seawater turned into ice. The next day the sea looked like a giant ice rink. There was also ice on the roads and the cars. Luckily nobody was hurt, but it was the strangest weather I’ve ever experienced.

Who had everything she needed when the weather became bad?

Answer the questions and choose the best answer:

Bad weather

Lisa

I live in the north of Finland. We’re used to snow there, but one year we had a very bad snowstorm. When we woke up one morning the snow was nearly as high as the house. It covered our car and our garden, and we couldn’t open our front door. We didn’t have any electricity, and it was dark and cold. Luckily, we were prepared, and we had a radio with batteries, a torch and warm clothes. For me it was like an adventure, but my mum and dad were very worried.

Hannah

My family and I often go sailing, but last summer we had a bad experience. The day began well. It was a hot and sunny so we decided to take the boat out. An hour later the weather changed very suddenly. The wind became stronger, clouds covered the sun, it started to rain and the sea became very rough. I thought we were going to die. Luckily, after a few hours the storm passed, but it was the scariest day of my life.

Paula

My village is near the sea, and a few winters ago something very strange happened. The wind became very strong and big waves started crashing over the harbour edge onto the road. Overnight, the temperature dropped so low that the seawater turned into ice. The next day the sea looked like a giant ice rink. There was also ice on the roads and the cars. Luckily nobody was hurt, but it was the strangest weather I’ve ever experienced.

Who thought that the weather would become bad?

Choose the best one (A, B, C or D) to complete the sentence or replace the underlined word.

Until the 12th century people in London had burnt _______ for fuel.

Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank in each of the following questions.

It is obvious that a baby elephant is __________ than a lion cub.

Choose the best answer.

Non-renewable energy sources are running ____.

Provide the correct form of the verb in each of the following sentences.

We saw a rare bird while we __________________ (hike) in the forest.

Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from that of the others.

Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s): Our plans need to be flexible enough to cater for the needs of everyone.

Choose the best answer A, B, C or D to complete the sentences: It was a lovely day. The sun was shining and the birds ______ in the trees.