LESSON 11. Save Our Earth

 

Reading

Save Our Earth

 

The earth is one of the nine planets moving around the sun. And it is the only planet that has air to breathe and water to drink. It is also the only planet that has plants and animals.

The earth looks green and beautiful from space. But is it really a beautiful place to live today? No, because we have already destroyed many things. We have cut down too many trees. We have killed too many plants and animals. When we harm Mother Nature we make the earth a worse place to live. We should realize that we are killing ourselves, too.

We all know that one of the big problems facing us now is pollution. Air and water pollution are more serious than any other pollution problem.

People turn too much gas, coal and wood to heat their homes. Factories create very dangerous gases. People drive cars and fly airplanes. All of these things cause air pollution. Therefore the air is becoming dirtier and dirtier. The dirty air is like a blanket covering the earth and it is making the earth get warmer. This is sometimes called the "greenhouse effect."

Next, we have to think seriously about water pollution. Since the beginning of history water has been used for carrying away waste. The waste goes into rivers, lakes and oceans.

But today too much waste is going into the rivers. Some factories use even poisonous chemicals. This causes serious water pollution and it is getting harder for fish to survive. We used to drink tap water, but now many people drink bottled water instead.

Now, don't you think we should do something to save our earth? Remember, there is no other place to go. Before it's too late, we have to start doing something. To make the air cleaner we can use clean energy sources such as the sun, wind, and water. We can have safe drinking water if we do not dump dirty things into the water.

We all belong to one family ― the family of the Earth. We must cooperate with each other to save our home, the earth. We must all learn to respect nature. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past. Then the day will come when we can live safely on this beautiful earth.

 

 

Dialogue 1

상호네 가족이 환경 문제에 관해 이야기를 하고 있다.

 

Mr. Kim : Do you understand the "green-house effect"?

Sang-mi : I think so. The dirty air makes the temperature go up.

Sang-ho : Speaking of temperature, it's getting cold in here. Shall I light the fire?

Mrs. Kim : If I were you, I wouldn't do it.

Sang-ho : Why not?

Mrs. Kim : We should try to use less gas.

Why don't you put on a sweater?

Sang-ho : OK.

 

 

Dialogue 2

상호 어머니가 상호를 야단치고 있다.

 

Mrs. Kim : The sidewalk is dirty. Why don't you clean it, Sang-ho?

Sang-ho : I will clean it up tomorrow unless it rains.

Mrs. Kim : Well, don't put off till tomorrow what you do today.

Sang-ho : OK. I promise I will do it in a few minutes.

Mrs. Kim : You'd better do it right now before it gets dark.

Sang-ho : OK.