English for students agronomists

HUE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY _ _ ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES ENGLISH TEXTS FOR STUDENTS-AGRONOMISTS _ _ NGUYEN TRUNG TINH / 2002 PREFACE The aim of this book is to help students of agriculture develop the four language skills and the ability of using the language knowledge in their communication about their specialist subject as well The book consists of 15 units, each of which is divided into two parts: part A should be presented in class; part B is for self-study at home The activities in each unit are designed for students to practice in real-life context, which may make the target language more authentic The exercises focus on improving the grammar in use and the language skills the students need, especially reading and writing, which may help them in participating in some projects and workshops on rural development being held by foreign organizations in Vietnam The material collected is based on the language the students need for their future job, relevant to the intermediate level of the basic language course they have studied at the university The material designed only aims to meet the urgent needs of the students of Hue college of Agriculture and Forestry, so it must have some constraint and limitation I hope the readers who are concerned about the subject find the material useful and may add some more what you have got in the field to complete it as an English material for all students of agriculture in our country NGUYEN TRUNG TINH 9/2002 § UNIT I Word study SOILS Find the words which have similar meaning a store (v) - thing / substance b cleanse (v) - break down c mineral fraction (n) - extent / size d interaction (n) - clean e decay (v) - keep f measure (n) - small piece g organic matter (n) - act to each other h particle (n) - mineral component Grouping Which group the following words belong to? Potato; tomato; pineapple; papaya; longan; wheat; soya; rubber; cacao; rice; cucumber; carrot; lemon; bean; peach; cotton; pear; tea; manioc; orange; coffee; sugar cane; peanut; strawberry; cauliflower; cabbage; banana; water melon Fruit trees Vegetables Industrial crops Food crops a Shallow-rooting crops b Root crops c Tree crops II Skill development Look at the diagram and answer the questions below A Soil profiles * Very shallow soil * Shallow soil * Moderately deep soil * Deep soil 10cm 100cm - Shallow-rooting crops - Most agricultural crops 200cm - Root crops 500cm - Tree crops a Exercise 1.(pair-work) Now ask and say about other soil-type of the soil profile as example A: What is the depth of a shallow soil? B: A shallow soil has a depth of 10 to 100 cm A: What crops is a shallow soil suitable for? B: For shallow rooting crops A: What are shallow rooting crops composed? B: Banana; pineapple, (give examples in your own area.) B Soil particle size Types of soil - coarse sand - fine sand - silt - clay Particle diameter range in mm 1.0 - 0.2 0.2 - 0.05 0.05 - 0.002 < 0.002 Small soil particles are called sand, silt or clay particles, according to their size a Speaking (pair-work) Ask and answer about the following soil particles Example - Coarse sand A: What is the diameter range of coarse sand particles? - Fine sand B: Coarse sand particles are between and 0.2mm in diameter - Silt A: …………………………………………………………… - Clay B: …………………………………………………………… A: …………………………………………………………… B: …………………………………………………………… C Soil texture and structure Soil texture is the proportion of different particle sizes in the soil Soil with very small particles (clay) has a fine texture Soil with a mixture of small and large particles (loam) has a medium texture Soil with large particles (sand) has a coarse texture The range of textures can be shown on a soil texture diagram For example, soil sample A has 10% sand, 20% silt and 70% clay It falls at point A on the diagram What is the soil texture of soil sample A? Look at soil sample A: Soil sample A has 10% sand, 20% silt and 70% clay Thus it has a fine texture Now look at the following soil samples in the table a Fill in the blanks What is the texture of the following soil samples? Samples Sand Silt Clay B ……… 60% 30% 10% C .……… 30% 50% 20% D ………… 40% 30% 30% Read and complete the following passage Soil with a coarse texture consists of relatively large particles Thus it retains air in the spaces between the particles, but it does not retain water Coarse-textured soils are usually well drained However, many important nutrients are leached out of the soil These soils are usually red or brown in colour A medium-textured soil consists of a mixture of (1) and (2) particles .(3) it retains (4) and (5) (6) (7) are usually imperfectly drained Therefore important plant (8) are available for plant growth These soils are usually (9) or (10) with grey mottles A fine-textured soil consists of relatively (11) (12) Thus it (13) water, (14) it does not hold (15) Fine-textured soils are blue or green in (16) They are (17 (18) drained The words may be used to fill the gaps thus ; water ; small ; soils ; large ; medium-textured ; brown ; nutrients red ; particles ; holds ; small ; air ; but ; poorly ; colour ; usually ; nutrients Answer the following question a Why does a coarse-textured soil retain air? b Give one disadvantage of a coarse-textured soil c Why is a medium-textured soil usually imperfectly drained? d Are the particles of a fine-textured soil predominantly sand, silt or clay? e Why is the fine-textured soil often flooded after rain? f Why is rice often grown in a fine-textured soil? g In which type of soil are root crops (e.g sweet potato, cassava, etc) grown in your area? Give one reason why you think this is so D Soil structure Define the soil texture as quickly as possible, then write the soil structure - Soil texture: A: ………………… B: ………………… C: ……………… - sand 80% - sand 20% - sand 20% - silt 10% - silt 70% - silt 20% - clay 10% - clay 10% - clay 60% - Soil structure: A: ………………… B: ………………… C: ………………… Read and complete Sample A is a coarse-textured soil, sample B is a medium-textured soil and sample C is a fine-textured soil Each sample is mixed with water and shaped like a ball What happens when water drips onto each sample? - The coarse-textured soil breaks up easily It has a loose structure - The medium-textured soil moderately easily, friable structure - The .- does not solid structure Speaking (pair-work) Answer the following questions a Why is it difficult to cultivate a fine-texture soil? b Why is a medium-textured soil suitable for plant growth? c What happens to coarse-textured soil in a heavy rain storm? d What are the advantages of each type of soil? e What are the disadvantages of each type of soil? f How can farmers cultivate a coarse-textured soil? g How can a fine-textured soil be used most efficiently? III READING A Pre-reading task a Find the difference between soil, land and earth SOILS Soils are very complex natural formations which make up the surface of the earth They provide a suitable environment in which plants may obtain water, nutrients and oxygen for root respiration, and firm anchorage Soils are formed by the weathering of rocks, followed by the growth and decay of plants, animals, and soils micro-organisms If a farmer is to provide the best possible conditions for crop growth, it is desirable that he should understand what soils are, how they were formed and how they should be managed The topsoil and surface soil is a layer about 8-45 cm deep which may be taken as the greatest depth which a farmer would plough or cultivate and in which most of the plant roots are found Loose, cultivated, topsoil is sometimes called mould The subsoil, which lies underneath, is an intermediate stage in the formation of soil from the rock below A soil profile is a section taken through the soil down to the parent rock In some cases this may consist of only a shallow surface soil 10-15 cm on top of a rock such as chalk and limestone In other well-developed soils (about a metre deep) there are usually three or more definite layers (or horizons) which vary in colour, texture and structure The soil profile can be examined by digging a trench or by taking out cores of soil from various depths with a soil auger A careful examination of the layers (horizons) can be useful in forming an opinion as to how the soil was formed, its natural drainage and how it might be farmed Some detailed soil classifications are based on soil profile II Check your understanding A Read the text carefully, then answer the following questions: What are the four main constituent parts of soil? What should the farmer understand about soil? How many types of soil are there? What soil is called mould How are soils formed? How you take a soil sample? What can a soil sample tell you? B Find the words with opposite meaning to the following words in the passage - simple : - development : - concentrating : - loose : - deep : - single : - not wanted : - wash away : - general : C Look at paragraph and say what these words refer to: line 1: which line 9: line 2: which line 13: line 8: which line 17: D Look at the passage again Which words correspond to the definitions below: how particles are arranged in a substance the process of pressing particles closely together a ditch dug in the ground the middle, or most important, part of anything a system for taking away water a group into which something is put what is based on to classify soil in full detail loose cultivated surface soil small organisms living in soil 10 prepare and use land for growing crops E Matching the given words with each picture from smallest particle to largest A gravel B clay C sand E stone F silt G rock 1 PART B: I READING B AGRICULTURAL POLICY Agricultural policy in the United Kingdom since 1973 has been determined primarily by Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU, which aims to ensure stable markets, a fair standard of living for producers, and regular supplies of food at reasonable prices for consumers The costs to EU taxpayers of the CAP, which accounts for more than 50 per cent of the EU‟s budget, and the mechanisms of maintaining farm prices through grants and subsidies, and through tariffs on cheaper imports, have come under increasing criticism since the early 1980s by Britain, by developing countries, and by the United States Various reforms have been implemented in an attempt to reduce costs, subsidies, and the huge levels of overproduction, which generated „‟butter mountain‟‟ and „‟wine lakes‟‟ during the 1970s and 1980s These have included schemes to encourage farmers to take land out of agricultural production, to adopt more environmentally kind, but less productive methods of farming, to impose production quotas on certain products, like milk, and to reduce subsidies on others In Britain agricultural marketing is carried out by private traders, producers‟ cooperatives, and marketing boards for certain products The number of marketing boards has been steadily reduced over the past 20 years In November 1994 one of the largest, the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales, ceased to exist and was replaced by a producers‟ cooperative, Milk Marque Britain‟s food industry is one of the world‟s largest and most successful, with a highly developed retail, supply, and distribution network Its supermarket chains supply an everincreasing choice of food products to the British consumer and are among Europe‟s most profitable companies The 1997 merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan created one of the world‟s biggest food and drinks conglomerates II Word study A Find the words in the text which have similar meaning to the following words define : a suitable: f firm: b fund: g norm: c project: h collective: d provide: i usual: e 10 systems: j III Grammar Word Formation A Practice New words are formed by adding a suffix to other words Find the words formed in this way in the passage to complete the exercise below produce  production employ  employment produce  producer - contribute  ……… - require  ………… -………  ………… - compact  ………… - manage  ………… -………  ………… - examine  ………… - ………  ………… -………  ………… - …………  ………… -………  ………… -………  ………… - …….…  ………… -………  ………… -………  ………… reason  reasonable 5.product productive 6.agriculture  agricultural - desire ………… -………  ………… -…………  ………… - suit ………… -………  ………… -…………  ………… B Complete the following sentences, using the right form of the given word The government gives some subsidies to the basic food to .the normal production (maintenance) Five dollars for a big chicken is enough in New York (reason) There should be a complete of all the local authorities (implement) British Agriculture just 2% of the population and 1.9% of GDP but it achieves high levels of efficiency and (employment ; contribution ; produce) Will the new power station be able to supply us cheap energy ? (require) Agricultural policy aims to ensure stable markets, a fair standard of living for ., and regular supplies of food at .prices for consumers (produce ; reason) Various reforms have been in an attempt to reduce costs, subsidies, and the huge levels of (implementation ; overproduce) In Britain agricultural marketing is carried out by private traders, producers‟ , and marketing boards for certain (cooperate; produce) IV Comprehension check 10 11 12 13 14 15 What are the main points of the policy? What is the aim of the policy? Who gets the most benefits from the policy? Are there any agricultural policies in your country? Do the policies help to develop the agriculture? What is the agriculture of your country? What is the most dominant sector in the agriculture? Where is rice mainly grown? What population does the agriculture employ? What percentage of GDP does the agriculture account for? What you think about your agriculture now and in he future? Are there any plans for developing your agriculture? According to you can we develop our livestock rising like Holland or USA? As a future agronomist you have any special plans for the agriculture? What economic sector can be developed best in our agriculture?    Never put off till tomorrow what you can today § UNIT I Word study TROPICAL SOILS Fill in the gaps with given words due to ; erode ; waterlogged ; compound ; presence ; friable ; laterite ; penetrate a Metals are …………….by acids b Common salt is a …………………of sodium and chlorine c The train was delayed ……………… the bad weather d The dogs were trained to detect the ………………of drug e Soil with large particles is………………… f Almost roads in the countryside are made of ……………… g The heavy rain had ………………… right through her coat h The area is often ………………… in rainy season II READING A Pre-reading task a What countries are tropical? Read the passage and answer these questions as quickly as possible a What colour is laterite? b What are the three major soil types mentioned in the passage? TROPICAL SOIL The soil of hot, tropical areas varies in texture, structure and colour and in their value for agriculture A group called Tropical Red Earths is a very common soil type in, for example, tropical Africa The group includes yellow, orange and brown soils as well as red Their colour is due to the presence of certain minerals, mainly iron and aluminium oxides They are usually rich in clay but they are quite friable and easily cultivated A common type of soil in this group is laterite It is a red-brown soil, which becomes very hard when it is dry Laterite often forms a very hard crust on or below the surface Plants are unable to grow through it and water cannot penetrate it These soils are usually eroded by water running over the surface Black or dark-coloured soils are found in lowland areas, which become flooded or waterlogged, and in valleys They are usually rich soils and valuable for cultivation (rice) The grey and light-coloured soils contain calcium compounds and are often found over limestone rock A Say whether the information in the following sentences is true or false Correct any false or partly false information There is only one type of soil in tropical countries Soils which are rich in iron oxides are common in tropical Africa These soils are fine-textured and usually solid in structure Laterite is an example of Tropical Red Earths Laterite has properties which make it difficult for plants to grow Laterite is a well-drained soil Important nutrients are leached out of laterite soils Black or dark-coloured soils are poorly drained Black or dark-coloured soils usually have large soil particles 10 Black or dark-coloured soils retain important plant nutrients B Writing and speaking Answer the following questions Can you say anything about the pH value of Tropical Red Earths from the information given in the passage? Find out about the properties of soils in your area (type of soil, colour, texture and structure of the soil) Which crops grow on them? C The pH value of soil water We use the pH scale to describe the acidity or alkalinity of a soil A soil with a pH value between and is acid, whereas a soil with a pH value of is neutral and a soil with a pH value between and 14 is alkaline Most soils have a pH value between and Most crops not grow well in very acid or very alkaline soils ……….tea coffee citrus bananas …… ……… 10 11 12 13 14 Writing1 Now make similar sentences about tea, coffee, citrus crops, rice, tomato and sweet potatoes as the given example Example: Bananas grow well in slightly acid or neutral soil, but they not grow well in very acid soil a Tea b Coffee c Citrus … d …………………………………………………………………………………… e ………………………………………………………………………………… Writing Write comparison Example: blackberry/cherry Blackberry grows well in acid soil, but carrot doesn‟t a grape/cauliflower … …………………………………………………………… b soybean/celery ………………….…………………………………………… c onion/peanut …………………………………………………………………… d …………………………………………………………………………………… e …………………………………………………………………………………… f …………………………………………………………………………………… Acid and Alkaline Tolerance Quite acid (4.0 – 6.0) Slightly acid (6.0 – 7.0) Neutral to alkaline (7.0 – 7.5) - blackberry - apple - alfalfa - blueberry - apricot - beet - bracken - beans - broccoli - chestnut - buckwheat - cabbage - coffee - cherry - carrot - conifer - egg-plant - cauliflower - lupine - gooseberry - celery - marigold - grains - clover - moss - grape - cucumber - oak - parsley - leeks - potato - pea - lettuce - peanut - peach - onion - raspberry - pear - silver beet - sweet potato - pumpkin - spinach - tea - soybean - swiss chard - watermelon - strawberry tomato - zucchini Acid and alkaline tolerances of selected crops Exercise (pair-work) Ask and say about the tolerance of the crops in the box as example below - A: What crops grow well in an acid soil? - B: Blackberry, potato and watermelon grow well in acid soil - A: What crops not grow well in an acid soil? 109 TEST (Revision) (score: 100 marks) I SECTION 1: (Grammar and Vocabulary) (45 marks) A Vocabulary Choose the best answer among A,B,C,D The second is to use a method which maintains sufficient organic matter in the surface soil A enough B large C lots of D B or C This helps to keep bases and phosphates available in the soil and good structure in the surface soil A keeps B maintains C improves D A or B There are a number of reasons for damaged soils, however the fundamental cause of soil decline is the removal of surface vegetation A degradation B loss C erosion D decay With the exception of natural deserts, soil is always protected by vegetation A ecception B excluding C expectation D including In an effort to harvest greater yields, more and more marginal land has been ploughed up A not fertile land B edge or border land C rich land D A or B This has been disastrous for the soil which is then left from animal hoofs, wind, rain, cold and heat A expose and unprotect B exposed and unprotected C exposing and unprotecting D A or C Excessive use of artificial fertilizers has also caused soil problems A using too much B using not enough C proper use D usual use A special case has taken place in Australia where huge amounts of phosphates were added to soils to grow European grasses and clovers A occurred B occupied C happened D A or C Overdosing with fertilizer has also led to the contamination of surface and ground water A pollution B improvement C cleansing D freshing 10 Excess fertilizers which are not used by crops are into rivers, lakes and streams in run-off A flowed B taken C washed D A or C 11 Excess fertilizer can also be through the soil into the water table A flowed B leached C taken D washed 12 As the water table rises towards the surface, naturally occurring salts are dissolved and concentrated in the upper soil layer A become liquid B become solid C are gathered D none is correct 13 Irrigation water which is surplus to the crops' needs causes the water table A rising B rosen C rise D to rise 14 Natural salts are then in the upper layers of the soil as the water evaporates A deposited B rosen C dissolved D contaminated 15 Soluble fertilizers, which are often added regularly to the irrigation water, further contribute to the concentration of salts in the upper soil layer A collection B codansation C contribution D B or C 16 An accumulation of biocides (chemicals used to kill organisms) also causes soil decline A gathering large quantity B concentration C increse in number D All are correct 17 Microclimate is the summation of environmental conditions at a particular site as affected by local factors rather than climatic ones A small climate B regional climate C local climate D general climate 110 18 The regional climate always has variations in temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and light levels A changes B differences C diversities D petterns 19 Local factors …………… topography, soil, vegetation, structures and water bodies further modify the environment A such as B so that C which D such that 20 The place where you live is a microclimate of the large general climate A regional B local C world-wide D all are correct 21 Overall, microclimates are more important than the regional or general climate in achieving diverse and stable landscapes A solid B sustainable C beautiful D firm 22 Microclimates can be a rich source of diversity, so your design should take advantage of them rather than eliminate them A exploit B make use C consider D understand 23 You can create different habitats and diversify the range of plants and animals that will grow in your garden A places to live B natural environment C houses D A or B 24 For example, you may be able to grow an almond tree if you live in a cool moist climate simply by positioning it against a sunny sheltered wall A planting B keeping C putting D storing 25 Potassium is known to play a vital role in photosynthesis, regulation of plant pores, activation of plant catalysts (enzymes) and many other processes A essential to existence B lively C dynamic D energetic 26 Plants deficient in K cannot use water and other nutrients from either soil or fertilizer efficiently A lacking B incomplete C inedequate D A or C 27 Plants deficient in K are .to environmental stresses such as drought, excess water, wind, and high and low temperatures A less tolerant B much tolerant C more tolerant D better resistant 28 Also, plants deficient in K are less resistant to pest and disease attack A unaffected B unprotected C damaged D none is correct 29 Potash is known as the quality nutrient because of its important effects on such factors as size, shape, colour, taste and shelf life A influences B affects C functions D values 30 Most virgin soils initially contain adequate K for average crop yields A natural B marginal C original D A or C 31 Most soils become deficient in K as a result of crop intensification A thus B because C since D B or C 32 The major factor to the depletion of soils is intensive cropping A contributing B contributed C contributes D contribution 33 For these reasons continued intensification of agriculture without the ''balanced'' use of potash is not possible A a farming method B a species of crop C a kind of product D a type of manure 34 Most developing countries are not applying fertilizers in proper nutrient ratios (proportion) and are therefore ''mining'' soil K A average B high C low D right 35 About two-thirds of India‟s population depends on the land a living A to B doing C to make D making 36 Agriculture generates an estimated 28 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) 111 A cultivates B grows C produces D contributes 37 The raising of livestock, particularly horned cattle, is a central feature of the agricultural economy A chickens, duches B pigs, goals C buffalo, horses D A & B 38 These animals, like buffaloes, horses and mules, are utilized primarily as beasts of burden A used B useful C useless D usage 39 The country‟s 78 million buffalo are largely raised in the delta regions A increased B arisen C developed D bred 40 In the dry regions of Punjab and Rajasthan camels are the principal beasts of burden A large animals B used for carrying heavy loads C used for food D used as transport means B Grammar Choose the best answer among A,B,C,D 41 It is best start off with hardy locally-proven species are known to grow well in your area A they B which C where D how 42 Finally, in later years, the soil and microclimate have been modified by the trees you have planted, you can add more peripheral species to take advantage of such factors A which B whose C while D when 43 If you know the species, geographical origin you may be able to modify your microclimate A to suit B suitable C suitability D suited 44 Although almonds prefer a mild Mediterranean climate can still be grown in cool areas by planting near a warm, east-facing wall with good drainage and excellent wind protection A which B it C that D they 45 You could try to find a cultivar has a known resistance to fungal diseases and plant it in a place it receives drying breezes A where/which B which/that C where/that D which/where 46 The following table shows the climatic origins of a range of fruit trees and the most desirable placement of these trees along a slope A cultivate B cultivation C cultivating D cultivated 47 In many cases, the fruits in one climate group can be grown in the climate in the next column A listed B listing C list D lists 48 , many desert (hot, dry) species can be grown in mediterranean climates A Particularly B In particular C Particular D A or B 49 After you on the best position for the trees according to the slope characteristics, you can then check the following list A decided B decide C have decided D A or C 50 The first deciduous trees to drop their leaves are placed in front (towards the sun) of .drop their leaves later in the season, or which are evergreen A those that B those C that D which 51 Small trees are planted in front of larger trees they are not blocked from the sun A because B when C so D though 52 K is not a constituent of any plant structures or compounds, it is essential in nearly all processes needed to sustain plant life A However B Because C Although D If 53 The functions of K in the plant are so numerous and complex to the present day many of them are still not fully understood 112 A which B that C those D A or B 54 Quality of potash deficient plants also poor A are B were C is D A or B 55 In areas of high temperature and high rainfall most soils are low in native K, soils in low rainfall areas are often high in K A but B while C whereas D all are correct II SECTION (Reading comprehension) (30 marks) Reading Fill in the gaps with given phrases below a to dry for a few hours b impossible to paint them properly c produced especially for this purpose d pruning may be done to make sure e which has been pruned smooth and clean f without interference from the leaves g when the tree is at risk h that are blocking up the centre i pruning involves the cutting away of overgrown and unwanted branches j you may cut out diseased or dead wood, or branches Trees should only be pruned when there is a good and clear reason for doing so and, fortunately, the number of such reasons is small … (1)… , and the inexperienced gardener can be encouraged by the thought that more damage results from doing it unnecessarily than from leaving the tree to grow in its own way First, … (2)… that trees have a desired shape or size The object may be to get a tree of the right height, and at the same time to help the growth of small side branches, which will thicken its appearance or give it a special shape Secondly, pruning may be done to make the tree healthier … (3)… that are rubbing against each other and thus causing wounds The health of a tree may be encouraged by removing branches … (4)… and so preventing the free movement of air One result of pruning is that an open wound is left on the tree and this provides an easy entry for disease, but it is a wound that will heal Often there is a race between the healing and the disease as to whether the tree will live or die, so that there is a period … (5)… It should be the aim of every gardener to reduce that risk of death as far as possible It is essential to make the area … (6)… , for healing will be slowed down by roughness You should allow the cut surface … (7)… and then paint it with one of the substances available from garden shops … (8)… Pruning is usually done in winter, for then you can see the shape of the tree clearly … (9)… and it is, too very unlikely that the cuts you make will bleed If this does happen, it is, of course, … (10)… Reading Fill in the gaps with given words in the box prevailing ; recorded ; which ; annual ; causes ; that come ; computing ; combined ; however ; than ; rainfall Precipitation, commonly referred to as …(1)…, is a measure of the quantity of water in the form of either rain, hail, or snow …(2)… reaches the ground The average annual precipitation over the whole of the United States is thirty-six inches It should be understood …(3)…, that a foot of snow is not equal to a foot of precipitation A general formula for 113 …(4)… the precipitation of snowfall is …(5)… ten inches of snow is equal to one inch of precipitation In New York State, for example, twenty inches of snow in one year would be …(6)… as only two inches of precipitation Forty inches of rain would be recorded forty inches of precipitation The total …(7)… precipitation would be recorded as forty-two inches The amount of precipitationis a …(8)… result of several factors, including location, altitude, proximity to the sea, and the direction of …(9)… winds from the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the great lakes Because these prevailing winds generally …(10)… from the West, the Pacific Coast receives more annual precipitation …(11)… the Atlantic Coast Along the Pacific Coast itself, however, altitude …(12)… some diversity in rainfall Reading Choose the best answer among A,B,C,D The body of nearly flowering plants can be devided into two systems, the root system which grows below ground and the shoot system which grows above it The typical root system anchors the plant firmly in the soil, and absorbs water and various dissolved raw materials from it The typical shoot system consists of a main stem upon which are borne leaves, branch shoots, and sometimes flowers It should be emphasized that the word stem and shoot are not synonymous, the word “shoot‟ being a collective term for both stem and leaves The leaves are the chief food-producing organs of the plant, making complex foods in the presence of light by a process called photosynthesis The stem supports the leaves, displaying them in the light needed for photosynthesis, and also acts as the main channel of communication between the various organs of the plant Water and dissolved minerals absorbed by the roots are carried in the stem to the leaves and flowers, and foods synthesized in the leaves are conducted away through the stem to other regions of the plant, both above and below ground, where they are either used for growth or else stored for future use Flowers are organs that are concerned with the reproduction of the species by seeds With what topic is the passage primarily concerned? A How plant produce seeds B Different types of flowers C The structure of plants D How leaves grow According to the passage, what is one main function of the root system? A To absorb light for growth B To create mineral for nutrition C To speed the reproduction process D To secure the plant in the ground With which of the following would the author be most likely to agree? A The shoot is part of the stem B The stem is part of the shoot C The stem and the shoot are identical D The stem is not part of a flowering plant The major food-producing part of a plant is the A leaf B root C flower D shoot The author implies that plants with flowers A are likely to have long root B are not reproducing organisms C can be grown from seeds D are the most beautiful of all plants What did the paragraph preceding the passage most probably discuss? A The anatomy of fruit-bearing trees B Methods of increasing plant production C The definition of a plant body D The differences between flowers and leaves III SECTION 3: (Writing) (25 marks) A Change the following sentences into the passive form They have planned to build some rubber plantations in hill areas 114 We have decided to plant the flowers in pots They intend to change the plan for the farm The farmer remembers being taught the technique to improve unhealthy soils They should take advantages of wild energy to make electricity B Combine the following pairs to make a sentence expressing purpose Please, shut the gate I don‟t want the horses get out of the field Artificial fertilizers need to be soluble compounds Plants can absorb the nutrients You should plant a diverse range of species No one pest can attack all the trees He tries to design a good ecosystem for his gaeden He wants the new species of plants to grow well there The government has forbidden purchasing or using products from wild animals They wanted the wild animals to be fully protected C Combine the following pairs to make a new complex sentence, using the conjunctions you have learnt before The water table rises towards the surface Naturally occurring salts are dissolved and concentrated in the upper soil layer Mulches are made from organic materials, such as hay, grass clippings, straw… They will gradually add to the soil organic matter and nutrient bank The mulches break down The light was absorbed It is radiated back into the atmosphere as heat energy or turned into chemical energy by green plants They photosynthesis The green manure crop can be slashed two or three times It is growing and then chopped into the soil It flowers and seeds You may feel it is not ethical to eat red meat because of the environmental cost of feeding most of the world's grain to beef and pigs Many people are starving; or you may be concerned about land degradation occurring through removal of forests of grazing land The people live in simple houses, built with mudbricks or recycled timbers and use solar and wind-powered electricity The forests here are being conserved very well The community is largely self-supporting in term of water, power and food The people not need large incomes and can effort not to turn the land into a full-scale farm Plants and crops die They are unable to tolerate the high salt levels Many desert regions and arid zones have been sensitively managed by people who travelled around their lands They hunted or tended their animals 10 The community was allowed to have a multiple occupancy title to their land The local government office declared that the land was useless for conventional agriculture 115 I New vocabulary: abort (v) : sáøy landscape (n) : cnh quan, thai phong cnh abortion (n) : sỉû larva (n) : sáøy thai áúu trng absorb (v) : háúp laterite (n) : thu âạ ong acceptability (n) : kh nàng layer (n) : cháúp nháûn táưng, låïp account for (v) : chiãúm tè leach (v) (n) : lc lãû, gii trê qua achieve (v) : âảt levee (n) : âỉåüc thnh qu âã acidity (n) : a-xêt lime (n) : adapt (v) : thêch väi nghi limestone (n) : âạ aerate (v) : lm väi thäng khê livestock (n) : chàn affect (v) : nh hỉåíng ni alkali (adj.) : kiãưm living organism (n) : sinh váût alley (n) : ng hm, säúng läúi âi cọ träưng cáy loose (n) : âáút xäúp, allocation (n) : sỉû chè mãưm, khäng chàût âënh maintain (v) : amenable (adj.) : chëu âỉåüc trç anchorage (n) : bạm chàût, mammal (n) : âäüng giỉỵ chàût váût cọ vụ annual (adj.) : hng nàm, marginal land (n) : âáút ven bçnh qn nàm båì aphids (n) : rãûp vỉìng mature (adj.) : aquaculture (n) : ni träưng trỉåíng thnh thu sn maturity (n) : arid (adj.) : khä trỉåíng thnh càòn, vä vë measure (n) (v) : giåïi hản, arthropods (n) : âäüng váût tiãu chøn ; âo chán âäút mechanization (n) : cå giåïi aspect (n) : màût, bçnh hoạ diãûn merger (n) : sỉû håüp attempt (n) : dỉû nháút âënh, âäư metamorphosis (n) : sỉû biãún auger (n) : cại hçnh khoan methodology (n) : hãû phỉång backbone (n) : xỉång säúng phạp balance (n) (v) : sỉû cán microscopic (adj.) : ráút nh bàòng, cán âäúi miracle (n) : âiãưu beetle (n) : b thnh diãûu cạnh cỉïng model (n) : máùu, benefit (n) : låüi mä hçnh nhûn moderate (v) : beyond (pre.) : vỉåüt âiãưu ho 116 quạ, phêa bãn modify (v) : lm thay biocide (n) : thúc âäøi, biãún âäøi trỉì sáu moisture (n) : håi blood sample (n) : máùu mạu nỉåïc, håi áøm boundary (n) : ranh giåïi monoculture (n) : âäüc breakdown (n) : rỉû tan r, canh tháút bải monsoon (n) : giọ brucellosis(n) :bãûnh sáøy thai ma truưn nhiãùm moonscape (n) : cnh calves (n) : bã cung tràng carry out (v) : tiãún hnh, mulch (n) : âäư âang thỉûc hiãûn che ph cash crop (n) : näng sn mulch (v) : ph hng hoạ bäøi, che âáûy catalyst (n) : cháút xục muscle (muscule) (n) :cå bàõp tạc mussels (n) : catchmen (n) : lỉu vỉûc säng, vẻm, s sỉû dáùn nỉåïc nitrate (n) : cease (v) : dỉìng, nitårat ngỉìng (hoảt âäüng) nitrogen supply (n) : sỉû cung characteristic (n) : cháút cáúp âảm âàûc trỉng nutrient (n) : claim (v) : cäng cháút dinh dỉåỵng bäú, cho ràòng nymph (n) : cleans (v) : lm nhäüng sảch occupancy (n) : sỉû cỉ cleanse (v) : lm ngủ, chiãúm hỉỵu sảch oral dosing (n) : cho clipping (n) : càõt úng thúc coarse (adj.) : thä, organic matter (n) : cháút låïn hỉíu cå colapse (v) : sủp âäù organism (n) : sinh váût, cå thãø colostrum (n) : sỉỵa non outset (n) : combine (v) : kãút håüp, tỉì âáưu näúi lải våïi overproduction (n) : sn xút compact (adj.) : âàûc, dy, thỉìa ràõn chàõc paddy (n) : rüng components (n) : håüp cháút, lụa thnh pháưn palatable (adj.) : ngon, lm compound (n) : håüp cháút, dãù chëu phán tỉí particle (n) : hảt concentration (n) : sỉû táûp nh, máùu trung peat soil (n) : âáút concept (n) : khại than bn niãûm penetrate (v) : tháúm confirm (v) : khàóng qua, xun qua âënh lải percolation (n) : sỉû tháúm conglomerates (n) : khäúi liãn qua (nỉåïc) kãút perennial (n)(adj) : cáy láu coniferous (adj.) : loi nàm, vénh viãùn tng bạch period (n) : khong thåìi 117 conservation forest(n) : rỉìng gian, thåìi k bo täưn peripheral species (n): giäúng conservely (adv.) : ngỉåüc lải ngoi vng pest (n) : sáu consult (v) : xin hải låìi khun ca pesticides (n) : thúc consumer (n) : ngỉåìi trỉì sáu tiãu dng pierce (v) : chc consumerism (n) : bo vãû thng, khoẹt läù quưn låüi n.t.dng placenta (placentae) : contamination (n) : sỉû nhiãùm thai bãûnh plain (adj.) : contract (v) : cáúp giáúy thưn phẹp, chỉïng nháûn plain (n) : âäưng bàòng conventional (adj.) : táûp tủc, plough (v) : cy, lãû thọi xåïi cotton boll (n) : qu policy (n) : chênh bäng, qu nang polyculture (n) : âa can crayfish (n) : pond (n) : ao, täm häư create (v) : tảo pore (n) : läù ra, sing khê åí lạ cáy creek (n) : lảch predominant (adj.) : chiãúm ỉu nỉåïc, säng thãú criticism (n) : sỉû preferable (adj.) : thêch phã bçnh, chè trêch nháút crop rotation (n) : ln canh pregnant (n) : âang mang cáy träưng thai crust (n) : presence (n) : sỉû hiãûn củc, tng diãûn, cọ màût cultivate (v) : cy preserve (v) : trç, âãø cáúy, ni träưng dnh, âàût trỉåïc cure (v) : pressure (n) : ạp chỉỵa trë bãûnh sút, ạp lỉûc cycle (n) : quay vng, lm prevent (v) : phng chuøn biãún trạnh, ngàn cn cyclone(n) : vung giọ xoạy, price (n) : giạ c vng ạp tháúp process (n) : quạ dairy cattle (n) : b trçnh sỉỵa produce (v) : sn decay (n) (v) : sỉû suy tn, xút phán hu, mủc product (n) : sn deciduous beech : cáy säưi pháøm rủng lạ såïm pronounced (adj.) : ráút hiãøn decomposition (n): sỉû phán hu, nhiãn, r rng thäúi rỉỵa protect (v) : bo decrease (v) : gim vãû xúng provide (v) : cung depletion (n) : hản cáúp chãú vãư säú lỉåüng pupa (n) : deposite (v) : làõng nhäüng âäüng purview (n) : nhn quan, 118 deserts (n) : hoang táưm hiãøu biãút mảc quotas (n) : chè tiãu desirable(adj) :ao ỉåïc, raise (v) : lm tàng lãn, triãøn vng ni träưng desolate (adj.) : hoang vu reasonable (adj.) : håüp l lảnh lo rectify (v) : sỉía lải destroy (v) : tn cho âụng phạ recycle (v) : chãú, determine (v) : xạc âënh lm ln chuøn dig (v) : redistribution (n) : phán âo, xåïi phäúi discern (v) : nháûn refine (v) : gản thỉïc r, phán biãût lc diver (n) : thåü regain (v) : häưi làûn phủc, thu lải âỉåüc domestic(adj.) :thüc näüi regenerate (v) : âëa, nỉåïc sinh, phủc häưi drainage (n) : sỉû rụt regular (adj.) : nỉåïc, sỉû tiãu nỉåïc thỉåìng xun due to (adv) : do, vç release (v) : thi dust (v) : ra, lm sảch bủi removal (n) : dwelling (n) : sỉû toạn hãút, dn sảch åí, chäù åí, nh åí renowned (adj.) : näøi tiãúng ecofarm (n) : näng tang sinh thại reptile (n) : loi ecologist (n) : nh b sạt sinh thại hc respiration (n) : hä háúp, ecosystem (n) : hãû sinh thåí thại retain (v) : chỉïa, giỉỵ efficiency (n) : hiãûu retard (v) : lm qu cháûm lải emphasis (n) : táưm quan roots (n) : gäúc, rãù trng, nháún ging rootstock (n) : bäü rãù employ (v) : lao âäüng, lm viãûc rotten (adj.) : thäúi rỉỵa, empower (v) : trao mủc nạt, hẹo tn quưn, cho phẹp sanctuary (n) : nåi trụ áøn, enclose (v) : ro khu bo täưn quanh, gỉỵi km sawdust (n) : mn cỉa endemic (n) : bãûnh scheme (n) : phỉång sạch, truưn nhiãùm âäư, âãư ạn equity (n) : scraps (n) : loải cäng bàòng thi erode (v) : xọi seabed (n) : âạy mn biãøn estuary (n) : cỉía seed (n) : hảt säng giäúng ethic (adj.) : thüc sequence (n) : sỉû täüc ngỉåìi, vä tháưn liãn tủc, liãn tiãúp caring (adj.) : chu âạo shade (n) : hçnh, ethical (adj.) : thüc vãư hçnh dảng 119 âảo âỉïc, tám linh shelf life (n) : thåìi evaporation (n) : sỉû bäúc hản sỉí dủng håi shelter (n) : chäù evolution (n) : sỉû áøn nạu, nỉång tỉûa tiãún hoạ shelterbelt tree (n) : cáy lm exceed (v) : vỉåüt nåi trụ ngủ quạ giåïi hản shrink (v) : co lải excessive (adj.) : dỉ, site (n) : chäù, thỉìa vë trê, âëa âiãùm exoskeleton (n) : bäü slope (n) : âáút xỉång ngoi (b) triãưn däúc expose (v) : phåi solar energy (n) : nàng lỉåüng ra, läü màût tråìi extend (v) : måí soluble (adj.) : ho tan räüng soluble nutrient : cháút dinh fabric (n) : cäng trçnh dỉåỵng ho tan xd,cå cáúu, vi vọc solution (n) : dung dëch, factor (n) : úu täú sỉû ho tan flat area (n) : sow (v) : gieo hảt vng âáút bàòng phàóng stable (adj.) : vỉỵng flavour (adj.) : hỉång chàõc vë stalk borer(n) : âủc thán fluid (n) : (sáu) lng, dãù chy standard (n) : chøn force of gravity (n) : trng mỉûc, tiãu chøn lỉûc, sỉïc hụt standpoint (n) : quan âiãùm forfeit (v) : stem (n) : thán cáy tr giạ stewardship (n) : cỉång vë formulate (v) : cäng qun l thỉïc hoạ storage (n) : sỉû bo fraction (n) : phán qun, sỉû cáút giỉỵ säú, thnh pháưn store (v) : lỉu fragments (n) : mnh, giỉỵ, cáút giỉỵ khục, âoản straw (n) : råm rả free of (adj.) : khäng bë stress (n) : sỉïc láy nhiãùm bãûnh ẹp; sỉû thàóng friable (adj) : dãù strive (v) : cäú våỵ gàõng, pháún âáúu fungal (adj.) : náúm structure (n) : cáúu (gáy bãûnh) trục future generation (n) : thãú hãû subsidies (n) : tiãưn tråü tỉång lai giạ, phủ cáúp gestation (n) : subsistence (n) : sỉû täưn thåìi k thai nghẹn tải, sinh kãú glare (adj.) : subsoil (n) : táưng âáút ạnh nàõng chọi chang cại (dỉåïi âáút màût) graft (n) : substitution (n) : sỉû thay ghẹp cáy thãú grant (n)(v) : tråü suck (v) : hụt cáúp, ban, cho sulphur (n) : lỉu hunh gravel (n) : hảt supplement (n) : sỉû cung si cáúp, bäø sung 120 gritty (adj.) : cọ supply (v) : cung cáúp sản sustainability (n) : bãưn gully (n) : rnh nỉåïc, vỉỵng mỉång, mạng sustainable (adj.) : bãưn vỉỵng habitat (n) : mäi trỉåìng sọng, chäø åí, nh swale (n) : chäù hardy : cọ trng láúp âáưy bn sỉïc säúng täút swell (v) : phçnh harmonious (adj.) : hi ho, symbiotic (n) : sỉû cäüng ho thûn sinh harvest (n)(v) : ma vủ, synergistic (n) : sỉû hiãûp thu hoảch lỉûc, âiãưu phäúi hatch (n)(v) : sỉû áúp synergy (n) : hiãûp trỉïng, trỉïng nåí lỉûc, âiãưu phäúi hay (n) : c tariff (n) : biãøu thú khä quan herd (n) : báưy tend (v) : träng nom, chàm ân (gia sục) sọc, giỉỵ gçn hone (n)(v) : củc âạ texture (n) : kãút mi, mi dủng củ cáúu, cáúu trục hone (v) : mi threshold (adj.) : chùn mỉûc bàòng âạ mi tissues (n) : tãú bo hoof (n) : mọng, title (n) : tỉ vọ cạch, danh nghéa humus (n) : âáút toxic (adj.) : âäüc mn hải hunt (v) : sàn translocation (n) : di chuøn bàõn âẹn nåi khạc hybrid strain (n) : giäưng lai treatment (n) : viãûc immunity (n) : sỉû miãùn chỉỵa trë bãûnh nhiãùm trellis (n)(v) : lỉåïi màõt implement (v) : thỉûc thi cạo, leo gin m/c impose (n) : âạnh thú tribal (adj.) : improvement (n) : ci thiãûn, thüc bäü lảc lm täút hån tropical (adj) : thüc incorporate (v) : sạt nhiãût âåïi nháûp, håüp thnh tuberculosis (n) : bãûnh lao increase (n) (v) : sỉû tàng lãn, uncontaminated :khäng bë phạt triãøn nhiãùm bãûnh indigenous forest(n) : rỉìng bn underneath (adv.) : bãn âëa dỉåïi, màût dỉåïi inequality (n) : khäng undernourished: khäng âỉåüc cho bàòng àn âáưy â infect (v) : undertake (v) : cam kãút tiãm thúc thỉûc hiãûn infertility (n) : càòn undisturbed : n ténh, khäng bë cäøi, xạo träün injection (n) : sỉû validate (v) : phã tiãm thúc chøn, thäng qua inoculate (v) : tiãm valley (n) : thung chng lng insecticide (n) : thúc variety (n) : biãún 121 trỉì cän trng thãø, sỉû âa dảng integral (adj.) : phäúi verge (n) : håüp, liãn kãút båì,ven (âỉåìng, rỉìng) integration (n) : sỉû veterinary surgeon (n): bạc sé phäúi håüp thụ y intensification (n) : thám viable (adj.) : cọ canh thãø säng âỉåüc intensity (n) : k virgin soil (n) : âáút thût thám canh hoang interact (v) : waste (n) : âäư tỉång tạc, phn ỉïng phãú thi interrelationship (n) : mäúi waterlogge(v) : ụng nỉåïc tỉång quan weather (n) : sỉû intramuscular (adj.) : bãn phong họa cå bàõp wilderness (n) : sỉû hoang intravenous (adj.) : bãn hoạ ven (tiãm) windbreak (n) : sỉû chàõn involve (v) : cọ liãn giọ quan, läi cún vo yield(v)(n) : âem lải låüi irrigation (n) : thu êch, nàng sút låüi jute bag (n) : bao gai lack of (n) : thiãúu lactating cow (n) : b sỉỵa REFERENCE BOOKS L Sue Baugh 1995- ''Essentials of English Grammar'' - Passport Books Rosemary Morrow 1993- ''Earth User's Guide to Permaculture'' - Kangaroo Press Stephen Danny - Lewis Kerr - Martin Phillips - Clarence Shettlesworth – 1985 ''Agriculture'' - Longman Williem Steenkamp 1999 - ''Dairy farming A Practical Manual '' - J.L van Schaik Publishers 122 CONTENT UNIT Text Unit Text A Text B Unit Text A Text B Unit Text A Text B Unit Text A Text B Unit Text A Text B Test Unit Text A Text B Unit Text A Text B Unit Text A Text B - Soil - Agriculture Policy - Tropical Soil - Agriculture of India - Soils - A living organism - Agriculture of Australia - Unhealthy Soil - Agriculture of The United States - Repairing and improving damaged soil - Soil Components From unit to unit - Climate - Tropical Climate - Microclimate - Monsoon - Fertilizers - Potassium in plants Page 14 20 27 33 37 45 50 123 Unit Unit 10 Test Unit 11 Unit 12 Unit 13 Unit 14 Unit 15 Test Unit 16 Text A Text B Text A Text B Text A Text B Text A Text B Text A Text B Text A Text B Text A Text B Text A Text B Test New Vocabulary Reference Books Table of contents - The functions of plants - Feeding the orchard - Tree selection and planting - Planting fruit trees From unit to unit 10 - Trees - Trees, Forests and Animals - What is land-use planning - Permaculture - Insects - Pest management - Dairy farming - Health Care - Natural forests - Sustainable growing and living in different Regions From unit 11 to unit 15 - Aquaculture - The water polyculture - New sustainable cultures Final Test 58 63 68 73 78 84 89 94 98 103 109 115 119 120 ... markets, a fair standard of living for producers, and regular supplies of food at reasonable prices for consumers The costs to EU taxpayers of the CAP, which accounts for more than 50 per cent of the... usual: e 10 systems: j III Grammar Word Formation A Practice New words are formed by adding a suffix to other words Find the words formed in this way in the passage to complete the... ensure stable markets, a fair standard of living for ., and regular supplies of food at .prices for consumers (produce ; reason) Various reforms have been in an attempt to reduce costs, subsidies,