‘One of your five a day’ appears on food labels globally to encourage consumers to purchase larger quantities of fruit and vegetables for them or their families to consume. Food manufacturers dedicate substantial financial budgets to advertising and marketing campaigns but, unfortunately, they are not always totally clear about the contents of their products. If fruit juice is produced from natural fruit then we think we can safely presume it is nutritionally rich. Unfortunately that is not necessarily the case.
Medical research has discovered that the reality behind the carton of juice in the fridge is different from the perceived image. Practitioners argue that consuming too much juice can be an unnecessary extra source of sugar and calories, and moreover it does not contain the same fibre and nutrients that raw fruits do. So what happens to all the goodness between the picking of the fruit and the bottling of the juice?
Let’s use orange juice as an example. From about the middle of the 20th century, it became an incredibly popular drink in the United States, Canada and Japan for both its flavour and its value as a healthy product to drink. These days, places like Florida in the United States or the state of São Paulo in Brazil employ thousands of people in what has become big business. In the 1960s, Florida lost a lot of trees through frost and in 2005 they lost more to the citrus greening disease. This allowed Brazil to become a key player in the global orange juice market. These two remain the market leaders in this sector. Today, thousands of hectares of orange groves produce perfect fruit to meet these international needs. But what happens to the fruit over the next part of the process?
The production of fruit concentrates and fruit juice starts with the raw material which is transported to the plant and then unloaded using one of two methods: hydro-unloading; and dry unloading. The difference between the two is the fact that water is used in the former but not in the latter. Once the raw produce has been unloaded from the tipper, it is then sorted using a spiral sorter to separate any impurities such as branches, leaves, stones and dirt. A conveyor belt then transports the raw material to giant metal refrigeration chambers where it is stored ready to be turned into liquid.
The next stage of the process is to rinse the fruits with hydraulic jet sprays before removing the peel. The peel of an orange is thick and bitter and would affect the sweetness of the juice. The raw materials are then transferred to a metal inspection belt or roller table where any oranges which do not satisfy requirements are rejected. Sorted materials are directly transported using a feeder made from acidproof materials to the mill where pressing rollers begin the pulping process. The unclarified juice from the presses proceeds to a pasteurisation and aroma recovery process in an evaporation station. During this process enzymes are deactivated to obtain microbiological stabilisation.
From this stage onwards the pulp remains in monstrous oxygen depleted storage tanks and can be stored for up to a year before it is diverted into the plethora of fruit-based products on the market. This storage tends to remove most of the original flavour, causing many manufacturers to add flavour packs to the pulp to return the flavour that was lost during processing. Nutritionists argue that fruit juice is often watered down to such an extent that all nutritional value is absent and consumers are drinking fruit-flavoured sugar water that is very far removed from the fruit in its original state.
Of course there are still many manufacturers who use a more organic process, but their products remain more expensive than the market leaders and so out of reach to many customers. Things have changed a lot from the times when families used to squeeze their own orange juice. The problem with that approach was the number of oranges required to make one glass and often the amount of sugar added to improve the flavour. An equally unhealthy approach!
The passage has seven paragraphs A-G. Write the correct letter for each one.
Two regions dominate global orange juice sales.
Making your own juice is not always economical or healthy.
The marketing message about fruit juice might not be completely true.
Turning the chilled fruit into liquid is a sophisticated process.
Doctors argue a lot of goodness is lost during the process.
‘One of your five a day’ appears on food labels globally to encourage consumers to purchase larger quantities of fruit and vegetables for them or their families to consume. Food manufacturers dedicate substantial financial budgets to advertising and marketing campaigns but, unfortunately, they are not always totally clear about the contents of their products. If fruit juice is produced from natural fruit then we think we can safely presume it is nutritionally rich. Unfortunately that is not necessarily the case.
Medical research has discovered that the reality behind the carton of juice in the fridge is different from the perceived image. Practitioners argue that consuming too much juice can be an unnecessary extra source of sugar and calories, and moreover it does not contain the same fibre and nutrients that raw fruits do. So what happens to all the goodness between the picking of the fruit and the bottling of the juice?
Let’s use orange juice as an example. From about the middle of the 20th century, it became an incredibly popular drink in the United States, Canada and Japan for both its flavour and its value as a healthy product to drink. These days, places like Florida in the United States or the state of São Paulo in Brazil employ thousands of people in what has become big business. In the 1960s, Florida lost a lot of trees through frost and in 2005 they lost more to the citrus greening disease. This allowed Brazil to become a key player in the global orange juice market. These two remain the market leaders in this sector. Today, thousands of hectares of orange groves produce perfect fruit to meet these international needs. But what happens to the fruit over the next part of the process?
The production of fruit concentrates and fruit juice starts with the raw material which is transported to the plant and then unloaded using one of two methods: hydro-unloading; and dry unloading. The difference between the two is the fact that water is used in the former but not in the latter. Once the raw produce has been unloaded from the tipper, it is then sorted using a spiral sorter to separate any impurities such as branches, leaves, stones and dirt. A conveyor belt then transports the raw material to giant metal refrigeration chambers where it is stored ready to be turned into liquid.
The next stage of the process is to rinse the fruits with hydraulic jet sprays before removing the peel. The peel of an orange is thick and bitter and would affect the sweetness of the juice. The raw materials are then transferred to a metal inspection belt or roller table where any oranges which do not satisfy requirements are rejected. Sorted materials are directly transported using a feeder made from acidproof materials to the mill where pressing rollers begin the pulping process. The unclarified juice from the presses proceeds to a pasteurisation and aroma recovery process in an evaporation station. During this process enzymes are deactivated to obtain microbiological stabilisation.
From this stage onwards the pulp remains in monstrous oxygen depleted storage tanks and can be stored for up to a year before it is diverted into the plethora of fruit-based products on the market. This storage tends to remove most of the original flavour, causing many manufacturers to add flavour packs to the pulp to return the flavour that was lost during processing. Nutritionists argue that fruit juice is often watered down to such an extent that all nutritional value is absent and consumers are drinking fruit-flavoured sugar water that is very far removed from the fruit in its original state.
Of course there are still many manufacturers who use a more organic process, but their products remain more expensive than the market leaders and so out of reach to many customers. Things have changed a lot from the times when families used to squeeze their own orange juice. The problem with that approach was the number of oranges required to make one glass and often the amount of sugar added to improve the flavour. An equally unhealthy approach!
Match the following statements with the best ending i-vi from the box below. One ending is not used.
Natural fruit juice is
Orange juice became
During the process, water is
After pressing, the pulp is
A lot of flavour is
‘One of your five a day’ appears on food labels globally to encourage consumers to purchase larger quantities of fruit and vegetables for them or their families to consume. Food manufacturers dedicate substantial financial budgets to advertising and marketing campaigns but, unfortunately, they are not always totally clear about the contents of their products. If fruit juice is produced from natural fruit then we think we can safely presume it is nutritionally rich. Unfortunately that is not necessarily the case.
Medical research has discovered that the reality behind the carton of juice in the fridge is different from the perceived image. Practitioners argue that consuming too much juice can be an unnecessary extra source of sugar and calories, and moreover it does not contain the same fibre and nutrients that raw fruits do. So what happens to all the goodness between the picking of the fruit and the bottling of the juice?
Let’s use orange juice as an example. From about the middle of the 20th century, it became an incredibly popular drink in the United States, Canada and Japan for both its flavour and its value as a healthy product to drink. These days, places like Florida in the United States or the state of São Paulo in Brazil employ thousands of people in what has become big business. In the 1960s, Florida lost a lot of trees through frost and in 2005 they lost more to the citrus greening disease. This allowed Brazil to become a key player in the global orange juice market. These two remain the market leaders in this sector. Today, thousands of hectares of orange groves produce perfect fruit to meet these international needs. But what happens to the fruit over the next part of the process?
The production of fruit concentrates and fruit juice starts with the raw material which is transported to the plant and then unloaded using one of two methods: hydro-unloading; and dry unloading. The difference between the two is the fact that water is used in the former but not in the latter. Once the raw produce has been unloaded from the tipper, it is then sorted using a spiral sorter to separate any impurities such as branches, leaves, stones and dirt. A conveyor belt then transports the raw material to giant metal refrigeration chambers where it is stored ready to be turned into liquid.
The next stage of the process is to rinse the fruits with hydraulic jet sprays before removing the peel. The peel of an orange is thick and bitter and would affect the sweetness of the juice. The raw materials are then transferred to a metal inspection belt or roller table where any oranges which do not satisfy requirements are rejected. Sorted materials are directly transported using a feeder made from acidproof materials to the mill where pressing rollers begin the pulping process. The unclarified juice from the presses proceeds to a pasteurisation and aroma recovery process in an evaporation station. During this process enzymes are deactivated to obtain microbiological stabilisation.
From this stage onwards the pulp remains in monstrous oxygen depleted storage tanks and can be stored for up to a year before it is diverted into the plethora of fruit-based products on the market. This storage tends to remove most of the original flavour, causing many manufacturers to add flavour packs to the pulp to return the flavour that was lost during processing. Nutritionists argue that fruit juice is often watered down to such an extent that all nutritional value is absent and consumers are drinking fruit-flavoured sugar water that is very far removed from the fruit in its original state.
Of course there are still many manufacturers who use a more organic process, but their products remain more expensive than the market leaders and so out of reach to many customers. Things have changed a lot from the times when families used to squeeze their own orange juice. The problem with that approach was the number of oranges required to make one glass and often the amount of sugar added to improve the flavour. An equally unhealthy approach!
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information given in the text, choose FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
11. The recent findings about the production of fruit juice has led to a pollution.
12. The acid in the fruit could affect the sweetness of the juice.
13.There can be up to a year fruits stored in oxygen depleted tanks.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The Red List is an official inventory, compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), of species which are in some way endangered. It was first compiled in 1964 and is now the most comprehensive database of information on all species; animals, plants and fungi. The list currently comprises around 100,000 entries and the aim is to reach 160,000 by 2020. Of current entries, nearly 25% are already endangered in some way. The information in the list is used by organisations and governments to plan policies to reduce those numbers.
The list provides an exte¬nsive range of information on any given species. The first category is the population, broken down into sub-populations. These numbers are collated regularly by scientists on the ground and numbers which are declining are flagged. By way of an illustration, the tiger is currently stated as having a population of between 2,154 and 3,159. This number is in decline based on data collated from the thirteen countries where tigers still exist. Only animals which are capable of reproducing are included in these figures. Other categories reported on include the habitat and ecology – in other words, where and how the species is living and which other species it is interacting with. An animal such as the black rhinoceros relies on trees, bushes and fruit for its survival and any changes to that habitat will have a direct result on their survival.
The survey details any threats to the species, both natural and man-made. Human activities which can have a negative impact include commercial developments, residential housing and mining and drilling. Any building project or extraction of resources from the ground or the sea should be done in a measured, planned way which reduces the risk to all forms of life. Drilling into the sea bed as a way of exploring for oil can cause significant damage to marine life, as can the transportation of the equipment to the drilling site in the first place.
It is not only industrial operations which can affect animals and plants. Recreational activities such as hiking, camping or snorkelling can all lead to a deterioration of plants and corals. Animals which are not used to humans will not always be keen to share their habitat and will move away. Other animals can be perceived as pests by humans as towns and cities spread into the countryside. The urban fox is an example of an animal which has been forced to live in towns and has become a target for humans keen to eradicate them.
Other factors which can result in species becoming vulnerable include dam construction, river diversion and beachside developments. Any of these can have a detrimental effect on species. The parodia, for example, a kind of flowering cactus endemic to Brazil, has a rapidly declining population, currently set at 2,300 due to a range of activities happening to its natural habitat over the last few years. The plant grows at heights of over 200m and has been affected by quarrying, water management and landslides, which have destroyed large numbers.
As well as the information already stated, the list collates all current conservation activities as well as recommendations for future plans. As an example of this, the yellow-eyed penguin, a native of New Zealand and Antarctica, currently is perceived as endangered because of the small number of pairs still alive. Females only lay two eggs per year and so the probability of a recovery in numbers is dependent on the strategies put in place. Regional scientists have set up a monitoring scheme across all known geographical areas, introduced a tagging system to allow closer tracking and developed education programmes for local schools. Areas where the penguins breed and feed have been designated as conservation areas and any dangerous invasive species have been identified. Overall, this constitutes a well-conceived and developed protection plan for the species.
In terms of endangerment, the list has nine degrees ranging from Extinct (EX), when the species no longer exists (like a dodo), to Data Deficient (DD) meaning that more information is required on this species before a rating can be given. Extinct in the Wild (EW) means that a species still exists in gardens or zoos, but is no longer found in the wild. The strategy in these circumstances might be to reintroduce the species if suitable conditions can be created to aid its future growth. The three sub categories which make up the endangered category are Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) in descending order of urgency. Any species in either of these categories would need a strategic plan conceived to protect it. The other two categories to make up the nine are Near Threatened (NT) and Least Concern (LC).
The continued compilation of the list is a major part of IUCN’s contribution to maintaining the natural balance of the planet. To lose 25% of the planet’s species would be an extremely poor return on human investment over the last hundred years.
Choose the correct answer.
14. Approximately how many current species are endangered?
15. Data is collated by scientists
16. Natural threats to species include
17. According to the text, which of these can not be a threat to coral?
18. Which of these has not had an impact on the parodia plant?
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The Red List is an official inventory, compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), of species which are in some way endangered. It was first compiled in 1964 and is now the most comprehensive database of information on all species; animals, plants and fungi. The list currently comprises around 100,000 entries and the aim is to reach 160,000 by 2020. Of current entries, nearly 25% are already endangered in some way. The information in the list is used by organisations and governments to plan policies to reduce those numbers.
The list provides an exte¬nsive range of information on any given species. The first category is the population, broken down into sub-populations. These numbers are collated regularly by scientists on the ground and numbers which are declining are flagged. By way of an illustration, the tiger is currently stated as having a population of between 2,154 and 3,159. This number is in decline based on data collated from the thirteen countries where tigers still exist. Only animals which are capable of reproducing are included in these figures. Other categories reported on include the habitat and ecology – in other words, where and how the species is living and which other species it is interacting with. An animal such as the black rhinoceros relies on trees, bushes and fruit for its survival and any changes to that habitat will have a direct result on their survival.
The survey details any threats to the species, both natural and man-made. Human activities which can have a negative impact include commercial developments, residential housing and mining and drilling. Any building project or extraction of resources from the ground or the sea should be done in a measured, planned way which reduces the risk to all forms of life. Drilling into the sea bed as a way of exploring for oil can cause significant damage to marine life, as can the transportation of the equipment to the drilling site in the first place.
It is not only industrial operations which can affect animals and plants. Recreational activities such as hiking, camping or snorkelling can all lead to a deterioration of plants and corals. Animals which are not used to humans will not always be keen to share their habitat and will move away. Other animals can be perceived as pests by humans as towns and cities spread into the countryside. The urban fox is an example of an animal which has been forced to live in towns and has become a target for humans keen to eradicate them.
Other factors which can result in species becoming vulnerable include dam construction, river diversion and beachside developments. Any of these can have a detrimental effect on species. The parodia, for example, a kind of flowering cactus endemic to Brazil, has a rapidly declining population, currently set at 2,300 due to a range of activities happening to its natural habitat over the last few years. The plant grows at heights of over 200m and has been affected by quarrying, water management and landslides, which have destroyed large numbers.
As well as the information already stated, the list collates all current conservation activities as well as recommendations for future plans. As an example of this, the yellow-eyed penguin, a native of New Zealand and Antarctica, currently is perceived as endangered because of the small number of pairs still alive. Females only lay two eggs per year and so the probability of a recovery in numbers is dependent on the strategies put in place. Regional scientists have set up a monitoring scheme across all known geographical areas, introduced a tagging system to allow closer tracking and developed education programmes for local schools. Areas where the penguins breed and feed have been designated as conservation areas and any dangerous invasive species have been identified. Overall, this constitutes a well-conceived and developed protection plan for the species.
In terms of endangerment, the list has nine degrees ranging from Extinct (EX), when the species no longer exists (like a dodo), to Data Deficient (DD) meaning that more information is required on this species before a rating can be given. Extinct in the Wild (EW) means that a species still exists in gardens or zoos, but is no longer found in the wild. The strategy in these circumstances might be to reintroduce the species if suitable conditions can be created to aid its future growth. The three sub categories which make up the endangered category are Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) in descending order of urgency. Any species in either of these categories would need a strategic plan conceived to protect it. The other two categories to make up the nine are Near Threatened (NT) and Least Concern (LC).
The continued compilation of the list is a major part of IUCN’s contribution to maintaining the natural balance of the planet. To lose 25% of the planet’s species would be an extremely poor return on human investment over the last hundred years.
Read the information and answer the questions using words from the text. Write ONLY ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer.
What is the target number of species to be recorded by the end of the decade?
Only animals capable of what are included in the population figures?
What system have scientists introduced to help preserve the yellow-eyed penguin?
Which of the nine endangered species categories can we do nothing about?
Which of the nine endangered species categories relates to species that can only be found in captivity?
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The Red List is an official inventory, compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), of species which are in some way endangered. It was first compiled in 1964 and is now the most comprehensive database of information on all species; animals, plants and fungi. The list currently comprises around 100,000 entries and the aim is to reach 160,000 by 2020. Of current entries, nearly 25% are already endangered in some way. The information in the list is used by organisations and governments to plan policies to reduce those numbers.
The list provides an exte¬nsive range of information on any given species. The first category is the population, broken down into sub-populations. These numbers are collated regularly by scientists on the ground and numbers which are declining are flagged. By way of an illustration, the tiger is currently stated as having a population of between 2,154 and 3,159. This number is in decline based on data collated from the thirteen countries where tigers still exist. Only animals which are capable of reproducing are included in these figures. Other categories reported on include the habitat and ecology – in other words, where and how the species is living and which other species it is interacting with. An animal such as the black rhinoceros relies on trees, bushes and fruit for its survival and any changes to that habitat will have a direct result on their survival.
The survey details any threats to the species, both natural and man-made. Human activities which can have a negative impact include commercial developments, residential housing and mining and drilling. Any building project or extraction of resources from the ground or the sea should be done in a measured, planned way which reduces the risk to all forms of life. Drilling into the sea bed as a way of exploring for oil can cause significant damage to marine life, as can the transportation of the equipment to the drilling site in the first place.
It is not only industrial operations which can affect animals and plants. Recreational activities such as hiking, camping or snorkelling can all lead to a deterioration of plants and corals. Animals which are not used to humans will not always be keen to share their habitat and will move away. Other animals can be perceived as pests by humans as towns and cities spread into the countryside. The urban fox is an example of an animal which has been forced to live in towns and has become a target for humans keen to eradicate them.
Other factors which can result in species becoming vulnerable include dam construction, river diversion and beachside developments. Any of these can have a detrimental effect on species. The parodia, for example, a kind of flowering cactus endemic to Brazil, has a rapidly declining population, currently set at 2,300 due to a range of activities happening to its natural habitat over the last few years. The plant grows at heights of over 200m and has been affected by quarrying, water management and landslides, which have destroyed large numbers.
As well as the information already stated, the list collates all current conservation activities as well as recommendations for future plans. As an example of this, the yellow-eyed penguin, a native of New Zealand and Antarctica, currently is perceived as endangered because of the small number of pairs still alive. Females only lay two eggs per year and so the probability of a recovery in numbers is dependent on the strategies put in place. Regional scientists have set up a monitoring scheme across all known geographical areas, introduced a tagging system to allow closer tracking and developed education programmes for local schools. Areas where the penguins breed and feed have been designated as conservation areas and any dangerous invasive species have been identified. Overall, this constitutes a well-conceived and developed protection plan for the species.
In terms of endangerment, the list has nine degrees ranging from Extinct (EX), when the species no longer exists (like a dodo), to Data Deficient (DD) meaning that more information is required on this species before a rating can be given. Extinct in the Wild (EW) means that a species still exists in gardens or zoos, but is no longer found in the wild. The strategy in these circumstances might be to reintroduce the species if suitable conditions can be created to aid its future growth. The three sub categories which make up the endangered category are Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) in descending order of urgency. Any species in either of these categories would need a strategic plan conceived to protect it. The other two categories to make up the nine are Near Threatened (NT) and Least Concern (LC).
The continued compilation of the list is a major part of IUCN’s contribution to maintaining the natural balance of the planet. To lose 25% of the planet’s species would be an extremely poor return on human investment over the last hundred years.
Match the species with the threat or action associated with it in the list, A–F. Choose only one letter for each species. You do not have to use all the letters.
Threat / Action
Species
the black rhinoceros
the urban fox
the parodia
corals
Trees of life or the life of trees
Since the beginning of time, man has cut down trees to use wood, one of the most useful and common materials on the planet. It is still used for a wide range of purposes such as building houses, making furniture and producing paper. Because we know that trees are so valuable, however, we are much more careful about cutting them. In this way, future generations will continue to benefit from them. Despite our best efforts, however, certain forests are still the target of massive, illegal, activity.
According to experts, man started making tools over half a million years ago. At first, they used animal bones, stones and wooden branches. These tools were used for cutting, hunting and farming as well as making clothes, cooking and eating. Wood was a good material to use to make shelters because it is flexible and strong, and the shelters were both waterproof and well insulated. They also lasted a long time and one wooden house in Britain dates from around 3,000 years ago.
As man discovered metals such as bronze and copper, it became possible to make stronger tools. Larger quantities of wood could then be dealt with. The axe was used for cutting the trees down and the metal saw for dividing the trunks to the size required. This was essentially the beginning of the timber industry. In 2560 BCE, the Egyptians used nearly all the wood they could find to help build the largest constructions in the world, the pyramids. They were made of huge stones, and wood was used to move them around and upwards as the building work progressed.
In the Iron Age, the thousand or so years until the Romans invaded many parts of Europe, bricks began to be used for building. Timber was still vital as the bricks were made in moulds made of wood. As the Romans began to become dominant in the world, they used timber for both military and engineering purposes. Wooden catapults could throw massive objects at the enemy and help destroy walls. At the same time, they were developing the wooden crane used for lifting large objects to very high heights. Cranes helped them build some of the most impressive buildings in the world.
Throughout history, wood has been a part of the construction of important buildings. In China, the famous Nauchan Temple is made of wood and dates from 782 AD and there are similar buildings throughout south-east Asia. In the Middle Ages, being a carpenter was a respected job. Many buildings such as palaces and cathedrals used wood to help build stunning roofs and domes. Wood could burn easily, however, so the combination of stonework and wood soon became the safest way to build.
As countries started to explore and trade with other countries, they often travelled by sea. The wooden ship became a key form of transport for both commercial and military purposes. Countries like Spain, Portugal and Britain used masses of wood from both domestic and foreign forests to build their ships. It is also said that millions of the native trees of Brazil were cut to make a red dye used for military uniforms. Many of these trees have disappeared for ever.
By the 19th century, forests were cut down all over the world. Wood was used to drive steam engines, construct buildings and build fences and railways. Forests were also cleared to provide land for farming. In the United States, over 30% of the forests were removed in just fifty years. Fortunately, people began to realise this could not continue without careful planning for regrowth. Today, of course, wood is more carefully protected and is seen by most environmentalists as a sustainable material which must be looked after.
Wood continues to be both helpful and destructive and as global warming increases, there are more and more examples of wildfires burning out of control, destroying all the buildings in their paths. Recent events in California, Australia and Greece prove that this is a global phenomenon and man needs to remain cautious about the dangers of trees in times and areas where there is little rain and strong winds.
Trees are absolutely vital for the future of mankind. They produce oxygen and provide huge amounts of sustainable building materials. In return we need to be vigilant in ensuring that trees, which can live to up to 5,000 years, remain intact for future generations.
Choose the correct answer.
28. According to the text, one of the first uses of wood was
29. During the Iron Age,
30. In the Middle Ages, buildings were made from stone and wood because
31. According to the text, wood from forests in other countries was used for
Trees of life or the life of trees
Since the beginning of time, man has cut down trees to use wood, one of the most useful and common materials on the planet. It is still used for a wide range of purposes such as building houses, making furniture and producing paper. Because we know that trees are so valuable, however, we are much more careful about cutting them. In this way, future generations will continue to benefit from them. Despite our best efforts, however, certain forests are still the target of massive, illegal, activity.
According to experts, man started making tools over half a million years ago. At first, they used animal bones, stones and wooden branches. These tools were used for cutting, hunting and farming as well as making clothes, cooking and eating. Wood was a good material to use to make shelters because it is flexible and strong, and the shelters were both waterproof and well insulated. They also lasted a long time and one wooden house in Britain dates from around 3,000 years ago.
As man discovered metals such as bronze and copper, it became possible to make stronger tools. Larger quantities of wood could then be dealt with. The axe was used for cutting the trees down and the metal saw for dividing the trunks to the size required. This was essentially the beginning of the timber industry. In 2560 BCE, the Egyptians used nearly all the wood they could find to help build the largest constructions in the world, the pyramids. They were made of huge stones, and wood was used to move them around and upwards as the building work progressed.
In the Iron Age, the thousand or so years until the Romans invaded many parts of Europe, bricks began to be used for building. Timber was still vital as the bricks were made in moulds made of wood. As the Romans began to become dominant in the world, they used timber for both military and engineering purposes. Wooden catapults could throw massive objects at the enemy and help destroy walls. At the same time, they were developing the wooden crane used for lifting large objects to very high heights. Cranes helped them build some of the most impressive buildings in the world.
Throughout history, wood has been a part of the construction of important buildings. In China, the famous Nauchan Temple is made of wood and dates from 782 AD and there are similar buildings throughout south-east Asia. In the Middle Ages, being a carpenter was a respected job. Many buildings such as palaces and cathedrals used wood to help build stunning roofs and domes. Wood could burn easily, however, so the combination of stonework and wood soon became the safest way to build.
As countries started to explore and trade with other countries, they often travelled by sea. The wooden ship became a key form of transport for both commercial and military purposes. Countries like Spain, Portugal and Britain used masses of wood from both domestic and foreign forests to build their ships. It is also said that millions of the native trees of Brazil were cut to make a red dye used for military uniforms. Many of these trees have disappeared for ever.
By the 19th century, forests were cut down all over the world. Wood was used to drive steam engines, construct buildings and build fences and railways. Forests were also cleared to provide land for farming. In the United States, over 30% of the forests were removed in just fifty years. Fortunately, people began to realise this could not continue without careful planning for regrowth. Today, of course, wood is more carefully protected and is seen by most environmentalists as a sustainable material which must be looked after.
Wood continues to be both helpful and destructive and as global warming increases, there are more and more examples of wildfires burning out of control, destroying all the buildings in their paths. Recent events in California, Australia and Greece prove that this is a global phenomenon and man needs to remain cautious about the dangers of trees in times and areas where there is little rain and strong winds.
Trees are absolutely vital for the future of mankind. They produce oxygen and provide huge amounts of sustainable building materials. In return we need to be vigilant in ensuring that trees, which can live to up to 5,000 years, remain intact for future generations.
Do the following statements agree with the information in the reading passage 3?
Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information given in the text, choose FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.
32. Early buildings made from wood were warm and waterproof.
33. The wooden catapult was the Romans’ greatest weapon.
34. Wooden roofs were usually quite plain in design.
35. Approximately a third of US forests were lost in just half a century.
36. The threat to forests caused by weather-related problems is happening in many parts of the world.
Trees of life or the life of trees
Since the beginning of time, man has cut down trees to use wood, one of the most useful and common materials on the planet. It is still used for a wide range of purposes such as building houses, making furniture and producing paper. Because we know that trees are so valuable, however, we are much more careful about cutting them. In this way, future generations will continue to benefit from them. Despite our best efforts, however, certain forests are still the target of massive, illegal, activity.
According to experts, man started making tools over half a million years ago. At first, they used animal bones, stones and wooden branches. These tools were used for cutting, hunting and farming as well as making clothes, cooking and eating. Wood was a good material to use to make shelters because it is flexible and strong, and the shelters were both waterproof and well insulated. They also lasted a long time and one wooden house in Britain dates from around 3,000 years ago.
As man discovered metals such as bronze and copper, it became possible to make stronger tools. Larger quantities of wood could then be dealt with. The axe was used for cutting the trees down and the metal saw for dividing the trunks to the size required. This was essentially the beginning of the timber industry. In 2560 BCE, the Egyptians used nearly all the wood they could find to help build the largest constructions in the world, the pyramids. They were made of huge stones, and wood was used to move them around and upwards as the building work progressed.
In the Iron Age, the thousand or so years until the Romans invaded many parts of Europe, bricks began to be used for building. Timber was still vital as the bricks were made in moulds made of wood. As the Romans began to become dominant in the world, they used timber for both military and engineering purposes. Wooden catapults could throw massive objects at the enemy and help destroy walls. At the same time, they were developing the wooden crane used for lifting large objects to very high heights. Cranes helped them build some of the most impressive buildings in the world.
Throughout history, wood has been a part of the construction of important buildings. In China, the famous Nauchan Temple is made of wood and dates from 782 AD and there are similar buildings throughout south-east Asia. In the Middle Ages, being a carpenter was a respected job. Many buildings such as palaces and cathedrals used wood to help build stunning roofs and domes. Wood could burn easily, however, so the combination of stonework and wood soon became the safest way to build.
As countries started to explore and trade with other countries, they often travelled by sea. The wooden ship became a key form of transport for both commercial and military purposes. Countries like Spain, Portugal and Britain used masses of wood from both domestic and foreign forests to build their ships. It is also said that millions of the native trees of Brazil were cut to make a red dye used for military uniforms. Many of these trees have disappeared for ever.
By the 19th century, forests were cut down all over the world. Wood was used to drive steam engines, construct buildings and build fences and railways. Forests were also cleared to provide land for farming. In the United States, over 30% of the forests were removed in just fifty years. Fortunately, people began to realise this could not continue without careful planning for regrowth. Today, of course, wood is more carefully protected and is seen by most environmentalists as a sustainable material which must be looked after.
Wood continues to be both helpful and destructive and as global warming increases, there are more and more examples of wildfires burning out of control, destroying all the buildings in their paths. Recent events in California, Australia and Greece prove that this is a global phenomenon and man needs to remain cautious about the dangers of trees in times and areas where there is little rain and strong winds.
Trees are absolutely vital for the future of mankind. They produce oxygen and provide huge amounts of sustainable building materials. In return we need to be vigilant in ensuring that trees, which can live to up to 5,000 years, remain intact for future generations.
Look at the following uses of wood and the different nationalities or countries below. Match each event with the correct nationality or country, A–F.