Unit 4 : Travel
I. Reading Comprehension: Read the text thoroughly, check if it answers the
questions below, and write down the responses in your own words:
Unethical Travel
5 Things to Avoid on Holiday
Holidays can change the way you see the world and give you experiences you would never
get at home. But with increasing frequency, people are trying to make sure that their holidays
don’t have a negative impact on the places they love visiting, the people they meet or the
animals that live there. Here are five things you might choose not to do on holiday.
A ______________________________
Many tourists love to take a ride on one of these massive mammals when they are on holiday,
but they can suffer from living in captivity. As wild animals, they walk with their families
over huge distances. According to Peta, an animal rights organization, they are typically kept
in small spaces and separated from their friends and loved ones. Happily, things are changing
and after meetings with Peta, the online travel company TripAdvisor decided to stop all ticket
sales to these types of events. Let’s hope that all other big travel companies do the same. The
best place for these amazing animals is in the wild.
B ______________________________
These intelligent mammals are lots of fun and many people dream of playing with them in the
water. But be careful. They are often taken from their families in stressful ways and live much
shorter lives when living in a pool than when they are in the ocean. Charities, such as the
WDC, focus on protecting sea mammals and raising awareness of the problems these animals
have in captivity and in the wild. They say that dolphins should not suffer for human
entertainment and a responsible boat trip would be a better alternative for tourists.
C ______________________________
A city break in a faraway destination is a popular holiday choice but be aware that some
unethical companies organize visits to the poorest parts of a city so tourists can "see what life
is like". It is known as slum tourism. The trips are often described as educational, and some do
help the community, but many bring no money to the people in the area, don’t respect locals
and don’t help tourists understand why there is so much poverty. If you decide to go on a trip
like this, check that the organization works with local people in helpful ways.
D ______________________________
Coral reefs are in crisis. Many are so badly damaged they will never grow back, and two-
thirds are seriously under threat. Global warming is the major cause of coral reef destruction,
but fishing and tourism are also responsible. Check where you are going to stay. Some hotels
are built on top of coral reefs, and others empty waste directly into the water around them.
The WWF asks tourists not to do activities such as water sports, boating and diving in the
area, which could do further damage to this beautiful ecosystem.
E ______________________________
It is a difficult thing to hear but air travel has a terrible effect on the environment. The
environmental group Germanwatch have measured that one person taking a flight from
Germany to the Caribbean and back produces around four thousand kilos of CO2. That’s the
same amount as 80 people living in Tanzania produce in a year! Travelers can try to reduce
their carbon footprint by paying more for their tickets, and some travel companies donate
money to tree planting or alternative energy projects with every flight booked. But it’s not
necessary to cancel all your trips! Overall, travel gives us amazing experiences, which we all
want. However, we should also check information and ask questions about where we are
going so our holidays can be great for the world, too.
Source: Adapted from The Independent, PETA, uk.whales.org
Questions:
1. Where do animals often live when they are kept in captivity?
2. Where should elephants live?
3. How long do dolphins live when they are in the wild?
4. What is more beneficial than swimming with dolphins?
5. What should we check if we visit a poor part of a city as a tourist?
6. What do tourists do when they visit slums?
7. What causes the most destruction to coral reefs?
8. Will coral reefs grow back?
9. Which nationality produces more pollution than others?
10. Is it possible to reduce your carbon footprint when flying?
II. Vocabulary:
a. Match each word to its correct definition:
b. Fill in the blanks with the most likely word from part A:
1. When people fly instead of using the train, their carbon _____________ is much
bigger.
2. Many creatures such as sharks are under ____________ from too much fishing.
3. Should animals be kept in ______________ or be left in the wild?
4. Humans are ____________ for much of the ______________ of the world’s
rainforests.
5. There’s not enough ______________ of the damage we are doing to our local
______________ when we throw rubbish on the ground.
6. __________________ in some cities don’t have running water or electricity.
7. Using wild animals in circuses is _____________because it causes unnecessary
anxiety.
III. Grammar:
a. Make the past simple: positive, negative or question:
1. I _________________ (not / drink) any tea last night.
2. She _________________ (get on) the bus in the center of the city.
3. What time _________________ (he / get up) yesterday?
4. Where _________________ (you / get off) the train?
5. I _________________ (not / change) trains at Victoria.
6. We _________________ (wake up) very late.
7. What _________________ (he / give) his mother for Christmas?
8. I _________________ (receive) £300 when my uncle _________________ (die).
9. We _________________ (not / use) the computer last night.
10. _________________ (she / make) good coffee?
11. They _________________ (live) in Paris.
12. She _________________ (read) the newspaper yesterday.
13. I _________________ (not / watch) TV.
14. He _________________ (not / study) for the exam.
15. _________________ (he / call) you?
16. _________________ (I / forget) something?
17. What time _________________ (the film / start)?
18. He _________________ (have) a shower.
19. Why _________________ (you / come)?
20. _________________ (he / go) to the party?
