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UNIT 8
NATURAL WORLD
A. VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR
Exercise 1. Put the words in the correct categories to complete the table.

bear shark butterfly eagle snake crocodile whale

penguin salmon bee seahorse rabbit frog lizard
parrot ant

Mammals Reptiles (animal that lay eggs Amphibians (animals that

and use the sun to keep their live both land and in water)
blood warm)

Fish Birds Insects

Exercise 2. Look at the plant and animal characteristics. Which are the odd ones out? Choose
the incorrect answers.
1. Tree have ○ branches ○claws ○leaves.
2. Bears have ○antlers ○fur ○teeth.
3. Eagles have ○beaks ○numps ○wings.
4. Elephants have ○leathers ○thick skins ○trunks.
5. Salmon have ○scales ○tails ○trunks.
6. Crocodiles have ○fins ○scales ○teeth.
7. Rhinos have ○bone ○fur ○horns.

Exercise 3. Complete the text. Use the words and phrases in the box.
common conservation endangered species habitat population
rare risk wildlife

I believe that people have a responsibility to take care of ______________. The best way to do this is
to protect the places where they live – their natural ______________. That’s why I decided to take
part in a local ______________ project to protect the plants and animals in a forest near my town.
The forest is home to several ______________– types of animals and plants which may soon not
exist because there are so few of them. For example, there are some very ______________ birds,
which are only found in a few small areas now – there are probably fewer than 500 of them left in
the wild. Fifty years ago, there were lots of them everywhere – they were a lot more

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______________. Anyway, thanks to our conservation project, the bird population is slowly going
up again. The birds are still at ______________, but hopefully we’ll be able to save them.
Exercise 4. Match the words and phrases with the definitions.
Climate change global warming green issues greenhouse gases
pollution the environment the greenhouse effect the ozone layer

1. The general name for the natural world: the air, water and land in or on which people,
animals and plants live: ______________
2. Connected to the protection of the environment: ______________
3. The increase in world temperatures: ______________
4. The layer of air high above the Earth that protects it from the sun’s rays: ______________
5. Changes in the world’s weather due to air pollution: ______________
6. Damage to water, air or land due to human behavior: ______________
7. When heat from the Earth can’t escape into space, and so the Earth gets hotter and hotter:
______________
8. Gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) which stop heat from the Earth escaping into space:
______________
Exercise 5. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.
1. Is it too late to cause/ produce/ save our planet? I don’t think so.
2. I think we should do more to damage/ destroy/ protect the environment.
3. Power stations don’t just damage/ produce/ survive electricity; they also cause pollution.
4. A lot of people believe that pollution causes/ goes/ saves global warming, but some people think
the Earth is getting hotter by itself.
5. The population fell to below 100 animals, but a group of conservationists worked very hard and
the number is now declining/ dying/ increasing – it’s going up again.
6. I think it’s wrong to cut down rainforests and destroy/ go/ recover animals’ natural habitats.
7. When we cut down rainforests, etc., we make it impossible for the animals and plants that live
there to protect/ save/ survive.
8. Don’t break the branches on that tree! It’s alive and you’re causing/ damaging/ recovering it!
Exercise 6. Read the sentences. How is the speaker using the modal verbs in bold? Match the
correct descriptions with the sentences. Use the descriptions in the box.
To talk about a feature possibility
To talk about a lack of ability to do something in the present and past
To talk about a possibility in the present
To talk about an ability to do something in the present and past
1. Crocodile can swim fast over short distance.
2. Some species of crocodile might not exist in a few years’ time.
3. Crocodile can’t breathe underwater.

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4. Crocodile may survive in other habitats, not just freshwater areas.

5. The number of endangered crocodiles could increase as a result of conservation efforts.
6. If people understood crocodiles better and were less afraid of them, this could help their survival.
Exercise 7. Complete the conversation using can, could, may or might
Student 1: Our teacher’s asked us to write an essay on natural world for homework. I’m not sure
what to write about. I ___________ write so many things.
Student 2: You ___________ ask the teacher for help, you know.
Student 1: No, it’s alright. If I ask her, she ___________ think that I’m asking her for the answer. I
think I might write about the destruction of rainforests. What about you?
Student 2: Oh, I’m going to write about what we ___________ do to slow down global warming.
I’m going to write about how we ___________ be more ‘green’. People ___________ not realize
that even small changes might make a big difference.
Student 1: Good idea. You ___________talk about people recycling their rubbish.
Student 2: Yes, I ___________ do that. I’m not sure yet. I need to write a plan first.
Student 1: Me too!
Exercise 8. Match the examples in the box with the correct reasons for using the present
perfect.
I’ve felt very strongly about green issues since I was a child.
I’ve just bought a pet snake. Do you want to see it?
I’ve never seen a bear in the wild, but I’ve seen them in zoos.
That poor sparrow can’t fly because it’s broken it’s wing.
The squirrel population has now reached 500, so I hope it’ll reach our target of 750 soon.
We’ve already done the report for the conservation project.
1. We use the present perfect to talk about our progress through a list of jobs. I’ve already done it
often means ‘I don’t need to do it again’. I haven’t done it yet often means ‘I still need to do it’.
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2. We use the present perfect to talk about news – things that the listener probably doesn’t already
know.
I’ve just done it means ‘ I did it very recently’.
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3. We use the present perfect to show the past reason for a present situation (often with can/ can’t).
We often use because to show this relationship.
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4. We use the present to talk about the present results of a process that is continuing now. We often
use numbers to present these results, and phrases like so far or up to now.
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5. We use the present perfect to talk about our experiences – things that have happened in our
lifetime.
We usually ask questions with Have you ever …? and we use never in negative sentences about
experiences.
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6. We use the present perfect to measure a period of time from a point in the past (e.g. yesterday) to
the present moment. We usually ask questions with How long ..? and use for (e.g. for a week) or
since (e.g. since yesterday) to describe the period of time.
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Exercise 9. Complete the sentences. Use the words in the box.
already always ever just long never since so far yet

1. I’ve never been to a zoo and I don’t want to go. I think animals should be free.
2. The hole in the ozone layer has already grown very big.
3. Have you ever seen a shark?
4. Average temperatures around the world have been risen by 2◦C so far as a result of global
warming, and they’ll probably continue to rise.
5. Green issues have become a lot more popular since the 1980s and 1990s.
6. I’ve just seen an eagle! It flew over that field a few minutes ago .
7. Politicians keep saying they want to stop global warming, but they haven’t done much about it yet.
8. How long have scientists known about the hole in the ozone layer?
9. I’ve always loved plants and animals, ever since I can remember.

Exercise 10. Choose the correct verb forms to complete the interview.
A: How long are you being/ have you been/ were you a wildlife photographer?
B: Well, I’ve loved taking photos of animals since I’m/ I’ve been/ I was a child. I think I take/ I took/
I’ve taken my first animal photo when I was about five years old. But I’m/ I’ve been/ I was a
professional photographer for about 20 years now.
A: In your career, you’ve won/ you win/ you won a lot of awards for your photos. What’s the best
award that you’ve won/ you win/ you won so far?
B: Wildlife Photographer of the Year. I’ve won/ I win/ I won that five years ago, and then again last
year.

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A: So you’re winning/ you’ve won/ you win that award twice, then?
B: Yes, that’s right, and I just hear/ I just heard/ I’ve just heard I might win it again this year.
B. READING
Exercise 1. In this unit, you will look at IELTS Reading four-option multiple choice questions
and a diagram label completion task. You will read a text on the topic of survival techniques.
What vocabulary do you already know on the topic of survival techniques? Choose the correct
words to complete the definitions.
1. When levels of water in your body become lower than normal: container/ evaporation/
dehydration
2. To become smaller in size, amount, degree, importance, etc.: consume/ trap/ reduce
3. To eat, drink or use something, especially in large amounts: consume/ trap/ reduce
4. When a liquid changes into a gas (e.g. water turning into steam): container/ evaporation/
dehydration
5. An object, such as a box or a bottle, that can be used for holding something: container/
evaporation/ dehydration
6. Successful or achieving the results that you want: effective/ consume/ container
7. To keep something such as heat or water in one place, especially because it is useful (verb):
reduce/ dehydrate/ trap
Exercise 2. Read the information. Then read the first paragraph. Choose the correct option to
answer the question.

In an IELTS Reading four – option multiple choice task, the question are in the same order as
the information in the text, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the
second question, etc.
Only one option is correct, so when you have found the part of the text that answers your
question, you should read the text and each option A – D carefully – to make sure the option
you choose matches exactly what the text says.

Dealing with survival situations in the wild

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of television program that show
experts explaining how to survive in the wild. They use their experience to create fires, build
shelters, find water and decide which plants are safe to eat and which might kill you. While these
programs are no doubt highly entertaining, what is less certain is how successful they are at really
educating viewers at home. Last year, over 2,300 hikers were reported lost in the wild in the USA.
While most of them were eventually rescued, not all were so lucky. Some of the survivors told their
rescuers that they had been these kinds of television program, and had believed they had learnt some
useful skills. It turned out, however, that building a fire from wet wood and finding a source of clean
water was a lot harder than they had imagined.

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1. What does the writer say about television programs on the subject of surviving in the wild?

○A. The people who make the programs know little about of surviving in the wild?
○B. The people who appear on the programs are never in real danger themselves.
○C. The programs fail to make ordinary people aware of how difficult it is to survive.
○D. The programs should not discuss the stories of people who have not survived.
Exercise 3. Read the second and third paragraphs of the text. Then choose the correct options
to answer the questions.
The human body is approximately 75% water – and this water has several important functions,
including keeping the body at the right temperature. If a peron doesn’t drink water, it will take only
two or three days for them to become dehydrated, and their body temperature may either drop or rise
to dangerous levels. Often it is the case that hikers or campers who are lost in the wild don’t start
thinking about how they can find a new source of water untill they run out of it, by which time it may
be too late. They haven’t thought about the consequences of dehydration, and neither do they
recognise the warning signs. An ache in the kidneys, a headache, general confusion – all of these can
tell someone that they are in need of water.
The average person loses 2 -3 litres of water every day just through normal activities such as
breathing. It’s impossible to avoid losing water form body, but there are ways to slow it down. For
example, when it may be necessary to build a shelter in the wild to sleep in, this should be carried out
in the shade rather than in full sun. This reduces the amount of sweat which is produced when body
temperature rises, which is, of course, water leaving the body. Some people may find it surprising
that eating may increase chances of dehydration, but digestion does require water, so eating should
be avoided if water is short. Hiking at night when the temperature drops is also option, but only if
hikers have a good torch or there is a full moon.
1. In the second paragraph, the writer makes the point that

○A. The speed at which dehydration occurs in people depends on the enviroment.
○B. People use all the water they have and only then start thinking how to get more.
○C. Most people know when they are beginning to suffer from dehydration.
○D. Peple should find out where water is located before they go hiking?

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2. What recommendation does the writer make for reducing water loss?

○A. It’s never a good idea to travel fater the sun has gone down.
○B. It’s best to consume food in small amounts and regularly.
○C. Hiker shoulf not waste their time making a basic place to stay in.
○D. It’s a good idea to keep cool while dong any activity.
Exercise 4. Read the information. Then look at the diagram of the process involved in a solar
still. Put the sentences in the correct order to complete the description of the process.

In the IELTS Reading test, you may have to label a diagram. In order to do this, you will need
to read carefully to understand a process that is described in the text and shown in the diagram.

So how does a solar still work?

Even though the salt content in this kind of water is great, the processes of evaporation and
condensation will remote it, and then the water can be drunk.
The hole is then covered with a plastic sheet, as this kind of material will trap rising water as it
evaporates.
Once the gas cools and turns back into water, it can fall into the container below.
If people are near an ocean, water from here can be added to a second, larger container, and
placed beneath the narrow one.
A deep hole is dug into the ground and a narrow container is placed at the bottom of it.
To ensure that the maximum amount of water possible is collected, a heavy object such as a
small rock should be placed in a central position above the container so that the water drops can

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fall directly into it.

Exercise 5. Read the text and look carefully at the diagram. Then label the diagram with the
bold words from the text.

For an IELTS Reading diagram labeling task, you should look carefully at the diagram to
understand how it related to the description in the text. This will help you to quickly locate the
answers you need.

So how does a solar still work? A deep hole is dug into the ground and a narrow container is placed
at the bottom of it. The hole is then covered with a plastic sheet, as this kind of material will trap
rising water as it evaporates. Once the gas cools and turns back into water, it can fall into the
container below. To ensure that he maximum amount of water possible is collected, a heavy object
such as a small rock should be placed in a central position above the container so that the water
drops can fall directly into it. If people are near an ocean, water from here can be added to a second,
larger container, and placed beneath the narrow one. Even though the salt content in this kind of
water is great, the processes of evaporation and condensation will remote it, and then the water can
be drunk.

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Exercise 6. Read the complete description of a solar still and label the diagram. Write NO
MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each question.

A solar still
In situations when people are unable to locate a stream or river, there are certain ways they can get
water which are less difficult than others. Building a simple structure called a solar still is one of
these methods, but it will be most effective in regions which have dramatic temperature change. This
is because, in very hot environments, lots of water is taken up into the air and turns into gas, a
process called evaporation. At night time, however, when it is far cooler, the air releases the water
again – the process of condensation.
So how does a solar still work? A deep hole is dug into the ground and a narrow container is placed
at the bottom of it. The hole is then covered with a plastic sheet, as this kind of material will trap
rising water as it evaporates. Once the gas cools and turns back into water, it can fall into the
container below. To ensure that the maximum amount of water possible is collected, a heavy object
such as a small rock should be placed in a central position above the container so that the water drops
can fall directly into it. If people are near an ocean, water from here can be added to a second, larger
container, and placed beneath the narrow one. Even though the salt content in this kind of water is
great, the processes of evaporation and condensation will remove it, and then the water can be drunk.
Using the solar-still method will not produce enough water for people to collect and travel with, but
it can ensure survival while people are waiting for rescue.

E. WRITING

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Exercise 1. Read the sentences about IELTS Writing Task 2. Are they True or False?
1. You should spend about 20 minutes on IELTS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
2. You should write at least 250 words in IELTS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
3. You get a higher score if you can write a lot more than 250 words in ILETS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
4. You shoud discuss different opinions about the question and give your own opinion.
○True ○False
5. You should not write about your own knowledge or experience of the topic.
○True ○False
6. It is a good idea to be funny and informal in your answer for IELTS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
Exercise 2. Read the information. Then decide whether the underlined words and phrases
are the subject or the special idea about the subject.
To understand the IELTS Writing Task 2 question you should find the subject, and the special
idea about the subject:
Eating enough fruit and vegetables is the most important part of a healthy lifestyle. Do you
agree or disagree?
In the question above, the subject is a healthy lifestyle and the special idea is that eating
enough fruit and vegetables is the most important part of a healthy lifestyle.

1 There are too many overweight children in the world. Why do children become overweight and
what can be done about it? à the subject/ the special idea about the subject
2 Some people think that vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters while other people think they are
less healthy. Compare the two views. à the subject/ the special idea about the subject
3 Compare the dangers and benefits of using oil in cooking. à the subject/ the special idea about the
subject
4 Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world. What is your opinion?
à the subject/ the special idea about the subject
Exercise 3. After you have found the subject and the special idea about the subject, you should
decide what the essay question is asking you to do. Match each essay question with what it is
asking you to do.

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Agree or disagree Compare advantages and disadvantages

Compare two different opinions Discuss problem and solutions

1. There are too many overweight children in the world. Why do children become overweight and
what can be done about it? ___________________________
2. Some people think that vegetarians are healthier than meat – eaters while other people think they
are less healthy. Compare the two views. ___________________________
3. Compare the dangers and benefits of using oil in cooking.___________________________
4. Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world. What is your opinion?
___________________________
Exercise 4. Before you write the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay you should make a plan.
Complete the plan with the correct words or phrases in the box.
I think they should plan enjoy important my opinion
sugar has bad effect on health sugar in coffee too much cola
Essay. _________________________
Introduction: a lot of people are unhealthy because of sugar
_________________________= people should eat less sugar but enjoy it sometimes
Main Paragraph 1, Fact: true = _________________________
Reasons or examples: people drink _________________________/ this could make them ill
Result or opinion _________________________drink less cola
Main Paragraph 2, Fact: traditional food is _________________________
Reasons or example: like traditional food and coffee in my country
Result or opinion: I think it’s okay to have cakes at parties or _________________________
Conclusion: people should eat less sugar but still _________________________ it sometimes
Exercise 5. Put the paragraphs in the correct order to complete the IELTS Writing Task 2
essay.
Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world.
What is your opinion?
On the one hand, it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that is has a bad effect on their
health. For example, in my country a lot of people drink cola with their meals instead of water.
Cola has a large amount of sugar in it so they are drinking a lot more calories. More calories means
that people get fat and have problems with their heart other illnesses. In my view, they should
reduce the amount of cola that they drink.

In conclusion, I agree that sugar is a big health problem, I think people should reduce the amount
of sugar they have by drinking water instead of cola but I also think they should still enjoy sugar on
special occasions or in coffee sometimes.

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On the other hand, it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food. For example, in my country
we have traditional sweet cakes with cherries and nuts, which we eat at parties. Also, where I live it
is normal to have sugar with coffee. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special
occasions and I do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.

Nowadays, a lot of people around the world are unhealthy because they eat too much sugar. In my
opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also enjoy sweet things sometimes.
In this essay, I am going to explain why I partly agree and disagree that sugar is a big health
problem.

Exercise 6. Read the sentences and underline the phrases for giving opinions.
1. In my opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also
enjoy sweet things sometimes.
2. On the one hand, it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that it
has a bad effect on their health.
3. More calories means that people get fat and have problems with their
heart or other illnesses.
4. In my view, they should reduce the amount of cola that they drink.
5. On the other hand, it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food.
6. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special occasions.
7. I do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.
8. In conclusion, I agree that sugar is a big health problem.

Exercise 7. Complete the table with the advantages and disadvantages

sometimes tastes disgusting often cheaper than eating in

a restaurant
can cause heart problems can be delicious often high
in fat and sugar
can make you overweight quick and easy
if you buy fast food you do not have to cook at home.

advantages of fast food disadvantages of fast food

Exercise 8.
WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
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Hamburgers and pizzas may be convenient but they can be also be unhealthy. Compare the
advantages and disadvantages of fast food.
Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
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ve any questions?

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