Read the text and mark the statements as T (True), F (False) or NS (Not stated)
WHITE ROOFS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
The effects of global warming are becoming more and more noticeable with the passing of the years. The number of floods, storms and heatwaves has increased as a result of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that do not allow the sun’s heat to escape the Earth’s atmosphere. However, a simple and quite possibly effective idea has been suggested as a way to help lessen the consequences of climate change.
Professor Steven Chu, the US Energy Secretary and a Nobel Prize winner, suggests that painting our rooftops white will help the Earth’s temperature to drop. The idea is that if enough surfaces – rooftops, pavements, roads – are painted white, more sunlight will reflect off these surfaces and go back into space. This will help cool our planet down.
According to scientists, if rooftops and roads were painted white it would reduce the amount of CO2 by billions of tons. This would be the same as taking every car in the world off streets for 11 years. Not only this, but homes with white rooftops and cars that are painted white wouldn’t absorb so much heat from the sun. Consequently, we would save more energy and reduce the amount of CO2 released in the atmosphere.
Although the idea of white rooftops has been generally welcomed by scientific and environmental communities, there appear to be a few problems. One of these is the fact keeping the white surfaces in good condition for a long period of time would be too expensive.
Pessimists feel that though painting rooftops and pavements in light colours is good in theory, it is just a very small step to take towards reducing the Earth’s temperature. What we must remember though, is that there is not one solution to global warming. It’s the combination of different methods that will help our planet get back on its feet.
1. There has been an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in recent years.
2. Professor Chu suggests painting every large surface on the Earth white.
3. Buildings with white rooftops don’t need air conditioning.
4. Professor Chu’s suggestion has been accepted by many experts.
5. Some people feel that painting surfaces white will not be enough to solve the problem of global warming.
Did Jake buy a nice blue jacket last month?Jake did not buy a nice blue jacket last month. 2) The boys came to school at 9o'clock yestertday. Did the boys come to school at 9o'clock yestertday? The boys did not come to school at 9o'clock yestertday. 3) I went to the seaside last summer. Did I go to the seaside last summer? I did not go to the seaside last summer.
Everybody knows that sport is an important part of healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, there are many opportunities nowadays to do different types of sports. First of all, we always have lessons of physical education at school. Secondly, from the very childhood I attend martial arts, to be precise karate lessons. It’s one of my favourite types of pastime. I’ve had several teachers and all of them were highly professional. Another sport that I enjoy is swimming. I’m just an amateur, and I often go to the nearest swimming-pool. Luckily in summer I get a chance to swim in the open sea. I’m not the only sport lover in our family. My younger brother is also keen on sport. His favourite sport is tennis and he is really good at it. Besides doing sports, I like watching different games on TV. Every winter, for example, I watch figure skating, skiing and hockey championships. In summer I enjoy watching football and rowing. Besides active games, there are also some other types of games which also refer to sports, among them chess, backgammon, billiards, air hockey, bowling and others. When I have free time I do play these games with my friends. I don’t think there are any types of sport which I don’t like.