广东省广州市培才高级中学高考英语复习课件：新人教选修9Unit4Exploringplants-Listening（共37张）.ppt

A: Yes, its frightening. The last remaining rainforests could be gone in less than 40 years. E: But why is this happening? A: Well, there are a number of reasons. As populations increase, people need more land to live on. Forests are cut down to plant crops or to start farms. The wood is sold for firewood or building materials, furniture and paper, for example. And there are also mining companies which destroy the forests in their search for minerals. E: I suppose people have to make a living. A: Yes, but you know, people can make more money by harvesting things like fruits, nuts and oils, as well as plants that can be used in medicine than by cutting down the forests. E: Oh really? I didnt know that. Now, could you outline some of the reasons why it’s not a good idea to destroy rainforests? A: Sure. You must have heard about the rich animal and plant life in tropical rainforests. Well, there are about 10 million species of plants and animals in the world. More than half of these live in the tropical rainforests. So, destroying rainforests means that thousands of these species are dying out before we’ve even realized it. E: I’ve heard too that the rainforest could provide us with cures for diseases. A: Yes, there are certainly many new drugs waiting to be discovered. Another problem is that the destruction of forests contributes to global warming. Also, rainforests absorb a lot of rain so that theres a constant supply of clean water running into rivers and lakes. If the trees are cut down, the rain isnt absorbed and there is flooding. E: So, what can individuals do to help slow down the destruction? A: Thats a good question ... Wade out) Listening 1. How would you describe each plant? What do you think is unusual about each plant? 2. One of the pictures shows pitcher plants and another shows “living stones”. Which picture shows which plant? The name of the plant in the other picture is Rafflesia. Listening on P36 Look carefully at the photos of t