Why do species disappear?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. What is your favourite wild animal?
2. Have you ever seen a rare animal or plant?
3. Are there protected areas near you?
4. Do you think zoos are a good idea?
5. What would you do if you saw an injured wild animal?
6. Which animal would you be sad to lose?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about wild animals or plants.

Choose the word that fits.

1. The complete disappearance of a species is called .
2. Animals that may soon disappear are called animals.
3. The variety of life in a place is called .
4. A wolf is a because it hunts other animals.
5. All the living things in an area and their connections form an .
6. Illegal hunting of animals is called .
7. Cutting down large areas of forest is called .
8. Many animals are protected in a national nature .

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. extinction = when a whole species
   travelsdisappearsis born
2. endangered = at
   the top of a listrisk of disappearinghome all year
3. a predator is an animal that
   hunts other animalseats only plantslives in water
4. prey = an animal that is
   very fasthunted by anotherkept at home
5. an ecosystem = living things and
   where they are bornhow they are soldhow they are connected
6. to conserve = to
   destroyprotectsell

Use these phrases to talk about conditions and possible futures.

• If we protect forests,...Якщо ми захистимо ліси,...If we protect forests, many species will survive.
• Unless we act,...Якщо ми не діятимемо,...Unless we act, more species will disappear.
• As long as there is food,...Доки є їжа,...As long as there is food, they can survive.
• Provided that...За умови, що...Provided that hunting is controlled, the numbers can recover.
• If I were in charge,...Якби я керував,...If I were in charge, I would create more reserves.
• If nobody stopped it,...Якби цього ніхто не зупинив,...If nobody stopped it, the species would vanish.
• When a habitat is destroyed,...Коли знищують середовище,...When a habitat is destroyed, animals lose their home.
• What would happen if...?Що було б, якби...?What would happen if all the predators disappeared?

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. The number of one million species is an estimate.
   TrueFalse
2. The report names only one cause.
   TrueFalse
3. The dodo disappeared in the 1600s.
   TrueFalse
4. The giant panda was moved to a less serious category.
   TrueFalse
5. The text says that nothing can be done.
   TrueFalse

1. Why should we care about species that we never see?
2. Is it right to spend money on animals when people have problems?
3. What is the most serious threat for wildlife in your region?
4. How can ordinary people support conservation?

Common mistakes: no will after if, if + past for the second conditional, and unless already has a negative meaning. ✗ If we will protect forests → If we protect forests. ✗ Unless we don't act → Unless we act.

1. If a habitat is destroyed, animals
   losewill lose
   their home.
2. If we protect forests, many species
   would survivewill survive
   .
3. IfUnless
   we act, more species will disappear.
4. As long as there
   iswill be
   food, they can survive.
5. If I
   amwere
   in charge, I would create more reserves.
6. If nobody
   stopsstopped
   it, the species would vanish.
7. Provided that hunting
   will beis
   controlled, the numbers can recover.
8. What
   would happenwill happen
   if all the predators disappeared?

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. If we will protect forests, many species will survive. →
2. Unless we don't act, more species will disappear. →
3. If I would be in charge, I would create reserves. →
4. As long as there will be food, they can survive. →
5. If nobody stops it, the species would vanish. →
6. If a habitat destroys, animals lose their home. →

Answer in detail. Use the zero, first and second conditionals, unless and as long as.

1. What would you do if you were the head of a nature reserve?
2. What will happen to wildlife if forests continue to disappear?
3. Unless something changes, what do you think the world will be like in 2050?
4. Provided that you had enough money, which project would you support?
5. What happens when a predator disappears from an ecosystem?
6. If you could bring back one extinct animal, which would you choose?

Three people talk about disappearing species. Compare their views. Who is the most worried? Who is the most hopeful? What would you do if you were a decision-maker?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: say what generally happens when a habitat is damaged (zero conditional).
3. Part 2: say what will happen if we act, and what will happen unless we act (first conditional).
4. Part 3: say what you would do if you were in charge (second conditional).

1. What would you do if you found an injured bird?
2. If you could protect one animal, which would it be?
3. What happens in your garden or park in spring?
4. Would you give money to nature projects if you had more?
5. Have you ever been to a nature reserve?
6. If you were in charge of your city, what would you change?
7. What will you do this weekend if the weather is good?
8. Unless it rains, where will you go?

1. Who in your family loves animals?
2. Who would you take to a nature reserve?
3. Who would you ask for advice about wildlife?
4. If you could meet one scientist, who would it be?
5. Who would you give a rare plant to?
6. Who do you think should pay for conservation?

1. Should hunting be banned everywhere?
2. Would the world be poorer without wild animals?
3. Is it right to keep animals in zoos?
4. Will we save the species at risk?
5. Should we spend more money on conservation?