Four exercises on California's environmental challenges: reading comprehension, modal verbs, language practice, and a writing task.
Read the radio interview, then answer the comprehension questions below.
On its show today, L.A. Talk Radio KABC is speaking to helicopter pilot and firefighter Mario Ramirez about his work.
KABC: Our guest on the show today is CAL FIRE pilot Mario Ramirez. Welcome to the show, Mario, and thanks for taking the time to talk to us. I'm sure you must be busy right now.
Mario: Hi, thanks. Yes, it's wildfire season again, and this is always a very busy time for us. Just this morning, we had to go out to three different incidents.
KABC: Dropping water onto fires from helicopters?
Mario: Yes, that's right. But this morning, we were forced to use tanker planes too. They can carry a lot more water.
KABC: Should we be worried? It sounds like half of California is burning.
Mario: Well, that would be exaggerating. But we're facing some serious problems because of the very hot and dry conditions that we have today. A few years ago, the wildfire season lasted only five months. Today it's seven, thanks to climate change, and the number of larger wildfires has increased dramatically too.
KABC: Sounds as if you're very busy in the dry season, but what happens when it does finally rain?
Mario: Well, that's when we're expected to coordinate with the other emergency services. When you suddenly get a lot of rain after a long dry period, you get floods. Sometimes the only way to rescue people is by helicopter.
KABC: And there are mudslides too. They're said to go hand in hand with wildfires, aren't they?
Mario: Yes, that's another major problem. People love to build nice homes on a beautiful hillside with a view, but then you get a lot of rain followed by a mudslide, and then collapsed houses half-covered in mud.
KABC: Yes. The fires destroy the trees, so there is nothing to hold the soil in place when the rain comes, is there?
Mario: You know your stuff! But it isn't just fire that causes this problem. People aren't supposed to cut down trees but they do it anyway, especially farmers. They argue that letting the trees die of dehydration will cause disease and bugs that will then spread to other healthy trees.
KABC: Mario, I'm going to have to stop you there, but many thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Use the verbs from the word bank to fill in the gaps. Sometimes more than one answer is possible. Select your answers, then click Check Answers.
Use the verbs from the word bank to rewrite each sentence. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
People say that California has the best weather in the US.
→ California is said to have the best weather in the US. ✓
Use the word bank and what you have learned in this unit to write a structured paragraph.
The following natural hazards and human activities are all connected in California:
Review your answers below, then send them to your teacher.
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