38 3. After being absorbed it is radiated back into the atmosphere as heat energy or turned into chemical energy by green plants when they photosynthesize. 4. Fertilizers are added to soil to replace nutrients that have been used by previous crops, blown away or leached (washed away) into the subsoil by rain or irrigation. 5. If the soil is gritty it will drain and dry out quickly. 6. When the soil particles are mainly sand and coarse gravel its texture is said to be gritty. 7. If the soil is silky it will drain slowly and hold water for a longer time. 8. Artificial fertilizers need to be soluble compounds so that plants can absorb the nutrients. 9. This means they continue to exist unchanged in the soil because they cannot move into one of the cycles of matter. B. Word formation. There are many English words derived from other words with different prefixes or suffixes such as: -ment; -ation; -ion; -ance; -al; -ent; -able; -ly; -en; -er; -or; -ist; en- . . . 1. Find out the words with these suffixes or prefixes in the passage. Verb – Noun: -ment - development - ……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Verb – Adjective: -ent -different -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Adjective – Verb: -en -widen -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Verb – Noun: -ation (-ion) -information - production -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Noun – Adjective: -able (-eble) -reasonable -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Adjective – Verb: -ize -modernize -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Verb – Noun: er (-or) -farmer -……………………… -……………………… -………………………… Noun – Adjective: -al -national -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Adjective – Verb:En- -enrich -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Noun - Noun -biologist -………………………… -…………………………. -…………………………. Noun – Adjective: -y (ly) -rainy -……………………… -……………………… -………………………… Adjective – Adverb: -ly -quickly …………… -……………………… -……………………… -………………………. 2. Words derived from other words with prefixes such as: un-; in-; dis-; pre-; re-; de; en Find the words with these prefixes in the passage. unfair; incorrect; distribute; rebuild. . . - - - - - ……………………………………………………………………………………… - ……………………………………………………………………………………… - ……………………………………………………………………………………… III. READING A. 1. Pre-reading task. Read the passage and find the answer to the following. a. What is climate? b. What is the difference between climate and weather? c. Is climate predictable? (can people predict climate?) 39 CLIMATE Climate is the primary determinant of vegetation. Worldwide, different climates are affected by precipitation, radiation and wind acting on the huge continental landmasses and ocean currents. When you understand and appreciate the workings of these wild energies you can design ecosystems which: - modify climatic extremes; - reduce failures of crops and animals caused by climatic extremes; - provide greater energy efficiency. 1. Precipitation Precipitation is rain, snow, fog, sleet, hail and frost. These forms of precipitation undergo two main processes which permaculturists use to their advantage: condensation and evaporation. Knowledge of these processes is used to: - design structures for good temperature control; - select appropriate technologies for heating and cooling; - retain water in soil and in dams. Generally, by understanding patterns of precipitation you can plan your growing calendar to take advantage of favorable conditions, and minimize the impact of unfavorable conditions. For example, it is useful to be able to predict the likelihood of drought and to plan accordingly designing water harvesting and storage systems. 2. Wind Wind is caused by the earth‟s rotation and the differential heating of land and sea. For example, hot air rising from the deserts draws in cooler, moist air from the oceans, bringing rain as it moves in. Like precipitation, world climates have fairly predictable wind patterns (although these seem to be changing with global warming). An understanding of these patterns will help you to: - harvest wind energy for electricity; - design houses which take advantage, or minimize the impact of wind; - plant windbreaks to provide protection for plants and animals. 3. Radiation Most radiation comes from the sun as light energy. This energy can be absorbed by water, plants, soils and animals. After being absorbed it is radiated back into the atmosphere as heat energy or turned into chemical energy by green plants when they photosynthesize. Dark bodies absorb the greatest amount of light and later radiate it back as heat. Light- coloured objects and organisms tend to reflect light, which can then be used or absorbed by other plants, water and materials, or sent back into the atmosphere. (Figure 1 shows how a light-reflecting surface can be used to redirect sunlight to brighten a dark room.) 2. Comprehension check. a. Can you determine certain vegetation in the area basing on climate? b. Why are worldwide climates different from each other? c. Why do farmers need to understand the workings of wild energies? d. What are the forms of precipitation? e. How many processes does precipitation undergo? f. What can your understanding patterns of precipitation help you to do? g. What causes wind? h. How does light energy turn into chemical energy? i. What absorbs the greatest amount of light? j. What object reflects light most? 40 3. Fill in the gaps with given words. cause ; which ; blowing ; rainfall ; summer ; seasonal ; moves ; heat ; blows MONSOON Monsoon is the…(1)…wind in South of Asia, especially in the Indian Ocean,…(2)…from the South-west from April to October and from the North-east from October to April. During…(3)…the inland parts of the continent…(4)…the air and create an area of low pressure…(5)…brings in sea air and heavy…(6)… . The combination of this rain with cyclones can…(7)…great destruction. During the winter, cool air…(8)…out from inland areas and dry wind…(9)…towards the coast. Figure 1. Figure 1 shows how a light-reflecting surface can be used to redirect sunlight to brighten a dark room. Light coloured wall Dark room III. Speaking. (group-work of 4) 1. Talking about the using light-reflecting technology above in modern agricultural production. - Producing many kinds of flower; vegetable in any climates. - Creating new species of plant. - Conserving valuable genetic heritages of plant and animal. - Building botanical gardens in different climates. - Raising different breeds of animal in different countries. 41 IV. GRAMMAR. Present or Past participle phrases. - When I wake up and think about the food needed for the day my mind goes to what is growing in the garden - not to what is stashed in the refrigerator. - All the aquatic organisms, including water plants, fish, crustaceans and water birds, are interdependent on each other and their environment through food chains and food webs. 1. Practice. Put the right form of the word in brackets into the blanks. a. Every crop or animal to market contains nutrients that were once in the soil. (harvest; send) b. The three most important elements to the soil by fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. (add) c. This helps the plant to withstand mechanical damage such as branches and torn leaves. (break) d. Government seed is not likely to carry diseases or pests when it is bought. (certify) e. Seed that is bought locally or seed by a farmer for his own use may carry an infection which will quickly spread to the new crop. (produce) f. Ducks eat more and are more efficient scavengers than hens; however they don't scratch the ground so the work by hens is not available. (cultivate ; do) g. In summer hot air from deserts draws in cooler, moist air from the oceans, rain as it moves in. (rise ; bring) h. You can design an ecosystem which may increase the season and biodiversity - for example, frosts can be avoided by use of vegetation and structures, or warm breezes as . (grow ; redirect ; desire) i. This will affect the type of plants that can be grown and the type of cultivation techniques . (use) j. Bare soil is far more reflective of heat and light compared to soil. (cover) k. The world does not have uniform ecosystems because of all the factors upon them. (act) l. Nitrogen is one of the major elements for plant and animal growth. (require) m. Nitrogen, one of the main gases in air, is transformed into a soluble form by bacteria in soil or water. (live) 2. Writing. Rewrite the following sentences using participle construction as example below. Example: * Worldwide, different climates are affected by precipitation, radiation and wind, which are acting on the huge continental landmasses and ocean currents. => Worldwide, different climates are affected by precipitation, radiation and wind acting on the huge continental landmasses and ocean currents. * When you understand and appreciate the workings of these wild energies you can design ecosystems, which reduce failures of crops and animals, which are caused by climatic extremes. => When you understand and appreciate the workings of these wild energies you can design ecosystems, which reduce failures of crops and animals caused by climatic extremes. a. There are many animals living in the soil, which range from microscopic organisms to beetles. => …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… . b. Soil with good air-water balance and plenty of organic material will have millions of micro-organisms, which assist faster nutrient breakdown and cycling. => .…………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… . c. Clay soils have minute particles, which give the soil a smooth feel and a silky texture. 42 => ………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………. . d. The methods which are used to repair soil will vary according to the climate and site characteristics. => …………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………… … . e. All legumes are 'nitrogen-fixing'. They provide the correct bacterium which is present in the soil. => …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………. . f. Often gardeners do this in winter. They use plant species such as rye grass, lupines or barley. => ……………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………. . g. There are plants which have a bacterium, Rhizobium species. They are living in their roots. => …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………. . h. The small subsistence farm which is run by a farmer primarily to meet personal needs has virtually disappeared from the American scene. => ……………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… . i. Beef cattle rank as the most valuable product of the nation‟s farms, which are accounting for almost one quarter of total annual farm receipts. => ……………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… . j. Bill Mollison recommends that people who wish to grow organic foods do not purchase land which has been used to grow bananas, sugar cane or deciduous fruit. => ……… ……………………………………………………………………………… . k. Gases in the air are exchanged with those that are given off by plant roots and by soil micro-organisms. => …………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………… . l. In soil ethylene cycles with oxygen, which increase the build-up of micro-organisms. => ………………………………………………………………………………………. . m. Hot air which is rising from the deserts draws in cooler, moist air from the oceans, which is bringing rain as it moves in. => ……………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………… . PARTB I. READING B. 1. Read the passage and answer the following questions. a. What helps to retain nitrate in the soil? b. When is there the most nitrate in the soil? c. Why is the moderate rainfall important for farmers? d. How do farmers plan their growing calendar? e. What do farmers often do to reduce the influence of the climatic extreme on their harvests? f. What is this section about? - microbiological activity in the rainy season. - how wet and dry seasons are important for soil management - the effect of excessive rainfall. TROPICAL CLIMATE The tropical climate, especially the sequence of wet and dry periods, is also an important factor as it affects the availability of nitrogen in the soil. If the soil becomes too dry, microbiological activity drops to a low level and therefore there is a lack of nitrate. After dry 43 weather, however, moderate rainfall increases the level of microbiological activity. This in turn increases in the rate of decomposition of organic matter and there is in consequence a surplus of nitrate. On the other hand, excessive rainfall washes the nitrate into the subsoil, too deep for roots to use unless the soil structure is relatively good. In this case some of the nitrate retains in the subsoil. This gives, therefore, two further important principles in tropical soil management. The first of these is to prepare the land and sow the crops early enough to use the surplus nitrogen after the dry season. The second is to grow crops with sufficiently deep roots to use nitrogen before it is washed into subsoil. II. Word study. 1. Match the word with its definition. a. affect b. factor c. sequence d. period ì e. sow f. moderate g. increase h. lack of i. retain j. excessive k. roots l. decomposition - cause something to become less violent - put seed in or on the ground - have an influence on st, sb. - fact, circumstance that helps to produce a result. - length of time - something is rotten or being decayed - without (something) - lowest part of a tree in the ground - something is too much, more than needed - set of events happens continuously. - develop, become more and more - keep or store (something) 2. Say whether these statements are true or false. Correct the false statements. a. Too low a temperature causes insufficient microbiological activity. b. Moderate rainfall is good for plant growth. c. When there is a lack of nitrate, microbiological activity drops to a low level. d. Excessive rainfall provides too much nitrate for plant growth. e. If roots are too shallow, plants cannot use nitrate after heavy rain. f. There is inadequate nitrate for crops sown early in the wet season. g. The rate of decomposition of organic matter increases in dry period. h. There is only one season in tropical countries. i. If the level of microbiological activity increases it will make nitrate increase, too. j. The first principle in tropical soil management is more important than the second one because it makes much more profit from the work. 3. Fill in the gaps with the given words: thus; however; therefore; so; too; enough - thus (adv): in this way; like this; as a result. Soil with a coarse texture consists of relatively large particles. Thus it retains air in the spaces between the particles. - However (adv) : to whatever extent or degree. You won‟t move that stone, however strong you are. - Therefore (adv) : for that reason. Most developing countries are not applying fertilizers in proper nutrient ratios and are therefore ''mining'' soil K. - So (conj) : and that is why. All the shops were closed so I didn‟t get anything. a. Coarse-textured soils are usually well drained. ………………., many important nutrients are leached out of the soil. b. The methods which are used to repair soil will vary according to the climate and site characteristics; …………………., in all cases organic matter is the very best soil improver. 44 c. There are a number of reasons for damaged soils, ……………… the fundamental cause of soil decline is the removal of surface vegetation. d. If the soil becomes…………….dry, microbiological activity drops to a low level and ………………….there is a lack of nitrate. e. After dry weather,………………… , moderate rainfall increases the level of microbiological activity. f. Medium-textured soils are usually imperfectly drained. ……………….important plant nutrients are available for plant growth. g. Soil sample A has 10% sand, 20% silt and 70% clay. ……………it has a fine texture. h. You can either grow a green manure crop and chop it into the soil, or enclose your animals………… their stocking rate is higher and manure output is increased. i. Land use must be economically viable, so one goal of development planning is to make efficient and productive use of the land. j. The tropical climate, especially the sequence of wet and dry periods, is also an important factor as it affects the availability of nitrogen in the soil. On the other hand, excessive rainfall washes the nitrate into the subsoil, …… ……… deep for roots to use unless the soil structure is relatively good. This gives, …… …………, two further important principles in tropical soil management. The first of these is to prepare the land and sow the crops early………… ……to use the surplus nitrogen after the dry season. The second is to grow crops with deep… …….……. roots to use nitrogen before it is washed into subsoil. ____________________ Prevention is better than cure 45 § UNIT 7 MICROCLIMATES I. Word study. A. Match the word with its definition. 1. temperature 2. influence 3. optimum temperature 4. germination 5. minimum temperature 6. seed 7. temperature range 8. eliminate 9. diversify 10. humidity 11. summation 12. microclimate 13. windspeed 14. topography 15. modify 16. monsoon - action of natural force on something. - the lowest temperature - degree of heat or cold. - part of a plant from which a new plant can grow. - the best temperature for growth of plants. - limit from lowest to highest temperature. - start growing of plants. - the climate in a certain area. - cloudy without rain or sun. - summing up. - the fast or slow movement of the wind. - make something change. - various types. - the seasonal wind in South of Asia - ignore - describing the general features of an area, place. B. Fill in the gaps with words above. a. Temperature and rainfall are two most important factors which……… the growth of crops. b. The minimum temperature for the……….……of wheat lies within a range of five degrees. c. It is possible for germination to begin at the………… ………, but the ……………… may die if the temperature rises much above or falls much below the optimum ……………… . d. The regional climate always has variations in temperature, rainfall, …………… and direction, relative……………… and light levels. e. Local factors such as………….……., soil, vegetation, structures and water bodies further………….… the environment. f. Microclimates can be a rich source of ……………… , so your design should take advantage of them rather than …… ……… them. g. The place where you live is a…………… of the large general climate. h. In the…………… areas of North-west India and West Africa, crops may have to be replanted as many as eight times in one season. C. Look and read Two important factors which influence the growth of crops are temperature and rainfall. A. Crop germination temperatures Crops Minimum Optimum Maximum - Wheat - Runner bean - Cucumber 0 - 5 C 9.4 C 15.5 - 18.3 C 25 - 31.1 C 32.7 C 31.1 - 37.2 C 31.1 - 43.3 C 46.1 C 43.3 - 48.8 C Most of crops do not begin to grow if the temperature varies greatly from the optimum temperature for germination. It is possible for germination to begin at the minimum temperature, but the seed may die if the temperature rises much above or falls much below the optimum temperature range. In many regions this is a serious problem. For instance, in semi-arid areas such as the monsoon areas of North-west India and West Africa, crops may have to be replanted as many as eight times in one season. 46 2. Practice. a. Make sentences from the table. Example: The minimum temperature for the germination of wheat / is approximately three degrees centigrade / or lies within a range of five degrees. * Now write three sentences about the germination temperatures for runner bean; cucumber; rice; tomato; melon B. Crop grow temperature Crops Minimum Optimum Maximum - Wheat - Runner bean - Melon 5 C 9.4 C 18.3 C 28.6 C 33.6 C 33 C 42.5 C 46.1 C 43.8 C Example: minimum A: - What is the optimum growth temperature for wheat? maximum does not grow below a minimum of 5 C. B: - Wheat grows best at a temperature of 28.6 C. does not grow above a maximum of 42.5 C a. Now ask and answer similar questions for runner bean, melon, cucumber, rice b. What is the maximum and minimum temperature in your country/area? Are melon, runner bean, tomato, and wheat grown in your country/area? Why? Or why not? II. Writing and speaking. (group-work) 1. Writing. a. Write out the conditions for the germination of rice. b. Write out the growth temperature for water rice. 2. Speaking. (group-work) Ask and say about the climate and vegetation in the central region of Vietnam. Group A talks about the climate, temperature, rainfall…. . Group B talks about the vegetation: the forest; the crops and harvest… , then make conclusion in comparison with the North and South regions of Vietnam and then make comment on the agricultural production of our country. Example: A: Where are you from Nam? B: I‟m from Quang Tri province. A: What is the weather like in your province? B: Oh, it‟s very hot in summer but it is rather cold in winter. It rarely rains from January to August, and in the period there is monsoon blowing from south-west over the Truong Son range, which brings with its extremely hot and dry air when it moves to the area. But from September to January it often rains heavily increasingly day after day, which causes flood in vast area and great destruction for the local people. In such climate the agricultural production in the area is often lost by drought, typhoon, flood. Soil is unhealthy by erosion and leaching. Animals are often infected by various diseases. A: How do farmers in your province do to improve their soil? What crops and animals do they grow on their farms? B: They often use the traditional methods such as: green manuring, planting and ploughing legumes under, plating cover crops, mulching and animal manures. The crops can grow well in the climate such as: manioc, sweet potato; pineapple, peanuts, coffee, rubber, orange, lemon, water-melon ect… A: Nam, can you tell me about some principles in managing the soil in your area, which the farmers often use efficiently? 47 B: Well, the local farmers often use some principles according to the local climate, for instance, the local farmers often prepare the land and sow the crops early after the dry season. It has two advantages. The first is the crops can use the surplus nitrogen before it is washed away or into the subsoil. The second is to prevent the crops from drough or flood. III. READING A 1. Pre-reading questions. a. How many types of climate? b. What is another name of microclimate? MICROCLIMATES Microclimate is the summation of environmental conditions at a particular site as affected by local factors rather than climatic ones. The regional climate always has variations in temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and light levels. Local factors such as topography, soil, vegetation, structures and water bodies further modify the environment. The place where you live is a microclimate of the large general climate. Overall, microclimates are more important than the regional or general climate in achieving diverse and stable landscapes. However, all too often people fail to realize the potential of microclimates and they have been referred to as “environments unobserved” and “environments ignored”. Microclimates can be a rich source of diversity, so your design should take advantage of them rather than eliminate them. You can create different habitats and diversify the range of plants and animals that will grow in your garden. For example, you may be able to grow an almond tree if you live in a cool moist climate simply by positioning it against a sunny sheltered wall. 2. Comprehension check.(pair-work) Answer the following questions. a. What is microclimate? b. What factors affect microclimate? c. What is the difference between the regional climate and the general climate? d. Which climate is the most important for farmers? Why? e. Why do farmers need to understand their microclimate? f. Can people modify the microclimate? How can they do that? 3. Speaking. (group-work) a. Talking about the advantages and disadvantages of monsoon. b. How can people take advantages of microclimate? c. What do farmers do to reduce the disadvantages of microclimate? III. GRAMMAR. Adverbial clauses of condition Do you remember the formation of conditional sentence type 1? - If pests are not checked, they will damage the crop. - Seeds will germinate if the conditions are right. Exercise 1: Combine a part in A with a part in B to make a sentence. A B 1. If you don‟t understand the soil , 2. If a soil is badly drained , 3. Crops are often lost 4. If agriculture fails, 5. If cows are not fed properly , 6. You get better crops a. if the soil is fertile b. the world will starve c. if they don‟t eat proper food d. gleying will occur e. it can become waterlogged f. They will die [...]... south-westerly wind…(6)…off the Atlantic and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream The average midwinter…(7)…is in the range of 3 C to 7°C while that for midsummer is 11°C to 17°C However, some winter…(8)…can be as cold as -5°C and there have been summer heat waves with temperatures as high as 32 °C, especially in the south and east, and even in…(9)…of Scotland  Practice is the best master 50 § UNIT... The soil is better 10 The weather is good The farmers in the area have a better harvest 11 Manure from cows and horses is weaker The animals have been stabled and urine is mixed with the dung Exercise3 Write conditional sentences like example below Mineral deficiency * nitrogen - calcium - phosphorous - potassium - magnesium - sulphur - iron - zine PART B I READING B Symptom of deficiency * plants... can change their living conditions f The aim of permaculture is to design new living conditions suitable to the plants and animals living in the area 2 Translation Translate the passage into Vietnamese 3 Fill in the gaps with words in the box comment ; days ; blowing ; parts ; variable ; temperature ; climate ; topic ; moderate The weather in Britain The weather in Britain is very…(1)…, not only from... from season to season, but from one day to the next The fact that the weather is so unpredictable has made it a perennial…(2)…of conversation, and when meeting or greeting someone, it is usual to make a… (3) …on the weather Typical informal remarks about the weather include such phrases as ''better today, isn't it?'' or ''Bit nippy this morning'' or ''What a terrible day!'' Technically speaking, the…(4)…of... will fall Exercise 2: Combine the following pairs to make complex sentences 1 The soil is gritty It drains and dries out quickly 2 The soil is silky It drains slowly and holds water for a longer time 3 A soil is almost pure clay or pure sand It is a 'difficult' soil in which to grow plants 4 Pests are not controlled They can easily destroy a crop 5 There is adequate oxygen Soil tends to be sweet smelling... explosion the growth of plants - inevitable result c great and sudden increase - decay d reduce greatly the quantity, size, power of something - compost e cause something to stop breathing by squeezing 3 Fill in the gaps with the words in the reading passage a Heavy rains may ……………… away nutrients into the subsoil b Farmers often use fertilizers to …………………their soil c Artificial fertilizers are……………….of... manganese, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum, cobalt, sodium and chlorine It is important that trace elements are present, but in very small amounts; high concentrations can often be toxic to the plant  53 Fertilizers and the environment Provided fertilizers are correctly applied, they result in increased productivity and improvement to the soil However, problems can occur if fertilizers are washed into... people's health? h Is it necessary to use chemical fertilizers? Why? i How can we reduce the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on people's health? j What manure doesn't affect the consumers' health ? 3 Writing Complete the chart below a Write out the types of fertilizer, which are mentioned in the text b Write about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fertilizer Types of fertilizer 1 Fertilizers... statements true or false? Correct the false statements 1. K is not a constituent of any plant structures or compounds 55 2. Potassium plays a vital role in many processes needed to sustain plant life 3. Without K plants can use water and other nutrients efficiently 4. K plays a vital role in photosynthesis, translocation of photosynthates, regulation of plant pores and activation of plant catalysts . Wheat - Runner bean - Cucumber 0 - 5 C 9.4 C 15.5 - 18 .3 C 25 - 31 .1 C 32 .7 C 31 .1 - 37 .2 C 31 .1 - 43. 3 C 46.1 C 43. 3 - 48.8 C Most of crops do not begin to grow if the temperature. Optimum Maximum - Wheat - Runner bean - Melon 5 C 9.4 C 18 .3 C 28.6 C 33 .6 C 33 C 42.5 C 46.1 C 43. 8 C Example: minimum A: - What is the optimum growth temperature. -……………………… -……………………… Verb – Noun: er (-or) -farmer -……………………… -……………………… -………………………… Noun – Adjective: -al -national -……………………… -……………………… -……………………… Adjective – Verb:En- -enrich -………………………