Objectives: to develop vocabulary related to the natural world, to practise countable and uncountable nouns and quantifiers
I. SPEAKING
1. For each question, write down as many ideas as you can think of.
- Why do people like visiting natural attractions?
- How can people who live in the city enjoy the natural world?
2. Give examples to support each point.
- People enjoy visiting beautiful places.
- People who live in cities can experience nature by going on holiday.
- We need to teach children about where food comes from.
3. Read the test task. Think about what you can say for each question.
- What are the benefits of visiting natural attractions?
- How can we protect the natural world?
- Where can you see wildlife in a city?
II. WRITING
1. Answer the questions
- Why is it important to test new medicines before people use them?
- Why do pharmaceutical companies often test new medicines on animals first?
2. Read the test task and underline the key words. Then choose the correct answer in the question below. Write about the following topic:
- Some people believe that it is wrong to test medicines on animals.
- Do you think the advantages of testing new medicines on animals outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Read the model answer and match the descriptions (1- 4) with the paragraphs
(A-D).
A. Many people think that using animals is the best way to find out if new medicines work. Others, however, disagree, saying that it is not right to make use of animals in this way. Let us consider both sides of the argument.
B. It is certainly true that there are disadvantages to using animals to test new medicines. Firstly, it is cruel. Is an animal’s life worth less than that of a human? Animals are living creatures too and we should respect them. Secondly, a new medicine may not work in the same way on an animal as it does on a person. So the conclusions the researcher come to be wrong.
C. However, it is very important to test new medicines. Scientists need to develop new medicines so that doctors can improve the quality of life for millions of people all over the world. Giving new medicines to animals will show that they work well. These experiments are also necessary to make sure that the new medicine pharmaceutical companies develop do not have any serious side effects. It is too risky to experiment with new drugs on humans but if chemists are not able to test them, then sick children and adults will not be able to benefit from new treatment.
D. I would therefore argue that although it is not good if animals suffer, the advantages of using them to test new medicines outweigh the disadvantages. I is very important for the future of medical science.
1. The stronger side
2. The conclusion, with the writer’s opinion.
3. The introduction
4. The weaker side