TIẾNG ANH CHUYÊN NGÀNH NÔNG NGHIỆP – PHẦN 2 pot

19
several trailers) has also predominantly replaced the old stock routes in moving cattle around
the territory and to market. Output of beef in the mid-1990s was more than 1.7 million tones,
and of milk 7.3 million litres.
Although only about 10 per cent of the total area of Australia is under crop or fodder
production, this acreage is not great economic importance. Wheat crops occupy about 45 per
cent of cultivated acreage, and fodder crops and other grains occupy 20 per cent. Wheat
production is highly mechanized and the crop is grown in all states; the south-eastern and
south-western regions of the country are responsible for the bulk of production. Annual
production has decreased in recent years because of shifts into new, higher earning crops.
Output was about 10.7 million tones in 1992, compared with more than 14 million tones in
the early 1990s; about 70 per cent is exported. About 32.7 million tones of sugar cane were
produced in 1994. Many types of fruit are grown, including apples, bananas, grapes, oranges,
pears, pineapples, and papayas. The major wine-producing areas are in the Barossa Valley of
South Australia, in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, and in parts of north-eastern, southern,
and western Victoria. Special varieties of grapes are grown, especially in the Murray Valley,
for the production of raisins.
Irrigation is of importance to arable farmers in all but the highest rainfall areas. However,
increased soil salinity is becoming a problem in several areas, threatening production.
Experiments with bio-technologies are being carried out with the aim of reducing the impact
of soil salinity and cutting the use of expensive water resources.
B. Comprehension check. Are these statements true or false?
1.__Australian Agriculture employs half of workforce of the country.
2.__Crop-farming area accounts for 90 per cent of the farmed land of Australia.
3.__Australia is the world's leading country of wool export.
4.__Most cattle are raised in Queensland.
5.__Australia imports beef and milk.
6.__Nearly 45 per cent of farmed area is for wheat crops.
7.__Nowadays soil salinity is becoming a big problem in several areas in Australia.

8.__Australia is carrying out a lot of experiments with bio-technologies with the aim of
reducing the impact of soil salinity.
9.__Irrigation is not important for the highest rainfall areas.

II. Word formation.
Find the words in the passage which have the same root.
Example: produce -> production -> products







……………………………………………………………………………………….

__________________

Time and tide wait for no man.


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§ UNIT 4 UNHEALTHY SOILS
I. Word study.
A. Match the words which have similar meaning.
a. removal
b. desert
c. protect
d. harvest
e. yield

f. marginal land
g. plough
h. expose
i. evolution
j. hoof
k. contaminate
l. leach
n. deposit
1. bear produce or provide (a natural product)
2. poor soil which is not enough fertile for farming.
3. removing or being removed.
4. break up the surface of soil before planting.
5. barren land.
6. process of gradually developing
7. keep something safe from harm.
8. cutting and gathering of food crops.
9. horny part of the foot of a horse, an ox or a deer.
10. dangerous or disease-carrying substances.
11. uncover or being unprotected.
12. remain, cause to settle
13. wash away.
B. Fill in the gaps with one of the words above, making any changes necessary.
1. What is the……………….of wheat per acre?
2. From the plough to the tractor is a long ……………….of farming methods.
3. Vast areas of land have become ……………….because of deforestation.
4. The meadow has been……………….up.
5. The vaccine was used to……………….the whole population against infection.
6. The soil was washed away by the flood, ………………. bare rock.
7. Farmers are very busy during………………. .
8. After having built the factory the water of the river was ………….by chemicals.

9. plant nutrients may be …………. into subsoil by heavy rain.
10. Natural salts are…………in the upper layers of the soil as the water evaporates.
II. GRAMMAR. SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION
English has four basic sentence constructions: simple, compound, complex, and
compound-complex sentences. Each construction uses the same basic elements of sentence
structure parts of speech, phrases, and clauses.
A. Simple Sentence.
The simple sentence is an independent clause with no subordinate clauses. It begins with a
capital letter and closes with an end mark. Simple sentences can vary considerably in length.
Example:
- I bought four apples at the farmers' market.
- I bought four apples, a basket of tomatoes, a bag of green beans, and three melons at the
farmers' market.
- The farmers' market is a classic example of producers selling directly to consumers and
avoiding the attempts of agents to control the supply or to manipulate the price.
B. Compound Sentence.
The compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses but no subordinate
clauses. The two independent clauses usually are joined by a comma followed by a
conjunction (but, and, nor, yet). They may also be joined by a semicolon, a semicolon
followed by a linking adverb (therefore, however, because, since), or a colon.
* Conjunction: - I don't know where he went, and no one has seen him since this afternoon.
* Semicolon: - Harold the first fought in Northern Ireland; his campaigns generally were
successful.
*Linking adverb: -Vivian wanted to stay another week in Ashville; however her parents
refused to send her more money.


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* Colon: - You must have heard the news: we're all getting bonuses this year!
C. Complex Sentence.

The complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more subordinate
clauses. When a subordinate clause introduces the sentence, it is usually followed by a
comma unless it is very short.
- The library closes early in summer when the students are out of school. After the clear
days of Indian summer, the autumn skies grow heavily and dark. Linda told us on the phone
that they had had a flat tire last night and that the car wouldn't start this morning.
- When you come in the front door, make sure you push it shut, because the lock doesn't
always catch.
D. Compound-complex Sentence.
The compound-complex sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses and
one or more subordinate clauses.
- John Lennon wrote many ballads, and he recorded them while he was in England.
- The letter carrier, Who is always punctual, didn't come today; I wonder if she is ill.
- He should telephone you as soon as he arrives; but if for some reason he doesn't call, tell
me immediately.
E. Practice: Which types of sentence do the followings belong to? Underline the subject and
predicate.
a. Wheat production is highly mechanized and the crop is grown in all states.
b. Special varieties of grapes are grown, especially in the Murray Valley, for the production
of raisins.
c. Experiments with bio-technologies are being carried out with the aim of reducing the
impact of soil salinity and cutting the use of expensive water resources.
d. Cattle are raised in all of Australia‟s states and territories, but Queensland is the leading
producer.
e. As these raw materials are broken down they become humus.
f. When mulches are made from organic materials, such as hay, grass clippings, straw,
newspaper and old woolen, they will gradually add to the soil organic matter and nutrient
bank as they break down.
g. Artificial fertilizers need to be soluble compounds so that plants can absorb the nutrients.
h. It is a red-brown soil which becomes very hard when it is dry.

III. READING A.
1. Pre-reading task.
a. What does an unhealthy soil mean?
b. What makes soil unhealthy?

UNHEALTHY SOILS
There are a number of reasons for damaged soils, however the fundamental cause of soil
decline is the removal of surface vegetation. With the exception of natural deserts, soil is
always protected by vegetation. In an effort to harvest greater yields, more and more marginal
land has been ploughed up, and of course, the natural vegetation removed. This has been
disastrous for the soil which, after being dosed with chemicals, is then left exposed and
unprotected from animal hoofs, wind, rain, cold and heat. In effect, thousands of years of
evolution of soil interaction with plants, animals, air and water is reversed by modern
agriculture.
Excessive use of artificial fertilizers has also caused soil problems. A special case has
taken place in Australia where huge amounts of phosphates were added to soils to grow
European grasses and clovers. However about 90 % of the fertilizer was insoluble and lay in
the soils unused and is now resulting in extremely acid soils and dying pastures.


22
Overdosing with fertilizer has also led to the contamination of surface and ground water.
Excess fertilizers which are not used by crops are washed into rivers, lakes and streams in
run-off. Excess fertilizer can also be leached through the soil into the water table.
Soil salinity is another example of unhealthy soil. Basically, it is caused by rising water
tables. As the water table rises towards the surface, naturally occurring salts are dissolved and
concentrated in the upper soil layer. The concentration of salts is toxic to plants.
This worldwide problem occurs in two ways:
1. Dry-land salting

Deep-rooted trees and shrubs are removed and replaced with shallow-rooted pasture
species which use less water. As more water moves through the soil the water table rises and
natural salts are brought to the soil surface. Plants and crops die because they are unable to
tolerate the high salt levels. Farmers call this the 'White Death'.
Dry-land salting is a particular problem in areas where vegetation has been removed from
recharge areas, i.e. hills and slopes.
2. Irrigation salinity
Irrigation water which is surplus to the crops' needs causes the water table to rise. Natural
salts are then deposited in the upper layers of the soil as the water evaporates. Soluble
fertilizers, which are often added regularly to the irrigation water, further contribute to the
concentration of salts in the upper soil layer.
An accumulation of biocides (i.e. chemicals used to kill organisms, including fungicides,
weedicides, miticides and insecticides) also causes soil decline. Many biocides have a very
long life in the soil. This means they continue to exist unchanged in the soil because they
cannot move into one of the cycles of matter. The shortest life for a biocide is a few hours;
other can last up to 40 years.
Bill Mollison recommends that people wishing to grow organic foods do not purchase land
which has been used to grow bananas, sugar cane or deciduous fruit, as these crops will have
been heavily doses with biocides. If your land has been used for such crops, a forest of long-
term precious timbers may work as a 'cleansing crop'.

Tree removal and salinity
A. Before tree removal

Crop growing well
Recharce area Water table



__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ discharce area


23
B. After tree removal







Crop dying
Water table salt
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ Recharge area __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
__ ___ __ __ _- __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ _salt
__ __ __ __ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ discharge area __ __
__ __ __ __ _- __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ __ __ _ - _

2. Comprehension check.
A. Say the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements.
a.__One of the most fundamental reasons causing soil decline is the removal of surface
vegetation.
b.__Soil is protected by vegetation.
c.__Unhealthy soil may be caused by excessive use of artificial fertilizers.
d.__Soil salinity also causes unhealthy soil.
e.__Natural salt is brought to soil surface by rising water table.
f.__Biocides are also a reason which causes soil decline.
g.__Some biocides exist unchanged in soil because they cannot move into the cycle of
matter.
h.__People should not buy the land in which bananas, sugar canes or deciduous fruit trees
are grown.
i.__To cleanse unhealthy soil in which it is better to grow a forest with long-term precious
timbers.
j.__There are five major reasons causing soil decline.
B. Writing and speaking.
a. What are the main reasons for damaging soils?
b. What reason is the most common in many countries in the world?
c. What reasons are popular in your area/country?
d. How does soil salinity occur?
e. What do farmers have to do to stop the soil decline?
C. Decide which words the words in italic in the following sentences refer to.
a. In an effort to harvest greater yields, more and more marginal land has been ploughed up,
and of course, the natural vegetation removed. This has been disastrous for the soil which,
after being dosed with chemicals, is then left exposed and unprotected from animal hoofs,
wind, rain, cold and heat. In effect, thousands of years of evolution of soil interaction
with plants, animals, air and water is reversed by modern agriculture.
b. A special case has taken place in Australia where huge amounts of phosphates were

added to soils to grow European grasses and clovers.
c. Excess fertilizers which are not used by crops are washed into rivers, lakes and streams in
run-off.
d. Deep-rooted trees and shrubs are removed and replaced with shallow-rooted pasture
species which use less water.


24
e. Dry-land salting is a particular problem in areas where vegetation has been removed from
recharge areas, i.e. hills and slopes.
f. Irrigation water which is surplus to the crops' needs causes the water table to rise.
g. Soluble fertilizers, which are often added regularly to the irrigation water, further
contribute to the concentration of salts in the upper soil layer.
h. Many biocides have a very long life in the soil. This means they continue to exist
unchanged in the soil because they cannot move into one of the cycles of matter.
D. Translation. Find the difference between the words „as‟ in the following sentences, then
translate them into Vietnamese.
a. Bill Mollison recommends that people wishing to grow organic foods do not purchase
land which has been used to grow bananas, sugar cane or deciduous fruit, as these crops
will have been heavily doses with biocides.
b. As more water moves through the soil the water table rises and natural salts are brought
to the soil surface.
c. Natural salts are then deposited in the upper layers of the soil as the water evaporates.
d. As the water table rises towards the surface, naturally occurring salts are dissolved and
concentrated in the upper soil layer

PART B
I. READING B.
1. Pre-reading task.
a. What agricultural products of The United States are world-popular?

b. What agricultural products does The United States export?
c. How many percent of workers does the agriculture of The United States employ?
d. How many percent of annual GDP does it account for?

AGRICULTURE OF THE UNITED STATES
The United States has been the world‟s leading industrial nation since early in the 20
th

century. Farming only accounts for less than 2 per cent of annual GDP and employs less than
3 per cent of US workers, yet the nation leads the world in many aspects of agricultural
production. Farmers not only produce enough to meet domestic needs, they also enable the
United States to export more farm products per year than any other nation in the world. The
total annual value of farm output increased from about $55 billion in 1970 to about $187
billion in 1992. Excluding inflation, the increase in the farm output was two per cent
annually.
The small subsistence farm run by a farmer primarily to meet personal needs has virtually
disappeared from the American scene; most agricultural products are grown on large
commercial farms for shipment to urban and industrial markets. The number of farms in the
United States decreased from more than 5.6 million in 1950 to about 2.1 million in 1993. At
the same time, average farm size increased 86 hectares to 191 hectares. In the early 1990s
livestock and livestock products accounted for 50.5 per cent of the value of all farm
marketing, and crops for remainder. California led all states in the yearly value of farm
receipts; it was followed by Texas, Lowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, and Kansas.
Beef cattle rank as the most valuable product of the nation‟s farms, accounting for almost
one quarter of total annual farm receipts. Many are raised on large ranches in south-western
states. Dairy products represent about 12 per cent of the yearly value of farm marketings and
are the second most valuable item coming from American farms. Other major livestock and
livestock products include pigs, chickens, eggs, turkey, and sheep and lambs.
Leading agricultural crops are corn, vegetables, soya beans, fruits and nuts, wheat, cotton,
and tobacco. Illinois, Lowa, Nebraska, and Indiana together produce more than half of the

annual corn crop, while Kansas usually leads all states in fearly wheat production. For more


25
than a century and a half, cotton was the predominant cash crop in the South. Today,
however, it is no longer important in some of the traditional cotton-growing areas east of the
Mississippi River and is now concentrated in relatively flat areas amenable to large-scale
mechanization, such as the lower Mississippi Valley, the plains of Texas, and the Valleys of
California and Arizona. Tobacco remains an important cash crop. The leading tobacco-
producing states are North Carolina and Kentucky.
Other leading crops include peanuts, peaches, tomatoes, and apples. More than 60 per cent
of the oranges and about 50 per cent of the tomatoes are produced in Florida; some 90 per
cent of the grapes are raised in California; and about 50 per cent of the commercial apples
come from orchards in Washington State.
2. Word study.
A. - Find the words with the opposite meaning. – Find the words with the same meaning.
a. produce - increase
b. plains - consume
c. decrease - mountains
d. domestic - develop
e. decline - less powerful
f. predominant - foreign
g. employ - manual
h. mechanical - unemployment

1. products - account for
2. raise - sector
3. represent - raising animals
4. amenable - grow
5. plant - goods

6. aspect - suitable
7. livestock - cash crops
8. commercial crops - breed
B. Complete the following sentences with one of the word above.
a. The number of farms in the United States from 5.6 million in 1950 to 2.1 million
in 1992 but average farm size from 86 hectares to 191 hectares.
b. Starvation and criminal are the of wars.
c. The fishing industry about 55 per cent of British fish supplies and involves
both deep-sea fishing and fish-farming.
d. New plantings in 1994 totaled 17,300 hectares of which private owners almost
92 per cent (15,900 hectares).
e. The United States leads the world in many … of agricultural production.
f. US farmers not only produce enough to meet needs but also enable to US to
export more farm … per year than any other nation in the world.
C. Write complete the following sentences.
a. Grain consists of ………………………. .
b. Vegetables consist of ………………………. .
c. Livestock products include ………………………. .
d. Fruit crops include …………………….…. .
e. Farming products include ………………………. .
f. World leading crops……………………………………………………………………
II. Checking your grammar.
A. Give some examples, using the comparison structures below.
a. S - V (not) + as/so + adj. + as .

1.
2.
short adj.+ er + than .
b. S - V + more / less + long adj. + than .

3.
4.


26
short adj.+ est .
c. S - V + the + most + long adj. (of all)

5.
6.
B. Writing & Speaking
1. Making comparison the farms in America with the farms in your country.
2. Write the answers to the following questions.
a. Where do you think the following crops grow best in your country? Why?
(rice ; coffee ; tea ; rubber ; citrus fruit ; coconut palm; tomato; carrot; melon)
b. Do you think big farms are better or worse in your country? Why?
c. Where do you think livestock is raised best in your country? Why?
3. Make comparison with the total annual value of farm outputs of US Agriculture, using the
diagram below.
?
$187 billion

?
$55 billion



1970 1982 1992 2002

=> The total annual value of farm output increased from about $55 billion in 1970 to about

$187 billion in 1992 .
How much did it increase in the following years?
- In 1982: ………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
- In 2002: ………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

____________

No man can serve two masters.















27
§ UNIT 5 REPAIRING AND IMPROVING DAMAGED SOILS
I. Word study.
1. Find the words which have similar meaning.
a. animal manure

b. bacterium
c. compost
d. cover crops
e. desiccation
f. erosion
g. excrete surplus
h. green manure
i. insulate
j. legumes
k. moderate
l. nodules
m. organic content
n. organic mulch
o. pea flower
p. permaculture
q. retention
r. slash
s. weed barrier
t. dung
u. characteristic
- distinctive feature of something
- permanent cultivation
- a fence with grass.
- crops used for covering soil surface.
- holding something in position.
- manure made from green trees
- fix some different types of manure.
- dung with urine of animals.
- cut
- plant species which have bacterium in their roots.

- organic things used for mulching soil surface.
- release the amount left ever after having used.
- the flower of peas (edible fruit)
- amount of organic matter.
- small pieces in the legume root.
- protect from something by keeping away.
- make something dry.
- microscopic organisms
- animal excrement.
- process destroying soil gradually.
- make something less violent.

2. Fill in the gaps with words above.
a. The methods used to repair soil will vary according to the climate and site
; however, in all cases is the very best soil improver.
b. Green manuring, mulch-covering and fertilizing are the ways which increase the
…………… and nutrient status of soils.
c. The…………… crop can be …………… two or three times while it is growing and
then chopped into the soil before it flowers and seeds.
d. There are plants which have a …………… living in their roots.
e. Bacteria supply the plant with nitrogen in forms the plant can use and……………
nitrogen into the soil around the root zone.
f. You can check the bacterium's presence by digging up a piece of root - it should have
small white…………… on it.
g. The root systems open up the soil to air and water and protect the surface from erosion
and…………… .
h. Pumpkins and potatoes are particularly good…………… .
i. …………… are peas, beans, broad beans, acacias, and all plants with a …………… .
j. A…………… is a protective covering of the soil surface which moderates summer and
winter temperatures by…………… the soil from extreme heat and cold.

k. A mulch also prevents …………… , assists …………… of soil moisture, and acts as
a…………… .
l. chickens and pigs have a strong manure which should be…………… before it is applied
to gardens.
m. Manure from cows and horses is weaker unless the animals have been stabled and urine is
mixed with the…………… .
n. Animals carry out many functions; one of which is to supply plant nutrients in the form
of…………… .


28

II. READING A.
A. Pre-reading questions.
a. What techniques do farmers in your areas often use to repair and improve their damaged
soils? List them out.
REPAIRING AND IMPROVING DAMAGED SOILS
Soil can be quite rapidly repaired and rebuilt. In permaculture, soil repair is fundamental to
productivity and health. The methods used to repair soil will vary according to the climate
and site characteristics; however, in all cases organic matter is the very best soil improver.
The following techniques describe ways of increasing the organic content and nutrient status
of soils.
1. Green manuring
This technique involves specifically planting a crop to cut and return to the soil as high
quality organic matter. Often gardeners do this in winter, using plant species such as rye
grass, lupines or barley. In summer they plant wheat, lucerne or buckwheat. The green
manure crop can be slashed two or three times while it is growing and then chopped into the
soil before it flowers and seeds. This technique improves soil texture and structure, as well as
providing fertilizer.
2. Legumes

There are plants which have a bacterium, Rhizobium species, living in their roots. The
bacteria supply the plant with nitrogen in forms the plant can use and excrete surplus nitrogen
into the soil around the root zone. In return, the bacteria receive energy from the plant.
All legumes are 'nitrogen-fixing' providing the correct bacterium which is present in the
soil. You can check the bacterium's presence by digging up a piece of root - it should have
small white nodules on it. Split the nodule open, if it is pink inside then the plant is nitrogen-
fixing.
Legumes are peas, beans, broad beans, acacias, and all plants with a pea flower.
3. Cover crops
These are very like green manure crops. They carry out the same functions (improve soil
structure and texture); in addition they provide edible products. Cover crops are especially
good for hard, compacted soils. The root systems open up the soil to air and water and protect
the surface from erosion and desiccation. Pumpkins and potatoes are particularly good cover
crops.
4. Organic mulch
A mulch is a protective covering of the soil surface. It moderates summer and winter
temperatures by insulating the soil from extreme heat and cold. It also prevents erosion,
assists retention of soil moisture, and acts as a weed barrier.
When mulches are made from organic materials, such as hay, grass clippings, straw,
newspaper and old woolen underfelt, they will gradually add to the soil organic matter and
nutrient bank as they break down.
5. Animal manure
In permaculture, animals are very important part of the system. They carry out many
functions; one of which is to supply plant nutrients in the form of manures.
On the whole, animals which eat meat such as chickens and pigs have a strong manure
(the manure contains more nitrogen) which should be composted before it is applied to
gardens. Manure from cows and horses is weaker unless the animals have been stabled and
urine (nitrogen) is mixed with the dung.
B. Comprehension check.
1. How can soil be repaired and rebuilt?

2. What methods are used to repair and improve damaged soil?
3. What techniques are used to increase soil organic matter and nutrient status?


29
4. What is green manuring?
5. How does green manuring affect the soil?
6. Why do farmers often grow legumes on the lands?
7. What species are legumes?
8. What functions do the cover crops have?
9. What species are the best cover crops?
10. What advantages does the organic mulch bring to soils?
11. Why are animal manures useful to soils?
12. When is the animal manure used better for plants?
13. What do farmers often do to reduce evaporation from the soil surface?
14. Why do soils need to be covered?
15. Are there any other techniques the farmers in your area often use to repair and rebuild
their land?
C. Writing and speaking.(group-work)
1. One of you has some problems with your soil such as: erosion; salinity or unhealthy… .
In turn, ask and give advice on how to repair and improve it. Which technique is the
most efficient.

D. Fill in the gaps with words in the box.

facilitated ; required ; bacteria ; obtain ; molecules ;
release ; rates ; to make ; nutrients ; transformed

CYCLING OF MATTER
Matter consists of many elements and…(1)…that make up the gases, vitamins, proteins,

minerals, and other…(2)…of life. The total amount of matter in the world is constant and
cycles through living and non-living materials (air, rocks, trees, animals, etc.). The cycling of
matter is driven by the sun and is…(3)…by the flow of energy.
There are various forms and…(4)…of cycling of matter. An important example is the
cycling of nitrogen - one of the major elements…(5)…for plant and animal growth. Nitrogen,
one of the main gases in air, is…(6)…into a soluble form by bacteria living in soil or water.
Plants use this form of nitrogen…(7)…protein, which then re-enters the soil as the plant
matter dies and decays. Animals…(8)…nitrogen by eating plant material or other animals,
and…(9)… nitrogen in their excreta and when their bodies decay. The nitrogen is then
returned to the atmosphere as a gas by the action of …(10)… - thus completing the cycle.

III. GRAMMAR. SENTENCE STRUCTURE
A. Complex Sentence.
The complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more subordinate
clauses. When a subordinate clause introduces the sentence, it is usually followed by a
comma unless it is very short.
- The library closes early in summer when the students are out of school. After the clear days
of Indian summer, the autumn skies grow heavily and dark. Linda told us on the phone that
they had had a flat tire last night and that the car wouldn't start this morning.
- When you come in the front door, make sure you push it shut, because the lock doesn't
always catch.
B. Compound-complex Sentence.
The compound-complex sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses and
one or more subordinate clauses.
- John Lennon wrote many ballads, and he recorded them while he was in England.
- The letter carrier, Who is always punctual, didn't come today; I wonder if she is ill.


30
- He should telephone you as soon as he arrives; but if for some reason he doesn't call, tell me

immediately.
C. Practice.
Exercise 1. Find the subject and predicate, then decide which is compounds or complex?
1. If a soil is almost pure clay or pure sand then it will be a 'difficult' soil in which to grow
plants.
2. There are many animals living in the soil, which range from microscopic organisms to
beetles.
3. Plants and crops die because they are unable to tolerate the high salt levels.
4. As these raw materials are broken down they become humus.
5. Animals carry out many functions, one of which is to supply plant nutrients in the form of
manures.
6. There are plants which have a bacterium, Rhizobium species, living in their roots.
7. You could try to find a cultivar which has a known resistance to fungal diseases and plant
it in a place where it receives drying breezes.
8. As the water table rises towards the surface, naturally occurring salts are dissolved and
concentrated in the upper soil layer.
9. The bacteria supply the plant with nitrogen in forms the plant can use and excrete surplus
nitrogen into the soil around the root zone.
Exercise 2. Write complete the following sentences.
1. If the weather is good the farmers in the area………………………….
2. The soil is badly damaged because………………………………………
3. The farmer has added some lime to their soil……………………………
4. Farmers often cover their soils………………………………………….
5. They plant some kinds of legumes in their soil…………………………
6. In all cases, it is better to use organic matter……………………………
7. Mulches made from organic materials will gradually add to the soil organic matter and
nutrient bank………………………………… .
8. In permaculture, animals are very important part of the system. because…………….
9. Animals carry out many functions; one of which…………………………………. .
10. Chickens and pigs have a strong manure which should be composted……………… .

PART B:
I. Word study.
1. Find the words which have similar meaning.
1. soil particle
2. coarse texture
3. gravel
4. gritty soil
5. beetle
6. clipping
7. straw
8. hay
9. humus
10. conversely
11. food craps
- dry grass
- small piece of soil
- a relatively small type of stone
- a type of insect with hard wings
- in contract
- stem of the rice after harvesting
- fertile mould
- cutting
- food waste
- a soil with grits
- a soil with large sands

2. Fill in the gaps with given words in the box.

compacted ; sawdust ; releases ; microscopic ; jute ; absorbed

molecules ; scraps ; shrink ; compacted ; beetle ; humus



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a. Cover crops are especially good for hard,……………… soils.
b. Organic matter is anything which was once living, including food ………………, grass
clippings, hay, straw, leaves, ………………, and even fur coats, ………………bags and
old cotton curtains.
c. There are many animals living in the soil, ranging from ……………… organisms to
……………… .
d. As these raw materials are broken down they become…………… - a fine, sticky, sweet-
smelling nutrient-rich substance which slowly………………plant and animal
micronutrients.
e. Humus naturally helps sandy soils to hold water and nutrients and conversely, helps
……………… clay soil to become more open.
f. If the soil is gritty it will ……………… when dry and swell when wet.
g. The soil animals aerate the soil, create water channels, break down large …………… to
smaller ones which can be ……………… by plant roots.

PART B
I. READING B.
A. Pre-reading task. Read the following passage to find the answer to the questions below.
a. Write out the types of soil.
b. Write out the characteristics of soil.
c. The functions of micro-organism to soil.
d. The functions of organic matter.

SOIL COMPONENTS (2)
1. Mineral Fractions

These are rock and clay particles in the soil. It is possible to determine a soil's
characteristics by its feel. When the soil particles are mainly sand and coarse gravel and the
soil has a rough feel, its texture is said to be gritty. If the soil is gritty it will:
drain quickly, and dry out quickly;
have few soil fungal diseases;
leach out soil nutrients (wash them to lower soil layers)
Clay soils have minute particles, giving the soil a smooth feel and a silky texture. If the
soil is silky it will:
drain slowly and hold water for a longer time;
shrink when dry and swell when wet;
hold soil nutrients on the surface of clay particles;
form a claypan (a concrete-like layer) when vegetation is removed from the soil surface.
If a soil is almost pure clay or pure sand then it will be a 'difficult' soil in which to grow
plants. In both cases the soil texture and structure is improved by adding large quantities of
organic matter.
2. Micro-organisms
There are many animals living in the soil, ranging from microscopic organisms to beetles.
They aerate the soil, create water channels, break down large molecules to smaller ones
which can be absorbed by plant roots, and in themselves are a part of the soil nutrient bank
and will eventually become part of the organic matter.
Soil with good air-water balance and plenty of organic material will have millions of
micro-organisms assisting faster nutrient breakdown and cycling.
3. Organic Matter
It is not really possible to have too much organic matter in a food garden. Organic matter
is anything which was once living, including food scraps, grass clippings, hay, straw, leaves,


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sawdust, and even fur coats, jute bags and old cotton curtains. All of these will break down in
the soil and become part of your soil nutrient bank.

As these raw materials are broken down they become humus - a fine, sticky, sweet-
smelling nutrient-rich substance which slowly releases plant and animal micronutrients. Its
nature is such that it helps sandy soils to hold water and nutrients and conversely, helps
compacted clay soil to become more open.
B. Comprehension check. Answer the following questions.
1. What characteristics does a gritty textured soil have?
2. What characteristics does a silky textured soil have?
3. Why is it difficult to grow plants in clay soil?
4. How can gritty and silky textured soils be improved?
5. Are there any animals living in soils?
6. Are these animals harmful or useful to plant growth? Why?
7. What is organic matter?
8. Why is organic matter useful to the soil?
9. What do farmers do to increase the micro-organisms in their soils?
10. How do farmers improve their unhealthy soils?
C. Writing. Write complete the following sentences.
1. If the soil is gritty it …………………………………………….
2. If the soil is silky it ……………………………………………
3. If a soil is almost pure clay……………………………………
4. If a soil is pure sand it ………………………………………….
5. If a soil has good air-water balance with plenty of organic material it …………………
………………………………………………………………………………… …………
6. If the raw materials such as food scraps, grass clippings, hay, straw, leaves, sawdust, and
even fur coats, jute bags and old cotton curtains are broken down they…………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
D. Translation. Translate the following passage into Vietnamese.
Mineral Fractions are rock and clay particles in the soil. It is possible to determine a soil's
characteristics by its feel. When the soil particles are mainly sand and coarse gravel and the
soil has a rough feel, its texture is said to be gritty. If the soil is gritty it will:
drain quickly, and dry out quickly;

have few soil fungal diseases;
leach out soil nutrients (wash them to lower soil layers)
Clay soils have minute particles, giving the soil a smooth feel and a silky texture. If the
soil is silky it will:
drain slowly and hold water for a longer time;
shrink when dry and swell when wet;
hold soil nutrients on the surface of clay particles;
form a claypan (a concrete-like layer) when vegetation is removed from the soil surface.
If a soil is almost pure clay or pure sand then it will be a 'difficult' soil in which to grow
plants. In both cases the soil texture and structure is improved by adding large quantities of
organic matter.

____________________

Good wine needs no bush





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TEST 1 (Unit 1 – Unit5) (score: 100 marks)
I. SECTION 1: (Grammar and Vocabulary) (45 marks)
A. Vocabulary. Choose the best answer among A,B,C,D.
1. Clay soils have minute particles, giving the soil a smooth feel and a texture.
A. gritty B. silky C. fine D. B or C
2. A coarse-textured soil can retain………….… .
A. air B. water C. nutrients D. B or C
3. A medium-textured soil has a structure.
A. loose B. solid C. friable D. stable

4. often vary in colour, texture and structure.
A. soil augers B. soil layers C. soil profiles D. soil micro-organisms
5. A soil with coarse texture is called .
A. clay B. loam C. silt D. sand
6. All legumes are 'nitrogen-fixing' providing the correct bacterium which is present in the
soil.
A. gift B. showing C. indicated D. existent
7. A mulch moderates summer and winter temperatures by insulating the soil from extreme
heat and cold.
A. changes B. balances C. maintains D. exchanges
8. can tell us how the soil was formed, drained and cultivated.
A. top soil B. soil layers C. soil improvers D. soil profile
9. All of these raw materials will in the soil and become part of the soil nutrient
bank.
A. increase B. develop C. grow D. break down
10. is a section taken through the soil down to the parent rock.
A. soil mould B. surface soil C. subsoil D. soil profile
11. Chickens and pigs have a strong manure which should be composted before it is applied to
gardens.
A. mixed with compost B. added to fertilizer C. made to be weaker D. A or C
12. Cover crops are especially good for hard, compacted soils.
A. coarse-textured soils B. soils with friable structure
C. soils with solid structure D. deserted soils
13. Cover crops carry out the same functions; in addition they provide edible products.
A. eatable food B. wood C. materials D. fruit
14. During periods of heavy rain or over-watering, soil nutrients are washed from the root
zone.
A. watering too much B. watering little C. waterlogged D. flood
15. Climate is the primary determinant of vegetation.
A. main factor B. main element C. main role D. main point

16. Find-textured soils do not hold .
A. air B. plant nutrients C. water D. all are correct
17. Fine-textured soils are usually drained.
A. well B. imperfectly C. quickly D. poorly
18. Gases in soils their pressure and type during the day and different seasons.
A. increase B. change C. exchange D. decrease
19. Plant nutrients are often leached out of .
A. coarse-textured soils B. fine-textured soils C. medium textured soils D. B & C


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20. How freely gases move into or out of soil depends some extent on ……….… of the soil.
A. the pH B. the organic matter C. the texture and structure D. the temperature
21. Humus is a fine, sticky, sweet-smelling nutrient-rich substance which slowly releases
plant and animal micronutrients.
A. absorbs B. provides C. becomes D. gives
22. If the soil is silky, it will when dry and when wet.
A. swell / shrink B. shrink / swell C. compact / open D. open / compact
23. If the soil is silky, it will soil nutrients on the surface of clay particles.
A. wash B. leach C. release D. hold
24. The PH is a measure of solubility of………….… .
A. soil temperature B. nutrients. C. water D. soil texture
25. If the soil , it will drain slowly and hold water for a longer time.
A. is silky B. has a fine texture C. has small particles D. all are correct
26. If there is oxygen the soil will smell rotten.
A. little B. a lot of C. inadequate D. A or C
27. Reducing evaporation from the soil surface can be achieved by .
A. surface mulching B. watering too much C. constructing swales D. A & C
28. Soil texture is the………….… of different particle sizes in the soil.
A. proportion B. amount C. quality D. quantity

29. Soils are different from each other because they have the different.………….… .
A. PH of solubility B. moisture C. nutrients D. texture and structure
30. If the soil , it will drain and dry out quickly.
A. has a fine texture B. has a coarse texture C. is gritty D. B or C
B. Grammar. Choose the best answer among A,B,C,D.
31. Nitrogen is one of the major elements for plant and animal growth.
A. requirement B. requiring C. require D. required
32. Nitrogen, one of the main gases in air, is transformed into a soluble form by bacteria
in soil or water.
A. lives B. lived C. living D. live
33. When the soil has a rough feel, its texture is said .
A. being silky B. to be silky C. being gritty D. to be gritty
34. There are many animals living in the soil, from microscopic organisms to
beetles.
A. ranging B. range C. to ranging D. ranged
35. There are plants which have a bacterium, Rhizobium species, in their roots.
A. lives B. lived C. live D. living
36. The animals aerate the soil, create water channels, break down large molecules to smaller
ones can be absorbed by plant roots.
A. which B. what C. who D. of which
37. The three most important elements to the soil by fertilizers are nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium.
A. adding B. added C. additional D. add
38. As these materials are broken down become humus.
A. which B. that C. they D. A or B
39. The animals themselves are a part of the soil nutrient bank and will eventually
part of the organic matter.
A. be becoming B. became C. becoming D. become
40. If a soil is almost pure clay or pure sand then it will be a 'difficult' soil to grow
plants.

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A. which B. in which C. that D. in that
41. The methods to repair soil will vary according to the climate and site
characteristics.
A. used B. using C. use D. useful
42. The nature of organic matter helps sandy soils to hold water and nutrients and conversely,
helps clay soil to become more open.
A. compacting B. compacted C. compact D. to compact
43. Soil with good air-water balance and plenty of organic material will have millions of
micro-organisms faster nutrient breakdown and cycling.
A. assisted B. assisting C. assist D. B or C
44. In summer hot air from deserts draws in cooler, moist air from the oceans,
bringing rain as it moves in.
A. raising B. rose C. raised D. rising
45. It is not really possible too much organic matter in a food garden.
A. have B. to have C. having D. A or C
II. SECTION2: (Reading comprehension) (25 marks)
Reading 1: Fill in the gaps with given words in the box.

presence; of; easily; mineral; main; more; correct; if; degree; acidity; nutrient; while

All plants are affected by the (1) of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The less the (2)
supply, the more acid the soil becomes. Because (3) salts are basic, an acid soil has a low
base content. (4) makes some elements unavailable to plants. (5) a soil is very acid,
with a PH value of less than 5.0, lime can be added to (6) this acidity. The (7)
constituent of lime is calcium, an important plant food. The (8) of lime helps to make
essential elements of plant food more (9) available to plants. Nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium are (10) easily available in a well-limed soil than in an acid soil.

Reading 2. Choose the correct answer.
The forests of the tropics produce a magnificent growth of trees, but commercial
lumbering is inhibited by problems that increase the cost of removal. The proliferation of
species that is common to all tropical forests creates difficulties because many species are
worthless. The lumberman combs the forests, therefore, moving the valuable trees that are
convenient to waterways, and floating them downstream to a sawmill. Unfortunately, tropical
hardwoods tend to grow slowly; an area once cleared needs substantial time to recover,
forcing the sawmill to become mobile. Distance to market tends to be considerable, raising
costs of transport. Because of these difficulties, only the most valuable woods can absorb the
high costs associated with production. Other trees are left untouched.
1. What is the main topic of the passage?
A. The high costs of commercial lumbering in the tropics.
B. The number of useless trees.
C. The transportation difficulties
D. The growth rate of hardwoods
2. According to the passage, one of the problems of commercial lumbering is:
A. very few hardwoods grow in the forests.
B. many of the trees are useless for timber.
C. there is little variety in the types of trees in the forests.
D. selecting valuable trees is difficult.
3. The lumbermen search the forests for valuable trees and choose the ones that
A. are easy to cut down B. mature very slowly


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C. are near to rivers D. are tropical species
4. According to the passage, the sawmills have to be mobile because they are
A. used to transport wood. B. floated up the rivers.
C. moved away from cleared areas. D. transported near the market.
5. According to the passage, relatively few trees are removed from the forests because

A. only the most valuable justify the cost.
B. the tropical hardwoods are expensive to produce.
C. the proliferation of species cannot absorb the high costs
D. it is too expensive to transport the hardwoods
6. What can be assumed from the information in the passage?
A. Tropical forests produce too many trees.
B. Too many species grow in the forests.
C. Not enough species grow near the rivers.
D. Useful species do not reproduce quickly.
III. SECTION 3: (Writing) (30 marks)
A. Write complete the following sentences.
1. If the soil is gritty it …………………………………………….
2. If the soil is silky it ……………………………………………
3. If a soil is almost pure clay it……………………………………
4. If a soil is almost pure sand it ………………………………………….
5. If a soil has good air-water balance with plenty of organic material it …………………
B. Combine the following pairs to make a complete sentence, expressing purpose.
1. The farmer has added some lime to their soil. He wanted to make it more alkaline.
2. Farmers often use different methods. They want to improve their soils
3. They plant some kinds of legumes in their gardens. They want to make them fertile.
4. Farmers cover their soil. They want to prevent their soils from erosion.
5. They use organic mulches. They want to add more organic matter to their soil.
C. Write questions for the underline words in the following sentences.
1. The United States has been the world‟s leading industrial nation since early in the 20
th

century.
2. Farming only accounts for less than 2 per cent of annual GDP and employs less than 3
per cent of US workers.
3. Farmers not only produce enough to meet domestic needs, but also enable the United

States to export more farm products per year than any other nation in the world.
4. The small subsistence farm run by a farmer primarily to meet personal needs has
virtually disappeared from the American scene.
5. Most agricultural products are grown on large commercial farms for shipment to urban
and industrial markets.
6. The number of farms in the United States decreased from more than 5.6 million in 1950
to about 2.1 million in 1993.
7. In the early 1990s livestock and livestock products accounted for 50.5 per cent of the
value of all farm marketing.
8. California led all states in the yearly value of farm receipts.
9. Beef cattle rank as the most valuable product of the nation‟s farms, accounting for almost
one quarter of total annual farm receipts.
10. Most of beef cattle are raised on large ranches in south-western states.





37
§ UNIT 6 CLIMATE
I. Word study.
A. Match the word with its definition.
1. determinant
2. precipitation
3. radiation
4. current
5. ecosystem
6. extreme
7. efficiency
8. condensation

9. undergo
10. advantage
11. impact
12. rotation
13. windbreak

- make use of something well, properly.
- strong effect on something.
- row of trees or a hedge, fence that gives protection from the wind.
- one complete movement of the earth.
- fall of rain, snow or sleet, hail or amount of rain falling in an area.
- main factor that can decide success or failure in something.
- process of water being concentrated by evaporation.
- the greatest or highest degree.
- the sending out of heat, energy in the form of rays.
- movement of water, air flowing in a certain direction.
- ratio of useful work performed to the total energy used.
- ecological unit consisting of a group of plant and living creatures
interacting with each other and with their surroundings.
- go through a distance.
B. Fill in the gaps with one of the words above.
1. The main ……………… of economic success is our ability to control inflation.
2. They took full. ………………of the hotel's facilities.
3. As well as providing fruit, orange could be used as a……………… .
4. The irrigation system has a tremendous.………………on the yield of rice.
5. Insect………………changes in form as they increase in size and maturity.
6. Wind is caused by the earth‟s ……………… and the differential heating of land and sea.
7. Dark bodies………………the greatest amount of light and later………………it back as
heat.
8. Most comes from the sun as light energy.

9. An understanding of wind patterns will help you to design your house which take
advantage, or minimize the………………of wind.
10. you can design………………which reduce failures of crops and animals caused by
climatic……………… .
II. GRAMMAR. Subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses can be classified under three headings: noun clause, relative clause
and adverbial clause.
1. Noun clause.
a. I don't know where Ann lives.
b. Do you understand what he has just said?
2. Relative clause.
a. The writer who wrote 'student life' is my teacher.
b. There are plants which have bacterium living in their roots.
3. Adverbial clause.
a. They want to learn English because they need it for their jobs.
b. The train had gone before we arrived at the station.
A. Practice.
Underline the subordinate clauses in the following sentences.
1. 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.
2. You can create different habitats and diversify the range of plants and animals that will
grow in your garden.