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Extra Challenge Reading Activities

(Accompanies Unit 3, Page 34)

1. What does the writer suggest about the two charitable organizations?
a. They prefer that people contribute rather than volunteer.
b. They seek volunteers to fund their work.
c. They accept both contributions and offers to volunteer time.
d. They are generous to the philanthropists who support them.

2. What is the writer’s purpose in describing the history of Doctors Without Borders?
a. To show that it was started mainly by medical professionals who wanted to help.
b. To emphasize the difficulty of finding doctors who are able to volunteer.
c. To show that they work mostly in French-speaking countries.
d. To describe a specific crisis that led to the organization’s founding.

3. What is the main point made about the medical crises MSF helps in?
a. They occur mainly in developing countries.
b. They are almost always natural crises that can’t be prevented.
c. Natural and man-made crises can affect people anywhere in the world.
d. MSF tries to avoid interfering in political conflicts.

4. Coral reefs are at risk because ____.

a. too many people are dependent on them
b. of a reduction in poor water quality
c. of the nearby communities’ cultural practices
d. they are being fished too often and their living environment has changed

5. What does the phrase “resilient to change” tell us about coral reefs?
a. Reefs are able to change quickly to adapt to new conditions.
b. Reefs are difficult to protect because they are always under a new threat.
c. The changes in the reefs are natural, and not caused by people.
d. It takes a lot of change to the environment for reefs to be damaged.

6. The writer suggests that tourism ____.

a. has helped to protect and conserve reefs
b. has had a negative effect on the environment in general
c. will be less prevalent in the future
d. has brought volunteers to help the reefs

Summit 1, Third Edition Unit 3

Copyright © 2017 by Pearson Education, Inc. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.
“Charities of the Week”

The following non-governmental, non-profit organizations have been among the most popular
charities supported by both philanthropists and other generous people over the past year. Both
of them have excellent reputations and both have been shown to use a high percentage of
their funds for their work rather than for administrative expenses. They both seek contributions,
and you can donate to each one through its website. If you are interested in volunteering your
time, information about that can be found on the websites as well.

Doctors Without Borders

This well-known charitable organization dates from 1971, when 300 doctors, nurses, and other
staff, including journalists, officially formed it. Originally named (in French) Médecins Sans
Frontières (MSF), it became known internationally in English as Doctors Without Borders.
MSF’s founding belief is that medical care should be available to everyone, regardless of
location. Every year MSF provides emergency care to millions of people caught in crises in
some 70 countries around the world. It offers assistance when catastrophic events such as
armed conflicts, epidemics, malnutrition, or natural disasters overwhelm health resources.
MSF also assists people who are neglected by their local health systems or who are otherwise
excluded from medical care.

Coral Reef Alliance

Pollution, overfishing, and rapid development are threatening coral reefs around the world. The
guiding belief of the Coral Reef Alliance is that since these problems are caused by humans,
they can be solved by humans. Corals are resilient to change, but if subjected to current levels
of stress, they are in danger of extinction within a few decades. Coral Reef Alliance volunteers
work in partnership with the people and groups who depend on reefs for their survival. They
employ a three-pronged approach: reducing threats such as overfishing and poor water
quality; helping communities benefit socially, culturally, and economically from conservation;
and working directly with the tourism industry to decrease its environmental footprint. If the
Coral Reef Alliance is successful, we will be able to enjoy beautiful coral reefs for a long time
to come.

Summit 1, Third Edition Unit 3

Copyright © 2017 by Pearson Education, Inc. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.