The Text.

Plants are photosynthetic and multicellular organisms of the kingdom Plantae,

characteristically containing chloroplasts, having cell walls made of cellulose, producing
embryos and lacking the power of locomotion. Their chloroplasts contain chlorophylls A and
B, which give them their green color. Green plants have cell walls containing cellulose and
obtain most of their energy from sunlight via photosynthesis by primary chloroplasts,
derived from endosymbiosis with cyanobacteria. Some plants are parasitic and have lost the
ability to produce normal amounts of chlorophyll or to photosynthesize.

During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen which humans and
other animals need to stay alive. Plants are the only organisms that can convert light energy
from the sun into food that benefits both animals and even the human beings. Also, the
moisture that is evaporated from the leaves of plants accounts for 10% of the water in the
atmosphere. They are considered as a source of nutrients for animals and even people.

In addition to that, we don’t neglect the fact that plants contribute in medicinal
treatments. The term “medicinal plants” includes various types of plants used in herbalist
and some of these plants have medicinal activities. Since ancient times, people have used
herbs, flowers, berries and plants to heal themselves. Although most medicinal plants can be
used to cure diseases that affect different parts of the body, there are certain plants that are
associated with a particular organ such as: ginger, garlic, lavender and aloe vera. The
derivatives of other plants are very important source for active ingredients which are used in
Aspirin and toothpaste. Besides that, some plants are considered as important source of
nutrition; consequently, they are recommended for their therapeutic values as ginger, green
tea, walnuts and other plants. Medicinal plants have a promising future because there are
about half million plants around the world, and most of their medical activities have not yet
been investigated and could be decisive in the treatment of present or future studies.

QUESTIONS.

I.Comprehension.
1-What are the components of the plants?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....
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2-Explain the process of photosynthesis.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3-How can plants contribute in the medicinal activities?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

II.Grammar.
1- Give the correct form of the verb.

1) Scientists prefer to take an interest in medicinal plants.

1)Scientists wish……………………………………………………………………………………….....

2) People regret having neglected the benefits of both aromatic and medicinal plants.

2)People wish…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3) The nineteenth century marked a turning point in the way medicinal plants were used.
The man (treat)…………………………….. medicinal plants differently when he (discover)
……………………….. new method of changing the molecules they contained.

4) Scientists (discover)…………………………………….. how to produce insulin by taking it from

animals. This major technological advance in the treatment of diabetes saved a lot of lives.
Thus, after years, the doctors (decide)………………………… to deal with the diabetic concerning
his condition, so that he could calculate his own sugar/ insulin balance and treat himself.

5) If the dead plants had been buried under earth, the pressure of the earth (turn)
……………………………………………….them into coal.

6)Throughout the ages, discoveries in physics and technology (enable)…………………………………

the human being to achieve what was not conceivable only years ago.

7) By the end of the year, the oil price (increase)……………………………………………gradually due

to the economic crisis.

8)Many plants which could be useful in medicine (grow)………………………….in the rainforest.

Researchers (try)…………………………to discover their secrets before they are destroyed.

III. Phonetic.

Put each word in the right column: food, health, crop, gene, farm

/Λ/ /i:/ / ɔ :/ / ɒ/ /ə / /u:/ /æ/ /e/ /ɜ:/ / a: /

IV- Fill in the gaps with one word:

Genetically Modified …………………………….are also called GMFs or GMOs. In short, these foods
have had their DNA…………………………… in the laboratory to resist and improve nutritional
content. However, some………………………………..are against these foods…………………………they
think they are harmful for the body and may cause unpredictable diseases.

V.Written Expression
write a composition on the following topic:

What is the role of rain in preserving animals and plants’ life? Justify your answer