Course: C2 - Proficiency READING COMPREHENSION Lessons: 36 to 40 Reading Comprehension Task Read the article about the natural world and answer the questions that follow. Has the natural world had a chance to ‘reset’ during lockdown? Who would have thought? A global pandemic resulting in clearer skies with far fewer planes; animals coming down caming the streets in built-up areas; birds singing more ic; people preparing home-grown, organi is starting to breath activity for so long: there is less smo , cities are more peace people on the streets, very li id far fewer commuters. Well, rst impression. However, the into this global crisis, the more | di the environ quite as they first appeared. It would see ‘a misperception that nature is getting a br this Covid- perhaps, to some extent, it is true, but if irther afield, fe not so rosy. The majority of us are awal hospitality of the hardest hit during the pandemic, a: flocking to p destinations for a mini-break and casua tourism and travel has consequen money to be made from tourism tg meet, people are resorting to 9 earn a living and there has ificant surge in many illegal acti nd poaching; logging fation; fishing and mining. Moreover, possibilities are in jeopardy and, as anoth second homes in the country to work online. is rather precarious and working online is a truly viable option, ure on one’s doorstep makes day-to-day life much more pleasant. Cons: ie rural areas and beaches are ‘overrun with ‘locals’, yet city streets are em| al wonders of the world are being deprived of tourism but abused by poacher: Nonetheless, we must not ignore the ‘positives’ coming out of the current situation. This is a real opportunity for us humans to press the reset button, perhaps not on nature per se, but on the way we are recklessly leading our lives. No one would have opted for the human suffering being endured but, as we emerge from this crisis, let's prepare a better world, for ourselves and for generations to come. Every cloud does have a silver lining and we now have an opportunity to deal with the crises of human health, the economy, the climate and biodiversity, and, while dealing with these, we can rebuild more resilient societies. We have certainly learned that we all depend on Perfectly Spoken* Page 1of 5 ‘All course lessons and associated contentiscopyrightot Perfectly Spoken Limited - © Perfectly Spoken 2020. llrightsreservedCourse: C2 - Proficiency READING COMPREHENSION Lessons: 36 to 40 ‘one another and our lives are far more closely intertwined than we previously imagined — we are one species living together on one planet. This is the moment to take the bull by the horns, come together, rise to the challenge and reset the global economy with nature and people at the fore. In doing so, there will be space for the regeneration, redistribution and restoration our planet so desperately needs. Choose the correct option, A 1. Inthe first parag 2. 1or's opinion changed having looked in| re much better than previously thought. jation is different and much worse than pre more interesting situation than previously ‘more hopeful than previously thought. 3 thor, what have we not interpreted on being caused to city life. en urban and country livi orld res 4, What does the author sa A. It often supports the local eco B. Only rich people go to cities a C. Itisan industry that remains d by the pandemic. D. People often go for a long vac 5. How has life changed for people li A. Life hasn't changed a great deal. B. The streets are extremely busy. C. Another lockdown could bring good opportunities. D. People have realised they can live in more pleasant surroundings. Perfectly Spoken* Page 20f5 ‘All course lessons and associated contentiscopyrightot Perfectly Spoken Limited - © Perfectly Spoken 2020. llrightsreservedCourse: C2 - Proficiency READING COMPREHENSION Lessons: 36 to 40 6. According to the author, where are ‘the locals’ going? A. To work. B. To the mountains. C. To places previously frequented by tourists. D. To the tropics. 7. The author says that nature ... ‘A. Desperately needs ould never have chosen it. thinks the natural world has suffered m n be taken from this pandemic? no good things. ~ ortunity to start again and in a more s © know each other around the worl each other. 10. What is the as the pandemic . Humans are creature ably resort back to pre- pandemic practices. C. We need to change the way D. There is not a great need for ¢ /e were fine living just as we were. Perfectly Spoken* Page 30f5 ‘All course lessons and associated contentiscopyrightot Perfectly Spoken Limited - © Perfectly Spoken 2020. llrightsreservedCourse: C2 - Proficiency READING COMPREHENSION Lessons: 36 to 40 ANSWERS 1. In the first paragraph, the author expresses ... at recent events. A. delight B. surprise C. resignation D. comfort 2. ed into the situation in more iteresting situation than pre ore hopeful than previously thoug! 3 author, what have we not interpreted co A astation being caused to city life. \ces between urban and country living. ications for the natural world resulting fro ble to see more fields in the countryside. thor say about tourism? ports the local economy. le go to cities as tourists. at remains unaffected by 5. How has life chang A. Life hasn't changed B. The streets are extremely bus) C. Another lockdown could brin ortunities. D. People have realised they can] ore pleasant surroundings. 6. According to the author, where are ‘t A. To work. B. To the mountains. C. To places previously frequented by tourists. D. To the tropics. Perfectly Spoken* Page4 of 5 ‘All course lessons and associated contentiscopyrightot Perfectly Spoken Limited - © Perfectly Spoken 2020. llrightsreservedCourse: C2 - Proficiency READING COMPREHENSION Lessons: 36 to 40 7. The author says that nature ... ‘A. Desperately needs human intervention. B. Is suffering irreparably. C. Is having a break during the pandemic on a global scale. D. Is fine as sheis. 8. What does the author say about human suffering? . It's a small price top of the natural world. an humans have. ‘taken from this pandemic? portunity to start again and in a more su get to know each other around the world. learn from each other. _ ssage being given in this article? to be proactive and make positive chang: \g just as we were. Perfectly Spoken* Page5 of 5 ‘All course lessons and associated contentiscopyrightot Perfectly Spoken Limited - © Perfectly Spoken 2020. llrightsreserved