The ‘Cinderella’ Gas

Read the passage and choose a heading for each numbered

paragraph 1-7 from the list. There is one more heading than
you need. Make a note of your choices on paper, then check
your answers using the link at the bottom of the page when
you've finished:

A. A past problem? B. A double

danger
C. It’s not too late D. Expert
opinion
E. No hope for the future F. Another
negative effect
G. Uses and abuses H. A step in the
wrong direction

1. The United Nations Environment Programme (Unep)

has issued a warning about the dangers posed by nitrous
oxide, the so-called "laughing gas". In a report presented
at global climate talks, Unep says the chemical is now the
biggest threat to the ozone layer. It says that thanks to
farming and human activities, levels of the gas could
double by 2050. If this happens, it could reverse gains
made to slow the thinning of the ozone layer and
exacerbate global warming.

2. Nitrous oxide is one of several greenhouse agents

which are dubbed "Cinderella' gases, because their
contribution passes unnoticed. N2O exists naturally in the
atmosphere but agriculture is by far the biggest human
source, producing two-thirds of emissions. It is also used
in dentistry and surgery as an anaesthetic and a painkiller.
It is sometimes used as a recreational drug, called "nozz",
and its abuse has been linked to permanent neurological
damage and deaths.
3. Now, researchers say that it has emerged as the single
biggest threat to the ozone layer since chlorofluorocarbons
and other damaging gases were restricted by the Montreal
Protocol signed in 1987. The famous "hole" over Antarctica has
started to recover as a result of the phasing out of the hair sprays
and refrigerants that contained these substances.

4. But according to this new report, if no action is taken, levels of

nitrous oxide could increase by 83% from 2005 to 2050. "The
continued build-up of N2O in the atmosphere will continue to
deplete the stratospheric ozone layer and in so doing will to a
degree undermine the achievements of the Montreal Protocol,"
says the document.

5. Unep's executive director, Achim Steiner, warned that as well

as posing a threat to the ozone layer, nitrous oxide has a powerful
global warming effect. "It's one of those elements in our modern
life that we have not fully understood in terms of its negative
impacts. "If we can bring it to the attention of farmers, government
and industry, the importance of managing nitrous oxide more
efficiently, and the climate benefits - it is a no-regret option," he
said. The research underlines the fact that nitrous oxide is the
world's third most powerful gas when it comes to global warming
potential.

6. Dr Joseph Alcamo is Unep's chief scientist. He told a news

conference here in Warsaw that the gas could not be ignored any
longer. "Nitrous oxide makes up only 6% of the greenhouse
gases but in terms of CO2, it is the equivalent to emitting three
[billion tonnes] a year. "This is about 50% of the total amount of
emissions from every vehicle in the world."

7. However, the researchers were optimistic that both the

warming potential and the danger to the ozone layer could be
swiftly curtailed if action was taken, particularly in agriculture. "In
the agricultural sector, it comes down to using nitrogen fertiliser
more efficiently, a very simple idea, to improve the uptake by
 crops and livestock," said Dr Alcamo."It has a lot to do with using
the right fertiliser, in the right place."

Taken from BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-

environment-25037861 (accessed 22/11/2013)

Choose one word from the box to complete each gap in this
summary text. Use each word only once.

as change consists each tests even for pause whole

The grammar and writing exam 1)__________ of 2 separate

sections. The first is 25 multiple choice answers to test your
grammar knowledge. It tests things like verb tenses, articles,
prepositions, linkers, modal verbs and2)__________ spoken
grammar. The second is 5 vocabulary exercises,3)__________
with 5 items for which you have to select one choice from a drop-
down list. It 4)__________ mainly synonyms and collocations.
There is one mark 5)__________ each answer, making a total of
50 marks for the6)__________ test. You have 25 minutes to
complete the test. During the test, you cannot 7)__________ the
clock, but you can go back or forward8)__________ you like, and
you can review and 9)__________ your answers at any point until
you submit your test or your time runs out.

Grammar
1. He is single. He never ________.
married
marries
marrying
2. I ________ use to swim much, but now I have my own pool, I
swim every day.
don’t
didn’t
did
3. In those days, my father ________ never eat dinner after 8
o’clock.
used to
will
would
4. I had a shower, ________ I went to bed.
during
then
until
5. How much ________ the train to Santiago cost?
is
does
do
6. He ________ in Cairo.
living
lives
live
7. ________ you like to go out this evening?
Will
Would
Can
8. He ________ finished cooking when we arrived.
has
have
had
9. The film starts ________ half past four.
at
on
in
10. I wish it ________ the time of year when I could go on
holiday.
will be
is
were
11. I don’t think it’s right ________ children to play with toy guns.
for
that
to
12. I ________ to work when I saw Steve.
was going
went
going
13. That man’s so unreliable – you can’t trust him. _________
I wouldn’t frankly work with him.
I wouldn’t work frankly with him.
Frankly, I wouldn’t work with him.
14. Excuse me, I’m lost. ________ you help me?
Could
Shall
Should

15. William ________ in South America now.

is living
will live
was living

16. We could cook dinner. ________, we could buy some take

away food.
Therefore
On the other hand
Although

17. You ________ to do your homework by tomorrow.

should
must
have

18. We ________ have caught the early train, as the football

match was delayed.
mustn’t
didn’t
needn’t

19. She reads every day ________ she isn’t serious.

and
because
but
20. A: I enjoy working on challenging projects at work. B: So
________ I!
am
do
can

21. Go to the end of the street and turn ________ right.

(-)
on
to
22. The children ________ playing football for two hours before it
started raining.
have been
has been
had been

23. There were ________ than fifty people in the audience last
night.
fewer
few
lesser

24. I just heard they are ________ get married in June.

going to
going
go to

25. If you were a better cook, you ________ need to eat out all
the time.
won’t
wouldn’t
hadn’t
go
begin Vocabulary 1
plan Select a word from the list that has
listen the most similar meaning to the
read word on the left. Example: big =
run large
choose study = ________
speak
end
get
receive = ________
start = ________
talk = ________
pick = ________

attend Vocabulary 2
assemble Complete each definition using a word from
approach the drop down list.
arrive To cover with paper or material is to
admit ________
announce To improve or change is to ________
arrange To state or make public is to ________
adjust To get somewhere is to ________
accept To put something together is to ________
wrap

awkward
ancient Vocabulary 3
ahead Complete each sentence using a word from
adequate the drop down list.
articulate More and more people go ________ for their
alert holidays these days.
accurate Drivers need to remain ________ when in
abroad charge of a car.
adult The city has many ________ and interesting
aggressive buildings.
She’s a highly ________ person who explains
line things clearly.
joint He’s a very ________ person – always getting
command into fights.
prize
mess
fright
schedule
dock
mistake
stage
Vocabulary 4
Select a word from the list that has the most similar
meaning to the word on the left. Example: big = large
timetable = ________
reward = ________
queue = ________
phase = ________
error = ________

bomb Vocabulary 5
audition Select a word from the list that is most often
scissors used with the word on the left. Example: big +
seat house
rod aerobics + ________
classes agriculture + ________
strings aisle + ________
salesman apron + ________
seep atom + ________
minister

Trainer Supplements
Answer Key
Grammar

1. married
2. didn’t
3. would
4. then
5. does
6. lives
7. Would
8. had
9. at
10. were
11. for
12. was going
13. Frankly, I wouldn’t work with him.
14. Could
15. is living
16. On the other hand
17. have
18. needn’t
19. but
20. do
21. (-)
22. The children had been
23. fewer
24. going to
25. wouldn’t

Vocabulary 1

study = read (poor question)

receive = get
start = begin
talk = speak
pick = choose

Vocabulary 2

cover – wrap
improve or change – adjust
state / make public – announce
get somewhere – arrive
put something together – assemble

Vocabulary 3

More and more people go abroad for their holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain alert when in charge of a car.
The city has many ancient and interesting buildings.
She’s a highly articulate person who explains things clearly.
He’s a very aggressive person – always getting into fights

Vocabulary 4

timetable = schedule
reward = prize
queue = line
phase = stage
error = mistake

Vocabulary 5

aerobics + classes
agriculture + minister
aisle + seat
apron + strings
atom + bomb

1. B. A double danger
The United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) has issued a warning about the dangers posed by
nitrous oxide, the so-called "laughing gas". In a report presented at global climate talks, Unep says the
chemical is now the biggest threat to the ozone layer. It says that thanks to farming and human activities,
levels of the gas could double by 2050. If this happens, it could reverse gains made to slow the thinning
of the ozone layer and exacerbate global warming.

2. G. Uses and abuses

Nitrous oxide is one of several greenhouse agents which are dubbed "Cinderella' gases, because their
contribution passes unnoticed. N2O exists naturally in the atmosphere but agriculture is by far the biggest
human source, producing two-thirds of emissions. It is also used in dentistry and surgery as an
anaesthetic and a painkiller. It is sometimes used as a recreational drug, called "nozz", and its abuse has
been linked to permanent neurological damage and deaths.

3. A. A past problem?
Now, researchers say that it has emerged as the single biggest threat to the ozone layer since
chlorofluorocarbons and other damaging gases were restricted by the Montreal Protocol signed in 1987.
The famous "hole" over Antarctica has started to recover as a result of the phasing out of the hair sprays
and refrigerants that contained these substances.

4. H. A step in the wrong direction

But according to this new report, if no action is taken, levels of nitrous oxide could increase by 83% from
2005 to 2050. "The continued build-up of N2O in the atmosphere will continue to deplete the stratospheric
ozone layer and in so doing will to a degree undermine the achievements of the Montreal Protocol," says
the document.

5. F. Another negative effect

Unep's executive director, Achim Steiner, warned that as well as posing a threat to the ozone layer,
nitrous oxide has a powerful global warming effect. "It's one of those elements in our modern life that we
have not fully understood in terms of its negative impacts. "If we can bring it to the attention of farmers,
government and industry, the importance of managing nitrous oxide more efficiently, and the climate
benefits - it is a no-regret option," he said. The research underlines the fact that nitrous oxide is the
world's third most powerful gas when it comes to global warming potential.

6. D. Expert opinion
Dr Joseph Alcamo is Unep's chief scientist. He told a news conference here in Warsaw that the gas could
not be ignored any longer. "Nitrous oxide makes up only 6% of the greenhouse gases but in terms of
CO2, it is the equivalent to emitting three [billion tonnes] a year. "This is about 50% of the total amount of
emissions from every vehicle in the world."

7. It's not too late

However, the researchers were optimistic that both the warming potential and the danger to the ozone
layer could be swiftly curtailed if action was taken, particularly in agriculture. "In the agricultural sector, it
comes down to using nitrogen fertiliser more efficiently, a very simple idea, to improve the uptake by
crops and livestock," said Dr Alcamo."It has a lot to do with using the right fertiliser, in the right place."