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JAF04 Unit 5 Connection
Task 1 Discussion
Many things can have an effect on our daily lives. Work in pairs and discuss the impact of
two or more of the following phenomena on your lives. Give reasons and examples.
- Transport
- Accommodation
- Technology
- The environment
- Education
Task 2 Cause and effect – searching for connections
Work in pairs. Speculate on how two or more of the following phenomena can be connected
using cause and effect relationships. Suggest possible reasons.
1. drug abuse and increasing alcohol consumption among younger people
2. rapidly increasing urban populations
3. social problems such as homelessness
4. more reporting by doctors of cases of depression
5. more students dropping out of school
6. greater awareness of environmental issues
7. an increase in the number of single-person households
8. a widening gap in attainment levels between high-achievers and low-achievers at
school
Task 3 Reading
In the following text identify
a) the human impact on the marine environment
b) the effect on the rising sea temperatures on the marine environment
Ecological role of disturbance
Various processes operating in the marine ecosystem affect ecological processes and the
structure of communities and habitats, such that they are in a continuous process of change. These
natural fluctuations form the backdrop against which the relative importance of human activities
should be assessed. Almost any human intervention in the marine environment, whether positive (e.g.
habitat restoration), or negative (e.g. dumping of waste), leads to some form of ecological disturbance.
Pickett and White (1985) defined disturbance as ´any discrete event in time that disrupts ecosystem,
community or population structure and changes resources, … or the physical environment.´
Disturbances act at different scales and frequencies. Changes in sea level, ocean temperature,
and water circulation modify habitats and their associated fauna over large areas and usually over long
timescales. Natural phenomena such as cyclones and hurricanes have regional impacts on a seasonal
basis and affect a wide range of marine habitats to different extents (Hall, 1994). Periodic outbreaks of
ecosystem engineering organisms such as starfishes and sea urchins can lead to periods of prolonged
habitat modification. Rising sea temperatures may facilitate the proliferation of non-indigenous
species, which can alter the existing community assemblage through the process of competition for
space and other resources. Human agents of change vary from the direct effects of an oil spill, habitat
damage by bottom fishing on the sea bed, to walking across the seashore. Whatever the source of
disturbance, it is a fundamental process that contributes to the maintenance of diversity in all
ecosystems.
(Kaiser, M. J., et al. Marine Ecology. Oxford University Press, 2005)
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Task 4 Academic language Cause and Effect (1)
In the text above, identify examples of the language used to express cause and effect
relationships.
Now identify the nouns and verbs relating to cause and effect in sentences 1-6.
1. Sea fishing on an industrial scale has led to a considerable transformation of the marine
development.
2. The safety of modern wards in hospitals owes much to early pioneers in hygiene such as
Lister.
3. The financial collapse was triggered by a computer failure.
4. Ideas and discoveries from past civilizations such as the Greeks and Sumerians still have a
huge impact on our lives today.
5. The main cause of change in the modern world is not technological advances, but human
imagination.
6. Human behaviour has contributed most to the changes that we see in the planet today.
Write sentences showing the cause and effect relationships between the phenomena. Use
the cause and effect language in brackets.
Example: natural phenomena / earthquakes / other catastrophes (trigger)
Natural phenomena such as earthquakes can trigger other catastrophes.
1. a range of marine processes / constantly / marine environment (change)
2. science and medicine / well-being / society (impact)
3. many illnesses / general public / pollution / accidents (cause)
4. a knowledge / marine ecosystems / planet / future generations (save)
5. people´s lives / greatly / science and the arts (improve)
Task 5 Academic language Cause and Effect (2)
Compare the sentences below using the word result and notice the word class.
One key result of rising house prices is unaffordability. (noun)
Rising house prices is a significant phenomenon. As a result, houses become unaffordable for
many people. (adverbial)
The phenomenon of unaffordability may occur as a result of rising house prices. (preposition)
Rising house prices may result in unaffordability. (verb)
Unaffordability may result from rising house prices. (verb)
Now complete the sentences with prepositions in, of, from.
1. Headaches may result ___ stress and dehydration.
2. One result ___ improving secondary school education is likely to be greater
competition for university places.
3. Sudden adoption of a low-calorie diet may not result ___ weight loss as intended.
4. Arguably this phenomenon results ___ three major causes.
Write at least three sentences containing the phrases result in, from, as a result about
your area of study.
(Tasks 1-5 adapted from Chazal, E.; McCarter, S. Oxford EAP. A Course in English for Academic Purposes. UpperIntermediate.
OUP, 2012)
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Task 6 Listening – Doppler Effect
http://science.discovery.com/video-topics/space-videos/time-doppler-effect.htm
Watch the video and answer the question.
1. What causes the Doppler effect?
2. What other discoveries did the Doppler effect discovery bring about?
Task 7 Passive Voice
Complete the following sentences using the given verbs. Decide whether each verb
should be used in the passive or in active voice. A number of tenses are possible in each
case.
base belong depend design estimate happen link rise subject undergo
1. The global incidence of malaria _______________ to be nearly 120 million cases each year.
2. Interviewers _____________ extensive training prior to the research.
3. 35 years later, the population of the city ______________ to 490,000.
4. This analysis _______________ on the works of Lenin and Mao.
5. The present study ______________ to compare quantitatively the relative effectiveness of
these two methods.
6. They argue that global economic development ______________ on a strong American
economy.
7. Vitamin D deficiency _____________ to higher risk of heart disease.
8. The caracal is an animal found in Africa and western Asia which ____________ to the cat
family.
9. The water temperature rise in the lake ____________ at the same time as increased seismic
activity in the area.
10. Tiny cracks appeared in the concrete when it ____________ to high temperatures.
Task 8 Word formation
Complete the sentences using a noun form of the verbs in brackets, and adding any
other words necessary. Give alternatives where possible.
1. Objective ___________ of the severity of the problem was difficult. (assess)
2. The model provided a framework for __________ . (analyse)
3. He played a fundamental role in ____________ the discipline of biomechanics. (establish)
4. When the changes were introduced, we noted the ___________ of employees. (respond)
5. The World Wide Web has grown rapidly since its __________ in 1991. (create)
6. The first stage of the project was ____________ of strengths and weaknesses in the company.
(identify)
7. We developed a technique for ___________ feedback from students. (obtain)
8. ___________ trees from the mountains has led to severe erosion. (remove)
(Task 7,8 adapted from Hewings, M. Cambridge Academic English. CUP, 2012)