Monarch without a kingdom I. This November a hundred million butterflies will drop from the sky over Mexico, like
autumn leaves. But for how long? Genetically modified maize could mean extinction for this
beautiful butterfly. Rafael Ruiz reports.
II. In November, millions of Monarchs fall like bright, golden rain onto the forests in the
mountains of central Mexico. In the silence of these mountains you can hear a strange flapping
of wings, as the Monarchs arrive at their destinations. 1)
III. Before reaching their journey’s end they have faced strong winds, rain and snowstorms
and they do not all manage to reach their destination. When the winters are really bad, perhaps
70 per cent of them will not survive. Their long journey to Mexico is thought to be one of the
most amazing events in the whole of the American continent. When they get there they will stay
until the beginning of April, when their internal calendar tells them that it is time to go back.
2).
IV. These delicate creatures now face danger of another kind – from scientific progress.
3) . Laboratory experiments have shown that half of the
butterflies which feed on the leaves of genetically modified maize die within 48 hours. Not all
experts agree that this variety of maize is responsible for the threat to the Monarchs. In spite of
these doubts, the European Union has refused to approve new crops of genetically modified
maize until further investigations have been carried out.
A. In the US, millions of farms grow genetically modified maize which is pure poison for
the butterfly.
B. In the mountains, which reach a height of 3,000 metres, the butterflies are safe.
C. According to the investigations of the European Union, the Monarch butterfly may
disappear in several decades.
D. The long journey, with all its dangers, begins again.
3
1. We started this experiment last week.
2. They came back home at 7 o'clock in the evening.
3. We decided to send this letter yesterday.
4. To whom did you give these magazines?
5. Yesterday I met Steve in the library.
6. When was the last time you saw him? / When did you last see him? - Last Tuesday.
7. You did not learn French last year.
8. What time did you start working yesterday? - After lunch. We had little work.
9. The weather was good, and my friends and I went to the park.
10. Where were you an hour ago?
11. I met her the day before yesterday, and she told me about it.
Find the English equivalents of these words and phrases in the texts
in a broad sense, they learn skills, acquire knowledge about themselves, useful schemes, ways of learning, formal, informal, everyday life, for example, listening, trying, with good manners, ride a bike, give a phonecall, on their own initiative, bookshop, have exams, in most countries, early childhood, who isincharge, who is heading, in time, at about the same speed, classmates, must pass exams, diploma, evaluation of their success, gifted children, children with physical or mental disabilities, education for adults, continue after school, a large amount of money, citizens, general education, professional education, has as a goal, intelligent, responsible, well-informed, to pass a common cultural heritage, more than, trained professionals, primary education, lifelong learning, secondary schools, professional programs, carpentry, plumbing, professional training, individual, engineering, law