L3 Final Exam Preview Reading Topics

This exercise targets main topics: Write down in a few words what the topic is. Write down in a few words what the topic of each paragraph is.

Instructions: The sentences in the column on the left are mixed up. You have to copy and paste them into the right column so that the topics are all together. It doesnt matter if the sentences are not in the correct order. Just put the sentences together in the correct topics. The topics are written in blue. Some are already done for you!

Greater efficiency in water use is needed to meet the growing demands of a changing world
A. Finding the genes which lead to specific diseases is revolutionizing modern medicine. B. It was in the late 20th century that companies really started to spend time and money looking at biological solutions for technological challenges. C. But it is not just physical characteristics like hair or eye colour that are passed down from one generation to the next; it is also our general health. D. E. Many of the links between genes and diseases have been discovered through the Human Genome Project. F. Biomimicry is a new field that studies nature's best ideas and then tries to use them to solve human problems. G. About 70% of the world's fresh water is used on farms, so improvements in irrigation could be the most effective way of saving water. Another way of conserving water resources involves better management of the environment generally.

Whether or not we develop certain diseases is a family matter

H. The Human Genome project has revealed that we can also get protective genes from our parents and grandparents and these defend us against many diseases, even, in some cases, the common cold. Of course, genes are not the only cause of disease.

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Water usage per person has been on an upward trend for many years.

J. K. Scientists are now discovering that many other diseases also have family roots. L. The design of the Shinkansen bullet train is just one example of biomimicry. M. Many experts believe that the best way to stop this trend is to make people pay what water actually costs to produce. N. It is important to understand, therefore, that most of us inherit a tendency rather than a definite disease. O. After agriculture, industry is the second biggest user of water. P. Global warming is bound to affect rainfall patterns, though there is considerable disagreement about its precise effects.

Nature often provides the solutions to man-made problems

Q. "There are three types of biomimicry one is copying form and shape, another is copying a process, like photosynthesis in a leaf, and the third is trying to copy an ecosystem, like building a natureinspired city," says Ms Benyus. R. Similarly for adults, a range of genetic tests can now tell us our chances of getting certain diseases. S. Human beings have demonstrated a terrible track record of maintaining environmental balance in trying to solve 'problems' so copying nature may just be the way to go." T. Another way to cut back on water consumption is simply to prevent leaks and other wastage. U. V. Most of us think a healthy diet plus regular exercise will give us a long, healthy life, but the reality is that there is another factor in the health equation: genetic inheritance. W. In rich countries, water usage has gradually been slowed down by three things: use of modern technology, recycling and by increasing the price of water. Of course, there were early examples of biomimicry.