Passage 1 ⇱
Wildlife conservation is a crucial endeavor that aims to protect animal species and their habitats. This effort is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the health of our ecosystems. Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change are some of the primary threats to wildlife. Conservation initiatives strive to mitigate these impacts through various strategies.
One significant aspect of wildlife conservation is the establishment of protected areas. National parks, wildlife reserves, and marine protected areas are created to provide safe havens for endangered species. These areas not only protect wildlife but also offer opportunities for scientific research and eco-tourism, which can benefit local economies.
Another important approach is the reintroduction of species into their natural habitats. This method has been successful in bringing several species back from the brink of extinction. Conservationists carefully monitor and support these reintroduced populations to ensure their survival.
Education and awareness campaigns play a pivotal role in wildlife conservation as well. By educating the public about the importance of biodiversity and the threats facing wildlife, these campaigns foster a sense of responsibility and encourage community involvement in conservation efforts.
Technological advancements are also aiding conservation efforts. Innovations such as satellite tracking, DNA analysis, and drone surveillance help researchers gather critical data and monitor wildlife populations more effectively. These tools enable more informed decision-making and efficient conservation strategies.
(Adapted from https://medium.com)
Passage 2 ⇱
Young children spend a lot of time using screens: watching television, playing on touchscreen apps, or face timing with grandparents. In fact, research on global screen time guidelines has found that around 75% of children aged up to two years use some form of digital media daily, and 64% of children aged two to five years use it for more than an hour a day.
Digital media is part of children’s lives and is set to stay that way. This means it is crucial to understand how to use this technology so children can benefit from it, and how to maximise its educational potential. A keyway to do this is for parents and other adults to use digital media together with children. This is known as co-use, and can range from parents actively discussing the media content with their children to simply watching a show together.
Our recent research with colleagues has investigated how adults using digital media with children aged up to six affects children’s ability to learn from digital media. We carried out a meta-analysis: a wide-ranging examination of existing research studies to identify trends and themes. We found that, overall, parent-child co-use is helpful for supporting young children’s learning from digital media. Adults using digital media together with children can help them understand and relate to the digital content better. Our research chimes with other studies which suggest that, for instance, parents using digital media with children can boost language skills.
Our findings suggest that by being actively engaged, adults can help their children make the most of the educational benefits of digital media. This could involve one-to-one interactions directing their child’s attention to the educational content and relating it to real-world situations.
(Adapted from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/ )
Passage 3 ⇱
Ha Noi Then and Now
'Ha Noi Then and Now' exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors this week. The pictures have brought back childhood memories to old residents while helping younger generations see how the city has changed over the years.
In the 'Then' hall, visitors can see pictures of 20th-century Ha Noi. Back in 1954, it was a small city with a population of about 530,000 residents in an area of about 152 sq km. The capital's famous Old Quarter or '36 old streets' dates back hundreds of years, with each street focusing on a different trade or craft.
'My parents couldn't afford a motorbike or car. Most residents used to get around by bicycle or on foot,' said an 80-year-old visitor. Trams, which began service in 1901, were a popular means of public transport until 1991. Buses were not very frequent then. People lived and worked in low-rise buildings. The city was a fascinating mixture of French colonial buildings and traditional Eastern architecture.
The 'Now' pictures show a modern city with a population of over 8 million people. Over the years, the urban area has gradually expanded to over 3,000 sq km including many of the surrounding villages. As rural residents move into Ha Noi, the government is providing more affordable housing. More high-rise buildings have also been built. Ha Noi has improved its transport infrastructure, building new roads and bridges. It is modernizing bus services using more electric ones. The Ha Noi Metro opened to the public in 2021 and is expected to include more lines by 2030.
However, urbanization has created new problems. "As more people come to seek better job opportunities, the city is getting more and more crowded. This has led to more traffic jams and higher unemployment rates,' said a 21-year-old student. Air pollution is also causing concern among city residents.
(Adapted from Global success 12- Unit 4- Reading)