Part 6

You are going to read an article about an environmentalist. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Going green in Hollywood

In recent years, more and more people have been working to help the environment. For Hollywood celebrities, being green and possessing environmentally friendly accessories is the latest trend. Famous actors like Cameron Diaz, George Clooney and Brad Pitt have all become green. 37 __. However, it’s actress Daryl Hannah who is probably the best-known environmentalist in Hollywood. She’s been campaigning for environmental issues for years and has completely changed her way of life.

The accomplished actress, writer, director and producer has made more than 40 films, and has appeared with actors like Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks and John Malkovich. 38 __. Although Daryl is a big Hollywood star, the usual luxuries are generally unimportant in her life. She’s more interested in looking after the world around her. It may seem idealistic, but she wants to save the planet. 39 __.

The demand for fossil fuels and other natural resources has led to climate change and the destruction of many natural habitats. It is estimated that over 150 species of animal become extinct every 24 hours. We’ve known about these issues for decades, but it often feels like there is little that we can do about it.

As a result, Daryl has come up with a low impact way of living that is less harmful to the environment and sets an example of how individuals might really make a difference. She lives on a remote ranch in the Rocky Mountains, where she’s been growing organic vegetables and looking after rescued animals since she moved there. The house is solar-powered and built from recycled stone and wood. It’s built into the side of a mountain, so the Earth helps to heat and cool it down. 40 __. In contrast to the huge mansions in the exclusive areas where her fellow actors live, Daryl’s home has only got one bedroom.

Ironically, Daryl grew up in the city of Chicago, where her stepfather, Jerrold Wexler, was a very wealthy property developer. Despite this, Daryl was introduced to nature at an early age, when she was sent with her six sisters and one brother to take part in a nature survival camp in Colorado. 41 __. Today, she spends as much time as she can outdoors. One of her favourite possessions is a type of tent called a tepee, which she often sleeps in during the summer months surrounded by deer, owls, eagles and coyotes.

Unlike other big celebrities, Daryl has lived a simple life for many years and she’s cut back on any unnecessary luxuries. She doesn’t own a private jet. She doesn’t even like flying, preferring to take the train whenever she can.

You might say that Daryl’s weakness is her love of classic cars. She has an old ’69 Buick Skylark and a Trans Am parked on her ranch. 42 __. In the meantime, she’s content to drive a truck that runs on biodiesel, and is planning to grow sunflowers on her farm so that she can make her own biodiesel from the oil the plants produce. She has the ambition of becoming totally self-sufficient, and it seems she’s almost achieved her dream.

A She’s also worked with top directors such as Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino.
B This type of attitude is becoming more and more necessary for the future because of the environmental crisis which experts believe humans have created.
C However, she has no intention of using them until they have been converted into environmentally friendly vehicles.
D Instead, she lives a more sustainable lifestyle.
E Perhaps one of the most surprising characteristics of the house is that it’s very small.
F Leonardo DiCaprio has even given talks about the dangers of global warming and made a documentary called The 11th Hour.
G The experience, which was repeated every year between the ages of seven and 17, led to Daryl’s interest in the environment.

Part 7

You are going to read an article about four young people having unusual jobs abroad. For questions 43-52, choose from the four people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which teenager…

43. wants to set a good example for others? __
44. mentions getting paid? __
45. will have to take a lot of equipment? __
46. will carry out general maintenance work? __
47. is going to be travelling in difficult conditions? __
48. is planning to spend money to do more travelling? __
49. will need to work at night? __
50. says previous training is not a requirement? __
51. will gather information for climate experts? __
52. is unlikely to see any exotic wildlife? __

Opportunities to broaden your horizons!

If you’re looking for a job that enables you to travel, there are lots of opportunities for those with an adventurous spirit. Let’s hear from four teenagers who are taking time out to do some truly inspiring jobs.

A Sally
I’m going to spend the next few months on the magical Perhentian Islands, just a few miles off the coast of Malaysia. It’s a paradise of white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters and tropical fish. I’ll spend my days working in the shop, helping with the essential everyday tasks of running a dive shop, like cleaning equipment and filling air tanks. However, in the evenings, I’ll be taking part in the turtle research project. I’ll be recording vital information about the turtles as they come onto the beach in the moonlight, so there will be some magical moments. The job requires long hours and physical labour, so it’s going to be hard work. Still, I’m very excited. I’ll let you know how it goes!

В Jonah
As you might imagine, the wilderness of Arctic Svalbard, halfway between Norway and the North Pole, is a place where there are no roads, just miles and miles of snowy mountains. And that’s where I’m going next March. As part of a three-month expedition, I’ll be carrying out research to look into the effects of global warming on the Arctic. I’m meeting the expedition team in Longyearbyen to start our journey. From there, we’ll travel on foot across a frozen sea, pulling our belongings behind us on sledges. In spring the weather becomes a little kinder; we’ll probably come across polar bears making their way to the sea. We’ll be collecting data along the way for a team of scientists to look through when we return to civilisation. By the end of May, we’ll have travelled hundreds of miles through one of the last true wildernesses on Earth. It’ll be tough, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’m certain will stay with me for the rest of my life.

C Maria
What am I doing this summer? I’m moving to New York City! For me, it’s always been a dream, and now I have an amazing opportunity to live and work in the world’s most exciting metropolis. I’m going to spend the next six months there, working as an au pair. I’m staying with a host family, and I’ll have to look after their two young children. I’ll get a taste of what it’s really like to live there. In return, the family will provide all my meals and some spending money every week. Of course, I won’t be working every day, and I’ll have enough time off to do some sightseeing tours of the city, look round the museums and see a Broadway show or two. At the end of my stay, I’ll get a cash bonus, which I’m going to use to explore the USA more.

D Martin
I’m one of those people who’s just crazy about sports, so the chance to volunteer as a sports coach in Ghana was too good an opportunity to miss. The camp begins on 15th June and ends in August. I don’t have much experience coaching, but I’ll get some training before I start from local coaches in the area I’ll be working in. It’s a lot of responsibility for me. I will be training boys and girls between 13 and 16 years old. I’m sure we will have a lot of fun together, but at the same time I hope I’ll be a good role model and that they’ll look to me for help and guidance. I’m sharing an apartment in the centre of Accra with other volunteers. When I have days off, I’m going to take some trips to explore other parts of the country, such as Lake Volta, or go on safari in the Kakum National Park.

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