WARM UP
Which of these animals are on the list of endangered species?
Can you find them in Vietnam now?
Tigers, saolas, elephants and sea turtles are still found in Viet Nam, but each with a small population.
Unit 6: Endangered species

Lesson 3 - READING
Saving endangered species: pros & cons
Act 2. Below are three people`s opinions posted on the fantasticwildlife.org website. Read the text and decide what they are talking about. 
A. Why endangered animals should be protected 
B. How to protect endangered species 
C. Whether or not we should protect endangered species
SIMON (Scotland)
Let`s just put ourselves in endangered animals` shoes. How would we feel if the animals ruled the world and we became the ones in danger of extinction? We are living creatures and so are the animals. We can no longer attribute the rapid extinction of species to natural causes such as earthquakes or drought. Today many plants and animals are becoming endangered or extinct because of habitat destruction, over­harvesting and poaching. It`s our duty to start repairing the damage we`ve caused to nature.
YOSHIKO (JAPAN)
If we continue to save endangered animals, then we stop animals from replacing other animals. Extinction is just a part of the evolutionary process and we must not interfere with it. Hence, trying to save species that cannot survive in their environment is rather silly, because it`s against the laws of nature. So, let mother nature do her job. What`s more, not all animals are friendly or harmless. Elephants and tigers are two examples of animals that are dangerous. People living near some nature reserves have to face constant threats to their livestock and crops. Then should we protect these animals at the expense of local people`s lives?
AI LIEN (Viet Nam)
Animal and plant extinction can ruin the ecosystem and reduce biodiversity. All creatures are part of an ecosystem. They all help humans in some way. For example, over 50% of the medicines currently in use are derived from natural products made from animals or plants. By losing biodiversity, we are losing the chance to discover new medicines that could save the lives of millions of people each year. What`s more, nature is beautiful, and that`s the best reason to preserve it. Walking in a rainforest or going scuba-diving over a coral reef helps us to relax and feel at peace.
Act 2. Below are three people`s opinions posted on the fantasticwildlife.org website. Read the text and decide what they are talking about. 
A. Why endangered animals should be protected 
B. How to protect endangered species 
C. Whether or not we should protect endangered species
Act 3. Whose opinions are these? Write the correct name in the space before each statement.


1. Ai Lien  - There are two reasons why we should protect endangered species.
2. Yoshiko  - There are two reasons why we shouldn`t protect endangered species

3. Simon  - Humans should be held responsible for endangering species or driving them to extinction.
4. Yoshiko  - Saving species in danger of extinction means going against the laws of nature.

5. Simon  - Humans and animals should get an equal chance of being protected from danger.

6. Ai Lien  - Preserving animal and plant species helps to maintain biodiversity.


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Act 4. Find the prepositions in the reading text to complete these phrases and expressions. Use a dictionary to find their meanings. 


1. to put oneself  in  someone`s shoes = be in another person`s situation)
(đặt mình vào vị trí của ai đó = vào vị trí của người khác)
2. to attribute sth  to  sth else = believe that something is the result of a particular thing
(quy cái này cho ai/ cái gì = tin tưởng rằng kết quả của thứ gì đó)
3. to cause damage  to  something = harm something)
(gây thiệt hại cho cái gì = gây hại cho thứ gì đó)
4. to interfere  with  something = prevent something from being done)
(gây trở ngại cho thứ gì đó = ngăn chặn thứ gì đó hoàn thành)
5. to feel  at  peace = be free from anxiety or distress)
(cảm giác yên bình = không bị lo lắng hoặc đau khổ)


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Act 5. Discuss with a partner.
Which of the three people above do you agree with? Why? 


I agree with SiMon (Scotland). Because, I think:
- We are living creatures and so are the animals.
- We can no longer attribute the rapid extinction of species to natural cause such as earthquakes or drought.
- Today many plants and animals are becoming endangered or extinct because of habitat destruction, over - harvesting and poaching. It`s our duty to start repairing the damage we`ve caused to nature.