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Human beings have always used the resources of the Earth of their own development. The environment was changed for the use of man rather than changing our own nature to fit the environment. This past action has now caused us serious problems as vast numbers of people are struggling to further the development of their own societies despite the harm that it may do. Two major problems are developing which feed off each other and combine to create other problems. The first is that developed and developing nations need fuel in order to operate and continue their standard of living. The fuel is rapidly dwindling and may in the future run out unless alternative sources are found. The second is that the use of these fuels, particularly coal and petroleum, are dangerous to the environment. They create a huge amount of pollution. If scientists are to be believed, this can have an adverse reaction on the planet’s weather. It may even cause a global warming effect, which would raise the sea level, killing millions of people. The solutions to these problems are complex and will require efforts made by the international community. This is not just a national responsibility, as individuals and local communities must come up with solutions. We must either solve the problem or limit their effects.

聽看學

人類一直利用地球上的資源來發展自身。環境因人的使用而改變，而人類并沒有改變自己來適應環境。隨著數目龐大的人群都在努力進一步發展自己的社會，卻不顧這可能產生的害處，過去的這種行為現在已經給我們帶來了嚴重的問題。其中的兩個主要問題相輔相成，并且可能結合起來產生其他問題。第一個問題是，發達國家和發展中國家都需要燃料來運作并維持它們的生活水平。但燃料急劇減少，如果找不到替代能源，燃料將來就可能耗竭。第二個問題是這些燃料的利用，尤其是煤和石油，對環境是有害的。它們造成了大量的污染。如果科學家是可信的，燃料的使用就可能給地球的天氣造成不利的影響，甚至可能導致全球溫室效應，使海平面升高，成千上萬的人將會因此喪命。這些問題的解決方案很復雜，需要國際社會的努力。這不僅僅是國家的責任，個人和地方組織也必須找出解決的方案。我們必須解決問題，或是消減其影響。

Grammar語法小結——條件狀語從句

引導條件狀語從句最常用的連詞是if, 表示在某種條件下某事可能發生，例如：

If you ask him, he will help you. 如果你請他幫忙，他就會幫你。

If you fail in the exam, you will let him down.

如果你考試不及格，你就會讓他失望的。

另外，if 引導的從句還表示不可實現的條件或根本不可能存在的條件，也就是一種虛擬的條件或假設，此時從句多用一般過去時或過去完成時，例如：

If I were you, I would invite him to the party. 如果我是你，我就會邀請他參加聚會。

If I were you, I would let him go. 如果我是你，我就讓他走。

除了if可以引導條件狀語從句外，unless, on condition(that)…等也可以引導條件狀語從句，例如：

Unless it rains, the game will be played. 除非下雨，比賽將照常進行。

I can tell you the truth on condition that you promise to keep a secret.

我可以告訴你真相，條件是你承諾會保守秘密。

家庭總動員 Do it together

兩人一組，一方朗誦下面的中文句子，另一方說出相對應的英語句子。

1.如果我早點起床，我就能趕上公交車了。

2.如果他今天來，我們就一起去。

3.只要你繼續嘗試，你就能成功。

4.如果經理同意，我們將啟動項目。

5.如果沒有反對意見，我們現在就開始做。

1.You will succeed so long as you keep on trying.

2.We’ll start our project if the manager agrees.

3.Provided that there is no opposition, we shall start it right now.

4.If I had got up earlier, I would have caught the bus.

5.If he comes today, we will go together.