1. You are going to hear a presentation by a representative of Volvo Motors. Before you listen, use these words and phrases to complete the sentences below. The first one is done for you.

Global warming, desertification, environmentally friendly, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO²),alternative fuels, freon.

1. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which comes from motor vehicles.

2. When some fuels are burned, they release ……. ……… .

3. ……… ……. don’t give off harmful gases when they are used.

4. Products which are ……… ……… don’t damage the environment.

5. The rise in world temperature caused by gases from cars and factories is called ……. ……… .

6. ……… is a gas used in the manufacturing of plastics.

7. ……….. is making large areas in North America difficult to live in.

2. Listen. Are these statements true or false? If they are false correct them.

1. Volvo tries to make products that are environmentally friendly.

2. The catalytic converter was introduced on Volvo vehicles in 1984.

3. Volvo can’t reduce the amount of freon it uses.

4. The speaker says there must be international standards to protect the environment.

Tapescript

Thank you for coming this afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Today the world is facing many environmental problems: global warming, desertification and many others. Most people think that government should solve these problems; but we at Volvo believe that industry should help, too.

As an auto manufacturer, it’s our responsibility to make products that are environmentally friendly. But we also have to satisfy the consumer, in terms of comfort, price and efficiency.

One example of this is the catalytic converter, which was introduced on Volvo vehicles in 1974. The catalytic converter has greatly reduced carbon monoxide emissions from all our vehicles. However, we still have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and to do that, there are three things we have to do immediately. We have to burn less gasoline, we have to experiment with alternative fuels and, more generally, we have to improve the design of our engines.

As a result of research, we now realize that we should also change our methods of production; for example, we are now reducing the amount of freon used to make plastic auto parts.

It is essential to agree on international standards for protecting the environment. The problems are serious, and everyone should be concerned; but we believe that positive action will have positive results. With effort and cooperation, we can have a green future. Thank you.

3. Now listen again and discuss the following questions:

1. What is the topic of this presentation?

2. What facts prove that the presentation is thoroughly prepared and well planned?

3. What can you say about the organization of the presentation (introduction and conclusion)?

4. Is the language of the presentation simple and clearly audible at all times or is it difficult and incomprehensible?

5. What questions can the audience ask the speaker after the presentation?

Talking point