Trees in trouble Reading Answers

‘preparatory work for the conference had been undertaken at two meetings of experts’. Their initial task was to decide which of the many forest problems of concern to Europe involved the largest

number of countries and might be the subject of joint action. ‘Forest problems’ confined to particular geographical areas, such as countries ‘bordering the Mediterranean or the Nordic countries’,

therefore, ‘had to be discarded’. However, ‘this does not mean that in future they will be ignored’. It can be concluded that there is a probability that the meeting on the forest problems of the Mediterrenean countries will be held in the future, but there is no specific information given whether it will be the next meeting or not. So, the answer is ‘NOT GIVEN’. 

preparatory work for the ‘conference had’ been undertaken at ‘two meetings of experts’. Their ‘initial task was to decide’ which of the many ‘forest problems of concern to Europe involved the largest

number of countries’ and might be the subject of joint action. Problems in forests confined to particular geographical areas, such as countries bordering the Mediterranean or the Nordic countries,

therefore, had to be discarded. This shows that due to the huge amount of forest area under the European community, their problems are of main concern and the problems of the small areas are postponed for the future. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is ‘FALSE’.

provide raw materials’ for human activities through their ‘constantly renewed’ (renewable source) production of wood. As the statement agrees with the information, the answer is ‘TRUE’.

importance of forests has been understood since the dawn of man – wood was the first fuel. The ‘other aspects have been recognised only for a few centuries’, which means that both the biological and recreational functions have been accepted before the twentieth century and are becoming more and more important. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is ‘FALSE’.

effectively no remaining ‘primary’ forests in Europe’. All ‘European forests are artificial’, having been adapted and exploited by man for thousands of years.

As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is ‘FALSE’.

forests are artificial, having been adapted and exploited by man for thousands of years. This means that a ‘forest policy’ is vital, that it ‘must transcend national frontiers’ and generations of

people, that is, the policy should be applied beyond the national borders and not limited to a particular generation of people. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is ‘FALSE’.

the experts propose the ‘third resolution’. It is noted in the third resolution that the Strasbourg conference considers the ‘establishment of a European databank on the subject’ which would collect the data on forest fires and it would be shared.

Hence, the answer is E (Information on forest fires should be collected and shared).

‘preferential research program’ (priority in research programs) ‘on mountain forests’. Hence, the answer is B ( Fragile mountain forests should be given priority in research

programs).

resolution relented the ‘European research network’ (resources) on the physiology of trees, called Euro Silva ‘should support’ (allocate) joint ‘European research on tree diseases’ and their physiological and biochemical aspects. Hence, the answer is G (Resources should be allocated to research into tree diseases).

40.

B

established the framework for a European research network’ on

forest ecosystems, which would help in ‘harmonizing’ (co-ordinate) activities

‘in individual countries’ (throughout Europe) ‘as well as identifying a number of priority research topics’ relating to the protection of forests. Hence, the answer is D ( Research is to help better co-ordinate throughout Europe).

In paragraph A, the author writes how the

‘decline of Europe’s forests’ over the last decade and a half has led to ‘increasing awareness and understanding’ of the serious imbalances which threaten them. As a result, there has been a ‘growing awareness’ of the need for countries to get

together to ‘co-ordinate their policies’. In December 1990, ‘Strasbourg hosted the first Ministerial Conference on the

protection of Europe’s forests’. Their ‘initial task’ was to decide which of the

many ‘forest problems of concern to Europe’ involved the largest number of countries and might be the ‘subject of joint action’. In the following two paragraphs, B and C, the function of the forests and the need of a comprehensive ‘forest policy’ are discussed. Later, in paragraph D, it is added that the general declaration was accompanied by ‘six detailed resolutions to assist national policy-making’ to include protection of forests, which are discussed in the remaining paragraphs. Hence, the answer is B (Plans to protect the forests of Europe).