B lo c k 1 - A WO N D ER FU L WO R L D
GRAMMAR: Verb Tenses – EXERCISES
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL DESASTERS.
Replace the verbs between brackets with its correct verb tense.
1. Bhopal: the Union Carbide gas leak
December 3, 1984 (BECOME) a memorable day for the city of Bhopal in
India. Shortly after midnight, a poisonous gas cloud (ESCAPE) from the Union
Carbide India Limited pesticide factory. The cloud (CONTAIN) 15 metric tons of
methyl isocyanate, (COVER) an area of more than 30 square miles. The gas leak
(KILL) at least 4.000 local residents instantly and (CAUSE) health problems to perhaps 500.000 people. These health
problems killed around 15.000 more victims in the years that followed. Approximately 100.000 people still
(SUFFER)from chronic disease consequential to gas exposure, today. Research (CONDUCTED) by the BBC in
2004 pointed out that this pollution still (CAUSE) people to fall ill, and ten more die every year. This event is now
known as the worst industrial environmental disaster to ever (OCCURE).
The causes of the accident (RESEARCH) after the disaster. It seems that safety procedures (NEGLECT) due
to of budget cuts.
2. Chernobyl: Russian nuclear power plant explosion
On April 26, 1986 tests (CONDUCT) in nuclear reactor 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine,
located 80 miles from Kiev. These tests (REQUIRE) part of the security system to be shut down. Errors in the reactor
design and errors in judgment of the personnel of the power plant (CAUSE) cooling water to start boiling. (…) At
1:23h in the middle of the night an explosion (SLAMM OFF) the roof of the building, consequently, a major fire
(START) and simultaneously (FORM) an atmospheric cloud containing approximately 185 to 250 million curies of
radioactive material.
Fire and explosion instantly (KILL) 31 people. The following day, over 135.000 people (EVACUATE) from
within a 30 km radius of the accident. This area (LABEL) the 'special zone'. The evacuation of the special zone (BE)
permanent,
as
the
high
levels
of
radioactivity
(PREDICT)
to
exist
for
several
centuries.
Dangerous chemicals emitted by the nuclear power plant after the explosion continue (SPREAD) by bush fires and
weather conditions, re-contaminating soil, air and water. New radiation hot spots (still DESCOVER) today in Belarus
and Ukraine and evacuations (NEED) to continue well into the 21st century.
3. Exxon Valdez
In 1989 the American oil tanker Exxon Valdez (CLASH) with the Bligh Reef, (CAUSE) a major oil leakage.
The tanker (LEAVE) the Valdez terminal in Alaska, navigating through Prince William Sound. The tanker
(COLLIDE) with the reef at 0:04 hours. This (CAUSE) an oil spill of between 41.000 and 132.000 square meters,
polluting 1900 km of coastline. The oil spill (KILL) about 250.000 sea birds, 2.800 sea otters, 250 bald eagles and
possibly 22 killer whales. The owner of the Exxon Valdez, (PAY) approximately 3,5 billion dollars in connection with
the accident. Ironically, official investigations (SHOW) that most of the damage from the oil spill (CAUSE) by the
cleaning operation following the disaster. The Exxon Valdez oil spill (HAVE), and still (HAVE), a large deal of
media attention. Many people still (REMEMBER) the spill today.
Read more: http://www.lenntech.com/environmental-disasters.htm#ixzz29GkPoi3G