The document discusses the term "biodiversity" and provides context around its meaning and usage. It defines biodiversity as the variety of all life forms on Earth, from microorganisms to plants and animals. It notes that maintaining biodiversity is important as it provides humans with resources like food and water, and benefits the environment. The document outlines threats to biodiversity mentioned in news stories, such as habitat loss from deforestation, industrial agriculture, and climate change, and notes biodiversity is also discussed in relation to genetically modified foods. It concludes by linking biodiversity to the concept of sustainable development.

1. ENGLISH 4 LISTENING
THE NATURAL WORLD
BIODIVERSITY
CLARE ARTHURS
FROM : BBC LEARNING ENGLISH, NEW WORDS, 21 JANUARY 2010
The BBC's Clare Arthurs looks at some of the words and phrases often used in the news and their
meanings in various contexts. In this feature she talks about the word 'biodiversity'.
The term 'biodiversity' is a shortening of the expression 'bio____________________ (1) diversity'.
It refers to the var____________________ (2) of all life forms on our pl____________________
(3) , from trees to rice and roses. From elephants to tiny org____________________ (4) like
bact____________________ (5). It also covers rain f___________________ (6) , oceans and
des____________________ (7), various environments and ecos____________________ where
forms of life depend on each other.
Pr____________________ (8) the variety of life on E____________________ (9), of biological
diversity, is considered so important that the international community has agreed a United
Nations convention or trea____________________ (10) on biodiversity.
When we use the term 'biodiversity' in the news we tend to accept that biodiversity is good. The
n____________________ (11) world provides us with food, water and some medicines. It also
aff____________________ (12) the quality of air and the cli____________________ (13). And
parts of it are very beautiful.
News stories often mention biodiversity in one particular context – thr____________________
(14) to the survival of spe____________________ (15) or ecosystems. The
thr____________________ (14) include the loss of hab____________________ (16) such as
when too m____________________ (17) trees are c____________________ (18) down,
industrial agr____________________(19), gl____________________ (20) warming and pollution.
You'll also hear the word used in arguments about gen____________________ (21)-modified or
GM foods. Other news reports reflect a question – how can dev____________________ (22)
countries pr____________________ (23) biodiversity at the same time as they pursue economic
gr____________________ (24) and reduce pov____________________ (25) ? That takes us from
biodiversity to another common term, sust____________________ (26) development. But that
one I'll leave for another day.