Vocabulary
Define 'advancements'
action of moving forward
Define 'famine'
extreme scarcity of food leading to widespread hunger
What chemical was discovered during World War II?
DDT
What book did author, Rachel Carson, write?
Silent Spring
What is one way that scientists are helping farmers find safe ways to protect their crops from pests?
developing plant with new characteristics; using other insects to control insect pests; developing natural pesticides
Define 'characteristics'
features or qualities belonging to a person, place, or thing
About how many years ago did people discover that they could grow food by planting seeds and harvesting crops?
10,000 years ago
What were herbicides developed to kill?
Weeds
What did Rachel Carson discover about the use of pesticides like DDT?
they stayed in the environment for a long time and were harmful to animals, birds and people
Why do we need to provide more food?
the world's population is growing every day
inherit
receive genetically from one's ancestors
Name some things that people have used to keep pests from destroying their crops.
poisons, sulfur, arsenic, pesticides, crop rotation
Why were insecticides developed?
to kill insect pests, but not to harm useful insects such as bees
What happened as a result of Rachel Carson's book?
People protested the use of DDT and the government watched its use more closely. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed in 1970.
What is the balance that we need to find?
producing enough food without harming the environment
resistance
lack of sensitivity
What is crop rotation?
moving crops into different fields each year
What is intensive farming?
planting only one or two kinds of crops in much bigger fields
What happened to the use of DDT?
The EPA banned it from being used in 1972.
How can we guarantee a healthy future for all of us?
Farmers, scientists and communities must work together.
prevalent
common; widespread
Why does crop rotation help keep crops healthy?
It allows soil to rest and store nutrients as well as preventing diseases from building up in the soil.
How did farmers use pesticides on their large fields?
with a mechanical sprayer or spraying from airplanes
What does the EPA do?
works with scientists to protect the environment
What does the author think about using pesticides?
She is against the use of poisonous pesticides and for the use of more natural ways of controlling insect pests.