B1 – Intermediate
Mercury is used in mining gold. This chemical contaminates the Amazon River. Fish from the river accumulate mercury. The fish becomes food to the indigenous people living near the rivers.
Pregnant women absorb mercury that could be passed on to their babies. This results to severe neurological disorders among some children.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the serious health crisis among babies caused by illegal gold mining in the Amazon.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/amazon-gold-mining-and-childrens-health-level-3
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is “food chain”? “Miners use mercury to extract gold, but the chemical contaminates rivers and the food chain.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What is “starvation”? “The communities face a moral and survival dilemma: obey health warnings or continue eating contaminated fish to avoid starvation.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “direct causal link” mean? “Establishing a direct causal link is difficult because other factors, like genetics or infections, could contribute to disorders.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- Explain the link between gold mining and severe neurological disorders in babies in the Amazon.
- Share your opinion about this news.
- How can the government protect the indigenous communities’ health in the Amazon?
- Share your opinion about this: The indigenous communities face a moral and survival dilemma: obey health warnings or continue eating contaminated fish to avoid starvation.
- Talk about some health and ecological impacts of mercury in the environment.