Exercise 8 Work in groups of three. Read the answers to the questions.

2 What are the Earth's oldest living things?

The White Mountains of California are home to our oldest living things – trees! The oldest tree in the world, Methuselah, has roots that go back over 4,600 years. This makes it older even than the Great Pyramids. The 26-foots bristlecone pine tree is the oldest of many that have outlived civilization after civilization

3 What man-made things on Earth can be seen from space?

' When humans first flew in space, they were amazed to discover that the only man-made object visible from orbit was the Great Wall of China'. Although this is a nice idea, it's not true. The Great Wall is mostly grey stone in a grey landscape and, in fact, is very difficult to see even from a plane flying at mere 15 kilometers above. What can be seen when orbiting the Earth (from about 200 kilometers up) are the lights of the world's large metropolitan areas.

4 What is the most terrible natural disaster to have hit the Earth?

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes are responsible for the deaths of thousands of people every year.

One of the most violent earthquakes ever recorded was in Ecuador in 1906. It was the equivalent of 100 H-bombs, but it was nothing compared to a volcanic eruption in Tambora, Indonesia in 1815. This was the equivalent of 10,000 H-bombs. But, even these are nothing compared to many tropical hurricanes: they regularly have the energy of an amazing 100,000 H-bombs.

However, there is one natural disaster that beats all of these by every long way – a meteor that hit the Earth 65 million an explosion the equivalent of 10 million H-bombs

5 Why isn't there a row 13 on aeroplanes?

In many countries, the number 13 is considered to be very unlucky. In France, there is never a house with the number 13. In the United States, modern high-rise buildings label the floor that follows 12 as 14. Where did this fear of a number come from? The idea goes back at least to Norse mythology in ancient times. There was a banquet with 12 gods. Loki, the spirit of evil, decided to join without being invited. In the fight that followed, Balder, the favorite of the gods, was killed. In Christianity, this theme was repeated at the Last Supper. Jesus Christ and his apostles numbered 13 people at the table.

6 Why do women live longer than men?

Women generally live about six years longer than men. Evidence suggests that boys are the weaker sex at birth, which means that more die in infancy. Men also have heart attacks earlier in life. Men smoke and drink more than women, and their behaviors is generally more aggressive, particularly when driving, so they are more likely to die in accidents. Also, men are more often in dangerous occupations, such as construction works. Historically, women died in childbirth and men in wars. So nuns and philosophies often lived to great ages. Now childbearing is less risky and there are fewer wars.

7 Was Uncle Sam a real person?

Yes, he was! This symbol of the United States with a long beard, wearing striped trousers and top hat, was a meat packer from New York state. Uncle Sam was Samuel Wilson, born in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1766 at the age of eight, he was a drummer boy in the American Revolution. Later in life he moved to New York and opened a meat-packing company. He was a good and caring employer and became affectionately known as Uncle Sam. Sam Wilson sold meat to the army, and he wrote the letters US on the crates. This meant 'United States', but this abbreviation was not yet common. One day a company worker was ask what the letters US stood for. He wasn't sure, wrongly said that perhaps the letters stood for his employer, Uncle Sam. Nevertheless, the mistake continued. Soon soldiers started referring to all military goods as coming from Uncle Sam. They even saw themselves as Uncle Sam's men.