Guayule
Rubber
is very important in the modern world. We use it for tires for
automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, and
airplanes. We use large trucks and other machines to build highways.
They have large rubber tires.
Natural rubber
comes from trees. Most of the world's rubber comes from Malaysia, Indonesia,
and Thailand in Southeast Asia. We also make rubber from petroleum. This kind
of rubber becomes hot very fast. We can use it for only some kinds of tires.
Now scientists can make rubber
form guayule. This wild plant grows in northern Mexico and the
Southwestern United States. It doesn't need very much rain. It can grow in
desert soil. Guayule rubber is nearly the same as rubber from the
rubber trees.
Native Americans in
Arizona plan to start guayule farms. They know a lot about
farming in the desert. The farms will use poor desert land and give people jobs.
The Native Americans think they can make a lot of money from guayule rubber.
Poor desert countries in Africa could grow guayule too.
People could earn money on their own desert land. If they grow
their own rubber, they will not have to buy it from other countries.
A Vocabulary
Natural earn jobs Native Americans
Guayule tries nearly plan
Rubber motorcycles trucks highways
1. ____________________ rubber comes from trees.
2. We use it for ___________________ for automobiles, buses, ______________,_______________, and airplanes.
3. People could _____________________ money on their own desert land.
4. Now scientists can make rubber from __________________________.
5. We use large trucks and other machines to build _______________________.
6. _________________________ In Arizona ______________________ to start guayule farms.
7. Guayule rubber is _________________________ the same as rubber from the rubber tree.
8. ____________________is very important in the modern world.
9. The farms will use poor desert land and give people _______________________.
B Vocabulary (new context)
Rubber tire naturally nearly
Southwestern earn plan motorcycle
Truck job highways Native Americans
1. Antonia works for the government. She doesn’t _________________ very much money.
2. Glen drivers a _____________________. He is a truck driver.
3. It is __________________ time for dinner.
4. My car needs a new _______________________.
5. Children like to play with a ________________________ ball.
6. What do you __________________________ to study after you learn English?
7. Some students have a part-time _____________________. They earn a little money.
8. Most countries have good ____________________________ around the capital city.
9. George had a bicycle. Now he has a _____________________. Next he wants to buy a car.
10. Sea water is ___________________ salty. No one puts salt in it.
11. _______________________ live in all states of the United States of America.
C Vocabulary Review
Underline the word that does not belong.
1. orange, water hyacinth, dates , rice
2. driver, interpreter, farmer, cheaper
3. burn, enjoy, have fun, like
4. cloud, moon, star, sun
5. wood, gas, stone, oil
6. south, east, west, northern
7. sugar, date, orange, rice
8. wild, wonderful, beautiful, lovely
9. broom, machine, roof, sandals
10. leaves, flowers, fruit, insects
D Questions
1. What do we use rubber for?
2. Where does natural rubber come from?
3. What countries grow most of the world’s rubber?
4. Some rubber is made from petroleum. Why can’t we use it for all kinds of tires?
5. Where does guayule grow wild?
6. *What is the land like there?
7. Who is going to grow guayule on farms in Arizona?
8. How will the farms help the Native Americans?
9. What other countries could grow guayule?
10. Why is it good for desert countries in Africa to grow their own rubber?
11. *Why does the modern world use a lot of rubber?
12. *Rubber trees don’t grow in Europe. Why?
13. *Do Africans understand desert farming?
E Comprehension: True/False/No Information
______ 1. Rubber grows in Sri Lanka and India.
______ 2. Bicycles have rubber tries.
______ 3. Motorcycles have rubber tires.
______ 4. All rubber comes from trees.
______ 5. Rubber trees have shiny leaves.
______ 6. Guayule is a desert plant that grow in North America.
______ 7. Guayule is a nearly the same as a water hyacinth.
______ 8. There are a lot of Native American in Arizona.
______ 9. Guayule needs rich soil and lots of water.
______10. Guayule farms could make jobs for people.
F Main Idea
1. We can get rubber from guayule instead of rubber trees.
2. Guayule grows in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.
3. Rubber is important in modern life.
EmoticonEmoticon