Part 1. Questions 56 – 65 (2 points - 0.2/ each)

Earth is the only place we know of in the universe that can support human life (56) ______ human activities are making the planet less fit to live on. As the western world carries on consuming two-thirds of the world's resources while half of the world's population do so (57) ______ to stay alive we are rapidly destroying the (58) ______ resource we have by which all people can survive and prosper. Everywhere fertile soil is (59) ______ built on or washed into the sea. Renewable resources are exploited so much that they will never be able to recover (60) ______ We discharge pollutants into the atmosphere without any thought of the consequences. As a (61) ______ the planet's ability to support people is being reduced at the very time when rising human numbers and consumption are (62) ______increasingly heavy demands on it.

The Earth's (63) ______ resources are there for us to use. We need food, water, air, energy, medicines, warmth, shelter and minerals to (64) ______ us fed, comfortable, healthy and active. If we are sensible in how we use the resources they will (65)______ indefinitely. But if we use them wastefully and excessively they will soon run out and everyone will suffer.

56. A. still B. despite C. yet D. although