2. a) Read the text and complete the sentences in your own words. a) The Senator got the idea about Earth Day because … b) The first thing Senator Nelson did was … c) Some of the problems that the Earth faces are … d) On Earth Day people… Did you know that our planet has a special day? Every year, on the 22nd of April, we celebrate Earth Day. On this day, we remind ourselves and others how precious the Earth is and how important it is to look after it. Earth Day was the idea of American Senator, Gaylord Nelson. The Senator was a sensitive man who couldn‘t bear watching our planet suffer. Rivers and seas were getting dirty, many of our plants and animals were becoming extinct and not many people knew about it. Therefore, he decided to take action and create a special day to remind everyone that we need to take care of the earth. The Senator started by writing letters to colleges, to inform students and teachers about his campaign. He also wrote an article for Scholastic Magazines presenting his idea about the special day he was planning. He hoped that young people around the country would react positively. Fortunately, they did! As a result, on April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. People all over the country made promises to respect and look after the environment. Since then, Earth Day has been celebrated all over the planet. TS 6.6 129 Today, on Earth Day people organize fund-raising events, such as concerts, contests, parades, festivals, tree-planting excursions and clean-up campaigns. Children design and make objects at school such as bird feeders and earth day wreaths and all of us promise to try to turn every day into Earth Day!

b) Answer the following questions.

1. Why is Earth Day so important?

2. What do people remind themselves on this day?

3. What did American Senator, Gaylord Nelson do to make young people take care of the Earth?

4. What are the main activities now associated with Earth Day?