Fertile Ground - New technology in China turns desert into land rich with crops

China has reportedly developed a technology that is able to transform desert lands into arable soil that could grow crops and natural vegetation. 

Before watching:

What do these words mean?

crop

method

region

oasis

substance

retain

soil

transform

fertile

Now, look at these synonyms of the words above. Can you recall the word they are a synonym of?

plant

practice

area

garden

material

keep

earth

change

fruitful

Now, let's look at the in pairs - What is the difference in meaning?

crop    /     plant

method     /     practice

region      /      area

oasis       /     garden

substance      /      material

retain       /       keep

soil     /      earth

change     /    transform

fertile   /   fruitful

Use vocabulary in a sentence

Watch:

Fertile Ground

Listen questions:

True, False, Doesn't Say?

1. The area is very cold.

2. The desert is an ideal place to support vegetation.

3. The scientists planted all the crops that are growing in the area.

4. The transformation of the land has happened relatively quickly.

5. The researchers have found something inside plants that they put into the sand.

6. The method of turning sand into soil the researchers have discovered is cheaper than other methods.

7. The experiment has been copied in other countries.

Further questions (more challenging). Listen again.

1. What "logic" are the researchers "turning on its head"?
2. What kinds of crops can be grown in these areas?
3. How long does it take for crops to get established?
4. Where exactly did researchers discover the magic "paste"?
5. What exactly do they do with it?
6. What exactly can it do?
7. What other techniques of creating fertile land are mentioned?
8. What are the long-term aims of the researchers?
9. What else, besides food crops, can be planted using this method?

Vocab:

Turning desert into rich land