J. Roth

Study Skills 94

Practice Reading #1 from Timed Readings, Third Edition by Jamestown Publishers

Words spaced

 

Pesticides are        chemicals      that kill.     They can      slow      or stop      

the growth       of pests.      Pests       can be       insects,       fish,       rats,      mice,      fungi,       weeds,      and other           harmful animals       or plants.        Pests are       

bad because      they spoil       food.     They ruin      clothes,      household goods,     and buildings.    They       spread disease.      They can           injure and       kill people.    Pests      can also       harm       helpful animals       and plants.

 

Helpful animals       and plants       are those       that people        like and         make use of.   Or they are       ones that        are vital       to a healthy world.      These might        be living things         that give us        food  such as        crops and cattle.      

They also       could be       houseplants or        cats and dogs        kept as pets.      In this group          are the animals        and plants        found in nature        that people like.      And some forms       of life        are needed         to keep        a smooth       and even balance.       So, to protect          plants and animals         from harm,       we use pesticides.

 

Pesticides        are helpful.         But they         can be         harmful, too.       Pesticides                 can be        misused.        They can        be used        without following         the right directions.          When this happens        they do       a great deal       of harm          to the animals       and plants        that we want        to keep.       Pesticides        can poison.      The deadly effects      of these poisons        can last        a long time.     The remains        of some pesticides          last for          many years.      They harm       and kill     

 long after        they were        first used.      

 

The message           is clear.        Pesticides     are useful.       They take care        of us          and our        useful plants        and animals.         But if not used         in the right way, pesticides can cause         a lot of harm.  You can never         be too careful

when using pesticides.

 

Guard yourself         and others         from pesticides.        It is not safe         for children

to use them.        In some cases,         it is against         the law.        Pest control

is a job         for grown-ups.        Children should         be able         to know

a pesticide         by the label         on the package.        They should         be taught

not to use         empty pesticide         jars or cans.        Spilled pesticide         on the outside of the jar         can be unsafe.        If someone         is poisoned,         directions         on the label          will tell you         what to do.       Follow them carefully.

 

Ways to         control pests         without using pesticides         need to be found

and tested.          Perhaps in the future         we will learn         to control pests

in a better way.