English learning Activities - Study skills

Read the following passage and understand the main
theme. Write the gist in three or four sentences. (Do it in
groups and read out the summary.)

Trees

Forests shield the soil from the sun’s rays. Without trees,
even the richest soil may soon turn unproductive. Once the
mountain slopes of India were covered with magnificent forests;
they were cut down to provide land for mankind. From trees we
may get coal, building materials, valuable drugs, gums, dyes and
items of food. But above all these, it is important to remember that
trees purify the air and enrich the soil. They protect us from
extremes of heat and cold. We should cultivate in ourselves a love
for trees, and look upon them with more than mere admiration.