Rebecca: and me, Rebecca Byrne. Hi.

Dima: Today we'll be finding out how a small bee has become the cause of a big

problem in the UK - and how an environmental organisation has stepped in to

rectify it. But first of all, Rebecca, do you mind taking us through some of

today's key vocabulary?

Rebecca: Responds (Sure, why not, I think am becoming used to being your language

guide!)

Dima: Excellent - and as you're listening to Rebecca make sure you keep your ears

open, so to speak, because this vocabulary may help you guess the answer to

this week's question. Ready? Over to you Rebecca.

Rebecca: OK. First of all, the expression 'to be on the decline'. I personally wouldn't

often use it in my normal everyday conversations - I'd be more likely to say

something like 'to be falling', or 'dwindling', or simply 'getting smaller', but

essentially they all mean the same.

Dima: So that's 'to be on the decline'.

Rebecca: Yes, that's right. Secondly, the word 'pests'. A pest is an insect or small animal

which is harmful to other species or which damages crops. And another phrase

for you, 'the lack of habitat'. That's when there is not enough land that provides

natural conditions for a species to thrive, or sometimes even to survive. 

6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009

Page 2 of 4

Dima: OK Rebecca, well explained, and now, as usual, a question for you. Can you

guess what exactly is the problem caused by the bees? Is it

a) that there are too many bees in the UK;

b) that the number of bees is growing slower than expected, or

c) that the number of bees is in fact falling?

Rebecca: Responds.

Dima: We'll check your answer in a minute, after we've listened to the BBC journalist

Lesley Ashmall. She tells us what the problem is using the vocabulary we've

just discussed:

 

Rebecca: On the decline, pests and the lack of habitat.

Dima: Let's listen:

Clip 1 0'16"

There are 250 species of bee in the UK but nearly all are on the decline. The number of honey

bees has fallen by 10-15% in the last two years. Pests and disease is a common problem, as is

the lack of habitat and food supply.

Rebecca: Lesley Ashmall explains that over the past two years, the number of nearly all

species of bees in the UK has been on the decline… Which means that my

earlier guess was right/wrong… And apparently an environmental organisation

called Natural England is now encouraging people to buy plants that bees like,

and even to consider putting a beehive in their garden, balcony or roof. But

Dima, why should the falling numbers of bees be seen as a big enough problem

to ask a BBC journalist to report on it? 

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Page 3 of 4

Dima: Well, according to Tom Tew, the Chief Scientist of Natural England, it's what

bees naturally do that's important. And not only for the preservation of the

environment but, crucially, for the economy.

Rebecca: Correct me if I'm wrong Dima but when you were talking about what bees

naturally do, did you mean they pollinate?

Dima: I did Rebecca, and that's exactly what Tom Tew is saying. He speaks of bees as

'crucial pollinators'.

Rebecca: 'Pollinators', in other words creatures that carry pollen grains and fertilise

plants.

Dima: And 'to fertilise' of course simply means to make a plant grow or produce

crops. OK, let's now listen to Tom Tew's explanation of how bees are

important economically:

 

Clip 2 0'10"

They are crucial pollinators for strawberries, for apples, for raspberries and for the

commercial crops like oilseed rape. So they are critically economically important.

Rebecca: So, are you tempted to buy a beehive Dima?

Dima: Responds

Rebecca: OK, but if you are, don't forget it could be a risky enterprise. Always seek a

specialist advice.

Dima: Will do. And I think I know where to start - simply follow the links from our

website, bbclearningenglish.com. But wait, don't run away to log on just yet 

6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009

Page 4 of 4

because Rebecca looks like she's just about to remind you of some of the

vocabulary we've heard today. Am I right Rebecca?

Rebecca: Responds. OK, we talked about the expression 'to be on the decline', meaning

to get smaller, to shrink. We also talked about some of the reasons why the

number of bees is falling: one was 'pests', and a pest is an insect or small

animal which is harmful to other species or which damages crops; and another

reason is 'the lack of habitat'. That's when there is not enough land that

provides natural conditions for a species to thrive, or sometimes even to

survive.

We also mentioned 'pollinators'. This noun derives from the verb 'to pollinate'

which means to carry pollen grains and fertilise plants. And then you Dima

explained that 'to fertilise' means to make a plant grow or produce crops.

And finally, I mentioned the word 'beehive'. I didn't quite get the chance to

explain what it is, so Dima, maybe you can help?

Dima: Responds

Rebecca: A beehive is a box-like container in which bees are kept so that their honey can

be collected.

Dima: I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. Until next week.

Both: Goodbye! (Rebecca, do you like honey?.. continue chatting)