terça-feira, 23 de agosto de 2011


Chico Mendes

Francisco Alves Mendes Filho was born in 1994 in Xapuri, Acre, in the western Brazilian Amazon. Chico Mendes as he is known is surely the most important conservationist Brazil has ever had. Chico didn’t go to school and started working as a rubber tapper at the age of nine. In the 1970’s, Chico became a leader in creating the non- violent resistance movement to defend the forest and the homes of forest people from destruction. In 1975, he founded the Union Movement in Acre. He helped found the leftist Workers Party in 1979. In 1985, Chico founded the National Council of Rubber Tappers, a non-governmental group to defend the living and working conditions of communities that depend on the forest. At that time ha had already understood that sustainability was key to keep the forest alive. He also organized the first National Meeting of Rubber Tappers in Brasilia with the support of anthropologist Mary Helena Allegretti. Chico became internationally known as a rubber tapper, union leader and Brazilian grassroots activist. Chico received two international environmental awards. Unfortunately, Chico was assassinated outside his house on December 22, 1988 by Darcy Alves, son of cattle rancher Darly Alves.
Dutra, A., Lima V. Inglês. Vol. 8, Belo Horizonte. Ed. Educacional, pág. 1, 2010.


Reading Comprehension:
1 – Chico Mendes was born in:
A) 1988
B) 1985
C) 1975
D) 1944

2 – Chico Mendes defended:
A) The river and the homes of river people.
B) The sea and the mountain.
C) The forest and the homes of forest people.
D) The mountain and the Indians.

3 – Write True (T) or False (F):
1. Chico Mendes was born in Xapuri, Acre.
2. Chico Mendes went to school at the age of nine.
3. Chico received twenty international environmental awards.
4. Chico was assassinated inside his house.
A) T, T, F, F
B) T, F, F, F
C) F, T, T, F
D) F, F, F, T

By Leila Melquiades