Building Environmentally-friendly Houses 

Most people think of a greenhouse as a special glass structure used to grow plants all year long. 
Now there is another definition. A “green house” is the result of a movement to produce houses 
that are less harmful to the environment than other houses. 
Recent films, books, magazines and newspapers have reported serious threats to the environment. 
Climate change, increasing pollution, rising energy demands, and decreasing supplies of water are 
worldwide problems. Designers and builders around the world are reacting to these environmental 
concerns. 
“Green houses” use much less fossil fuel –oil, gas and coal– for energy. The houses are positioned 
so that the sun warms them during cold months. The sun can be blocked by sliding wood screens 
that control the amount of natural light and heat that enter the building during hot months. The 
houses have plenty of windows to let in refreshing air. They have special toilets that use a lot less 
water. 
“Green houses” are made of wood from fast-growing trees as well as recycled materials. They are 
healthier for people to live in. Materials used in them are not processed with strong chemicals that 
can produce harmful gases. 
Houses that are environmentally friendly are not new. For years, architects in many areas of the 
world have designed and built them for environmental activists. But now, rapidly rising energy 
costs are increasing the demand worldwide for houses that use less energy. 

 

QUESTION :

 

Dites si les affirmations suivantes sont justes ou fausses et justifiez vos réponses : 
b. The environment is threatened. 
c. “Green houses” have few windows. 
d. The concept of “green houses” is recent.