a) Write a short paragraph on the causes of deforestation. [2] b) Write a dialogue between two friends about the importance of saving electricity. [3]

a) Causes of Deforestation

Deforestation is the permanent removal of forests to make the land available for other uses. There are several causes of deforestation, both natural and human-induced. One of the primary causes is agricultural expansion. Farmers often clear forests to create space for crops or livestock grazing, which leads to large-scale deforestation. Another significant cause is urbanization and infrastructure development. As cities grow, roads, buildings, and other infrastructure require land, leading to the destruction of forests. Logging and timber extraction also contribute to deforestation, as trees are cut down for wood and paper products. Additionally, mining and oil extraction activities destroy forests to access valuable resources beneath the surface. Wildfires, both natural and human-caused, also play a role in deforestation by burning large areas of forest. Finally, government policies that encourage deforestation for economic growth or land distribution further exacerbate the problem. These factors collectively lead to the loss of forests, which has severe environmental consequences.

---

b) Dialogue: Importance of Saving Electricity