Speaker A. Travelling through deserts has always been a life-threatening activity but people had to do it for trade and exploration. In the old days, trade was conducted by caravans of camels. The camel was chosen because it is able to carry heavy loads and do without water for several days. The load was usually divided into two parts and attached to the camel's back. Nowadays there are high speed roads crossing deserts in different directions but native people still rely on camels.

Speaker В. The desert is often associated with dead land, but it's not. I'm a geologist and I can say it's a fascinating place! Blue sky and endless sand dunes look fantastic! The sand is usually bright yellow but there are other colours, too. In Egypt, for example, there's The White Desert — the sand is absolutely white and looks like glittering snow. The poor deserts plants deserve all my admiration — for their strength and will to live.

Speaker С. At first sight the desert seems uninhabited but if you stay there longer, you'll see that it's home to many creatures. Reptiles seem to be quite happy there — it's their world. There're lots of them but they usually hide in the sand and are difficult to see. Some lizards and snakes also have camouflage or change their colour to blend in with the surroundings. Their main food is scorpions, spiders, insects, small mice and rats.

Speaker D. The burning sun of the desert can kill a careless traveller in several hours. That's why if you get lost, don't panic but find a shelter and wait for help. Remember that walking will make you feel very tired and thirsty, so it's better to stay where you are. Draw large signs on the sand or fix a bright piece of clothing on a tall cactus so that your sign can be seen from the air — the rescue plane will be able to find you sooner.

Speaker E. The desert is a dangerous place and people should be careful when travelling through it. Everyone knows this. However, we often forget that the desert can be damaged, too — some people's activities are very harmful to it. Deserts are becoming polluted as people use them as dumping grounds for rubbish and industrial waste. Off-road desert car races ruin the delicate soil layer and kill plants that take a very long time to grow. Animals hiding in the sand may be killed too.