Can We Prevent the Poles From Melting Reading Answers

Dec 27, 2022

Can We Prevent the Poles From Melting Reading Answers has 13 questions that need to be answered in 20 minutes. Can We Prevent the Poles From Melting Reading Answers is about technological fixes to halt the tide of global warming. Can We Prevent the Poles From Melting Reading Answers comprises three types of questions-write the correct letter, complete the summary and match each person with correct opinion. Candidates are required to write which paragraph contains the given information after reading the IELTS reading passage. Candidates are supposed to read the IELTS Reading passage carefully to complete the summary using no more than two words for each answer. Candidates are required to match each person with the correct opinion by choosing the correct letter. Candidates can undertake IELTS Reading practice papers to practise more on different topics.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Can We Prevent the Poles From Melting Reading Answers

A growing number of scientists are looking to increasingly ambitious technological fixes to halt the tide of global warming. Mark Rowe reports.

Such is our dependence on fossil fuels, and such is the volume of carbon dioxide we have already released into the atmosphere, that most climate scientists agree that significant global warming is now inevitable – the best we can hope to do is keep it at a reasonable level, and even that is going to be an uphill task. At present, the only serious option on the table for doing this is cutting back on our carbon emissions, but while a few countries are making major strides in this regard, the majority are having great difficulty even stemming the rate of increase, let alone reversing it. Consequently, an increasing number of scientists are beginning to explore the alternatives. They all fall under the banner of geoengineering – generally defined as the intentional large-scale manipulation of the environment.
Geoengineering has been shown to work, at least on a small, localized scale, for decades. May Day parades in Moscow have taken place under clear blue skies, aircraft having deposited dry ice, silver iodide and cement powder to disperse clouds. Many of the schemes now suggested to do the opposite, and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the planet. One scheme focuses on achieving a general cooling of the Earth and involves the concept of releasing aerosol sprays into the stratosphere above the Arctic to create clouds of sulphur dioxide, which would, in turn, lead to global dimming. The idea is modelled on historical volcanic explosions, such as that of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, which led to a short term cooling of global temperatures by 0.5“C. The aerosols could be delivered by artillery, high flying aircraft or balloons.
Instead of concentrating on global cooling, other schemes look specifically at reversing the melting at the poles. One idea is to bolster an ice cap by spraying it with water. Using pumps to carry water from below the sea ice, the spray would come out as snow or ice particles, producing thicker sea ice with a higher albedo (the ratio of sunlight reflected from a surface) to reflect summer radiation. Scientists have also scrutinized whether it is possible to block ice fjords in Greenland with cables that have been reinforced, preventing icebergs from moving into the sea. Veli Albert Kallio, a Finnish scientist, says that such an idea is impractical because the force of the ice would ultimately snap the cables and rapidly release a large quantity of ice into the sea. However, Kallio believes that the sort of cables used in suspension bridges could potentially be used to divert, rather than halt, the southward movement of ice from Spitsbergen. ‘It would stop the ice moving south, and local currents would see them float northwards,’ he says.
A number of geoengineering ideas are currently being examined in the Russian Arctic. These include planting millions of birch trees: the thinking, according to Kallio, is that their white bark would increase the amount of reflected sunlight. The loss of their leaves in winter would also enable the snow to reflect radiation. In contrast, the native evergreen pines tend to shade the snow and absorb radiation. Using ice-breaking vessels to deliberately break up and scatter coastal sea ice in both Arctic and Antarctic waters in their respective autumns, and diverting Russian rivers to increase cold-water (low to ice-forming areas, could also be used to slow down warming, Kallio says. ‘You would need the wind to blow the right way, but in the right conditions, by letting ice float free and head north, you would enhance ice growth.’
But will such ideas ever be implemented? The major counter-arguments to geoengineering schemes are, first, that they are a ‘cop-out’ that allow us to continue living the way we do, rather than reducing carbon emissions; and, second, even if they do work, would the side-effects outweigh the advantages? Then there’s the daunting prospect of upkeep and repair of any scheme as well as the consequences of a technical failure. ’I think all of us agree that if we were to end geoengineering on a given day, then the planet would return to its pre-engineered condition very rapidly, and probably within 10 to 20 years,’ says Dr. Phil Rasch, chief scientist for climate change at the US-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. ‘That’s certainly something to worry about. I would consider geoengineering as a strategy to employ only while we manage the conversion to a non-fossil- fuel economy.’ ‘The risk with geoengineering projects is that you can “overshoot”,’ says Dr. Dan Lunt, from the University of Bristol. ‘You may bring global temperatures back to pre-industrial levels, but the risk is that the poles will still be warmer than they should be and the tropics will be cooler than before industrialization.’
The main reason why geoengineering is countenanced by the mainstream scientific community is that most researchers have little faith in the ability of politicians to agree – and then bring in – the necessary carbon cuts. Even leading conservation organizations believe the subject is worth exploring. As Dr. Mortin Sommerkorn, a climate change advisor says. ‘But human-induced climate change has brought humanity to a position where it is important not to exclude thinking thoroughly about this topic and its possibilities despite the potential drawbacks. If, over the coming years, science tells us about an ever-increased climate sensitivity of the planet – and this isn’t unrealistic – they may be best served by not having to start our thinking from scratch.’

Section 2

Solution with Explanation
Questions 1-5:

The Reading Passage has six paragraphs A-F. Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-F on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

the existence of geoengineering projects distracting from the real task of changing the way we live
circumstances in which geo-engineering has demonstrated success
maintenance problems associated with geo-engineering projects
support for geo-engineering being due to a lack of confidence in governments
more success in fighting climate change in some parts of the world than others

Question 1.

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: “The major counter arguments to geo-engineering schemes are, first, that they are a ‘cop-out’ that allow us to continue living the way we do, rather than reducing carbon emissions.”
Keywords: counter, schemes
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Lines 1-3
Explanation: The ongoing geo-engineering efforts, according to paragraph E, take our attention away from the more important work of altering our harmful way of life.

Question 2.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: “Geoengineering has been shown to work, at least on a small, localized scale, for decades. May Day parades in Moscow have taken place under clear blue skies, aircraft having deposited dry ice, silver iodide and cement powder to disperse clouds.”
Keywords: localized, decades
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Lines 1-3
Explanation: The conditions under which successful geo-engineering initiatives have occurred are described in paragraph B. Negative effects of geo-engineering projects include decreased sunlight exposure, the release of toxic substances into the environment, and global warming.

Question 3.

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence : “Then there’s the daunting prospect of upkeep and repair of any scheme as well as the consequences of a technical failure.”
Keywords: daunting, upkeep
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Lines 2-3
Explanation: The maintenance issues related to geoengineering programmes are stated in paragraph E.

Question 4.

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: “The main reason why geo-engineering is countenanced by the mainstream scientific community is that most researchers have little faith in the ability of politicians to agree – and then bring in – the necessary carbon cuts. Even leading conservation organisations believe the subject is worth exploring.”
Keywords: reason, countenanced
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, Lines 1-2
Explanation: The government is promoting geoengineering initiatives, according to paragraph F. Because of a lack of faith in them to carry out significant projects to remove harmful pollutants from the atmosphere.

Question 5.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: “At present, the only serious option on the table for doing this is cutting back on our carbon emissions, but while a few countries are making major strides in this regard, the majority are having great difficulty even stemming the rate of increase, let alone reversing it.”
Keywords: serious, cutting
Keyword Location: Paragraph A Lines 3-5
Explanation: According to paragraph A, the majority of nations are failing to reduce their carbon emissions. Scientists from some nations, though, are excelling in their efforts to lower atmospheric carbon emissions.

Questions 6-10:

Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers on your answer sheet.

Geoengineering projects

A range of geo-engineering ideas has been put forward, which aim either to prevent the melting of the ice caps or to stop the general rise in global temperatures. One scheme to discourage the melting of ice and snow involves introducing 6…………………………………… to the Arctic because of their colour. The build-up of ice could be encouraged by dispersing ice along the coasts using special ships and changing the direction of some 7 ………………….………………. but this scheme is dependent on certain weather conditions. Another way of increasing the amount of ice involves using 8 …………………………………… to bring water to the surface. A scheme to stop ice moving would use 9 ………………….…………………. but this method is more likely to be successful in preventing the ice from travelling in one direction rather than stopping it altogether. A suggestion for cooling global temperatures is based on what has happened in the past after 10 …………………………..……….. and it involves creating clouds of gas.

Question 6.

Answer: Birch Trees
Supporting Sentence: number of geoengineering ideas are currently being examined in the Russian Arctic. These include planting millions of birch trees.
Keywords: examined, Russian
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, Lines 1-3
Explanation : The list of geoengineering concepts being looked at in the Russian Arctic is stated in paragraph D. The idea is that the white bark of birch trees will maximise the amount of sunlight reflected, according to Kallio. Winter would also allow the snow to reflect radiation due to the lack of their leaves. In contrast, the local evergreen trees tend to block sunlight and shade the snow. It discusses how Birch trees' distinctive colour helps prevent snow from melting.

Question 7.

Answer: Russian Rivers
Supporting Sentence: “diverting Russian rivers to increase cold-water (low to ice-forming areas, could also be used to slow down warming)”
Keywords: cold-water, warming
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, Last 3rd line
Explanation: According to paragraph D, further strategies to reduce warming include diverting Russian rivers to create more cold-water. Utilising ice-breaking vessels to purposefully break up and distribute coastal sea ice in both Antarctic and Arctic waters during their respective autumns. If the wind was blowing in the appropriate direction, you could encourage ice formation by letting the ice float free and move north. By distributing ice around the coasts with specialised ships and rerouting some Russian rivers, it may be possible to promote the accumulation of ice.

Question 8.

Answer: Pumps
Supporting Sentence: Using pumps to carry water from below the sea ice, the spray would come out as snow or ice particles
Keywords: sea ice, spray
Keyword Location: Paragraph C Lines 2-3
Explanation: In contrast to global cooling, other proposals specifically look at reversing the melting at the poles. One solution is to pour water onto an ice top to strengthen it. The sea ice would become thicker. It will have a greater albedo to reflect summer radiation if water were pumped up from below the sea ice and released as snow or ice particles. It describes how pumps can be utilised to increase the amount of ice that is created by raising water to the surface.

Question 9.

Answer: Cables
Supporting Sentence: Scientists have also scrutinized whether it is possible to block ice fjords in Greenland with cables that have been reinforced, preventing icebergs from moving into the sea.
Keywords: scrutinized, block
Keyword Location: Paragraph C Lines 1-3
Explanation: According to paragraph C, researchers have looked into the feasibility of using strengthened cables to stop Greenland's ice fjords. Consequently, icebergs won't be able to enter the sea.

Question 10.

Answer: Volcanic Explosions
Supporting Sentence: The idea is modelled on historical volcanic explosions, such as that of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, which led to a short term cooling of global temperatures by 0.5“C.
Keywords: modelled, philippines
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Lines 3-5
Explanation : According to paragraph B, the concept is based on real-world volcanic eruptions, such as the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. It caused a short-term 0.5°C decrease in world temperatures.

Questions 11-13:

Look at the following people and the list of opinions below. Match each person with the correct opinion A-E.

Write the correct letter, A-E on your answer sheet.

Phil Rasch
Dan Lunt
Martin Sommerkorn

List of opinions

The problems of geo-engineering shouldn’t mean that ideas are not seriously considered.
Some geo-engineering projects are more likely to succeed than others.
Geo-engineering only offers a short-term solution.
A positive outcome of geo-engineering may have a negative consequence elsewhere.
Most geo-engineering projects aren’t clear in what they are aiming at.

Question 11.

Answer: C. Geoengineering only offers a short-term solution.
Supporting Sentence: “I think all of us agree that if we were to end geo-engineering on a given day, then the planet would return to its pre-engineered condition very rapidly, and probably within 10 to 20 years,” says Dr. Phil Rasch, chief scientist for climate change at the US-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Keywords: planet, pre-engineered
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Lines 3-5
Explanation: According to Dr. Phil Rasch, geo-engineering initiatives only provide a temporary fix, as is noted in paragraph E.

Question 12.

Answer: D. A positive outcome of geo-engineering may have a negative consequence elsewhere.
Supporting Sentence: “That’s certainly something to worry about. I would consider geoengineering as a strategy to employ only while we manage the conversion to a non-fossil- fuel economy.’ ‘The risk with geoengineering projects is that you can “overshoot”,’ says Dr. Dan Lunt, from the University of Bristol. ‘You may bring global temperatures back to pre-industrial levels, but the risk is that the poles will still be warmer than they should be and the tropics will be cooler than before industrialization.”
Keywords: employ, overshoot
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Lines 5-7
Explanation: As Dr. Dan Lunt argues in paragraph E, geoengineering programmes can have favourable effects in certain regions but negative effects in other places.

Question 13.

Answer: A. The problems of geo-engineering shouldn’t mean that ideas are not seriously considered.
Supporting Sentence: “As Dr. Martin Sommerkorn, a climate change advisor says. ‘But human-induced climate change has brought humanity to a position where it is important not to exclude thinking thoroughly about this topic and its possibilities despite the potential drawbacks. If, over the coming years, science tells us about an ever-increased climate sensitivity of the planet – and this isn’t unrealistic – then we may be best served by not having to start our thinking from scratch.’ ”
Keywords: climate, humanity
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, Lines 2-5
Explanation: The concerns with geo-engineering shouldn't prevent ideas from being carefully studied, according to Dr. Martin Sommerkorn, as is stated in paragraph F.

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