Reducing the Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers

Jan 6, 2023

Reducing the Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers contains a write up about geo-engineering and climate change. Reducing the Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers contains a total of 8 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 14 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. Reducing the Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers comprises two types of questions: Complete the table and Choose the correct option.

To answer the questions provided in the IELTS Reading passage,Applicants must attentively read each passage. Candidates to complete the table must grasp the concept and skim the passage for key terms. There are various scientists and researchers mentioned which should be memories. The list of researches and their findings must be attempted carefully. The sentence should be complete or should not exceed more than two words. To choose the correct information, the paragraphs must be read thoroughly with an understanding of each. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Reducing the Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers

Such is our dependence on fossil fuels, and such is the volume of carbon dioxide already released into the atmosphere, that many experts agree that significant global warming is now inevitable. They believe that the best we can do is keep it at a reasonable level, and at present the only serious option 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 alternative of geo-engineering — a term which generally refers to the intentional large-scale manipulation of the environment. According to its proponents, geo-engineering is the equivalent of a backup generator: if Plan A - reducing our dependence on fossil fuels - fails, we require a Plan B, employing grand schemes to slow down or reverse the process of global warming.

Geo-engineering has been shown to work, at least on a small localized scale. For decades, MayDay 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 look to do the opposite, and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the planet. The most eye-catching idea of all is suggested by Professor Roger Angel of the University of Arizona. His scheme would employ up to 16 trillion minute spacecraft, each weighing about one gram, to form a transparent, sunlight-refracting sunshade in an orbit 1.5 million km above the Earth. This could, argues Angel, reduce the amount of light reaching the Earth by two per cent.

The majority of geo-engineering projects so far carried out — which include planting forests in deserts and depositing iron in the ocean to stimulate the growth of algae - have focused on achieving a general cooling of the Earth. But some look specifically at reversing the melting at the poles, particularly the Arctic. The reasoning is that if you replenish the ice sheets and frozen waters of the high latitudes, more light will be reflected back into space, reducing the warming of the oceans and atmosphere.

The concept of releasing aerosol sprays into the stratosphere above the Arctic has been proposed by several scientists. This would involve using sulphur or hydrogen sulfide aerosols so that sulphur dioxide would form clouds, which would, in turn, lead to a global dimming. The idea is modeled on historic 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. Scientists have also scrutinized whether it's possible to preserve the ice sheets of Greenland with reinforced high-tension cables, preventing icebergs from moving into the sea. Meanwhile in the Russian Arctic, geo-engineering plans include the planting of millions of birch trees. Whereas the -regions native evergreen pines shade the snow and absorb radiation, birches would shed their leaves in winter, thus enabling radiation to be reflected by the snow. Re-routing Russian rivers to increase cold water flow to ice-forming areas could also be used to slow down warming, say some climate scientists.

But will such schemes ever be implemented? Generally speaking, those who are most cautious about geo-engineering are the scientists involved in the research. Angel says that his plan is ‘no substitute for developing renewable energy: the only permanent solution'. And Dr Phil Rasch of the US-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is equally guarded about the role of geo-engineering: '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 ten to twenty years. That’s certainly something to worry about.’

The US National Center for Atmospheric Research has already suggested that the proposal to inject sulphur into the atmosphere might affect rainfall patterns across the tropics and the Southern Ocean. ‘Geo-engineering plans to inject stratospheric aerosols or to seed clouds would act to cool the planet, and act to increase the extent of sea ice,’ says Rasch. ‘But all the models suggest some impact on the distribution of precipitation.’

A further risk with geo-engineering projects is that you can “overshoot Y'', says Dr Dan Hunt, from the University of Bristol’s School of Geophysical Sciences, who has studied the likely impacts of the sunshade and aerosol schemes on the climate. ‘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 industrialisation.’To avoid such a scenario,” Hunt says, “Angel’s project would have to operate at half strength; all of which reinforces his view that the best option is to avoid the need for geo-engineering altogether.”

The main reason why geo-engineering is supported by many in the 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 see the value of investigating the potential of geo-engineering. According to Dr Martin Sommerkorn, climate change advisor for the World Wildlife Fund’s International Arctic Programme, ‘Human-induced climate change has brought humanity to a position where we shouldn’t exclude thinking thoroughly about this topic and its possibilities.’

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-3

Reading Passage has eight paragraphs A-H
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet.

mention of a geo-engineering project based on an earlier natural phenomenon

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: Meanwhile in the Russian Arctic, geo-engineering plans include the planting of millions of birch trees. Whereas the -regions native evergreen pines shade the snow and absorb radiation, birches would shed their leaves in winter, thus enabling radiation to be reflected by the snow.
Keywords: Russian Arctic, geo-engineering plans
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, there has been clearly mentioned about a geo-engineering project. This project includes planting of millions of birch trees. So, as per the above explanation the correct answer is D.

an example of a successful use of geo-engineering

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: Geo-engineering has been shown to work, at least on a small localized scale. For decades, MayDay parades in Moscow have taken place under clear blue skies, aircraft having deposited dry ice, silver iodide and cement powder to disperse clouds.
Keywords: geo-engineering, mayday parade
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: As per paragraph B, the geo-engineering project has been shown to work on a small localized scale. In Moscow the aircrafts have deposited cement powder, silver iodide and dry ice to disperse clouds. This has enabled the mayday parade to take place under blue skies. So, the correct answer is B.

a common definition of geo-engineering

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: According to its proponents, geo-engineering is the equivalent of a backup generator: if Plan A - reducing our dependence on fossil fuels - fails, we require a Plan B, employing grand schemes to slow down or reverse the
process of global warming.
Keywords: Backup generator, ge-engineering
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: As per paragraph A, the geo-engineering has been defined as a backup generator. It also reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and reverses the process of global warming. So, the correct answer is A.

Questions 4-10

Complete the table below.
Choose ONE WORD from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 4-10 on your answer sheet.

GEO-ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Procedure	Aim
put a large number of tiny spacecraft into orbit far above Earth	to create a 4 that would reduce the amount of light reaching Earth
place 5 in the sea	to encourage 6 to form
release aerosol sprays into the stratosphere	to create 7 that would reduce the amount of light reaching Earth
fix strong 8 to Greenland ice sheets	to prevent icebergs moving into the sea
plant trees in Russian Arctic that would lose their leaves in winter	to allow the 9 to reflect radiation
change the direction of 10	to bring more cold water into ice-forming areas

Question 4)

Answer: Sunshade
Supporting Statement: His scheme would employ up to 16 trillion minute spacecraft, each weighing about one gram, to form a transparent, sunlight-refracting sunshade in an orbit 1.5 million km above the Earth. This could, argues Angel, reduce the amount of light reaching the Earth by two per cent.
Keywords: Spacecraft, sunshade.
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: This is discussed in paragraph B that describes how a transparent sunshade made of 16 trillion minute spacecraft, each weighing around a gram, will be created. So, as per the explanation provided, the correct answer is sunshade.

Question 5)

Answer: Iron
Supporting Statement: The majority of geo-engineering projects so far carried out — which include planting forests in deserts and depositing iron in the ocean to stimulate the growth of algae - have focused on achieving a general cooling of the Earth.
Keywords: Iron, Depositing
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per the paragraph C, it has been stated that geo-engineering projects that have been carried out include depositing iron in the ocean. This deposition stimulates the growth of algae which cools the earth. So, the correct answer is Iron.

Question 6)

Answer: Algae
Supporting Statement: The majority of geo-engineering projects so far carried out — which include planting forests in deserts and depositing iron in the ocean to stimulate the growth of algae - have focused on achieving a general cooling of the
Earth.
Keywords: Iron, Depositing, algae
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per the paragraph C, it has been stated that geo-engineering projects that have been carried out include depositing iron in the ocean. This deposition stimulates the growth of algae which cools the earth. So, the correct answer is Algae.

Question 7)

Answer: Clouds
Supporting Statement: Geo-engineering has been shown to work, at least on a small localized scale. For decades, MayDay parades in Moscow have taken place under clear blue skies, aircraft having deposited dry ice, silver iodide and cement
powder to disperse clouds.
Keywords: geo-engineering, mayday parade
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: As per paragraph B, the geo-engineering project has been shown to work on a small localized scale. In Moscow the aircrafts have deposited cement powder, silver iodide and dry ice to disperse clouds. This has enabled the mayday parade to take place under blue skies. So, the correct answer is clouds.

Question 8)

Answer: Cables
Supporting Statement: Scientists have also scrutinized whether it's possible to preserve the ice sheets of Greenland with reinforced high-tension cables, preventing icebergs from moving into the sea.
Keywords: high tension cables, Greenland
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: noted in the passage D where researchers have been looking into the feasibility of using high-tension, reinforced cables to preserve Greenland's ice sheets. This was research for the preservation of ice sheets. As per the explanation, the correct answer is Cables.

Question 9)

Answer: Snow
Supporting Statement: Whereas the -regions native evergreen pines shade the snow and absorb radiation, birches would shed their leaves in winter, thus enabling radiation to be reflected by the snow. Re-routing Russian rivers to increase cold water flow to ice-forming areas could also be used to slow down warming, say some climate scientists.
Keywords: Snow, birch trees
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: The passage D describes how birches would lose leaves in winter, allowing the seed to reflect radiation, and how evergreen trees would shelter the snow while absorbing radiation. So, the correct answer is snow.

Question 10)

Answer: Rivers
Supporting Statement: Re-routing Russian rivers to increase cold water flow to ice-forming areas could also be used to slow down warming, say some climate scientists.
Keywords: Re-routing, Russia rivers
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: The paragraph D discusses strategies like rerouting rivers in Russia to increase the flow of cold water to ice-forming zones and how this may also help to reduce global warming. So, the correct answer is river.

Questions 11-14

Look at the following statements (Questions 11-14) and the list of scientists below.
Match each statement with the correct scientist, A-D.
Write the correct letter, A-D, in boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet.

List of Scientists

Roger Angel
Phil Rasch
Dan Lunt
Martin Sommerkorn

The effects of geo-engineering may not be long-lasting.

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: And Dr Phil Rasch of the US-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is equally guarded about the role of geo-engineering: '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 ten to twenty years. That’s certainly something to worry about.’
Keywords: Very rapidly, geo-engineering
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per the paragraph E, the scientist Phil states that the geo-engineering might not last long. The effects of it on the earth might be temporary and will vanish soon. So, the correct answer is B.

Geo-engineering is a topic worth exploring.

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: According to Dr Martin Sommerkorn, climate change advisor for the World Wildlife Fund’s International Arctic Programme, ‘Human-induced climate change has brought humanity to a position where we shouldn’t exclude thinking thoroughly about this topic and its possibilities.’
Keywords: Should not exclude
Keyword Location: Paragraph H
Explanation: as per paragraph H, the scientist Martin states very seriously that geo-engineering is not a topic to be excluded from our concern and thinking. Climate change has an effect on humanity and humans so it should be discussed and taken care of. So, the correct answer is D.

It may be necessary to limit the effectiveness of geo-engineering projects.

Answer: C
Supporting Statement: A further risk with geo-engineering projects is that you can “overshoot Y'', says Dr Dan Hunt, from the University of Bristol’s School of Geophysical Sciences, who has studied the likely impacts of the sunshade and aerosol
schemes on the climate. ‘
Keywords: Overshoot, Dr. Hunt
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, the Dr, hunt states that geoengineering should be limited. Its effects should not exceed due to its effectiveness. It might be an overshoot on the environment. So, the correct answer C.

Research into non-fossil-based fuels cannot be replaced by geo-engineering.

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: Generally speaking, those who are most cautious about geo-engineering are the scientists involved in the research. Angel says that his plan is ‘no substitute for developing renewable energy: the only permanent solution'.
Keywords: geoengineering, Dr. Angels,no substitute
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per the paragraph E, Angels mention that there is no substitute for geo engineering. The research on non fossils must not be replaced by geo-engineering. So, the correct answer is A as per the explanation provided for the same.

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