The Future Never Dies Reading Answers

Feb 9, 2023

The Future Never Dies Reading Answers contains a write up about the geological condition indicating the future. The Future Never Dies Reading Answers contains a total of 7 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 13 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain information about the future of earth. The factors that might lead to some extinction and other disastrous effects on humans. But an overall view of the future has been given in paragraphs.

The Future Never Dies Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises three types of questions: complete the summary, choose the correct option and yes/no and Not given. Candidates must carefully and properly read each paragraph. It is necessary to interpret each text. In order to respond to the questions, you must identify the paragraph's main idea. It's vital to keep in mind the crucial facts. It is necessary to interpret and comprehend each text. The information which is not mentioned in the paragraphs must be answered as not given. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

The Future Never Dies Reading Answers

The prospects for humanity and for the world as a whole are somewhere between glorious and dire. It is hard to be much more precise.

By ‘glorious’, I mean that our descendants – all who are born on this Earth – could live very comfortably and securely, and could continue to do so for as long as the Earth can support life, which should be for a very long time indeed. We should at least be thinking in terms of the next million years. Furthermore, our descendants could continue to enjoy the company of other species – establishing a much better relationship with them than we have now. Other animals need not live in constant fear of us. Many of those fellow species now seem bound to become extinct, but a significant proportion could and should continue to live alongside us. Such a future may seem ideal, and so it is. Yet I do not believe it is fanciful. There is nothing in the physical fabric of the Earth or in our own biology to suggest that this is not possible.

‘Dire’ means that we human beings could be in deep trouble within the next few centuries, living but also dying in large numbers in political terror and from starvation, while huge numbers of our fellow creatures would simply disappear, leaving only the ones that we find convenient – chickens, cattle – or that we can’t shake off, like flies and mice. I’m taking it to be self-evident that glory is preferable.

Our future is not entirely in our own hands because the Earth has its own rules, is part of the solar system and is neither stable nor innately safe. Other planets in the solar system are quite beyond habitation, because their temperature is far too high or too low to be endured, and ours, too, in principle could tip either way. Even relatively unspectacular changes in the atmosphere could do the trick. The core of the Earth is hot, which in many ways is good for living creatures, but every now and again, the molten rock bursts through volcanoes on the surface. Among the biggest volcanic eruptions in recent memory was Mount St Helens, in the USA, which threw out a cubic kilometer of ash – fortunately, in an area where very few people live. In 1815, Tambora (in present-day Indonesia) expelled so much ash into the upper atmosphere that climatic effects seriously harmed food production around the world for the season after season. Entire civilisations have been destroyed by volcanoes.

Yet nothing we have so far experienced shows what volcanoes can really do. Yellowstone National Park in the USA occupies the caldera (the crater formed when a volcano collapses) of an exceedingly ancient volcano of extraordinary magnitude. Modem surveys show that its center is now rising. Sometime in the next 200 million years, Yellowstone could erupt again, and when it does, the whole world will be transformed. Yellowstone could erupt tomorrow. But there’s a very good chance that it will give us another million years, and that surely is enough to be going on with. It seems sensible to assume that this will be the case.

The universe at large is dangerous, too: in particular, we share the sky with vast numbers of asteroids, and now and again, they come into our planet’s atmosphere. An asteroid the size of a small island, hitting the Earth at 15,000 kilometers an hour (a relatively modest speed by the standards of heavenly bodies), would strike the ocean bed like a rock in a puddle, send a tidal wave around the world as high as a small mountain and as fast as a jumbo jet, and propel us into an ice age that could last for centuries. There are plans to head off such disasters (including rockets to push approaching asteroids into new trajectories), but in truth, it’s down to luck.

On the other hand, archaeological and fossil evidence shows that no truly devastating asteroid has struck since the one that seems to have accounted for the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. So again, there seems no immediate reason for despair. The Earth is indeed an uncertain place, in an uncertain universe, but with average luck, it should do us well enough. If the world does become inhospitable in the next few thousand or million years, then it will probably be our own fault. In short, despite the underlying uncertainty, our own future and that of our fellow creatures are very much in our own hands.

Given average luck on the geological and the cosmic scale, the difference between glory and disaster will be made and is being made, by politics. Certain kinds of political systems and strategies would predispose us to long-term survival (and indeed to comfort and security and pleasure of being alive), while others would take us more and more frantically towards collapse. The broad point is, though, that we need to look at ourselves – humanity – and at the world in general in a quite new light. Our material problems are fundamentally those of biology. We need to think, and we need our politicians to think, biologically. Do that, and take the ideas seriously, and we are in with a chance. Ignore biology and we and our fellow creatures haven’t a hope.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 14-19

Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 2?

In boxes 14-19 on your answer sheet write

YES if the statement is true
NO if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage

It seems predictable that some species will disappear.

Answer: Yes
Supporting Statement: Other animals need not live in constant fear of us. Many of those fellow species now seem bound to become extinct, but a significant proportion could and should continue to live alongside us. Such a future may seem ideal, and so it is. Yet I do not believe it is fanciful. There is nothing in the physical fabric of the Earth or in our own biology to suggest that this is not possible.
Keywords: Extinct, species
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: As per paragraph A, it has been mentioned that it's not necessary for other animals to constantly fear humankind. While many of those other species currently appear destined to become extinct, a sizable portion may and should
continue to coexist with humankind. Such a scenario would appear ideal, and it actually is. But I don't think it's improbable. Nothing about the Earth's surface or our own biology suggests that this isn't conceivable. So, the correct answer is Yes as per the explanation provided.

The nature of the Earth and human biology make it impossible for human beings to survive another million years.

Answer: No
Supporting Statement: Such a future may seem ideal, and so it is. Yet I do not believe it is fanciful. There is nothing in the physical fabric of the Earth or in our own biology to suggest that this is not possible.
Keywords: future, biology
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: As per paragraph A, it has been mentioned that it's not necessary for other animals to constantly fear humankind. While many of those other species currently appear destined to become extinct, a sizable portion may and should continue to coexist with humankind. Such a scenario would appear ideal, and it actually is. But I don't think it's improbable. Nothing about the Earth's surface or our own biology suggests that this isn't conceivable. So, the question statement is contrary to the actual information mentioned in paragraph A. Thus, the correct answer is No.

An eruption by Yellowstone is likely to be more destructive than previous volcanic eruptions.

Answer: Yes
Supporting Statement: Yellowstone National Park in the USA occupies the caldera of an exceedingly ancient volcano of extraordinary magnitude. Modem surveys show that its center is now rising. Sometime in the next 200 million years, Yellowstone could erupt again, and when it does, the whole world will be transformed.
Keywords: Yellowstone, volcano
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been mentioned that the USA's Yellowstone National Park is located in the crater of a massive volcano that is quite old. Modern studies indicate that it is presently increasing at its core. Yellowstone could erupt once again in the next 200 million years, and when it occurs, the entire earth will be altered. So, the correct answer is Yes as per the explanation provided and the information given in paragraph D.

There is a greater chance of the Earth being hit by small asteroids than large ones.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no relevant information provided in the paragraphs associated with the question statement. Thus, the correct answer is not given.

If the world becomes uninhabitable, it is most likely to be as a result of a natural disaster.

Answer: No
Supporting Statement: The Earth is indeed an uncertain place, in an uncertain universe, but with average luck, it should do us well enough. If the world does become inhospitable in the next few thousand or million years, then it will probably be our own fault. In short, despite the underlying uncertainty, our own future and that of our fellow creatures are very much in our own hands.
Keywords: Uncertain place, inhospitable
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph F, it has been mentioned that although the Earth is a risky place in a risky universe, it should be able to support us with reasonable luck. It will likely be our fault if the world does become uninhabitable in the next few thousand or million years. In conclusion, despite the underlying unpredictability, we are mostly responsible for shaping both our own future and the future of all other animals. So, the question statement is contrary to the actual information provided in paragraph F. Thus, the correct answer is NO.

Politicians currently in power seem unlikely to change their way of thinking.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no relevant information provided in the paragraphs associated with the question statement. Thus, the correct answer is not given.

Question 20-25

Complete the summary below.

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

Write your answers in boxes 20-25 on your answer sheet.

The Earth could become uninhabitable, like other planets, through a major change in the 20………………….. Volcanic eruptions of 21……………………. can lead to shortages of 22……………………. in a wide area. An asteroid hitting the Earth could create a 23…………………… that would result in a new 24……………………. Plans are being made to use 25…………………….. to deflect asteroids heading for the Earth.

Question 20)

Answer: Temperature
Supporting Statement: Other planets in the solar system are quite beyond habitation, because their temperature is far too high or too low to be endured, and ours, too, in principle could tip either way. Even relatively unspectacular changes in the atmosphere could do the trick.
Keywords: Planets, habitation
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that other planets in the solar system are completely uninhabitable because their temperatures are either unbearably high or unbearably low, and ours might theoretically go either way as well. Even even subtle modifications to the atmosphere could have the desired effect. So, the correct answer is ‘temperature’ as per the explanation provided.

Question 21)

Answer: Molten rock/ash
Supporting Statement: The core of the Earth is hot, which in many ways is good for living creatures, but every now and again, the molten rock bursts through volcanoes on the surface. Among the biggest volcanic eruptions in recent memory was Mount St Helens, in the USA, which threw out a cubic kilometer of ash – fortunately, in an area where very few people live.
Keywords: Earth, rock bursts
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that the Earth's core is extremely hot, which is generally advantageous for life, but occasionally the molten rock erupts through volcanoes on the surface. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in recent memory occurred at Mount St. Helens in the USA, which, fortunately, released a cubic kilometer of ash in a region with a very low population density. So, the correct answer is ‘molten rock/ash’ as per the explanation provided.

Question 22)

Answer: Food
Supporting Statement: In 1815, Tambora (in present-day Indonesia) expelled so much ash into the upper atmosphere that climatic effects seriously harmed food production around the world for the season after season. Entire civilisations have been destroyed by volcanoes.
Keywords: Ash, food
Keyword Location :Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that the Tambora volcano (located in modern-day Indonesia) ejected so much ash into the upper atmosphere in 1815 that climatic consequences severely impacted food production throughout the world for the following seasons. Volcanoes have wiped off entire civilizations. So, the correct answer is ‘food’ as per the explanation provided.

Question 23)

Answer: Tidal wave
Supporting Statement: An asteroid the size of a small island, hitting the Earth at 15,000 kilometers an hour (a relatively modest speed by the standards of heavenly bodies), would strike the ocean bed like a rock in a puddle, send a tidal wave around the world as high as a small mountain and as fast as a jumbo jet, and propel us into an ice age that could last for centuries.
Keywords: Asteroid, tidal wave
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per paragraph E, it has been mentioned that a small island-sized asteroid traveling at 15,000 kilometers per hour would impact the ocean floor like a rock in a puddle, unleash a global tidal wave as high as a small mountain and as
swift as a jumbo jet, and throw us into a centuries-long ice age. So, the correct answer is ‘tidal wave’ as per the explanation provided.

Question 24)

Answer: Ice age
Supporting Statement: An asteroid the size of a small island, hitting the Earth at 15,000 kilometers an hour (a relatively modest speed by the standards of heavenly bodies), would strike the ocean bed like a rock in a puddle, send a tidal wave around the world as high as a small mountain and as fast as a jumbo jet, and propel us into an ice age that could last for centuries.
Keywords: small mountain, ice age
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per paragraph E, it has been mentioned that a small island-sized asteroid traveling at 15,000 kilometers per hour would impact the ocean floor like a rock in a puddle, unleash a global tidal wave as high as a small mountain and as swift as a jumbo jet, and throw us into a centuries-long ice age. So, the correct answer is ‘ice age’ as per the explanation provided.

Question 25)

Answer: rockets
Supporting Statementt: There are plans to head off such disasters (including rockets to push approaching asteroids into new trajectories), but in truth, it’s down to luck.
Keywords: Plans, rockets
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per paragraph E, it has been mentioned that although there are attempts to prevent such catastrophes (such as using rockets to reroute incoming asteroids), luck is ultimately the deciding factor. So, the correct answer is ‘rockets’ as per the explanation provided.

Question 26

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

Write your answer in box 26 on your answer sheet.

What is the writer’s purpose in Reading Passage 2?

A to propose a new theory about the causes of natural disasters

B to prove that generally held beliefs about the future are all mistaken

C to present a range of opinions currently held by scientists

D to argue the need for a general change in behavior

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: ‘Dire’ means that we human beings could be in deep trouble within the next few centuries, living but also dying in large numbers in political terror and from starvation, while huge numbers of our fellow creatures would simply disappear, leaving only the ones that we find convenient – chickens, cattle – or that we can’t shake off, like flies and mice. I’m taking it to be self-evident that glory is preferable.
Keywords: Dire, self-evident
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: As per paragraph B, it has been mentioned that living but also dying in large numbers as a result of political terror and starvation, while a vast majority of our fellow creatures would simply vanish, leaving only those that we find convenient, such as chickens and cattle, or those that we can't shake off, such as flies and mice. It seems obvious to me that glory is preferable. So, the correct answer is D as per the explanation provided.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples