Direction (1-7): Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.
The threat of global warming can still be greatly diminished if nations cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by 70 percent this century, according to a new analysis. While global temperatures would raise, the most dangerous potential aspects of climate change, including massive losses of Arctic sea ice and permafrost and significant sea level rise, could be partially avoided.
"This research indicates that we can no longer avoid significant warming during this century," says NCAR scientist Warren Washington, the lead author. "But if the world were to implement this level of emission cuts, we could stabilize the threat of climate change and avoid catastrophe."
Average global temperatures have warmed by close to 1 degree Celsius (almost 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since the pre-industrial era. Much of the warming is due to human-produced emissions of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide. This heat-trapping gas has increased from a pre-industrial level of about 284 parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere to more than 380 ppm today. With research showing that additional warming of about 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F) may be the threshold for dangerous climate change, the European Union has called for dramatic cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
To examine the impact of such cuts on the world's climate, Washington and his colleagues ran a series of global supercomputer studies with the NCARbased Community Climate System Model. They assumed that carbondioxide levels could be held to 450 ppm at the end of this century. That figure comes from the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, which has cited 450ppm as an attainable target if the world quickly
adapts conservation practices and new green technologies to cut emissions dramatically. In contrast, emissions are now on track to reach about 750 ppm by 2100 if unchecked. The team's results showed that if carbondioxide were held to 450 ppm, global temperatures would increase by 0.6 degrees C (about 1 degree F) above current readings by the end of the century.
In contrast, the study showed that temperatures would rise by almost four times that amount, to 2.2 degrees C (4 degrees F) above current readings, if emissions were allowed to continue on their present course. Holding carbondioxide levels to 450 ppm would have other impacts, according to the climate modelling study. Sea level rise due to thermal expansion as water temperatures warmed would be 14 centimetres (about 5.5 inches) instead of 22 centimetres (8.7 inches). Significant additional sea level rise would be expected in either scenario from melting ice sheets and glaciers.
Arctic ice in the summertime would shrink by about a quarter in volumes and stabilize by 2100, as opposed to shrinking at least three-quarters and continuing to melt. Some research has suggested the summertime ice will disappear altogether this century if emissions continue on their current trajectory. Arctic warming would be reduced by almost half, helping preserve fisheries and populations of sea birds and Arctic mammals in such regions as the northern Bering Sea.
1. Which of the following is the central concern of the passage?
I. The central theme of the passage is the ways in which global warming has affected human life in this century.
II. The passage explains how global warming can be prevented from increasing in this century.
III. The passage explains the fact that global warming is the main difference between today's world and a pre–industrial era.
A. Only I and II
B. Only II and III
C. Only II
D. Only I and III
E. All I, II and III
Answer: Option (C)
Explanation:
According to the first few lines of the second paragraph, ‘this research indicates that we can no longer avoid significant warming during this century," says NCAR scientist Warren Washington, the lead author. But if the world were to implement this level of emission cuts, we could stabilize the threat of climate change and avoid catastrophe’.
Thus, it can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that global warming cannot be avoided any longer, but we can try to stabilize it, that is, prevent it from increasing even more.
Thus, only statements II can be directly or indirectly inferred from the passage.
2. Which of the following statement can logically and contextually connect paragraph 3rd and 4th?
I. The goal is to provide policymakers with appropriate research so they can make informed decisions.
II. The U.S. Congress is also debating the issue.
III. Significant regional changes in precipitation would be cut in half if emissions were kept to 450 ppm.
A. Only I
B. Only II
C. Only III
D. Only I and II
E. All I, II and III
Answer: Option (B)
Explanation:
The 3rd paragraph talks about the average global temperatures since the pre-industrial era. It further talks about the increased heat-trapping gas and the dramatic cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Then the 4th paragraph talks about the examination of the impact of such cuts on the world's climate by Washington and his colleagues. So, the statement that follows 3rd paragraph will be, ‘the U.S. Congress is also debating the issue’.
Thus, only statement II can logically and contextually connect paragraph 3rd and 4th.
3. Which of the following can best summarize the 3rd paragraph of the passage?
A. Climate impact as a function of global temperature.
B. Climate models stimulating global warming.
C. Earth’s climate is approaching a dangerous point.
D. Avoiding dangerous climate change.
E. None of these
Answer: Option (D)
Explanation:
According to the lines of the 3rd paragraph, ‘average global temperatures have warmed by close to 1 degree Celsius (almost 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since the pre-industrial era. Much of the warming is due to humanproduced emissions of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide. This heattrapping gas has increased from a preindustrial level of about 284 parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere to more than 380ppm today. With research showing that additional warming of about 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F) may be the threshold for dangerous climate change, the European Union has called for dramatic cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases’.
The paragraph talks about the warming of average global temperatures since the pre – industrial era. It further talks about the reasons behind the warming and additional warming that may be the threshold for dangerous climate change. Thus, the whole paragraph is about avoiding dangerous climate change.
Other options are relevant with respect to the passage but couldn’t be the summary for the 3rd paragraph. Thus, only statement D can best summarize the 3rd paragraph.
4. Which of the following line can best replace the highlighted phrase, ‘the threat of global warming can still be greatly diminished if nations cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by 70 percent this century’?
A. If countries cut down on greenhouse emissions, the threat of global warming will cease to remain a threat.
B. If countries stop emitting 70% of their greenhouse gases, the great loss of Arctic sea ice can be prevented.
C. If countries add any more to the emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, the temperature will increase by 1 degree Celsius.
D. If countries together reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by 70%, the significant rise in sea level could be contained, at least to an extent.
E. If countries cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions by a large margin, global warming will continue but no dangerous instances of climate change will be felt.
Answer: Option (D)
Explanation:
Only option D can best replace the highlighted phrase, ‘the threat of global warming can still be greatly diminished if nations cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by 70 percent this century’. It tells us that if nations cut down on their greenhouse emissions by 70%, the threat of global warming can be partially contained.
The other options are not mentioned or implied in the passage as observations made by the NCAR.
5. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage?
I. Supercomputers were used to study the dramatic cuts in carbon dioxide emissions beginning in about a decade.
II. Worst impacts of climate change can be avoided by cutting emissions substantially over the next several decades.
III. The climate system wouldn’t sustain by about 2100, thereby continuing to warm.
A. Only I
B. Only I and II
C. Only III
D. Only I and III
E. All I, II and III
Answer: Option (C)
Explanation:
According to the following lines of the passage, ‘Arctic ice in the summertime would shrink by about a quarter in volumes and stabilize by 2100, as opposed to shrinking at least three-quarters and continuing to melt’.
Thus, the climate system would stabilize by about 2100, instead of continuing to warm. Hence, statement III is incorrect and cannot be inferred.
Statement II can be inferred from the passage that if society can cut emissions substantially over the next several decades then the worst impact of climate change can be avoided. Hence, statement II is correct. From the following lines of the passage, ‘to examine the impact of such cuts on the world's climate, Washington and his colleagues ran a series of global supercomputer studies with the NCAR-based Community Climate System Model’. Thus, it can be inferred that supercomputers were used to study the dramatic cuts in carbondioxide emissions. Thus, the statement I is correct.
Thus, the statements I and II are correct. Hence option C is the correct response.
6. Which of the following is the suitable title for the passage?
A. Dramatic cut in carbon dioxide emissions, reduce sea level rise.
B. The worst impact of climate change, increase sea level rise.
C. The climate is approaching dangerous point continuing major cuts through the century.
D. Cuts in greenhouse gas emissions would save Arctic ice, reduce sea level rise.
E. None of the above
Answer: Option (D)
Explanation:
The passage is all about global warming and its most dangerous potential aspects of climate change. It further states that global warming cannot be avoided any longer, but we can try to prevent from deteriorating it further and how an additional 1 degree Celsius may denote that climate has reached a level of danger. Options A and B mentions the after effect of the decrease in carbon dioxide emissions and the negative impact of climate change. This is the part of the passage but couldn’t be the title. Option C cannot be summarized as the title and hence is incorrect.
Thus, the rising global temperature will lead to climate change thereby causing the massive losses of Arctic sea ice and the significant sea level rise and is the apt title for the passage.
7. Which of the following is the similar or
opposite in meaning to the given word?
Adapt
A. Embrace
B. Virtuoso
C. Consummate
D. Accede
E. Accustom
Answer: Option (E)
Explanation:
‘Adapt’ means make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify. ‘Embrace’ means hold (someone) closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection. ‘Virtuoso’ means a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit. ‘Consummate’ means showing great skill and flair. ‘Accede’ means agree to a demand, request, or treaty. ‘Accustom’ means make someone or something accept (something) as normal or usual. Since “adapt” carries a meaning similar to “accustom”, option E is the correct answer.