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PASSAGE 9

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the

correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 8.

Experts in climatology and other scientists are becoming extremely concerned about the changes to our

climate which are taking place. Admittedly, climate changes have occurred on our planet before. For

example, there have been several ice ages or glacial periods. These climatic changes, however, were

different from the modern ones in that they occurred gradually and, as far as we know, naturally. The

changes currently being monitored are said to be the result not of natural causes, but of human activity.

Furthermore, the rate of change is becoming alarmingly rapid.

The major problem is that the planet appears to be warming up. According to some experts, this

warming process, known as global warming, is occurring at a rate unprecedented in the last 10,000 years.

The implications for the planet are very serious. Rising global temperatures could give rise to such

ecological disasters as extremely high increases in the incidence of flooding and of droughts. These in

turn could have a harmful effect on agriculture.

It is thought that this unusual warming of the Earth has been caused by so-called greenhouse gases,

such as carbon dioxide, being emitted into the atmosphere by car engines and modern industrial

processes, for example. Such gases not only add to the pollution of the atmosphere, but also create a

greenhouse effect, by which the heat of the sun is trapped. This leads to the warming up of the planet.

Politicians are also concerned about climate change and there are now regular summits on the subject,

attended by representatives from around 180 of the world’s industrialized countries. Of these summits,

the most important took place in Kyotoin Japanin 1997. There it was agreed that the most industrialized

countries would try to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and were given targets for this

reduction of emissions.

It was also suggested that more forests should be planted to create so-called sinks to absorb greenhouse

gases. At least part of the problem of rapid climate change has been caused by too drastic deforestation.

Sadly, the targets are not being met. Even more sadly, global warnings about climate changes are often

still being regarded as scaremongering.

Question 1. According to the passage, in what way did the climate changes in the ice ages differ from the

modern ones

A. They occurred naturally over a long period of time

B. They were partly intended.

C. They were wholly the result of human activity.

D. They were fully monitored by humans.

Question 2. The word “alarmingly” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

.

A. disapprovingly

B. disappointingly

C. surprisingly

D. worryingly

Question 3. According to the passage, agriculture could

.

A. make the global warming more serious

B. be indirectly affected by the global temperature rises

C. give rise to many ecological disasters

D. be directly damaged by the rises in global temperature

Question 4. Greenhouse gases cause the warming up of the Earth because they

.