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Global Warming Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 15, 2024, 10:42

In the IELTS Reading section, three passages centred on global warming test your ability to comprehend complex topics. Each passage is accompanied by questions in formats such as multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Lasting 60 minutes, this segment challenges you to grasp critical information, discern main ideas, and infer implications effectively.

 

To excel in the IELTS Reading section, employ effective strategies such as skimming to identify key themes like climate change impacts and mitigation efforts, and scanning for specific details such as statistics on greenhouse gas emissions or strategies for renewable energy adoption. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to diverse question types will refine your skills for test day.

 

Prepare for an insightful exploration of "Global Warming: Reading Answers," which delves into the urgent challenges climate change poses. Explore how rising global temperatures affect ecosystems, economies, and human societies worldwide. Understand the scientific evidence supporting climate change and the measures proposed to mitigate its effects, from policy interventions to technological innovations.

 

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1. Global Warming Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 

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2. Global Warming Reading Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Global Warming Reading Question & Answers

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1.

Global Warming Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

 

Global Warming Reading Passage  

 

 

Paragraph A 


Day after day, we hear about how anthropogenic development is causing global warming. According to an increasingly vocal minority, however, we should be asking ourselves how much of this is media hype and how much is based on real evidence. It seems, as so often is the ease, that it depends on which expert you listen to or which statistics you study. Yes, It is true that there is a mass of evidence to indicate that the world is getting warmer, with one of the world’s leading weather predictors stating that air temperatures have frowned an increase of just under half a degree Celsius since the beginning of the twentieth century. And while this may not sound like anything worth losing sleep over, the interna­tional press would have us believe that the consequences could be devastating. Other ex­perts, however, are of the opinion that what we are seeing is just part of a natural upward and downward swing. Flint has always been part of the cycle of global weather. An analysis of the views of major meteorologists in the United States showed that less than 20% of them believed that any change in temperature over the last hundred years was our own fault – the rest attributed it to natural cyclical changes.

 

Paragraph B

 

There is, of course, no denying that we are still at a very early stage in understanding weather. The effects of such variables as rainfall, cloud formation, the seas and oceans, gases such as methane and ozone, or even solar energy are still not really understood, and therefore, the predictions that we make using them cannot always be relied on. Dr. James Hansen, in 19BH, predicted that the likely effects of global warming would be a raising of world temperature, which would have disastrous consequences for mankind: “a strong cause arid effect relationship between the current climate and human alteration of the at­mosphere”. He has now gone on record for stating that using artificial climate models as a way of predicting change is all but impossible. In fact, he now believes that, rather than getting hotter, our planet is getting greener as a result of the increase in carbon dioxide, with the prospect of increasing vegetation in areas that have been frozen wastelands in recent history.

 

Paragraph C

 

In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that as our computer-based weather models have become more sophisticated, the predicted rises In temperature have been cut back. In addi­tion, if we Look at the much-reported rise in global temperature over the last century, a close analysis reveals that the lion’s share of that increase, almost three-quarters in total, occurred before man began to “poison” his world with industrial processes anti the accom­panying greenhouse gas emissions in the second half of the twentieth century.

 

Paragraph D

 

So should we pay any attention to those stories that scream out at us from billboards and television news headlines, claiming that man, with his inexhaustible dependence on oil-based machinery and ever more sophisticated forms of transport is creating a nightmare level of greenhouse gas emissions, poisoning his environment and ripping open the ozone layer? Doubters point to scientific evidence, which can prove that, of all the greenhouse gases, only two per cent come From man-made sources, the rest resulting from natural emissions. Who, then, to believe: the environmentalist exhorting us to leave the car at home, to buy reusable products packaged in recycled paper and to plant trees in our back yard? Or the sceptics, including, of course, a lot of big businesses who have most to lose, when they tell us that we are making a mountain out of a molehill? And my own opinion? The jury’s  still out, as far as I am concerned!

 

2.

Global Warming Reading Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Global Warming

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Choose the correct answer from A,B,C & D

 

1) The author …


A. believes that man is causing global warming
B. believes that global warming is a natural process
C. is sure what the causes of global warming are
D. does not say what he believes the causes of global warming are

 

 2) As to the cause of global warming, the author believes that …


A. occasionally the fact depend on who you are talking to
B. the facts always depend on who you are talking to
C. often the fact depend on which expert you listen to
D. you should not speak to experts

 

3) More than 80% of the top meteorologists in the United States are of the opinion that.. .  

              
A. global warming should make us lose sleep
B. global warming is not the result oil natural cyclical changes, but man-made
C. the consequences of global warming will be deviating
D. global warming is not man-made, but the result of natural cyclical changes 

 

4) Our understanding of weather…


A. leads to reliable predictions
B. Is variable
C. cannot be denied
D. is not very developed yet

 

5) Currently, Dr. James Hansen’s beliefs include the fact that …


A. It is nearly Impossible to predict weather change using artificial models
B. the consequences of global  warming would be disastrous for in mankind
C. there Is a significant link between the climate now, mid man’s changing of the atmosphere
D. Earth is getting colder

 

Global Warming Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

 

Question Type: Multiple Choice 

 

Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test present you with a question followed by a set of options from which you must choose the correct answer. Typically, there are three or four options to choose from. You must carefully read the question and each option before selecting the correct answer.


 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • You must comprehend the passage to select the most accurate option.
  • Efficient skimming and scanning help locate relevant information quickly.
  • Some options may be designed to mislead you, so it's crucial to base your choice on evidence from the passage.
  • Multiple-choice questions can be time-consuming if you dwell on each option too long. Manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions. 


 

1. D. does not say what he believes the causes of global warming are


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

 

It seems, as so often is the ease, that it depends on which expert you listen to or which statistics you study.

 

Explanation

 

The author does not explicitly state their belief about the causes of global warming. Instead, they present contrasting views ("a strong cause and effect relationship" attributed to human alteration vs. natural cyclical changes) without clearly endorsing either, indicating neutrality.

 

2. C. often the fact depend on which expert you listen to

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

 

According to an increasingly vocal minority, however, we should be asking ourselves how much of this is media hype and how much is based on real evidence.

 

Explanation

 

The author acknowledges the varying perspectives on global warming, suggesting that depending on which expert one consults or which statistics are studied, opinions about the causes can differ significantly.

 

3. D. global warming is not man-made, but the result of natural cyclical changes


Reference:

 

Paragraph A

 

An analysis of the views of major meteorologists in the United States showed that less than 20% of them believed that any change in temperature over the last hundred years was our own fault – the rest attributed it to natural cyclical changes.

 

Explanation

 

It is stated that less than 20% of top meteorologists attribute any temperature change over the last century to human activity, suggesting they believe it is due to natural cyclical changes, not human-made causes.

 

4. D. is not very developed yet

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph  B

 

There is, of course, no denying that we are still at a very early stage in understanding weather.

 

Explanation

 

The author asserts that our understanding of weather is still not very developed ("still at a very early stage"), implying that reliable predictions based on weather understanding are not yet possible.

 

5. A. It is nearly impossible to predict weather change using artificial models

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

 

Dr. James Hansen, in 19BH, predicted that the likely effects of global warming would be a raising of world temperature, which would have disastrous consequences for mankind: 'a strong cause arid effect relationship between the current climate and human alteration of the at­mosphere'. He has now gone on record for stating that using artificial climate models as a way of predicting change is all but impossible.


Explanation

 

As mentioned, Dr. James Hansen currently believes that using artificial climate models to predict weather change is almost impossible, indicating scepticism about their reliability.


Read more about Dictation Words for IELTS: Practice and Preparation!

 

Questions and Answers 6-11
Do the statements below agree with the information in Reading Passage?
In Boxes 6-11, write:

  • YES if the statement agrees with the information in the passage
  • NO if the statement contradicts the information in the passage
  • NOT GIVEN if there ls no information about the statement in the passage

 

Example: Computer-based weather models have become more sophisticated.


Answer: Yes.

 

6) At the same time that computer-based weather models have become more sophisticated, weather forecasters have become more expert.

 

7) Most of the increase In global temperature happened in the second half of the twentieth century.

 

8) The media wants us to blame ourselves for global warming.

 

9) The media encourages the public to use environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric cars to combat global warming.

 

10) Environmentalists are very effective at persuading people to be kind to the environment.

 

11) Many big businesses are on the side of the sceptics as regards the cause of global warming.


 

Global Warming Reading Answers with Explanations (6-11)

 

Question Type:  Yes/No/Not Given

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (Yes), contradicts the information in the passage (No), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • Yes: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • No: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.


 

6. Not Given


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA

 

Explanation

 

There is no explicit mention of weather forecasters becoming more expert alongside the sophistication of computer-based weather models.

 

7. No


 Reference:

 

Paragraph C

 

In fact, there is some evidence…..in the second half of the twentieth century.

 

Explanation

 

The paragraph states that almost three-quarters of the increase in global temperature occurred before the second half of the twentieth century, suggesting that most of the increase did not happen in the second half.

 

8. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A 

 

the world’s leading weather predictors stating that air temperatures have frowned an increase of just under half a degree Celsius since the beginning of the twentieth century. And while this may not sound like anything worth losing sleep over, the interna­tional press would have us believe that the consequences could be devastating.

 

Explanation

 

The passage indicates that the international press presents global warming as something with potentially devastating consequences, implying blame on human activities.

 

9. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA

 

Explanation

 

The passage does not provide information about whether the media encourages the public to use environmentally friendly vehicles like electric cars.

 

10. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph  

NA

 

Explanation

 

There is no information provided in the passage about the effectiveness of environmentalists in persuading people to be kind to the environment.

 

11. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

 

So should we pay any attention to those stories that scream out at us from billboards and television news headlines, claiming that man, with his inexhaustible dependence on oil-based machinery and ever more sophisticated forms of transport is creating a nightmare level of greenhouse gas emissions, poisoning his environment and ripping open 


Explanation


The passage mentions sceptics, including many big businesses, who question the causes of global warming, indicating that some big businesses are on the side of sceptics.


Read more about A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life!

 

Questions and Answers 12-13
  • Complete the sentences below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each blank space.
  • Write your answers in Boxes 12 and 13 on your answer sheet.

 

12) As well as planting trees and not driving, the environmentalist would like us to
choose products that are wrapped __________ and can be used more than once.
 
13) Big businesses would have us believe that we are making too much fuss about global warming because they have  ___________.


 

Global Warming Reading Answers with Explanations (12-13)

 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

To answer sentence completion questions accurately, read the given sentence carefully and identify the missing word or phrase. Then, consider the context to determine the most suitable answer option that completes the sentence appropriately. Choosing the option that best fits the context will help you answer sentence completion questions accurately.

 

How to best answer the question

 

  • Carefully read the incomplete sentence and try to understand what information is missing.
  • Pay attention to the context and any clues provided in the sentence or the surrounding text.
  • Choose the option that best completes the sentence based on the information from the reading passage.


 

12. In recycled paper


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D 

 

to buy reusable products packaged in recycled paper

 

Explanation

 

The line specifies that environmentalists advocate for buying products packaged in recycled paper as part of eco-friendly practices.

 

13. Most to lose

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D 

including, of course, a lot of big businesses who have most to lose

 

Explanation

 

The line explains that big businesses downplay global warming because they have the most to lose from changes that might affect their operations.

 

Questions and Answers 14
  • Choose the appropriate letter A-D and write it in Box 14 on your answer sheet:

 

14) Which of these is the best title for this text?

 

A. Global Warming is for real
B. Global warming – media hype or a genuine threat?
C. Weather changes over the last 100 years
D. Global Warming – the greatest threat to mankind

 

Global Warming Reading Answer with Explanation (14)

 

Question Type: Multiple Choice 

 

Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test present you with a question followed by a set of options from which you must choose the correct answer. Typically, there are three or four options to choose from. You must carefully read the question and each option before selecting the correct answer.


 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • You must comprehend the passage to select the most accurate option.
  • Efficient skimming and scanning help locate relevant information quickly.
  • Some options may be designed to mislead you, so it's crucial to base your choice on evidence from the passage.
  • Multiple-choice questions can be time-consuming if you dwell on each option too long. Manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions.

 

14. B

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

 

the jury’s still out, as far as I am concerned!

 

Explanation

 

This line indicates that the author is undecided about the causes of global warming, aligning with the idea of the text exploring whether global warming is media hype or a genuine threat.

 

Read More:

 

 

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FAQs

Q. What types of questions can I expect in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The test includes a variety of question types such as multiple choice, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, matching information, sentence completion, summary completion, and short answer questions.

Q. How should I manage my time during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. It's crucial to allocate your time wisely. Skim through the passage quickly to understand its structure and main ideas. Spend more time on questions that require detailed reading and comprehension.

Q. Should I read the entire passage thoroughly?

Ans. Not necessarily. Skimming the passage to get an overview of the main ideas and then scanning for specific details related to questions can save time. Focus on understanding the question requirements clearly.