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Reducing The Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, you'll encounter a diverse range of texts that encompass various topics, including scientific research findings, historical narratives, social issues, and literary excerpts. These texts are curated to test your ability to comprehend complex information, analyse arguments, and extract key details. 

 

Additionally, the reading materials may feature different writing styles, such as descriptive, narrative, or analytical, to assess your adaptability to various forms of text. Throughout the test, you'll be tasked with answering a series of questions that require you to demonstrate your understanding of the passages, including identifying main ideas, supporting details, implied meanings, and the writer's opinions or attitudes. 

 

This section aims to gauge your proficiency in reading and comprehending written English in academic and real-life contexts, essential skills for success in academic and professional environments.

 

Key highlights of the Reading section:

 

  • The reading section includes a variety of texts such as articles, essays, reports, and excerpts from books.
  • The passages cover various subjects, including science, history, literature, sociology, and more, to test your ability to comprehend different content areas.
  • You'll encounter passages written in various styles, such as descriptive, narrative, argumentative, and expository, to assess your flexibility in understanding different modes of writing.
  • The questions require you to analyse, interpret, and evaluate information presented in the passages, testing your ability to think critically and draw logical conclusions.
  • With a limited amount of time to complete the section, effective time management is crucial for success. Practising pacing strategies can help ensure you have enough time to read the passages thoroughly and answer all questions.
  • Vocabulary and inference: The passages may contain complex vocabulary and require you to make inferences based on the information provided, challenging your lexical knowledge and reading comprehension skills.

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1. Reducing The Effects of Climate Change 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. Reducing The Effects of Climate Change Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Reducing The Effects of Climate Change

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1.

Reducing The Effects of Climate Change 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.

 

 

 

 

Reducing The Effects of Climate Change Reading Passage


 

Paragraph A:
At least on a localized basis, geo-engineering has been proven to be effective. Dry ice, silver iodide, and cement powder have been dropped from airplanes to keep the skies over Moscow's MayDay parades pristine for decades. Several current proposals, on the other hand, aim to limit solar energy's impact on Earth. A concept proposed by University of Arizona professor Roger Angel stands out among the rest as the most intriguing. According to his plan, a sunshade capable of diffusing sunlight would be constructed 1.5 million kilometers above Earth using as many as 16 trillion tiny spacecraft, each weighing around one gram. Angel claims this might cut the amount of sunlight reaching Earth by 2%.

 

Paragraph B:
Many scientists now think that considerable global warming is already unavoidable because of our reliance on fossil fuels and the amount of carbon dioxide already emitted into the atmosphere. They argue that the most we can do are maintain it at a tolerable level and that reducing carbon emissions is now the only viable option for doing so. However, although some nations have made significant progress, most are struggling just to slow the rate of rise, much alone turn it around. Geo-engineering, which typically refers to the deliberate large-scale alteration of the environment, is thus being investigated by an increasing number of scientists as a potential solution. Geo-engineering, in the opinion of its supporters, is comparable to a backup generator. If Plan A, decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels, doesn't work, proponents of geo-engineering argue, we'll need to resort to huge ideas to either halt or reverse global warming.

 

Paragraph C:
Many scientists advocate geoengineering because they don't have much trust in the government's capacity to come to an agreement on the necessary carbon reductions and then implement them. Even well-known conservation groups recognize the importance of looking into geoengineering's possibilities. "Human-induced climate change has led mankind to a situation where we shouldn't exclude thinking carefully about this issue and its prospects," says Dr. Martin Sommerkorn. He is the advisor for the World Wildlife Fund's International Arctic Programme regarding climate change.

 

Paragraph D:
Several researchers in the scientific community have put up the idea that aerosol sprays should be released into the stratosphere located above the Arctic. For this to work, sulfur or hydrogen sulfide aerosols would have to be used. This would result in the formation of sulfur dioxide clouds, which would then lead to a reduction in overall brightness. The concept is based on historical volcanic eruptions, such as the one that occurred at Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991. This eruption caused a temporary drop of 0.5 degrees Celsius in the average temperature of the whole planet.

 

Paragraph E:
The majority of geoengineering activities that have been conducted up to this time have focused on the objective of causing a global cooling of the earth. These initiatives include planting trees in arid regions and adding iron to the ocean to encourage the growth of algae. Many people, particularly in the Arctic, are, nevertheless, specifically interested in stopping the ice from melting at the poles. It has been suggested that reducing the amount of warming that happens in the atmosphere and seas may be accomplished by increasing the quantity of light that is reflected back into space by growing ice sheets and frozen water at high latitudes.

 

Paragraph F:
If so, when? Geoengineering is viewed skeptically by researchers. Angel believes renewable energy is the only long-term solution, and his technology isn't a substitute. Dr. Phil Rasch of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory agrees: "we would all likely agree that the world would return to its pre-engineered state within ten to twenty years if we were to stop geoengineering on a certain day. There is definitely cause for concern about it." This worries me. The US National Center for Atmospheric Research has previously warned that the idea to inject sulfur into the atmosphere might impact rainfall patterns in the tropics and the Southern Ocean. Rasch states that geoengineering proposals to inject stratospheric aerosols or seed clouds would serve to chill the earth and enhance the area of sea ice. However, all models imply that precipitation distribution is affected in some way.

 

Paragraph G:
The possibility of "overshooting Y" is another danger associated with geoengineering initiatives, according to Dr. Dan Hunt of the University of Bristol's School of Geophysical Sciences, who has researched the potential effects of the sunshade and aerosols programs on the weather. The danger is that the polar will still be warmer than they should be and the tropics will be colder than they were before industrialization, even if you manage to return global temperatures to pre-industrial levels. According to Hunt, "Angel's project would have to run at half strength to prevent such a situation; all of this supports his belief that the wisest course of action is to eliminate the necessity for geo-engineering entirely.

2.

Reducing The Effects of Climate Change Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Reducing The Effects of Climate Change

Questions and Answers 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.

 

 

1. _____a reference to a geoengineering venture based on previous natural phenomena.

2. _____a case in point of the advantageous application of geoengineering.

3. _____a typical explanation of what geoengineering is.


 

Reducing The Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers with Explanations (1-3)


 

Type of Question: Locating Information
 

In the locating information questions, you need to carefully read the text and identify keywords or phrases that match the question, then locate the corresponding information within the passage.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Scan the passage quickly to get a general understanding of the content.
  • Read the question carefully, paying attention to keywords and specific details.
  • Locate the relevant section of the passage where the information is likely to be found.
  • Focus on identifying the exact information needed to answer the question accurately.
  • Verify your answer by double-checking the passage to ensure correctness.

 

 

1. D

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D, "The concept is based on historical volcanic eruptions, such as the one that occurred at Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991."
 

Explanation: The reference to historical volcanic eruptions in Paragraph D supports the concept discussed in the answer.


 

2. B

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "At least on a localized basis, geo-engineering has been proven to be effective."
 

Explanation: The effectiveness of geo-engineering, as mentioned in Paragraph B, aligns with the answer provided.


 

3. A

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A, "Geo-engineering, in the opinion of its supporters, is comparable to a backup generator."
 

Explanation: Paragraph A provides a typical explanation of geo-engineering, supporting the answer choice.

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

 

 

 GEO-ENGINEERING PROJECTS

 

 

Procedure

Aim

place a lot of little spacecraft in orbit far above the Earth.to create a 4)  _____ that would lessen the amount of light that would hit The earth.
Place 5) _____ in the seato encourage 6)  _____ to form
sending aerosols into spaceto create 7) _____ that would reduce the amount of light reaching Earth
fix strong 8)  _____ to Greenland ice sheetsin order to stop icebergs from sliding into the ocean
Plant trees that would shed their leaves in the winter in the Russian Arctic.to allow the 9)  _____ to reflect radiation
change the direction of 10) _____to supplement regions that already contain ice by adding cold water

 

 

Reducing The Effects of Climate Change Reading Answers with Explanations (4-10)


 

Type of Question: Table Completion 

 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve reading the table headings and the information provided in the passage, then filling in the missing information in the table based on the details provided.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Review the table headings to understand the categories and what information is required.
  • Scan the passage for relevant details that match the table categories.
  • Fill in the missing information in the table based on the details found in the passage.
  • Pay attention to any specific instructions or units mentioned in the table headings.
  • Double-check your answers to ensure accuracy before moving on.



 

4. Sunshade

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "According to his plan, a sunshade capable of diffusing sunlight would be constructed 1.5 million kilometers above Earth."

 

Explanation: The concept of constructing a sunshade to lessen the amount of light reaching Earth is discussed in Paragraph B.


 

5. Iron

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "These initiatives include planting trees in arid regions and adding iron to the ocean to encourage the growth of algae."


Explanation: Adding iron to the ocean to encourage the growth of algae is mentioned in Paragraph C as part of geo-engineering initiatives.


 

6. Algae

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "These initiatives include planting trees in arid regions and adding iron to the ocean to encourage the growth of algae."

 

Explanation: Encouraging the growth of algae in the ocean is highlighted in Paragraph C as one of the geo-engineering procedures.


 

7. Clouds

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D, "This would result in the formation of sulfur dioxide clouds, which would then lead to a reduction in overall brightness."

 

Explanation: The procedure of sending aerosols into space to create clouds is mentioned in Paragraph D as part of geo-engineering initiatives.


 

8. Cables

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph E, "Researchers have also investigated if it is feasible to protect the Greenland ice sheets with strengthened high-tension cables."

 

Explanation: The use of cables to strengthen Greenland ice sheets is discussed in Paragraph E as a geo-engineering procedure.


 

9. Snow

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph E, "Since birches lose their leaves in wintertime, radiation can be scattered by the snow instead of being absorbed by it like it is by the natural evergreen pines of the area."

 

Explanation: Planting trees in the Russian Arctic to shed their leaves in winter, allowing snow to reflect radiation, is mentioned in Paragraph E.


 

10. Rivers

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph E, "According to some climate experts, rerouting Russian rivers to boost the flow of cold water to locations that generate ice might potentially be utilized to reduce warming."
 

Explanation: The concept of changing the direction of rivers to supplement regions with ice by adding cold water is discussed in Paragraph E as part of geo-engineering efforts.

Questions and Answers 11-14
  • Look at the following statements 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

 

  1. Roger Angel
  2. Phil Rasch
  3. Dan Hunt
  4. Martin Sommerkorn 

 

11. _______The efficacy of geoengineering programs may need to be restricted.

12. _______Geoengineering is a field that warrants further investigation.

13. _______Geoengineering may not have long-lasting impacts.

14. _______Geoengineering cannot take the role of research into non-fossil fuels.



 

Reducing The Effects of Climate ChangeReading Answers with Explanations (11-14)


 

Type of Question: Matching Features
 

In the matching features question of IELTS reading, you need to identify specific features or characteristics mentioned in the passage and match them with the corresponding options provided in the question.
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand the key features or characteristics provided in the question.
  • Scan the passage to identify sections that discuss each feature.
  • Match each feature with the corresponding information in the passage.
  • Pay attention to synonyms or paraphrases in the passage that may correspond to the features.
  • Verify your matches to ensure accuracy before moving on.


 

11. B

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "Dr. Phil Rasch of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory agrees: 'we would all likely agree that the world would return to its pre-engineered state within ten to twenty years if we were to stop geoengineering on a certain day.'
 

Explanation: Dr. Phil Rasch expresses concerns about the efficacy of geoengineering programs in Paragraph F, indicating the need for potential restrictions.


 

12. D

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "Human-induced climate change has led mankind to a situation where we shouldn't exclude thinking carefully about this issue and its prospects,' says Dr. Martin Sommerkorn."

 

Explanation: Dr. Martin Sommerkorn advocates for further investigation into geoengineering in Paragraph C, stating that it warrants careful consideration.

 

 

13. C

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph G, "According to Hunt, 'Angel's project would have to run at half strength to prevent such a situation; all of this supports his belief that the wisest course of action is to eliminate the necessity for geo-engineering entirely.”
 

Explanation: Dr. Dan Hunt discusses the potential limited impact of geoengineering initiatives in Paragraph G, suggesting that they may not have long-lasting effects.


 

14. A

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "Angel believes renewable energy is the only long-term solution, and his technology isn't a substitute."

 

Explanation: Roger Angel's stance on the role of geoengineering versus research into non-fossil fuels is outlined in Paragraph F, where he emphasizes the importance of renewable energy as the primary long-term solution.

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Ans. Common cue card topics in the IELTS speaking test include describing your favorite book/movie, discussing a memorable journey, talking about a family member or friend, describing a hobby, discussing a special celebration or event, and sharing your views on a current issue or trend.

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