Comprehension [ 27 ] Upper Intermediate & Advanced

27 - ] Comprehension

Upper Intermediate & Advanced 

 Read the following passage , then answer the questions below . Do not look back at the passage . Compare your answers to the Answer Key . Check any incorrect answers by reading the passage .

                National borders have no meaning for the atmosphere . This was demonstrated to the world by the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster and again by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo . Whatever enters the atmosphere in one country soon travels around the world . And so , scientists are now worried about the global effects of air pollution . Research shows , in fact , that the earth’s atmosphere is changing in ways that could be destructive to life . Pollution could be a major cause of this .

                One of the pollutants that is causing the greatest concern is carbon dioxide . It is released into the air when coal or petroleum is burned . Carbon dioxide has always been a part of our atmosphere , the product of certain natural processes . However , in recent decades , the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has greatly increased . This is the result of an enormous increase in the amount of coal
and petroleum burned for fuel .

                 At the same time , the earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide has greatly decreased . Absorption of carbon dioxide occurs mainly in areas of thick forest . Those areas are rapidly disappearing as more and more forests are cut down .

                  The result of the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the so-called “greenhouse effect” . The carbon dioxide acts like a glass screen , making the sun’s heat more intense . There are already signs of global warming , say many scientists . Over the next century , average temperatures could rise by as much as four degrees centigrade .

                 Such a temperature change could be disastrous . Vast areas , such as the whole central United States , could become too hot and dry for agriculture . Because of the melting of polar ice , the water level of the oceans would rise and many low coastal areas would disappear . For example , large parts of Netherlands , Bangladesh , and the state of Florida would be under water .

                In most of the industrialized countries , there are now laws that limit carbon dioxide released into the air . However , in many other countries , such as India and China , there are no such laws . These countries plan , in fact , to double or triple the amount of coal they burn . They cannot afford to change to other kinds of fuel that pollute the air less . And so , they will be releasing even more carbon dioxide into the air .

                 Thus , laws passed in the industrialized countries will have little effect on the worldwide situation . Our planet is likely to continue to warm up unless the less-developed countries make some changes , too .

                 A global disaster can only be avoided by a global solution . The industrialized nations need to “think globally” . They need to look beyond their own borders at the needs of the earth as a whole . They must put some of their wealth and technology to work in poorer countries . This may be the only way to clean up our atmosphere and prevent disastrous changes .

Circle the best answers to the following questions . Do not look back at the passage .

1 . This passage is about

( A ) carbon dioxide in the atmosphere .

( B ) how some countries pollute the air .

( C ) how air pollution is a global problem .

( D ) the effects of global warming .

2 . The Chernobyl disaster showed that

( A ) the atmosphere has not changed .

( B ) pollutants in the air can travel far.

( C ) scientists do not understand air pollution .

( D ) air pollution is mainly a local problem .

3. Carbon dioxide

( A ) is produced by the burning of coal and petroleum .

( B ) is produced by forests .

( C ) was produced by the Chernobyl disaster .

( D ) is no longer produced by natural processes .

4 . Air pollution from burning fuels has caused

( A ) a decrease in carbon dioxide levels .

( B ) no change in carbon dioxide levels .

( C ) a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide levels .

( D ) a small increase in carbon dioxide levels .

5 . The “greenhouse effect” will

( A ) lead to a cooler climate worldwide .

( B ) lead to a warmer climate worldwide .

( C ) cause the earth’s forests to disappear .

( D ) increase the levels of carbon dioxide .

6 . One effect of global warming could be

( A ) the melting of the polar ice .

( B ) the shrinking of the earth’s oceans .

( C ) the need for less coal and petroleum .

( D ) an increase in air pollution .

7 . At present , India and China plan to

( A ) limit the amount of coal they will burn .

( B ) stop burning coal for fuel .

( C ) greatly increase the amount of coal they will burn .

( D ) pass laws limiting carbon dioxide pollution .

8 . Global warming can be stopped only if

( A ) the United States passes better laws about pollution .

( B ) all nations work together on a global solution .

( C ) India and China start using more coal .

( D ) average worldwide temperatures rise four degrees .

Answer Key

1 . C 2 . B 3 . A 4 . C 5 . B 6 . A 7 . C 8 . B