The Reducing the Effects of Climate change reading answers offers readers a different perspective to attempt theIELTS reading section. The passage discusses the new geo-engineering techniques approved by scientists in response to climate change. While we all are aware of climate change as a big threat, this passage presents innovative methods to deal with the problem.
The paragraph contains eight paragraphs and 14 questions related to it. The questions are clustered in their types, for eg: True / False / Not given or MCQs or Fill the gaps. The answers of the questions are given after all the questions so that the reader can easily attempt the passage as a test and then receive feedback of his attempted answers.
This passage is great for testing your skimming ability as well as practicing True/False/Not Given, matching features and table completion. So, let’s have a quick loot at the overview table and then to the passage.
Let us have look on the overview table for Reducing the Effects of Climate Change IELTS practice test:
Section
Details
Passage Title
Reducing the Effects of Climate Change
Main Theme
Geo‑engineering solutions to slow or reverse global warming
Question Types
Table completion, matching features, Yes/No/Not Given
sunlight reduction, aerosol spraying, iron fertilization, snow reflection, cables
Tips
Scan for specific names and schemes; match statements to scientist views
Common Answer Types
Fact vs. opinion, cause-effect, matching options, key-term identification
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Reducing the Effects of Climate Change IELTS Reading Passage
Paragraph A: Considering our intense dependency on fossil fuels, and the amount of carbon dioxide already in our atmosphere, many academics argue that substantial global warming is inevitable. Most see the focus on and reduction of emissions as the only method of preventing it from being extreme, although we may not be able to stop it altogether. In some parts of the world, carbon emissions are being successfully reduced. In most cases, however, countries struggle even to simply slow the increase, to say nothing of reversing it. Thus, an increasing number of scientists are now considering geoengineering, which refers to the intentional and large-scale modification of the environment; although what geoengineering includes is often debated. Proponents of geoengineering refer to it as a "Plan B" if we do not succeed in lessening fossil-fuel reliance, which would then be an alternative plan to focus on bold techniques to reduce the impacts of climate change or to reverse it all together.
Paragraph B: Geo-engineering has proven effective in smaller, controlled settings. For instance, during MayDay parades in Moscow, aircraft have dispersed dry ice, silver iodide, and cement powder to break up clouds and guarantee clear skies. Many current proposals aim to achieve the opposite to reduce sunlight reaching the Earth's surface. One of the most ambitious ideas comes from Professor Roger Angel of the University of Arizona, who envisions launching around 16 trillion tiny spacecraft, each about a gram in weight, into an orbit 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. These would form a transparent sunshade to deflect sunlight, potentially reducing incoming solar radiation by 2%.
Paragraph C: Most current geo-engineering projects, like planting trees in desert regions or introducing iron into the ocean to encourage algae, are focused on the more general goal of reducing global temperatures. Some projects specifically target the cessation of ice melt in polar areas, particularly the Arctic. The rationale is that the restoration of ice coverage would restore more sunlight to be reflected away from the ocean, helping cool both oceans and atmosphere.
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: In order to avoid glaciers from dislodging into the ocean, researchers have also investigated if it is feasible to protect the Greenland ice sheets with strengthened high-tension cables. Meanwhile, proposals for geoengineering in the Russian Arctic involve the cultivation of hundreds of birch trees. 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. 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.
Paragraph F: Despite these proposals, there is skepticism about their real-world implementation. Interestingly, some of the most cautious voices come from scientists themselves. Professor Angel acknowledges that his plan should not replace the push for renewable energy, which remains the only permanent fix. Similarly, Dr. Phil Rasch of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory warns that if geoengineering is suddenly halted, the climate would likely revert to its previous state within a decade or two, a serious concern. The US National Center for Atmospheric Research also warns that injecting sulphur into the atmosphere could disrupt rainfall patterns in the tropics and the Southern Ocean. Rasch notes that while aerosol injection or cloud seeding may increase sea ice and cool the planet, all models suggest they would alter global precipitation.
Paragraph G: Another concern is the possibility of overshooting climate targets. Dr. Dan Hunt from the University of Bristol explains that even if global temperatures return to pre-industrial levels, the poles could still be too warm while the tropics become unusually cold. To prevent such imbalances, he suggests that sunshade projects like Angels should be deployed at partial capacity further emphasizing the importance of avoiding geoengineering if possible.
Paragraph H: The primary reason geo-engineering receives support from much of the scientific community is their lack of confidence in political leaders' ability to agree on and implement meaningful carbon reductions. Even prominent environmental groups acknowledge the need to explore these options. As Dr. Martin Sommerkorn from the World Wildlife Fund’s International Arctic Programme puts it, human-driven climate change has pushed us to a point where geoengineering deserves serious and comprehensive consideration.
Here are all the answers of above mentioned questions along with their keyword location and a brief explanation of the answers:
Answer to Question no-1. D
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, Line 4
Explanation: The premise relies upon historical examples where dispersed volcanic eruptions had an impact, one example is the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991.
Answer to Question No.2- B
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Line 1.
Explanation: Geo-engineering has been demonstrated to work, at least on a localized basis.
Answer to Question No.3- A
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Line 9.
Explanation: Geo-engineering, according to its proponents, is much like an emergency generator.
Answer to Question No.4- Sunshade
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Line 6.
Explanation: His plan was to establish a sunshade that would diffuse sunlight 1.5 million km above earth.
Answer to Question no.5- Iron
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, Line 2.
Explanation: These efforts also include planting trees in arid areas, and supplying iron into the ocean to support algae growth.
Answer to Question No.6- Algae
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, Line 2.
Explanation: These efforts also include planting trees in arid areas, and supplying iron into the ocean to support algae growth.
Answer to Question No.7- Clouds
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, Line 3.
Explanation: This would create clouds consisting of sulfur dioxide, thus reducing overall brightness.
Answer to Question No.8- Cables
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 1
Explanation: Scientists have also studied if high-tension cables can have stronger poles to protect the Greenland Ice Sheets.
Answer to Question No.9- Snow
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 4
Explanation: Since birches shed their leaves in the wintertime, radiation can be scattered by the snow rather than absorbed, as it is by the natural evergreen pines.
Answer to Question No.10- Rivers
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 6
Explanation: Some climate experts have suggested diverting Russian rivers to increase the flow of cold water to areas that make ice, which might be one way to counteract warming.
Answer to Question No.11- B
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Line 3
Explanation: Dr. Phil Rasch of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory remarked: "We would all likely agree that if we stopped geoengineering on this particular day, within 10 to 20 years, the world would go back to its pre-engineered state. There is certainly reason for concern about it."
Answer to Question No.12- D
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, Line 4
Explanation: "Human-induced climate change has brought humanity to a point at which we should not dismiss considering this issue and its possibilities as a whole," observes Dr. Martin Sommerkorn.
Answer to Question No.13- C
Keyword location: Paragraph G, Line 6
Explanation: Hunt explains, "Angel's plan would have to run at half power to avoid that situation; all of this supports his belief that the smarter thing to do is to take away geo-engineering completely."
Answer to Question No.14- A
Keyword location: Paragraph F, Line 2
Explanation: Angel believes that renewable energy is the only long-term solution, and that his technology is not a substitute.
Conclusion
The passage "Reducing the Effects of Climate Change" highlights practical solutions to combat global warming, from technological innovations to community-level actions. Through its questions and answers, supported by correct explanations and paragraph references, readers gain clarity on both the environmental concepts and effective IELTS Reading strategies. Understanding how to link each answer to its exact paragraph not only improves accuracy but also builds confidence for the real exam. By mastering such passages, candidates can strengthen their comprehension and score higher in IELTS Reading.
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FAQs
What is the main idea of the Reducing the Effects of Climate Change reading passage?
The passage focuses on geoengineering techniques designed to slow or reverse climate change. It covers various proposed methods such as aerosol spraying, sunshades, and iron fertilization, while discussing their potential benefits, limitations, and risks. It also evaluates expert opinions and debates surrounding these large-scale environmental interventions.
Which question types are most common in this IELTS reading passage?
The passage typically includes question types like True/False/Not Given, matching features, and table completion. These tasks test your ability to scan and locate specific details, distinguish facts from opinions, and understand key terms or relationships between different ideas presented in the text.
How difficult is the Reducing the Effects of Climate Change passage in IELTS?
The passage is considered moderately challenging due to its technical vocabulary and complex sentence structures. However, the difficulty level depends on your familiarity with climate change topics and your ability to quickly locate key information using scanning and skimming techniques during the IELTS reading test.
What key vocabulary should I know for this passage?
Some essential words include geo-engineering, aerosols, sunshade, algae, polar ice, and iron fertilization. Understanding terms like “carbon emissions,” “cooling,” and “radiation reflection” is also important, as these keywords often appear in the reading questions or are directly linked to the passage’s main ideas.
How can I answer matching feature questions in this passage?
For matching feature questions, focus on scanning for proper nouns, scientist names, or unique terms. Use the question’s keywords to locate specific sentences in the text. Read carefully around those sentences to match opinions or statements accurately with the correct individuals or concepts
What strategies work best for table completion questions?
For table completion, underline keywords from the table, then scan the passage for related terms or synonyms. Read the surrounding text carefully to find the missing word or phrase. Make sure your answer matches the word limit and fits grammatically within the table’s context.
Why is geo-engineering a major focus of this reading passage?
Geo-engineering is highlighted as a “Plan B” to tackle climate change when reducing carbon emissions alone may not be enough. The passage discusses different geo-engineering solutions, their possible impact on global warming, and the debate within the scientific community regarding their risks and long-term effects.
How can I improve my reading speed for this passage?
To read faster, practice skimming for the main idea of each paragraph and scanning for specific terms like “aerosols” or “sunshade.” Avoid reading every word. Regular practice with similar passages improves your ability to quickly identify key information and manage time effectively.
Can I expect similar climate-related passages in IELTS exams?
Yes, IELTS reading often includes passages on environmental topics, including climate change, sustainability, or energy. These passages test your ability to comprehend scientific terms and arguments. Practicing texts like Reducing the Effects of Climate Change can prepare you for similar real exam scenarios.
What are some common mistakes students make with this passage?
Common errors include misinterpreting True/False/Not Given questions, ignoring synonyms in the text, and failing to distinguish between opinions and facts. Another mistake is spending too much time on one question instead of moving on. Time management and keyword recognition are critical for avoiding these pitfalls.
How to answer “Geo-Engineering Projects” table completion questions?
To answer the “Geo-Engineering Projects” table completion questions, first locate each procedure in the passage, then scan its related sentences to find the one-word answer matching the aim. Ensure the word fits grammatically, follows instructions, and directly reflects the passage’s meaning without altering form.
What to do if I don’t find a keyword?
If you can’t find a keyword, look for its synonyms or related phrases in the passage. Focus on the context rather than exact words, as IELTS often paraphrases questions. Skim surrounding sentences to spot the intended meaning and locate the correct answer.
Important IELTS Exam Resources
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In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 starts with a diagram, a visual representation of information. It can be a table, map, graph, process, diagram, or picture./
The essay for IELTS is part of Writing Task 2. It is the same for the General Training and Academic of the IELTS. You will get a topic and have to write an essay on the same./
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