C. attacks ozone. (CORRECT) D. reduces ozone loss.
See P3: Even small percentage reductions in the amount of ozone in the upper atmosphere cause a
measurable increase in UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface. This reduction has been directly traced to human activity because we now realise that certain manufactured substances can destroy stratospheric ozone much faster than it is formed. Specifically, the release of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances, which are widely used as refrigerants, insulating foams and solvents, are the culprits. When CFCs float up into the
stratosphere, they are broken apart by the UV radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone, starting chemical cycles of ozone destruction and depletion.
Q2. NOTES: Chlorine reacts with ozone, destroying and depleting it.
Q3. Which one of the following statements is not true?
A. CFCs have been eliminated from the atmosphere. (CORRECT) B. Plant and human life are damaged by UV radiation.
C. Ozone depletion can be stopped.
D. The ozone layer is poisonous.
See P4: The Montreal Protocol of 1987 attempts to limit the production and use of ozone-
depleting substances. Some success has already been recorded with a slowing down in the rate of ozone loss and a levelling off of the concentration of CFCs in the atmosphere. Scientists
remain hopeful that, if countries keep to the targets set by the international community, stratospheric ozone will return to normal levels by about 2050.
Q3. NOTES: CFCs have levelled off but have not been eliminated. The text does not say that
elimination of CFCs is even possible.
Q4. The word "it" in sentence 3 of paragraph 2 (after ""stratosphere because") refers to A. Ozone. (CORRECT)
B. Oxygen.
C. Stratosphere.
D. Ground level.
See P2: What exactly is the ozone layer and why is it important? Ozone is a form of oxygen, with
each ozone molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. Unlike oxygen, ozone is poisonous which would be a problem if concentrated at ground level but is highly beneficial to life when collected in the stratosphere because it blocks out the sun's ultraviolet rays. A diminished ozone layer allows more UV radiation to reach the earth's surface, a serious effect because it can damage DNA, which means it is potentially harmful to most living things, including plants. The human body cannot detect ultraviolet radiation directly which means that humans are unaware of the damage that is done to them on sunny days. This damage can include skin cancer, cataracts and weakened immune systems in humans and reduced crop yields and disruptions in the marine food chain.
A. has always occurred.
B. is a consequence of radiation changes.
C. is a man-made problem. (CORRECT) D. decreases UV radiation.
See P3: Even small percentage reductions in the amount of ozone in the upper atmosphere cause a
measurable increase in UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface. This reduction has been directly traced to human activity because we now realise that certain manufactured
substances can destroy stratospheric ozone much faster than it is formed. Specifically, the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances, which are widely used as refrigerants, insulating foams and solvents, are the culprits. When CFCs float up into the
stratosphere, they are broken apart by the UV radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone, starting chemical cycles of ozone destruction and depletion.
Q5. NOTES: It is a man-made problem (“traced to human activity”) because the substances
causing the problem are manufactured.
Q6. The word "consensus" in the first line of the text could best be replaced by A. Concern.
B. Conference.
C. Agreement. (CORRECT) D. Sympathy.
See P1: There is a solid international consensus about the causes and effects of ozone depletion.
About 300 scientists from all corners of the world drafted and reviewed the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) & United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1998. The assessment is that the situation is serious but not irreversible.
Q6. NOTES: “Consensus" means people agreeing together. Eg: "There was general consensus
about the right course of action to take".
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Full IELTS Reading Answers & Notes Answers: 1. Facts you should know about Global Warming
Q1: Fact 2 = F. Otherwise the earth would be much cooler Q2: Fact 3 = C. "the warming trend this century"
Q3: Fact 4 = A. "predict an increase"
Q4: Fact 5 = D. "projected that sea levels will rise"
Q5: Fact 6 = B. "stresses" = "social and cultural upheavals"
Q6: Fact 7 = E. "surprises" - increased wheat yields in Canada Q7. Considered as a whole, the text:
A. is optimistic that global warning can be dealt with B. rejects simple attempts to solve the problem
C. explains how the problem can be solved
D. explains the consequences of global warning. (CORRECT)
Q7. NOTES The text is concerned with what will happen e.g.: impact on temperature, climate, sea
levels, societal changes - not solutions.
Q8. Computer predictions of climate change have been A. disputed by some scientists
B. modified over many years
C. proved reliable by trapped air in glaciers (CORRECT) D. based on recent climate changes
Q8. NOTES See FACT 4: the last but one sentence where the example in (c) is given.
Q9. Societies have disappeared because of global warning A. TRUE (CORRECT)
B. FALSE
C. NOT GIVEN
Q9. NOTES The last paragraph of FACT 6 talks about "the collapse of civilizations"
Q10. Which statement is closest in meaning to what the text says?
A. The greenhouse effect has increased by thirty times since the industrial revolution.
B. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is thirty times greater than before the industrial revolution.
C. There is no evidence of changes in carbon dioxide levels since the industrial revolution.
D. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by almost one-third since the industrial revolution. (CORRECT)
Q10. NOTES See Fact 2 "has increased by 30%"
Q11. When greenhouse gases are reduced, the rise in sea levels will also be reduced.
Q11. NOTES See Fact 5 "the sea level will continue to rise, even if ... gases are cut"
Q12. Damage from global warming is likely to be only temporary.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE (CORRECT) C. NOT GIVEN
Q12. NOTES See Fact 7 It can be inferred that social, economic and environmental upheaval will
cause long-term damage.
The IPPC (Q13.) report helped our understanding of global warming and affirmed that greenhouse gas (Q14.) emission is a large contributor. Although a naturally occurring phenomenon, the
greenhouse effect is being made worse(Q15) by human activity / by humans , affecting both (Q16.) temperature / climate and (Q17.) climate / temperature . The IPCC believe that other factors (for example, (Q18.) increased solar output / solar output) are not responsible.
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