TOEFL Reading

JAPANESE CLIMATE
The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
signifies that climate change has been recognized as an urgent threat to human security. Due
to scientific evidence showing the severity of the threat to human security, a globally
coordinated immediate action needs to be taken to create low-carbon societies. With their
advanced scientific technology and finances, Japan has the capability to make a significant
contribution to history by creating a Japanese model.
The severity of the threat has been shown through monitoring of global shifts in overall
temperature. Over the last 100 years the temperature has risen by 0.74 degrees C, with the
rate of change doubling over the last 50. In fact, if the greenhouse gas emissions stay at the
current rate for the next 10 to 20 years, the temperatures will rise by 2-3 degrees C which is a
perilous change for humans. The only way to prevent this is to significantly reduce the carbon
dioxide produced.
The IPCC reported that the observed temperature rise is likely due to the increase in
anthropogenic GHG concentration which points to human activity as the main culprit. In 2000
it is estimated that the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels and deforestation
was 7.2 billion tons per annum in terms of carbon. The oceans and ecosystems can only absorb
3.1 billion tons leaving an excess of 4.1 billion tons unable to be absorbed. The excess carbon
remained in the atmosphere and increased the advancement of climate change.
Even though there have been significant advancements in climate science, there are still many
uncertainties in the forecasting of the climate. There is a possibility that the climate will be less
severe, or more severe, than what is currently forecasted. Also, the fluctuations that can
happen in carbon emissions or abrupt changes in the global climate system could shift the
actual change. Therefore it is best to use the estimates that err on the cautious side when
creating a plan to try and help the problem.
There are several technologies that are currently in existence for effectively reducing GHG
emissions. Given further technological progress in the future could allow for these
technologies to significantly reduce the GHGs as well as save energy if adopted. If there were
policies in place that would put a premium on making the existing technologies more
profitable to encourage the implementation of it. Only if the infrastructure and social system
necessary for their application is created will they be effective.
Question 1
According to the paragraph, what does the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the IPCC
signify?
A. That the IPCC does amazing work
B. That climate change has been recognized as an urgent threat to human security
C. That climate change is a good topic for research
D. The IPCC provided the best contribution to science the year that it won
Question 2
According to the paragraph, what globally coordinated effort is needed to combat climate
change?
A. Reductions to carbon emissions
B. Reductions to oil production
C. Reductions habitat destruction
D. Reductions to the use of pesticides
Question 3
In the paragraph, what was the author's purpose in specifying that Japan had the capabilities
to create a Japanese model for a low-carbon society?
A. To show that Japan is a superior country
B. The author is Japanese and is more supportive of their country
C. The author is trying to persuade Japan to take action
D. The author is concluding that Japan is the most suited to handle the creation of one of
these societies and wants to explain that to the reader
Question 4
The word this in the paragraph refers to:
A. Rate of change
B. Greenhouse gases
C. Temperature increase
D. Carbon dioxide
Question 5
The word shifts in the paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. Changes
B. Suppression
C. Movements
D. Phenomenon
Question 6
What can be inferred from the paragraph about the levels of carbon dioxide emitted from
fossil fuels?
A. It is not getting any worse than previous years
B. The current levels will promote an increase in global temperatures
C. The IPCC should make the population more aware of the danger
D. The emission rates are at dangerous levels for the atmosphere
Question 7
The word concentration in the paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. Intensification
B. Divide
C. Dispersal
D. Parting
Question 8
According to the paragraph, what could alter the current forecast for climate change?
A. The ozone absorbs more greenhouse gases
B. Abrupt changes to the global climate system
C. Legislative action to curb climate change
D. Climate change isn't real
Question 9
The word forecasting in the paragraph refers to:
A. Knowing something to be true
B. Assuming something is wrong
C. Believing in something strongly
D. Predicting the outcome of an event
Question 10
According to the paragraph, which is NOT an advantage to new energy technology?
A. Reduce greenhouse gases
B. Profits from their implementation
C. Speed up climate change
D. Saves energy
Question 11
What can be inferred by reading the paragraph?
A. Policy changes are needed to slow down climate change
B. There is not sufficient technology to help slow climate change
C. The science of climate change is inconclusive
D. A large amount of money is made by companies producing technology to slow climate
change
Question 12
The word reduce in the paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. Expand
B. Strengthen
C. Amplify
D. Lessen
Question 13
Look at the four that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage:
With increased awareness and the technological advances and finances from Japan the low-
carbon societies are feasible.
Where would the sentence best fit?
A. There are several technologies that are currently in existence for effectively reducing
GHG emissions.
B. Given further technological progress in the future could allow for these technologies
to significantly reduce the GHGs as well as save energy if adopted.
C. If there were policies in place that would put a premium on making the existing
technologies more profitable to encourage the implementation of it. Only if the
infrastructure and social system necessary for their application is created will they be
effective.
D. At the end.

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JAPANESE CLIMATE

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