English with MRK
Master English for Competitive Exams
💡 Download Available! Click the "Download Word Doc" button above to get this worksheet as an editable .docx file!
Comprehension Worksheet
Topic: Climate Change & Sustainability
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Read the passage carefully before attempting the questions.
- All questions are compulsory.
- Write your answers in the space provided.
- Marks are indicated against each question.
PASSAGE
Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges confronting humanity in the 21st century. At its essence, climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature patterns, precipitation, wind patterns, and other aspects of Earth's climate system. While natural climate variability has occurred throughout Earth's 4.5-billion-year history, the current warming trend is unequivocally attributed to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), comprising thousands of scientists from across the globe, has concluded with 95% certainty that human influence has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased from approximately 280 parts per million in pre-industrial times to over 420 parts per million today—a level unprecedented in at least 800,000 years.
The consequences of climate change manifest across multiple dimensions of the Earth system. Global average temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times, with projections indicating potential increases of 1.5°C to 4.5°C by 2100 depending on emission scenarios. This warming triggers cascading effects: melting glaciers and polar ice caps contribute to sea-level rise, which currently averages 3.3 millimeters per year and threatens coastal communities housing over 680 million people. Ocean acidification, resulting from absorption of excess atmospheric CO2, endangers marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs that support 25% of marine biodiversity despite covering less than 1% of ocean floor. Extreme weather events—including hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves—have intensified in frequency and severity. The World Meteorological Organization reports that the number of weather-related disasters has increased fivefold over the past 50 years, causing economic damages exceeding $200 billion annually.
Sustainability emerges as the fundamental framework for addressing climate change and ensuring long-term human prosperity. The concept, popularized by the 1987 Brundtland Commission, defines sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs. This principle encompasses three interconnected pillars: environmental protection, economic viability, and social equity. Transitioning to renewable energy sources—solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal—represents a cornerstone of climate action. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for approximately 30% of global electricity generation, with costs of solar and wind power declining by 89% and 70% respectively over the past decade. Circular economy principles, which emphasize reducing, reusing, and recycling materials, minimize waste and resource extraction. Sustainable agriculture practices, including precision farming and regenerative techniques, enhance food security while reducing environmental degradation. The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all member states in 2015, provide a comprehensive roadmap integrating climate action with poverty eradication, education, health, and gender equality.
International cooperation and policy frameworks constitute essential mechanisms for climate action. The Paris Agreement, ratified in 2016 by 196 parties, established the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their emission reduction targets and adaptation strategies. The European Union has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 through its European Green Deal, investing €1 trillion in sustainable initiatives. China, the world's largest emitter, has pledged to reach peak emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. However, current commitments fall short of what scientists deem necessary; according to the IPCC, global emissions must decline by 43% from 2019 levels by 2030 to maintain the 1.5°C target. Climate finance—funding from developed to developing nations for mitigation and adaptation—remains contentious, with the promised $100 billion annual target not yet fully met. Additionally, loss and damage funding for climate-vulnerable nations affected by irreversible impacts has become a critical negotiation point in recent climate conferences.
Individual and collective action at local levels complements global efforts and drives meaningful change. Citizens can reduce their carbon footprint through conscious choices: adopting plant-based diets (livestock production accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions), utilizing public transportation, improving home energy efficiency, and supporting sustainable businesses. Youth-led movements, exemplified by initiatives like Fridays for Future, have mobilized millions globally to demand climate action from political leaders. Educational institutions are integrating climate literacy into curricula, empowering students with knowledge and agency to become sustainability advocates. Technological innovation continues advancing solutions: carbon capture and storage technologies, electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and smart grids. Yet technology alone cannot solve the crisis; transformative societal changes in consumption patterns, values, and economic systems are imperative. As the window for decisive action narrows, the choices made in this decade will determine whether humanity can avert catastrophic climate consequences and build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
QUESTIONS
SECTION A: Objective & Analytical Questions
Total: 18 Marks
I. Multiple Choice Questions 1 mark each = 5 marks
1. According to the passage, what is the current atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide?
2. The concept of sustainable development was popularized by:
3. By how much have global average temperatures risen since pre-industrial times?
4. What percentage of global electricity generation came from renewable energy in 2023?
5. According to the passage, livestock production accounts for what percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions?
II. Assertion-Reason Questions 2 marks each = 4 marks
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
6. Assertion (A): Ocean acidification endangers marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs.
Reason (R): Ocean acidification results from absorption of excess atmospheric CO2.
Reason (R): Ocean acidification results from absorption of excess atmospheric CO2.
Answer: _________________
7. Assertion (A): The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C.
Reason (R): Current country commitments are sufficient to achieve the 1.5°C target.
Reason (R): Current country commitments are sufficient to achieve the 1.5°C target.
Answer: _________________
III. True/False 1 mark each = 2 marks
If false, write the correct statement.
8. The European Union has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Answer: _______________________________
Correction (if false): _______________________________
9. The costs of solar power have declined by 50% over the past decade.
Answer: _______________________________
Correction (if false): _______________________________
IV. Fill in the Blanks 2 marks each = 4 marks
10. The _________________ comprise thousands of scientists and concluded with 95% certainty that human influence has been the dominant cause of warming.
Answer: _______________________________
11. Sustainable development encompasses three interconnected pillars: environmental protection, economic viability, and _________________.
Answer: _______________________________
V. Match the Following 3 marks
| Column A | Answer | Column B |
|---|---|---|
| (i) Paris Agreement | ______ | (a) 17 goals adopted by UN in 2015 |
| (ii) Circular Economy | ______ | (b) Reducing, reusing, recycling materials |
| (iii) SDGs | ______ | (c) Limiting warming to below 2°C |
SECTION B: Vocabulary & Language
Total: 8 Marks
12. Find synonyms from the passage for the following words: 1 mark each = 2 marks
(i) Essential: _______________________________
(ii) Comprehensive: _______________________________
13. Find antonyms from the passage for the following words: 1 mark each = 2 marks
(i) Natural: _______________________________
(ii) Expansion: _______________________________
14. Give meanings of the following words as used in the passage: 1 mark each = 3 marks
(i) Mitigation: _______________________________
(ii) Contentious: _______________________________
(iii) Imperative: _______________________________
15. Frame a meaningful sentence using the word "resilient" from the passage. 1 mark
Sentence: _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
SECTION C: Short & Long Answer Questions
Total: 14 Marks
Short Answer Questions 3 marks each = 6 marks
Answer in 30-40 words.
16. What are the three interconnected pillars of sustainable development mentioned in the passage?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
17. Describe two consequences of climate change mentioned in the passage that affect marine ecosystems.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Analytical Question (Higher Order Thinking) 4 marks
18. The passage mentions that current emission reduction commitments fall short of scientific requirements. Analyze why international climate agreements face challenges in implementation. What factors contribute to the gap between commitments and actual progress?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Opinion-Based Question (Real-Life Application) 4 marks
19. The passage states that individual actions can reduce carbon footprint. As a young citizen, what specific actions would you take in your daily life to contribute to climate action? Justify your choices with reasoning and explain their potential impact.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment