Experts in climatology and other scientists are becoming extremely concerned about the changes to our climate which are taking place. Admittedly, climate changes have occurred on our planet before. For example, there have been several ice ages or glacial periods. These climatic changes, however, were different from the modern ones in that they occurred gradually and, as far as we know, naturally. The changes currently being monitored are said to be the result not of natural causes, but of human activity. Furthermore, the rate of change is becoming alarmingly rapid.

   The major problem is that the planet appears to be warming up. According to some experts, this warming process, known as global warming, is occurring at a rate unprecedented in the last 10,000 years. The implications for the planet are very serious. Rising global temperatures could give rise to such ecological disasters as extremely high increases in the incidence of flooding and of droughts. These in turn could have a harmful effect on agriculture.

   It is thought that this unusual warming of the Earth has been caused by so-called greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, being emitted into the atmosphere by car engines and modern industrial processes, for example. Such gases not only add to the pollution of the atmosphere, but also create a greenhouse effect, by which the heat of the sun is trapped. This leads to the warming up of the planet.

   Politicians are also concerned about climate change and there are now regular summits on the subject, attended by representatives from around 180 of the world’s industrialized countries. Of these summits, the most important took place in Kyotoin Japanin 1997. There it was agreed that the most industrialized countries would try to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and were given targets for this reduction of emissions.

   It was also suggested that more forests should be planted to create so-called sinks to absorb greenhouse gases. At least part of the problem of rapid climate change has been caused by too drastic deforestation. Sadly, the targets are not being met. Even more sadly, global warnings about climate changes are often still being regarded as scaremongering.

According to the passage, 1997 witnessed ____.

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• The word “hurdles” can be best replaced by ___________.

• According to the passage, what does a constricted and harsh voice indicate?

• The first songs of the Beatles were ................

ZUNIA12

• Which of the following is NOT true according to the text?

• The public expects the following three services in handling and delivery of mail except ............

• The word “basis” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ............

• The word “downside” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to_________.

• What does the word "trilogy" in the first paragraph mean?

• The phrase “those forms” in the passage refers to all of the following EXCEPT ..........

• The word “it” in paragraph 1 refers to ..............

• Which of the following statements about the use of chemical agents as herbicides would the author most likely agree?

• The word “mechanisms” in paragraph 1 is most likely ________.

• The writer's father retired early because ..................

• The word “accounts” is closest in meaning to ...........

• What is the main idea of the third paragraph?

• Normal human beings ...........

• Doctors have tentatively concluded that cellphones may ________.

• According to the passage, the Railway Mail Service commenced in_________.

• The pronoun "they" in the second paragraph refers to ..........

• The word "representative" in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to ...............