Climate Change

There are still some people who say that climate change is not real ! Others say that it is real, but
we cannot do anything to stop it, so we need not try. A few people even say that climate change is not
caused by human beings. But most people now understand that our world is getting hotter, and
we have to do something about it. We only have one Earth, and we can't get another one.

Twenty years ago, people could perhaps imagine that climate change was not a real problem, because
some scientists still had doubts. Today almost all the world's scientists agree: the world is getting
hotter, and it is the fault of human beings. Our planet is going towards a climate catastrophe, but
we can stop its worst effects. Indeed we must do everything possible to stop them.
In November 2021, world leaders (or most of them) met in Glasgow, in Scotland, for the COP26
summit. They took quite a few decisions, to try and stop the Earth getting too warm. Many countries
promised to become "carbon neutral" before 2050. Some have promised to become carbon-neutral
even faster. World leaders agree that we have to stop using coal and oil to generate heat and
electricity; we should use green energy sources instead, known as "renewables."
Before the year 2100, all the energy that we use may perhaps come from renewable sources; the sun,
the sea, the wind and rivers can produce more than enough energy for everyone on our planet, but we
still have a long way to go.
The green energy revolution has already begun, but the challenges are still enormous. "Going
green" will cost an enormous amount of money, and use some kinds of technology that do not yet
exist. Also there are some people who believe that it will be too expensive.
Although most people care about our planet and know that we have to act now to avoid a climate
catastrophe, there are other people who have different priorities. There are people who just don't care,
and there are people who care more about themselves than about the world around them. There are
people and big companies that just want to make money, and are not interested in anything that gets in
their way. Most importantly, there are politicians who are frightened of doing anything that other
people will not like; they make promises, but they do not keep them.
At COP26, people agreed that we will have to stop using coal as soon as possible, because it is the
dirtiest of fuels. Yet for some countries this will be very difficult. Most of their electricity is generated
by burning coal, so if they stop using coal, people will not have enough electricity. In developed
countries, everyone uses electricity, and industry uses lots of electricity. No countries can stop using
coal unless they have another source of electricity to use instead.
The cleanest electricity comes from the wind and the sun, but it takes time to build enough solar
power plants and wind turbines for a whole country. Then there is another big problem;
we cannot depend on solar power and the wind, because the sun does not shine at night, and the wind
does not blow all the time. These kinds of green power are not reliable, so we need other ideas too.

Climate change is mostly caused by CO2 and other gases in the air. Many countries are now
producing less CO2 and less air pollution than they used to. Cars are cleaner, heating is cleaner, more
things are being recycled. The problem lies in poorer countries which cannot afford the new
technology, and do not have the systems in place; it also lies in countries like China or Poland or
Greece, where coal is still a vital source of energy, of jobs or of exports.
Some people believe that we cannnot afford to fight climate change because it will cost too much.
The truth is that we cannot afford not to fight against climate change, because the cost of a climate
catastrophe will be even higher .

What is the primary argument presented in the passage regarding the use of coal as an
energy source?
a
Coal is the cleanest and most reliable fuel option.
b
Developed countries should continue using coal due to its affordability.
c
Phasing out coal will be extremely challenging for some countries.
d
Renewable energy sources can easily replace coal-based electricity generation.
2
According to the passage, what is the main issue with relying solely on renewable energy
sources like wind and solar power?
a
They are too expensive to implement on a large scale.
b
They are not consistently available and reliable.
c
Developed countries lack the infrastructure to support them.
d
Transitioning to them would lead to job losses in the coal industry.
3
How does the passage characterize the role of climate change in the global energy
transition?
a
It is an obstacle that cannot be overcome due to the high costs involved.
b
It is a problem that only affects poorer countries with limited resources.
c
It is a pressing issue that requires immediate and significant action.
d
It is a challenge that can be addressed through gradual technological advancements.
4
Which of the following best summarizes the passage's perspective on the feasibility of
phasing out coal-based electricity generation?
a
It is a realistic goal that can be achieved in the near future.
b
It is an unrealistic goal that would lead to widespread power shortages.
c
It is a necessary but extremely difficult task for many countries.
d
It is a goal that can be easily accomplished through international cooperation.
5
What does the passage suggest is a key factor in the uneven progress towards reducing
carbon emissions globally?
a
The lack of available renewable energy technologies.
b
The unwillingness of developed countries to lead the transition.
c
The financial constraints faced by poorer countries.
d
The political influence of the coal industry in some nations.
6
How does the passage characterize the overall cost-benefit analysis of addressing climate
change?
a
The costs of action outweigh the potential benefits.
b
The costs of inaction are likely to be far greater.
c
The costs and benefits are too difficult to accurately predict.
d
The costs of action are affordable for most countries.
7
What is the primary message the passage conveys about the global effort to transition
away from coal-based electricity?
a
It is an unrealistic and impractical goal.
b
It is a necessary but immensely challenging undertaking.
c
It is a straightforward process that can be easily achieved.
d
It is a task that only developed countries are capable of carrying out.