CELPIP Reading for Viewpoints Climate Change Real or Not?
CELPIP Reading for Viewpoints Climate Change Real or Not?
This Reading Module has 12 questions similar to the kinds of questions that you can expect to find on an actual CELPIP Test. Practice Celpip Test Reading for Reading for Viewpoints Climate Change Real or Not?
Part 1
Directions: Read the following passage.
Climate change has been a hot topic for the past decade. The topic of climate change can be a confusing one at best. Opinions abound as to the mere existence of climate change. One person has one view, while someone else has quite the opposite view. Not only laymen, but even scientists argue whether or not climate change is a real issue. It is not surprising that this controversy leads to confusion and even more questions. The rift between believers and non-believers seems to be growing, with each side adamant about their respective views.
The believers hold that mankind’s activities contribute to a phenomenon known as climate change. Pollution that we create is believed to alter the temperature of the oceans, which leads to rising sea levels and temperature changes. Supporters of the climate change theory also claim that, by changing our daily habits, we can minimize our environmental footprint, which will decrease, and maybe even reverse, climate change. Such changes to our habits include recycling more conscientiously, walking or cycling instead of driving, and patronizing businesses that support green efforts. celpipmaterial.com
Conversely, the non-believers argue that changes to the planet’s climatic characteristics occur naturally every several millennia. They claim that such patterns were in existence long before we ever walked the earth. Therefore, such changes would occur whether or not human beings existed. Nonbelievers cite past cycles, based on scientific evidence, to support the claim that such change is natural, and basically out of our control. As a result of non-believers refusing to accept that humans are responsible for climate change, people may argue that non-believers do not care about the environment. However, there is no known correlation between a person’s view on the existence of climate change, and how much they care about the environment.
Debate continues to rage among believers and non-believers as to whether it is indeed the case that such change happens naturally, or that the human race somehow factors in. Clearly, there are disparate views on the topic of climate change. It may be impossible to get everyone to agree on whether climate change is a fact or not. One thing is certain, though. Without a doubt, we as humans should care about and care for the planet. After all, we have the intelligence, the resources, and the ability to preserve our natural environment. It is our duty and responsibility to save the planet for future generations. Therefore, rather than continuously arguing over whether climate change is real or not, each of us should focus on finding ways to make a positive contribution to the environment.
Part 2
Directions: Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the passage when necessary.
1. The writer _____.
a. establishes that climate change is real.
b. presents two arguments.
c. argues for the existence of climate change.
d. is not surprised by climate change.
2. According to the writer, _____.
a. both sides are starting to see eye to eye.
b. both sides agree more than they disagree.
c. agreement is growing between believers and non-believers.
d. each side maintains their position.
3. According to the believers, rising sea levels _____.
a. lead to the temperature of the oceans.
b. alter the temperature of the oceans.
c. are altered by the temperature of the oceans.
d. are the result of changing ocean temperatures.
4. According to the believers, the environmental footprint _____.
a. can minimize.
b. will decrease.
c. can be reduced.
d. will change our daily habits.
5. The believers feel that we should support the companies that _____.
a. care about protecting the environment.
b. can afford to be green.
c. support walking or cycling.
d. are known as “patronizing businesses”.
6. The non-believers hold the opinion that _____.
a. climate change is not natural.
b. we should argue about climate change being natural.
c. climate change happens every few thousand years.
d. changes to the climate’s characteristics happen for several millennia.
7. The writer feels that views on the topic of climate change _____.
a. vary.
b. disappear.
c. are the same.
d. are desperate.
8. In the writer’s opinion, _____.
a. it is better to stop arguing and agree that climate change is real.
b. it is better to stop arguing and focus on climate change.
c. it is better to stop arguing and take individual responsibility for the environment.
d. instead of finding ways to help the environment, we should continuously argue. celpipmaterial
Part 3
Directions: Read someone’s comment about the above passage. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above passage when necessary.
I enjoyed reading your article on the controversy surrounding climate change. (9. Fortunately / Personally / Especially / On the other hand), I’m confused by the whole debate, so I’ve chosen to be proactive about the whole issue. Whether or not humans are to blame for climate change, I’m not taking any (10. steps/chances/opportunities/blame) with our fragile planet. I’ve sold my car, and now I get around town (11. on foot / by plane / for a walk / by pedestrian) or by bike. I’ve also pledged to conserve electricity at home as much as possible. My electric and heating bills have plummeted as a result. I challenge everyone else who (12. agree with / read / believe / like) the above article to make their own contribution to saving the planet!
CELPIP Reading for Viewpoints Climate Change Real or Not? Answers
1) b
2) d
3) d
4) c
5) a
6) c
7) a
8) c
9) Personally
10) chances
11) on foot
12) read
Answers Explanation
Reading for Viewpoints “Climate Change: Real or Not?”
1) b: The two arguments which the writer presents are that climate change is real, and that it is not.
2) d: In Paragraph 1, “The rift between believers and non-believers seems to be growing, with each side adamant about their respective views” means that each side is maintaining their position.
3) d: In Paragraph 2, there is information that pollution is altering (=changing) ocean temperatures, which leads to rising sea levels.
4) c: Paragraph 2 says that “supporters…claim that…we can minimize our environmental footprint”.
5) a: At the end of Paragraph 2, “the businesses that support green efforts” refers to the ones that care about the environment.
6) c: In Paragraph 3, “every several millennia” means every few thousand years.
7) a: “Views on the topic of climate change vary” means that there are different, or various views on the topic of climate change.
8) c: The last sentence of the passage shows that we should take individual responsibility for the environment instead of arguing.
9) Personally: “Personally” is the only adverb that fits logically in the sentence.
10) chances: The writer of the comment expresses the idea that he does not want to risk (=take chances) damaging the environment.
11) on foot: The writer of the comment is expressing how he travels around town (on foot or by bike).
12) read: The writer of this response is referring to anyone who has read the article (“read” is in the past tense).
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