RC: Climate Change - 5 | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

Passage 

Direction: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
Climate change mitigation strategies are often evaluated based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, a deeper analysis reveals hidden costs that are seldom accounted for in initial assessments. These costs are multifaceted, encompassing not only economic factors but also social and ecological dimensions.
One such hidden cost is the social displacement caused by large-scale renewable energy projects. For instance, the construction of massive solar farms often requires significant land use, which can lead to the displacement of local communities and the disruption of their livelihoods. Similarly, biofuel production has been linked to deforestation and the conversion of agricultural land, affecting food security and biodiversity.
Another hidden cost is the economic burden on consumers. While the long-term benefits of climate change mitigation are clear, the short-term costs can be substantial. Transitioning to a low-carbon economy may involve upfront investments that are passed on to consumers, leading to higher energy prices and living costs, which disproportionately affect low-income households.
Furthermore, the ecological costs of some mitigation strategies are not always evident. For example, the production of electric vehicles (EVs) involves mining for lithium and cobalt, which can have significant environmental impacts. The disposal of EV batteries also poses challenges in terms of recycling and waste management.
Recognizing these hidden costs is crucial for developing comprehensive and equitable climate change mitigation strategies. Policymakers must balance the urgency of reducing emissions with the need to address the broader implications of mitigation efforts.
Q1: What does the passage imply about the evaluation of climate change mitigation strategies?
(a) They are often overestimated in terms of their effectiveness.
(b) They are typically assessed without considering hidden costs.
(c) They are always economically beneficial in the short term.
(d) They invariably lead to social displacement and ecological damage.

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Q2: The displacement of local communities is primarily associated with:
(a) The construction of large-scale renewable energy projects.
(b) The implementation of carbon taxation policies.
(c) The development of public transportation systems.
(d) The establishment of conservation areas and wildlife reserves.

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Q3: According to the passage, low-income households are affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy due to:
(a) The lack of access to renewable energy sources.
(b) The upfront investments leading to higher living costs.
(c) The displacement from their communities.
(d) The ecological impacts of mitigation strategies.

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Q4: In the context of electric vehicles (EVs), the passage highlights ecological costs related to:
(a) The emissions produced during vehicle operation.
(b) The mining for lithium and cobalt and battery disposal.
(c) The construction of charging infrastructure.
(d) The conversion of land for EV manufacturing plants.

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