RC: Environment - 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 poses an existential threat to the global environment. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily due to fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes, is leading to a rise in global temperatures, known as global warming. The effects of this warming are manifold and interlinked, with consequences for all forms of life on Earth.
One of the most visible signs of climate change is the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers. This not only contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and small island nations, but also disrupts global oceanic currents, affecting weather patterns and marine biodiversity. Furthermore, the loss of ice reduces the Earth's albedo effect, meaning less solar radiation is reflected back into space, exacerbating the warming.
Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, and floods, have become more frequent and severe, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. These events also have a cascading effect on food security, water availability, and public health, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.
Despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on human-induced climate change, the response at the policy level has been sluggish and fragmented. International agreements like the Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming, but the commitments made by countries are still insufficient to meet the targets. Transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and protecting and restoring ecosystems are crucial steps that need to be accelerated.
In the face of inaction, grassroots movements and public demand for environmental justice have grown, pressing governments and corporations to adopt more ambitious climate policies. The need for a global, concerted effort to address climate change is more urgent than ever, as the window of opportunity to prevent the most catastrophic outcomes is rapidly closing.
Q1: According to the passage, which of the following statements can be regarded as true?
(a) Global temperatures are declining due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
(b) Polar ice caps and glaciers are melting, contributing to rising sea levels.
(c) Extreme weather events have become less frequent in recent years.
(d) The Paris Agreement has successfully limited global warming to safe levels.

  View Answer

Q2: Which one of the following statements, if false, could be seen as contradicting the facts/arguments in the passage?
(a) The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases is primarily due to natural processes.
(b) Rising sea levels pose a threat to coastal communities and small island nations.
(c) Public health is unaffected by the severity of extreme weather events.
(d) Grassroots movements are demanding more ambitious climate policies.

  View Answer

Q3: "The need for a global, concerted effort to address climate change is more urgent than ever, as the window of opportunity to prevent the most catastrophic outcomes is rapidly closing." In the context of the passage, which one of the following is not a possible implication of the quoted statement?
(a) Individual actions have no significant impact on combating climate change.
(b) Delaying climate action could lead to irreversible damage to the environment.
(c) International cooperation is crucial for effective climate change mitigation.
(d) The severity of the climate crisis requires immediate and coordinated efforts.

  View Answer

Q4: Which one of the following statements would be an accurate inference from the description of climate change impacts?
(a) Fossil fuel combustion has no role in the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases.
(b) Melting ice has no effect on the Earth's ability to reflect solar radiation.
(c) Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by climate change.
(d) The Paris Agreement has eliminated the need for grassroots environmental movements.

  View Answer