Aeon Based RC- 8 | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

The future of energy consumption and its impact on global warming presents a complex challenge. By 2050, humanity may have transitioned to electric cars, aircraft running on synthetic fuels, and widespread use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This optimistic scenario suggests a potential solution to the crisis of global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. However, a deeper, more insidious problem lies beneath: the issue of 'deep warming.'

Deep warming, unlike global warming, is not caused by greenhouse gases but is a direct result of our energy use in all forms. It stems from the inevitable waste heat generated whenever energy is used. This problem is built into our relationship with energy itself and is a consequence of the principles of thermodynamics.

The evolution of humanity has been marked by systematic increases in per-capita energy use. From early hunter-gatherers to modern industrial societies, our energy consumption has skyrocketed. This increase in energy use, while enabling remarkable technological advancements, also contributes to heating the planet. All energy used by humans eventually ends up as heat in the environment, a phenomenon known as 'waste heat.'

Currently, waste heat is not as significant as the heating caused by greenhouse gases. However, if the historical trend of exponential growth in energy use continues, waste heat could pose a serious problem in the next few centuries. This issue is more challenging because it cannot be resolved by simply shifting from one kind of energy to another.

The concept of deep warming was first described by Harvard astrophysicist Eric Chaisson and has since been acknowledged by other scientists. The transformation of energy into heat is a fundamental process in physics, governed by the laws of thermodynamics. These laws state that energy is conserved but changes form, and it tends to move from more organized to less organized forms, eventually becoming waste heat.

The deep warming problem highlights the need for a radical rethinking of our energy use. It suggests that simply improving energy efficiency or transitioning to renewable energy sources may not be sufficient. Instead, humanity might need to consider setting strict limits on overall energy consumption to prevent environmental destruction.
Q1: What is the primary focus of the passage?
(a) The decline of fossil fuel industries
(b) The impact of renewable energy sources on global warming
(c) The challenge of deep warming beneath global warming
(d) The role of technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

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Q2: According to the passage, what is a significant difference between global warming and deep warming?
(a) Global warming is reversible, while deep warming is not
(b) Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases, whereas deep warming is not
(c) Deep warming can be solved by renewable energy, but global warming cannot
(d) Deep warming is a more immediate threat than global warming

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Q3: What does the passage imply about the future of energy consumption?
(a) It will decrease due to technological advancements
(b) It is likely to continue increasing exponentially
(c) It will stabilize with the decline of fossil fuels
(d) It will shift entirely to renewable sources by 2050

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Q4: What role do the laws of thermodynamics play in the concept of deep warming?
(a) They predict the eventual decline of energy use
(b) They explain the transformation of energy into waste heat
(c) They suggest a solution to the deep warming problem
(d) They prove that deep warming is a reversible process

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Q5: What can be inferred about the author's perspective on solving the deep warming issue?
(a) Optimistic about the potential of renewable energy
(b) Pessimistic due to the lack of current solutions
(c) Suggestive of the need for radical changes in energy use
(d) Indifferent, focusing only on presenting facts

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Q6: Which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
(a) Technological advancements will eventually eliminate the need for energy conservation
(b) The transition to renewable energy sources is the ultimate solution to global warming
(c) Deep warming is a problem that requires immediate global attention
(d) Improving energy efficiency alone can prevent deep warming

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