Cambridge IELTS 11 · Academic · Test 1 · Passage 3
Reducing The Effects Of Climate Change — IELTS Reading Answers
All 14 answers for Reducing The Effects Of Climate Change, Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 3, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Reducing The Effects Of Climate Change answer key at a glance
Questions 27–40. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q27–29), Table Completion (Q30–36), Matching Features (Q37–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 27–29: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
mention of a geo-engineering project based on an earlier natural phenomenon
“The idea is modelled on historic volcanic explosions, such as that of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, which led to a short-term cooling of global temperatures by 0.5 °C.”
Paragraph D describes a scheme modelled on historic volcanic explosions like Mount Pinatubo in 1991, matching a project based on an earlier natural phenomenon.
an example of a successful use of geo-engineering
“Geo-engineering has been shown to work, at least on a small localised scale.”
Paragraph B states geo-engineering has been shown to work, at least on a small localised scale, which is the example of successful use.
a common definition of geo-engineering
“Consequently, an increasing number of scientists are beginning to explore the alternative of geo-engineering — a term which generally refers to the intentional large-scale manipulation of the environment.”
Paragraph A supplies the term's general definition: the intentional large-scale manipulation of the environment.
Questions 30–36: Table Completion
Strategy: Work row by row. The row label tells you where to look; the column heading tells you what kind of word you need.
“His scheme would employ up to 16 trillion minute spacecraft, each weighing about one gram, to form a transparent, sunlight-refracting sunshade in an orbit 1.5 million km above the Earth.”
The table gap names the structure the spacecraft form; the passage says they create a transparent, sunlight-refracting sunshade.
“The majority of geo-engineering projects so far carried out — which include planting forests in deserts and depositing iron in the ocean to stimulate the growth of algae”
The gap is the substance deposited in the ocean; the passage says depositing iron stimulates the growth of algae.
“The majority of geo-engineering projects so far carried out — which include planting forests in deserts and depositing iron in the ocean to stimulate the growth of algae”
The gap is what the iron is meant to make grow; the text says it stimulates the growth of algae.
“This would involve using sulphur or hydrogen sulphide aerosols so that sulphur dioxide would form clouds, which would, in turn, lead to a global dimming.”
The gap is what the aerosols form; the passage says sulphur dioxide would form clouds, which would lead to global dimming.
“Scientists have also scrutinised whether it’s possible to preserve the ice sheets of Greenland with reinforced high-tension cables, preventing icebergs from moving into the sea.”
The gap names what would hold the ice sheets; the passage proposes reinforced high-tension cables to stop icebergs moving into the sea.
“birches would shed their leaves in winter, thus enabling radiation to be reflected by the snow.”
The gap is the surface that reflects radiation once birches lose their leaves; the text says the snow reflects it.
“Re-routing Russian rivers to increase cold water flow to ice-forming areas could also be used to slow down warming, say some climate scientists.”
The gap is what would be rerouted; the passage proposes re-routing Russian rivers to increase cold water flow to ice-forming areas.
Questions 37–40: Matching Features
Strategy: Match the statement to the named person or thing. Names can repeat, so check each option against what that person actually says.
The effects of geo-engineering may not be long-lasting.
“And Dr Phil Rasch of the US-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is equally guarded about the role of geo-engineering: ‘I think all of us agree that if we were to end geo-engineering on a given day, then the planet would return to its pre-engineered condition very rapidly,”
Rasch warns the planet would revert very rapidly, probably within ten to twenty years, if the scheme stopped, so its effects are temporary, speaker B.
Geo-engineering is a topic worth exploring.
“According to Dr Martin Sommerkorn, climate change advisor for the World Wildlife Fund’s International Arctic Programme, ‘Human-induced climate change has brought humanity to a position where we shouldn’t exclude thinking thoroughly about this topic and its possibilities.’”
Sommerkorn argues we should not exclude thinking thoroughly about geo-engineering and its possibilities, which is the view that it is worth exploring, D.
It may be necessary to limit the effectiveness of geo-engineering projects.
“‘To avoid such a scenario,’ Lunt says, ‘Angel’s project would have to operate at half strength; all of which reinforces his view that the best option is to avoid the need for geo-engineering altogether.””
Lunt says Angel's project would have to operate at half strength to avoid a bad scenario, meaning its effect needs limiting, speaker C.
Research into non-fossil-based fuels cannot be replaced by geo-engineering.
“Angel says that his plan is ‘no substitute for developing renewable energy: the only permanent solution’.”
Angel insists his plan is no substitute for developing renewable energy, the only permanent solution, so fuel research cannot be replaced, A.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Reducing The Effects Of Climate Change passage come from?
It is Passage 3 of Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Reading Test 1, and it covers Questions 27–40.
What question types appear in Reducing The Effects Of Climate Change?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Table Completion, Matching Features. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.